Our idéal print solutions for your outdoor exhibitions
Our idéal print solutions for your outdoor exhibitions
In Paris alone, there are no fewer than sixty outdoor exhibitions held each year. Transforming public spaces into open-air galleries or museums is a rapidly growing trend, much to the delight of passing visitors. Picto offers a range of printing solutions so that you, too, can showcase your future exhibitions outdoors!
Generally speaking, it is the venue hosting the exhibition that determines the production process and, above all, how your prints will be displayed. Whether on rigid or flexible substrates, we have the solution for all forms of exhibition in public spaces. It is essential to ensure you obtain permission to display the works before starting production. Some towns provide free spaces for organisations or cultural events. Depending on the local authority, displaying work for artistic purposes may be permitted, but it is still best to have official approval to avoid any penalties.
Don’t forget to include a display featuring an introductory text, a short biography and a link (or a QR code) to your website or social media, to maximise the impact of your event. If your prints require captions, you can add them directly in an image editing programme (such as Photoshop) beneath each image, so that you can print the entire document combining photographs and text. Ensure the text size is sufficiently legible, taking into account the height and viewing distance.
FLEXIBLE STICKERS
■ Blue-backed paper:
Blue-backed paper is, in a way, the original method for outdoor display. Less expensive than other techniques, it allows for large-format photo printing and is easy to apply. It is particularly suitable when resources are limited and a street art approach is adopted, transforming walls into veritable picture rails.
The cost is €32.96 incl. VAT per m²*
Printing of wallpaper strips in the Picto Grand Paris workshops
■ Wallpaper:
Of a higher quality than blue-backed paper, this process offers an attractive alternative for a finish similar to a photographic print. This material is pre-pasted, making it easy to hang. There are two different types of material: the first has a satin finish (175 g), and the second has a matt finish (non-woven 180 g).
The cost is €42.91 incl. VAT per m²*
FLEXIBLE MATERIALS FOR FIXING
■ Tarpaulin:
Tarpaulin has long been a popular choice for outdoor displays as it is particularly weather-resistant. It allows for very large-format projects (up to 318 cm) and is available in two main materials for your outdoor needs: the Frontlit M1 450 g tarpaulin, with its matt finish, ideal for outdoor use on a flat surface such as a façade or a wall, and the Opaque M2 510 g tarpaulin, a light-blocking material that does not let light through.
The cost is €62.03 incl. VAT per m²*
This solution requires specific mounting depending on the installation site, involving the fitting of eyelets or the creation of grommets, depending on whether the print is small or large in size.
■ Large-format canvas:
For artistic photographers seeking a more painterly finish, there is an alternative to tarpaulin: XXL-sized ‘canvas’-style polyester fabric. For a true masterpiece!
The cost is €67.43 incl. VAT per m²*
RIGID MOUNTING
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SUBSTRATES Doisneau 2025 Exhibition © La Gacilly Festival
SUBSTRATES Doisneau 2025 Exhibition © La Gacilly Festival
■ Direct printing on Dibond:
This technique of direct printing onto a rigid substrate, in this case Dibond, is the most commonly used for outdoor exhibitions thanks to its high print quality, lightness and robustness. The maximum size is 200 cm in a single print (note that it is possible to create a larger image using multiple prints). There are three options: 2 mm Dibond, 3 mm Dibond or 3 mm brushed aluminium Dibond (for the latter, the maximum size is 148 cm). PVC or Plexiglas substrates are also available, but as they are more fragile and heavier, Dibond remains the preferred choice. Foam board, meanwhile, is best reserved for temporary events.
The cost is €126.72 per m² including VAT*
For this process, depending on the size of the print (the platform will suggest the recommended hanging method), you can choose between metal fasteners glued to the back, holes punched in the corners of the print, or the installation of a recessed or flush-mounted frame.
For this process, depending on the size of the print (the platform will suggest the recommended hanging method), you can choose between metal fasteners glued to the back, holes punched in the corners of the print, or the installation of a recessed or flush-mounted frame.
■ An eco-friendly alternative: Smartbond:
Picto Laboratory offers an innovative material for your direct prints on rigid substrates: Smartbond. Made from 100% aluminium, this makes it fully recyclable, unlike Dibond, an aluminium composite containing plastic. Lightweight and durable, it is perfectly suited to the demands of outdoor exhibitions.
Are you interested in this eco-friendly alternative? Contact us via our form (by clicking here) to tell us about your project. We can then provide a quote, measure your environmental impact and estimate your carbon savings compared to the more traditional use of Dibond.
* All prices are quoted and valid for the month of March 2026.
Cover photo: François Fontaine Exhibition 2025 © La Gacilly Festival
