Bespoke & Printed Whiteboards: A Guide to Custom Sizing and Printed Graphics

by Paul Howe

Not every wall is a standard size and not every whiteboard needs to be plain white. Reception areas, awkward alcoves, sports halls and branded meeting spaces regularly need something a standard off-the-shelf whiteboard simply can't deliver - an exact fit, a printed layout or both. This guide covers how bespoke sizing and printed whiteboards actually work and where they're worth specifying.

When Standard Whiteboard Sizes Don't Work

Off-the-shelf sizes cover most everyday classroom and office needs, but they start to fall short in a few common situations:

  • Awkward wall dimensions - an alcove, a pillar-interrupted wall, or a non-standard room shape that no stock size fits cleanly
  • Oversized requirements - sports halls, assembly spaces and open-plan offices often need boards larger than standard stock sizes
  • Reception and branded spaces - where a plain whiteboard doesn't reflect the standard of finish the rest of the space is designed to
  • Multi-site consistency - MATs, healthcare trusts and franchised operators specifying the same branded board design across several locations

In any of these cases, a bespoke board isn't a luxury upgrade - it's the only way to get a display that actually fits the brief.

How Bespoke Sizing Works

Bespoke doesn't mean complicated. In practice, it comes down to a few decisions:

  1. Exact measurements. We manufacture to the dimensions you provide, rather than fitting your space around a stock size.
  2. Substrate choice. Magnetic or non-magnetic, depending on how the board will be used day to day.
  3. Frame and finish. Framed, unframed or lockable, to match the location and level of public access.
  4. Fixing method. Confirmed against the wall type the board is going onto, particularly for larger bespoke sizes which carry more weight.

Because boards are manufactured in-house in Bolton rather than sourced from stock overseas, custom sizing doesn't mean the long lead times often associated with bespoke joinery or fit-out items.

What Printed Whiteboards Are Used For

A printed whiteboard keeps the full dry-wipe or magnetic functionality of a standard board, but with permanent graphics printed directly onto the surface underneath the writable finish. Common applications include:

  • Branded reception boards - company or school logo, colours and messaging built into the board itself
  • Wayfinding and floor plans - printed site maps or directional graphics in corridors, hospitals and multi-building campuses
  • School values and mission statement walls - a permanent printed backdrop with space around it for dry-wipe updates
  • Sports hall markings and diagrams - printed court layouts, tactics boards or activity diagrams
  • Fit-out show suites and sales offices - branded boards specified as part of a wider commercial fit-out package

The result functions as a normal whiteboard for day-to-day use, while permanently carrying whatever graphic, branding or layout the space needs.

Design and Artwork Considerations

A few practical points make the process smoother when specifying a printed board:

  • Artwork format - vector files (AI, EPS or high-resolution PDF) print more cleanly than low-resolution logos or screenshots
  • Colour matching - brand colours can be matched closely, though it's worth confirming Pantone references upfront if exact brand consistency matters
  • Surface performance - the printed area sits beneath the dry-wipe finish, so writing and erasing performance isn't affected by having graphics underneath
  • Proofing - a design proof is confirmed before production on any bespoke printed order, so there are no surprises on delivery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you print on both magnetic and non-magnetic whiteboards? Yes - printed graphics can be applied to either substrate, so the choice comes down to whether magnetic functionality is needed for the space.

What artwork do you need from us? Ideally a vector file (AI, EPS, or high-resolution PDF) with any specific brand colour references. If you only have a logo as a low-resolution image, let us know and we'll advise whether it's usable or needs recreating.

Does a bespoke or printed board cost more than a standard one? Bespoke sizing and printing are priced against the specific dimensions and design, so cost varies by project - get in touch with your requirements for an accurate quote rather than working from a standard price list.

Is there a minimum or maximum size for bespoke boards? We manufacture to a wide range of custom dimensions in-house. Send us your rough sizing and we'll confirm what's achievable for your space.

Specifying a Bespoke or Printed Board

If you've got a space that doesn't fit a standard size, or a branding requirement a plain whiteboard won't meet, send us your rough dimensions and any artwork you're working with. Request a quote and our team will confirm what's possible and turn around a spec.

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