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Astra: Translating Visual Art Into Dimensional Reality

  • Writer: Team Andresen
    Team Andresen
  • Jan 21
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 22

Project Overview


An elevated view highlights the scale and spatial impact of Astra, composed of individually UV-printed acrylic panels precisely aligned to form a cohesive, immersive sculptural form.
An elevated view highlights the scale and spatial impact of Astra, composed of individually UV-printed acrylic panels precisely aligned to form a cohesive, immersive sculptural form.

Andresen’s imaging capabilities extend well beyond commercial print and branding applications into the world of fine art and immersive installations. Astra is a permanent public art installation by internationally recognized artist David Spriggs, produced through close collaboration between artist, fabricator, and print partner.


Installed in the Robert B. Docking State Office Building in Topeka, Kansas, Astra is a suspended acrylic artwork composed of layered cloud imagery. When viewed together, the transparent panels create a luminous, three-dimensional atmospheric sculpture that shifts with light and perspective.


Concept & Creative Development


David Spriggs is known for large-scale installations that explore depth, movement, and perception through stacked transparent materials. The creative concept for Astra relied on precise image alignment, tonal consistency, and flawless execution across multiple acrylic layers.


Each panel needed to function independently while contributing to a unified visual experience. This required a print partner capable of reproducing subtle gradients and fine detail directly onto clear acrylic without distortion or variation.



Collaboration Across Artist, Fabricator, and Printer



https://video.wixstatic.com/video/73f0a0_8367e89358bb4b9c98dfaaccad610f95/720p/mp4/file.mp4
A glimpse into the fabrication process of Astra showing a sample of the UV printed acrylic panels.

Astra was produced through a multi-disciplinary collaboration:

  • Artist & Designer: David Spriggs

  • Fabrication & Installation: Architectural Plastics Inc.

  • UV Printing: Andresen


Andresen worked closely with Architectural Plastics Inc. to support the project as the imaging and print production specialist. Every acrylic panel featured a unique section of cloud imagery, and consistency across the full series was critical to the success of the final installation.


This collaborative approach reflects Andresen’s ability to support complex, non-commercial projects that require coordination between artists, specialty fabricators, and advanced production teams.



Design Translation & Print Preparation


Detail view of Astra showing layered acrylic panels UV-printed by Andresen, where stacked cloud imagery creates depth, movement, and shifting perspective as light passes through each layer.
Detail view of Astra showing layered acrylic panels UV-printed by Andresen, where stacked cloud imagery creates depth, movement, and shifting perspective as light passes through each layer.

Artwork was carefully prepared to ensure accurate placement, clean registration, and consistent opacity across all panels. Because the installation depends on stacked transparency to achieve its three-dimensional effect, even minor deviations in color or alignment could disrupt the final visual impact.


Andresen’s experience working with rigid and transparent substrates allowed the artwork to translate seamlessly from digital files to physical materials.



UV Printing & Equipment Used


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx9tWLfP6PQ
Using Andresen’s Vanguard VR6D-HS UV flatbed printer, cloud imagery was printed directly onto clear acrylic panels with exceptional clarity and consistency—critical for the layered depth of Astra.

All acrylic panels were UV printed in-house at Andresen, allowing for tight quality control throughout production. For this project, Andresen utilized the Vanguard VR6D-HS UV flatbed printer, selected for its ability to print directly onto rigid acrylic while maintaining exceptional detail and uniform color density.


UV flatbed printing was essential for achieving the luminous cloud imagery while preserving the transparency required for layered visual depth.


Equipment Used: Vanguard VR6D-HS UV Flatbed Printer

Learn more about Andresen’s in-house equipment and production, click below.



Fabrication, Installation & Final Result


Astra, a permanent suspended acrylic installation by artist David Spriggs, floats within the Robert B. Docking State Office Building in Topeka, Kansas, creating a luminous, three-dimensional atmospheric experience.
Astra, a permanent suspended acrylic installation by artist David Spriggs, floats within the Robert B. Docking State Office Building in Topeka, Kansas, creating a luminous, three-dimensional atmospheric experience.

The acrylic panels were originally fabricated then installed after printing by Architectural Plastics Inc. The panels were suspended together to form a cohesive installation that visually merges individual layers into a single atmospheric composition.


The completed artwork is now a permanent public installation, demonstrating how advanced print technology can support fine art, architectural, and cultural projects—not just commercial applications.



Beyond Commercial Printing


Astra highlights Andresen’s ability to collaborate on unique projects that extend into the visual arts. By combining advanced equipment, material expertise, and a collaborative production process, Andresen helps artists and fabricators bring ambitious concepts into physical space. Explore how Andresen supports fine art, architectural, and custom fabrication projects through advanced in-house production.




Credits


Artist / Designer: David Spriggs Fabrication & Installation: Architectural Plastics Inc. UV Printing: Andresen Video Editing & Social Media: MC Creative, Las Vegas Footage: David Spriggs, Architectural Plastics Inc.




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