FLEXSPACE™
LARGE-FORMAT FLEX FACE LIGHTBOX

FlexSpace™ is a large-format signage system with a tensioned flexible face mounted in an aluminum frame. It is used wherever a traditional rigid acrylic or composite face no longer makes sense due to scale, weight, transportation, illumination, servicing, or future graphic replacement.

As standard, PRETENDE FlexSpace™ is not just a frame and a face. It is a comprehensive technical solution covering large-scale brand surfaces, structure, lighting, installation, and responsibility for the final result.

We recommend FlexSpace™ when signage needs to be large-scale, clearly visible from a distance, and function as a structured architectural element rather than a random advertising surface.

The system makes the most sense when:
– the sign area is too large for a standard acrylic lightbox
– a lightweight, large and stable structure is required
– the signage must be visible from the road, parking lot or long distance
– the graphics may need to be replaced in the future
– uniform illumination across a large surface is essential
– the building requires a more architectural effect than standard large-format advertising

Flexible faces are often associated with banner signage, but a well-designed Flex Face should never look like a temporary advertisement. The final result is defined by the frame, face tension, edge detailing, illumination, mounting method, service access, and its integration with the façade.

FlexSpace™ allows you to leverage the advantages of a flexible face without a makeshift appearance. With a properly engineered structure, even large-format surfaces can look clean, seamless, and architecturally refined.

FlexSpace™ is not always the best choice. If the signage is intended to be smaller, rigid and more detailed, a traditional lightbox, ARCHIFORM LED™ or LED channel letters may be more appropriate. If the priority is interchangeable textile graphics indoors, a SEG fabric lightbox may be a better solution.

The choice of technology should be based on the scale of the sign, installation location, facade structure, desired lighting effect, visibility from a distance and future maintenance requirements.

At large scale, every compromise becomes visible on the façade. Uneven face tension, a weak frame, poorly selected lighting, random proportions or lack of service access stop being minor technical details and start affecting brand perception.

That’s why FlexSpace™ doesn’t start with a question about dimensions alone. It begins with an analysis of the location, visibility, structure, installation conditions, wind exposure, graphic legibility and the way the system will be serviced in the future.

The Flex Face lightbox operates by tensioning a flexible face within an aluminum frame. The face can be printed with graphics, produced in a translucent version for backlighting, or prepared as a non-illuminated surface.

In the illuminated version, the LED light source is installed inside the lightbox, and the structure must be designed to ensure even light distribution across the entire surface.

In FlexSpace™ it’s not just the face material that matters. Quality is determined by the lightbox depth, the tensioning system, LED layout, the distance between the light sources and the surface, the graphic color scheme, service accessibility and structural stability.

At the design stage, we analyze:
– tension of the flexible face
– uniformity of LED illumination
– structural resistance to external conditions
– graphic legibility from the appropriate viewing distance
– access to power supply and maintenance
– possibility of future face replacement

FlexSpace™ is ideal wherever signage needs to be large, highly visible, structurally stable and aligned with the building’s architecture. It is a solution for retail parks, shopping centres, showrooms, hotels, service facilities, industrial halls, logistics centres and expansive facades.

We design the system for locations where brand exposure must be visible from the road, car park, roundabout, pedestrian routes or long viewing distances.

FlexSpace™ can be designed as an illuminated system, non-illuminated solution, façade-integrated signage, rebranding-ready format, or prepared for easier service access.

Most common implementation directions:
– FlexSpace™ Light — illuminated surface with translucent face
– FlexSpace™ Facade — system tailored to the façade and building proportions
– FlexSpace™ Rebranding — solution allowing replacement of the face only
– FlexSpace™ Service Ready — variant designed with service access in mind
– FlexSpace™ Non-Illuminated — large-format branding surface without illumination

FlexSpace™ is not meant to cover the façade with graphics. Its role is to organise a large-scale brand surface within the architecture. With large formats, the building’s proportions, façade rhythm, installation height, contrast, lighting, and the way the sign is perceived during the day and after dark all matter.

The result of a well-designed system is a large, even and legible signage surface that looks stable, does not create the impression of a temporary banner and can be serviced over time.

PRETENDE delivers FlexSpace™ as a complete process: from site analysis, through technology selection, graphic and technical design, to production, logistics, installation, and preparing the system for ongoing maintenance.

On large-scale projects, process control is just as important as the product itself. Mounting methods, transport, service access, power routing, face replacement, and responsibility for the final result must all be planned in advance.

A large-format lightbox may seem simple at first glance. In reality, every element affects the final result: the frame, the face, the illumination, the structure, installation, transport, service access and its integration with the façade.

Most common risks:
– uneven face tension
– material waviness
– light spots and shadowing
– poor graphic readability from a distance
– insufficient structural strength
– lack of service access
– difficulties with future face replacement
– a banner-like effect instead of an architectural surface

For a preliminary FlexSpace™ assessment, we require the dimensions of the planned area, photos of the site, information about the type of facade, installation location, the expected daytime and nighttime effect, and confirmation whether the graphic will need to be replaceable in the future.

It is also advisable to indicate access to power supply, the intended use of the signage, visibility directions, and whether the system is to be illuminated, non-illuminated, facade-mounted, intended for rebranding, or prepared for servicing.