An Ambitious Challenge
The London Mural Company approached Laser Cutting Services with an ambitious challenge: help bring to life a large-scale floor mural outside Milton Keynes train station, commissioned by Milton Keynes Council. The mural, designed by Yinka Ilori MBE, known for his dynamic and playful style, aims to “fill the square with colour that captures the dynamism of one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK.”
At over 3000m2, this mural required careful planning and seamless collaboration between design, stencil production, and application teams. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the process.
Photo credit: Milton Keynes Council
Design – Turning Vision into a Practical Plan
The London Mural Company provided us with Yinka Ilori’s MBE's vibrant design, which featured repeating patterns and shapes. Our first task was to translate this into a practical stencil plan:
Template based stencil – the stencil provided wasn’t traditional in style. It was designed like a puzzle, where each section could be removed to paint another section.
- Repeatable templates: The mural’s repeatable design meant stencils could be reused, reducing production costs massively.
- We provided 3 repeats of sections A, B & C that then made up around 1/8th of the ‘cake’ which was then repeated in the circle.
- Measurements had to be accurate: Every millimetre mattered; even slight deviations would disrupt alignment across the entire mural.
- Preparation for obstacles: Lamp posts, street furniture, and other urban features had to be considered in the layout before stencil design was planned. We provided stencils in a thin polyester film which could be cut to fit around an obstacle.
Photo Credit: Shier Coatings
Stencil Cutting – Scale
Once the plan was finalised, our laser cutters produced the stencils:
- Labelling each part which made up a set: Stencils required careful labelling and organisation to ensure they could easily be positioned correctly on site with our guide.
- Polypropylene stencils – Parts A-B & C were produced in 2mm polypropylene – the best material to use for the ‘puzzle’
- Mylar stencils – we produced some repeats of section C in mylar that could be used around lamp posts – (these could be cut with a pair of scissors)
Photo credit: Milton Keynes Council
Application – Lining Everything Up
Painting such a large mural required meticulous coordination using over 6,000 litres of vibrant paints from Polycote’s epoxy floor systems. The London Mural Company partnered with Shier coatings who sprayed the whole mural together with a sealant and anti-graffiti later to ensure the artwork stands the test of time.
- Surface preparation: The ground had to be smooth and level so stencils sat flush, avoiding gaps or misalignment.
- Base Colours: The base colours were painted prior to the stencils being positioned.
- Mark-up before painting: The entire mural was carefully marked out using the stencils to ensure it all sat correctly before painting could begin.
- Teamwork: Painters worked from the inside of the design outwards, following our stencils and adapting the stencils for obstacles like lamp posts.
- Attention to detail: Every repeat had to line up exactly; even a single millimetre off would distort the overall pattern
Video credit – Polycote/Shier Coatings
Weather Considerations – Timing is Everything
Outdoor murals come with their own set of challenges, particularly the British weather:
- No painting in wet conditions: Rain or dampness would compromise paint adhesion, meaning careful scheduling and flexibility were essential.
- Procedure for rain – When it rained, the surface had to be dried fully in order to be painted on.
- Surface checks: Each section had to be inspected to ensure the surface remained dry and suitable for painting.
Unveiling – Seeing the Vision Complete
- After months of careful planning, stencil cutting, and painstaking application, the mural was finally ready to be unveiled.
- The colourful, playful design now welcomes passengers at Milton Keynes station, reflecting the city’s energy and diversity.
- For our team at Laser Cutting Services, seeing our stencils help bring Yinka Ilori’s vision to life was a proud moment—proof that planning, and collaboration make even the largest creative projects achievable.
Photo credit: Milton Keynes Council
This project demonstrates how laser-cut stencils can enable complex, large-scale public artworks, making ambitious designs practical and achievable.
For more information on our bespoke stencil solutions for murals, events, or large-scale installations, contact Laser Cutting Services today.
