The brief
In the middle of the pandemic, a group of Costa Coffee franchise owners came to us with one clear priority: keep their baristas and customers safe. They needed a way to cut the spread of the virus behind the counter and a simple, hygienic routine for customers coming through the door.
Safety was the headline, but it wasn’t the whole story. Whatever we made had to sit naturally inside a Costa store, be easy for busy teams to use and look after, and make sense on cost across several sites.
The challenge
Off the shelf screens and generic sanitiser stands would have done the job, but they would also have made the stores feel temporary and clinical. The franchise owners wanted something practical and good looking in equal measure.
- Simple for staff and customers to use
- Quick to refill, clean and maintain
- Strong enough for a busy coffee shop
- Cost effective across multiple stores
- Fully in keeping with the Costa Coffee brand
Branded hand sanitiser stations
We designed and manufactured freestanding hand sanitiser stations from scratch, built around the way a coffee shop actually works. Each one is easy to use, quick to refill and light enough to move wherever it is needed, from the front door to the condiment bar.
Custom printed vinyl wraps finished every station in Costa Coffee branding, so instead of a stark medical stand customers were greeted by a clean, professional piece that looked like it had always belonged in the store.
Made to measure counter screens
Behind the till, no two counters were the same. So rather than forcing a standard size to fit, we measured every store and built bespoke metal frames to suit the exact shape of each counter, then fitted them with crystal clear Perspex screens bolted securely in place.
The frames are sturdy and easy to wipe down, and the Perspex gives a clear, unobstructed view of the baristas, the cakes and the coffee. Customers could still see everything, order with ease and enjoy the experience, with a reassuring barrier between them and the team.
The result
The franchise owners were delighted. Their stores became safer, more hygienic places to work and visit, and the branded sanitiser stations added a polished, professional touch to the customer journey.
The bespoke frames and screens blended seamlessly into each store’s layout, so customers could still see and order their drinks easily while staff were properly protected.
Why it worked
This project is a great example of what Print Station does best. We didn’t simply print a graphic; we designed, manufactured, branded and fitted a complete solution that met a real and urgent need. Practical, cost effective and beautifully on brand, it kept Costa Coffee stores open, safe and looking their best when it mattered most.