Stuck On You! The Block & Grafico: A Love Story

How the Melbourne custom print company came to be a go-to favourite for contestants on The Block. Who didn’t covet that vintage map wallpaper? 

The team at Grafico, a design print and signage company specialising in custom print wall coverings, bring the wow-factor to every season of The Block that they are a part of. “It’s pretty stressful, but we all get a kick out of it,” says founder Damian Corney. “We’re all fans.” We asked Damian to tell us more about the creative collaborations

As seen in Ben & Andy's winning second Guest Bedroom, this vintage map of Port Melbourne is sure to suit any interior pallet and will no doubt give your room a 'wow' factor.

How did come to be involved with the producers of The Block?

They approached us at a tradeshow. Then in 2014 they filmed a really cool day-challenge in our offices where the teams had to design their own wallpaper. After that, we started to do some work in the actual show and got invited back each year. We kind of drop everything for the teams and we always deliver. The Block doesn’t want to deal with people who aren’t going to deliver— as much as the camera crew and producers might like it sometimes. We enjoy the momentum and excitement of it all. We all watch the show as well.

Did you see the 'Trailer Trash' Challenge on The Block? The Grafico team gave the caravans an amazing 70's inspired transformation.

What work are you most proud of that you’ve done with The Block?

I’d say we spent the most time with Caro and Kingi, on the Blocktagon (2015). We pretty much did something in every room— a custom print wallpaper, vintage maps, custom printed mosaic tiles in the bathroom and custom print canvases on the wall which we designed with Caro in a graffiti-style. We became almost a mini-team ourselves!

Caro & Kingi’s winning second Guest Bedroom in Blocktagon 2015 featuring 'Graffiti Laneway' custom canvas.

Do you see a “Block-effect” in sales after something is showcased on air? 

Last season we had a huge influx of these big floral prints which were very popular. We did a big peonies image for Hannah and Clint, and that set the scene for a really popular theme. We continued to add some other products onto The Block Shop website that were very popular and continue to be.

Holly Graham 'Peonies' in Hannah and Clint's stunning Master Suite.

Do you have many wall coverings in your own home? 

I've turned our family home into a bit of a showroom of our products. We’ve done the vintage maps throughout my place, custom print tiles… I’ve even got a couple of the Block-inspired products in my own home because once you’ve seen them so often, you fall in love with them as well!

As seen in Courtney and Hans Decider Challenge Room in The Block 2018. The Head in the Clouds wallpaper set the scene for their children's room and is the perfect backdrop as a wall or ceiling wallpaper.

Damian tells Insider Style "I'm a designer but my love of cars has ended with this mixed business of cool wall covering and vehicle wraps, which is what we've used in the caravans challenge." 
Take a closer look behind the scenes at the Grafico team giving the contestants caravans an incredible 70's transormation as part of this weeks Block challenge: 

Shop Grafico's range of custom wall coverings HERE

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