Large Format Window Vinyl Printing & Installation for Yardbird Chicago
April 17, 2026
When it comes to retail printing and restaurant printing, your storefront is more than just an entrance—it’s your first impression. For high-end hospitality brands, window graphics play a critical role in communicating identity, attracting foot traffic, and reinforcing brand experience.
Earlier this year, Bestype partnered with Yardbird Chicago to produce and install custom window vinyl graphics that reflect the restaurant’s bold Southern-inspired identity—while meeting tight timelines and complex production requirements.
About Yardbird Chicago
Yardbird is a James Beard–nominated restaurant known for its elevated take on Southern comfort food. The Chicago location, opened in 2022, features a striking two-story space with a floating Bourbon Room—blending warmth, heritage, and modern design.
For a brand like Yardbird, every visual detail matters. Their storefront needed to reflect the same balance of tradition and sophistication found in their menu and interior design.
The Project: Custom Window Graphics for a High-Impact Storefront
Bestype was tasked with large format printing and vinyl installation of Yardbird’s logo and signature vintage rooster across the restaurant’s front windows.
Key Requirements:
- Bold line-art design in mirror gold and black
- Visibility from both the interior and exterior
- Logo: 8 letters, approximately 12 inches high
- Rooster graphic: over 10 feet high × 4 feet wide
- Installation on interior glass (second-surface window vinyl)
- Full production and installation completed within 3 weeks
This project required not only precision vinyl printing, but also a specialized approach to achieve a dual-sided visual effect.
How We Produced the Vinyl Graphics
To achieve a premium mirrored gold-and-black appearance visible from both sides, we engineered a multi-layer vinyl printing process:
- Reverse Printing on Clear Vinyl
The black artwork was first printed in reverse onto a clear self-adhesive vinyl. This ensures the graphic reads correctly when viewed from the outside. - Gold Vinyl Mounting
A double-layer mirror gold vinyl was applied behind the printed layer, creating the exterior-facing gold effect. - Interior-Facing Print Layer
The black artwork was then printed again on the gold vinyl to ensure visibility and contrast from inside the restaurant. - Precision Kiss-Cutting
The final composite material was kiss-cut to the exact contour of the logo and rooster, ensuring clean edges and a seamless finish.
This layered approach allowed us to deliver window graphics that maintain brand integrity from every angle—without compromising durability or visual impact.
Professional Vinyl Installation (Second-Surface Application)
For installation, a two-person team of experienced technicians handled the vinyl installation on-site in Chicago.
The graphics were applied to the interior surface of the glass—commonly known as a second-surface installation. This method offers several advantages for retail and restaurant printing projects:
- Protects the vinyl from weather, wear, and vandalism
- Preserves color vibrancy and finish over time
- Creates a clean, high-end exterior appearance
Given the scale of the rooster graphic (over 10 feet tall), precision alignment and handling were critical to achieving a flawless result.
The Result: High-Impact Retail Window Vinyl That Performs
The finished installation delivers a bold, unmistakable street presence for Yardbird Chicago. The combination of large format window vinyl, mirror gold finishes, and precise installation transforms the storefront into a true extension of the brand.
For restaurants and retail spaces, this type of window graphics solution does more than decorate—it drives visibility, reinforces identity, and enhances the customer experience before they even walk through the door.
Looking for Large Format Vinyl Printing & Installation?
Whether you’re launching a new restaurant, refreshing a retail space, or preparing for a major opening, Bestype specializes in:
- Large format printing
- Vinyl printing & window vinyl graphics
- Retail and restaurant printing
- Professional vinyl installation
If you’re looking for a partner who can execute complex window graphics projects with precision and speed, we’re here to help.
Request a quote or schedule a consultation to get started.
