Cromford Mill

Producing and installing the graphic scheme for the world's first successful water powered cotton mill

The Brief

Working alongside renowned designers Tandem Design, Leach were tasked with producing and installing the entire graphic scheme for Sir Richard Arkwright’s seminal piece of industrial heritage. The project also included the unique development of an interactive 3D model. We used a combination of cutting-edge print and CNC manufacturing technology coupled with traditional hand screen printing and painting skills to produce the wonderful model, illustrating the supply of materials to and from the mill.

Cromford Mill, the world’s first successful water powered cotton spinning mill, was built in 1771 by Sir Richard Arkwright. From then until around 1790, he continued to develop the mills, warehouses and workshops, which now form the Cromford Mills site. Considered as a whole it presents a remarkable picture of an early textile factory complex.

Leach’s Role Included:

  • Project Management
  • 3D art-working and render
  • 4-axis CNC carving and machining
  • Epoxy screen printing and stencilling
  • SwissQ Direct-to-Media printing
  • TITAN single span digital wall coverings
  • Ply printing and forming
  • Fabrication and build
  • Installation

Accreditations