The Challenge

Translating a bold and colourful album cover into a functional stage deck is deceptively complex. Touring stages take a punishing level of wear, and every component must be safe for performers, durable under intense footfall, and compliant with strict global fire and safety regulations. While traditional vinyl would be the industry’s typical choice, it was a non-starter for a world tour – slow to install, prone to creasing and damage, and essentially single use, creating risk and added cost at every venue.

Coldplay needed something radically different – a floor that promised visual impact, operational efficiency, unparalleled safety, and repeated durability all at once. Crucially, it also had to travel the globe with ease, keeping production crews agile and reducing the logistical burden without cutting corners anywhere else.

Our solution

Dominion didn’t simply print a carpet. We engineered a robust touring solution that met every criterion: a bespoke dye-sublimation carpet with a rubber-backed, anti-slip surface that could be rolled, lifted, and re-laid quickly, without compromising performer safety. The felt weave texture gave a secure footing, while the rubber backing ensured it stayed firmly in place on stage, no matter the movement or surrounding conditions.

The dye-sublimation process ensured the artwork’s intricate colour gradients were reproduced with photographic accuracy, while the non-reflective finish eliminated glare under stage lighting – a critical factor for broadcast and streaming quality. The carpet was seamless, easy to clean with mild detergent, and robust enough to be rolled, re-laid, and transported worldwide without losing integrity. Its lightweight flexibility allowed crews to install and strike it quickly and safely, dramatically reducing turnaround times and labour demands. And, because it packed down so compactly, it cut shipping costs and minimised the risk of transit damage.

While the upfront cost was higher than vinyl, this was a solution designed for long-term commercial return. Unlike disposable vinyl, the carpet could be used again and again, cutting labour, materials, and shipping costs across multiple legs of the tour. Stage crews could also install it quickly and safely, freeing focus for other critical elements of production, and all without compromising the showstopping visual quality Coldplay expected.

The results

This touring stage effectively achieved Coldplay’s signature explosion of colour while delivering high performance under intense operational conditions. Riggers and stage crews reported significantly faster installations, production managers cited reductions in long-term labour and material spend, and the carpet’s durability turned a traditionally disposable asset into a reusable, high-value component of the tour.

Dominion’s ability to combine technical innovation, operational foresight, and cost-conscious design cemented our status as a trusted partner for Coldplay’s event management team – so much so, they ordered additional carpets for the US leg of the tour.