Back in March, we were contacted by Lindsey Wagoner from Rhodes. The famous big cup had started showing some aging, and she was ready to give it a fresh new look. This wasn’t just any job. If you know the cup, you know it’s kind of a big deal. Lindsey and tpc had worked together before, so we were excited to jump in and help bring this fountain cup back to life.

Let’s talk about the cup. If you have ever driven through Southeast Missouri, you have probably seen it towering above Rhodes 101. It is not just a giant piece of branding. It is a full-blown icon. People stop to snap photos, point it out to their kids, and use it as a stopping point through the Midwest. It is big, bold, and totally unforgettable. So when we were asked to help give it a glow-up, we knew this would be a fun project!

Did you know the story behind this fun cup? Standing over 13 feet tall and holding more than 4,700 gallons, it became the world’s largest fountain drink back in 2017 when Rhodes filled it with lemonade to celebrate National Lemonade Day. It took nearly three hours, a dedicated crew, and a lot of planning to pull off. tpc also helped update the informational display that sits beside the cup today. It gives visitors the full backstory on the record-breaking day and adds a little extra fun for anyone stopping by to snap a photo.

After conducting a site survey and consultation, our team recommended a two-part solution. First, address the surface age and repaint the entire cup for a clean foundation. Then, rewrap it using high-quality cast vinyl paired with a UV overlaminate to protect it from fading, cracking, and weather damage over time. Our Art team got to work immediately, producing a detailed mockup so Lindsey and her team could visualize exactly how the final product would look. Once the design was approved, we broke the artwork into scaled panels and prepared it for production, making sure every curve and angle of the cup would be accounted for in the installation.

This project required cross-department collaboration. From Art and Production to Install, nearly every part of tpc played a role in bringing it to life. Production held off on printing until after the paint was complete and used that time to test adhesion on various vinyl to ensure compatibility with the newly painted surface. We began the installation early in the day to avoid the summer heat and ensure optimal working conditions. The process moved smoothly until we noticed a logo alignment issue caused by the cup’s cone-shaped structure. At tpc, we pride ourselves in precision and believe details matter, so instead of settling, we reprinted and reinstalled the logo. That decision meant additional time, but also meant delivering a finished product that was worthy of the Rhodes 101 name.

This project is a perfect example of what we love to do. Take something big, bold, and a little out of the ordinary and make it look amazing. We are not afraid of size or challenge. In fact, that is where we shine. From giant roadside landmarks to small-but-mighty print jobs, we treat every project with care, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork. If you have a wild idea or something that feels a little too big to tackle, let us take a look. Chances are, we would love to help make it happen.