Ins and Outs of Installing Vehicle Graphics

Vehicle graphics has become an increasingly profitable and popular trend in the printing industry. The advent of digital technology and an ever changing product market has made it simpler than ever for companies to add vehicle graphics—and the installation of these graphics to their menu of products and services. As our professionals attest, however, installing vehicle graphics isn't quite as simple as it might seem.

When a company decides to get into the business of installing vehicle graphics, it is likely that a member of the team will attend a one or two day seminar held by a product vendor. Unfortunately, those seminars offer a great deal of information but rarely prepare someone for the ins and outs of the business.

Mike Grillo, a long time installer and founding partner of Road Rage Designs says, "People are jumping into the business just because it's cool. Seminars offer just enough to make you dangerous."

Rob Ivers of Rob Ivers, Inc. has been in the business for over 30 years and routinely trains people on the art of graphic installation. Ivers is heavily invested in the education of others, particularly his staff. However, in an effort to educate the public and members of the industry, Ivers has also recently published the "Graphic Installers Handbook," the most extensive how-to book in the industry. Ivers shares stories, techniques, tips, and tricks to successfully install graphics.

Tips and Tricks

Julie Martin, Director at AB Installations, Inc., shares her experience in the industry. AB Installations, a member of the United Application Standards Group (UASG), devotes itself solely to the creation and installation of graphics. Martin is in charge of the project management while her husband and partner, Chad, is a full time installer. When it comes to tips and tricks, Martin says, "When you're working with installers that are actually experienced in the trade and they're out there in the field doing that work of course they come across and learn they develop tricks and things that will help them. For us an as installation company, our tips would come more from the project management side."

Martin discusses the importance of establishing communication with the customer and choosing the appropriate application for the job. Martin states that the preparation of the job is going to be the key to the job's success or failure.

"I think it's a bigger portion of whether you succeed or not because if you're a talented installer, you're a talented installer and that is the perfect thing but not if you're cutting corners..."

While it is true that installers develop their own tips, tricks and techniques, Martin believes it's the basic knowledge and procedure that makes or breaks the job.

Martin says, "For us, because we understand the trade, there are no tips or tricks. "

Back to Basics

The surest way to succeed as a graphics installer is to receive the proper education, training, and certification. PDAA Certification from SGIA is routinely recommended for those that are interested in becoming involved in the graphic installation business. PDAA is an unbiased certification that tests installers in every area of installation through a combination of hands-on and written tests. Installers are required to show their proficiency in the installation process using a wide variety of products from different manufacturers.

Ivers holds a master certification and feels that it is essential that every member of the team is certified as well.

"It's a lot more complex than people think," Ivers says. "When it comes to installation, there are four basic steps: Cleaning, positioning, application, and finishing."

One of the first places an installer can get into trouble is not using the correct method of cleaning the application surface.

"People need to use proper cleaning solution and not just what they made up and think will work they should be using solvents that will actually dissolve and resist contaminates," said Ivers.

As in every industry, there are always new products on the market designed to help install graphics better and faster. Martin says that while some of these things may serve a purpose, AB Installations has learned that sticking to the basics is always the best way to go.

"Every time someone wants to reinvent the wheel or say I can do this better if I can do this faster, every time we've been tempted to veer off our direction and go a different route, we've said you know, 'let's stay the course, let's keep doing what we know works and get the job done.'" Martin says.

"There's always something new and improved out there but if you talk to the people that do it every day it's the basics and the foundation" Martin adds, "Make sure you understand the industry as well as how to do the actual work itself."

Ivers discusses using various tips for positioning graphics.

"For application the general rule of thumb that everyone needs to keep in mind is to stretch the vinyl the absolute minimum possible," Ivers says. "Take the biggest area possible of vinyl and then stretch it rather than waiting until the end."

"Many people don't completely understand that when you finish a wrap and it's all done and everything is installed and there are no bubbles or whatever it's a very important part of the finishing process to go back and post heat," says Ivers. "A lot of people understand that but they don't know how to do it."

When it comes to post heating, installers must be aware that manufacturers have different specifications. To ensure proper heating installers should use an ion thermometer to track the temperature and compare it to the manufacturer's specifications.

Ivers says, "It varies but it usually runs about 200 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Nobody, no matter how good they are or how long they've been wrapping, can keep a wide area of vinyl up to 200 to 225 degrees with a propane torch without burning something."

Grillo states that the installers must take many things into consideration from the time of year, temperature, coating or finish of the vehicle, and whether or not the vehicle is in a controlled environment. It should also be noted that not all products carry the same warranties.

Martin sums it up best by quoting a poster that hangs in the AB shop: "Don't learn the tricks of the trade, learn the trade."

Outlasting the Competition

Every business has its share of competitors—good, bad, or otherwise. When it comes down to it, people have the skill or they don't. Martin says, "If you're not good at it, you're not good at it. Not everybody is and you can't beat yourself up for that."

Grillo says that Road Rage has come across a rash of companies that severely undercut competitors only to produce a poor product. Over the past year, Grillo has seen three local companies change their names due to bad procedures and results. The customer ends up with a bad taste in his mouth and the industry gets a bad rap.

Grillo says, "People get a wrap and it fails then they don't want to get a wrap again "I don't want to get a wrap because they don't work.'"

Grillo advises customers to go to a dedicated shop and to avoid companies that offer all-in-one services such as printers that offer business cards to vehicle wraps.

"You have to look at the installer. If the same guy that is installing the job is the same guy that's printing the job, installing the job, and designing the job—that's 90 percent of the guys out there. The guy who's doing everything—that's the guy that's the problem."

In the end, all of the experts agree that outlasting the competition comes down to skills, communication, satisfying the customer, and standing behind the work.