Teran Marsell | Published on April 24th, 2015
A vehicle wrap doesn’t just identify and advertise a business — it represents you. The quality of your graphics sends a message about the quality of your work. Torn, shrunk, failing or fading graphics don’t say anything good.
So before you hire a team to design, print and install your fleet graphics, make sure you’re choosing a professional shop that will stands behind their work and won’t leave you with a wrap that falls apart before its time.
Ask these questions / Follow these tips to avoid an unprofessional shop.
What experience or certifications do the installers have?
A lot of major vinyl brands, like 3M, offer certification with various levels of training. A low level certification may not be qualified to wrap complex curves, which are an integral part of a full vehicle wrap.
Does your vehicle have unique features or a unique surface? Any special needs should be addressed before the vehicle is installed, such as how they’ll cover rivets, how they’ll work around mirrors and windows and how they’ll handle a non-standard surface, such as a corrugated trailer body.
How will they prep the vehicle?
A professional shop will ask you to preclean your vehicle before coming in for the installation, but will also inspect it and give it a final clean before installing the wrap. This will help prevent premature vinyl failure by making sure there is no tar, scratches or damage that can interfere with a clean install.
Are they using the appropriate material for your vehicle?
There are countless kinds of wrap materials. Some are recommended for flat surfaces while others stretch to conform to complex curves and deep draws. A lot of shops will offer lower price by using cheap material, which can seriously affect the lifespan of your wrap.
How will they heat the material?
Only experienced, qualified applicators should post heat the material. Going above the manufacturer’s limitations can cause the material to bubble or fail entirely.
Will they wrap on peeling paint, corroded or rusty areas?
If so, hightail it outta there. Vinyl will not adhere to a damaged substrate. Even if it does stay for a while, it will cause serious issues when it comes time to remove the wrap. A professional shop will advise you to get these issues repaired before applying graphics to your vehicle.
Do they print graphics themselves? If so, how will the graphics be cured?
If they have their own in-house printers, ask about their printing process. Graphics should be left to offgas or cure for at least 12 – 24 hours and then laminated for protection against sun and weather damage. If the panels are laminated before the graphics are cured, the ink can diffuse and cause anything from premature fading to poor adhesion.
If they outsource their printing, ask them how the graphics will be packed and shipped. They should be rolled with the print facing out and packed in boxes with protective packing material.
Ask Before You Buy
We’ve had a few customers ask us to fix their graphics after an unqualified, uneducated or uncaring shop messed up their design, print or application.
We want you to avoid the expense and frustration of an unprofessional shop, so be sure to ask these questions before making any kind of agreement. Taking a little time to vet your shop can save you a lot of time and hassle in the future.
And of course, if you want to feel confident you’re working with professionals, you can simply give Team Acme a call at (702) 566-8326.
We’ll answer any questions you have or walk you through the process. You can also check out some of our previous work now or stop by the shop to see a work in progress. We’re located in Henderson right off the 215.
