The following is an application checklist that is essential for wrapping any vehicle, with any type of wrap media.

1: Know your surface and its limitations (gaskets, rust, channels)

2: Provide a controlled environment and a clean vehicle.

3: Always use a sharp knife for trimming (snap-off or replace blades frequently).

4: Use an air release tool, not a knife, to relieve air bubbles.

5: Heated media applied to cold metal will cool quickly. Apply enough heat to do the job correctly and work in small areas.

6: Use heat to soften the film prior to stretching.

7: Use heat to relax the film after it has been stretched into the channels. This also allows the adhesive to build to a high bond quickly.

8: Seams and edges are common failure points. Be sure that edges are clean and dry. Cut all seams and then heat and re-burnish all edges to insure a good bond.

9: All printed material MUST be given a minimum48hrs at 70°F (21°C) flat exposure to flash off any residual ink solvents before using the clear overlaminate. Failure to do so will trap residual solvents altering the performance of the product increasing the potential for premature film and adhesive degradation.

The following is an application checklist that is essential for wrapping any vehicle, with any type of wrap media.

1: Application begins at the back of the vehicle for vertical panels and from the bottom up for horizontal panels. This allows for all overlaps to face the back or the bottom which prevents wind and rain from causing a premature failure. Seams should have a 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.64 - 1.3 cm) overlap.

2: Use firm pressure on the squeegee to apply the media to the surface, starting at the high points in the middle and working out toward the edges.

3: For channels, wherever possible lay the media through the channel rather than bridging and stretching the media. Any vinyl film(cast or calendered) can exhibit shrinking or tenting when overstretched or overheated.

4: In some instances it is not possible to negotiate complex curves. In this case, you will need to bridge the vinyl. Be sure only to stretch the vinyl and over laminate combination until firm. Overstretching may result in memory failure. At this point, it is suggested to cut the film in this are to relieve tension.

5: In many difficult areas, a thin layer of an adhesion promoter or acrylic spray primer can enhance adhesion. Be sure to use the primer sparingly and allow it to cure completely according to the directions on the can, prior to graphic application.

6: To bridge a gap properly, apply the film to the flat areas first as indicated above. Use heat to soften the film, somewhere around 160° to 200°F (71° - 93°C). Immediately stretch the film into the groove, starting at the middle of the groove and working out to both sides. Sometimes using a cotton glove or soft cloth instead of a squeegee is the way to go. Since the film cools quickly, it is important to work in small areas and continue to heat the film as your work moves along. Finally, after the film has been applied, to eliminate the stretching stresses created in this application, you must heat the film to a higher temperature, somewhere between 220° and 250°F (104° and 126°C). Move the heat source slowly. Now that the film has been applied, you are also heating the body of the vehicle and it takes more heat to achieve the final temperature requirement. Using a no-touch heat gauge is strongly recommended to ensure this very important step is done correctly.

7: Edges, seams and trim should be cut and resqueegeed to ensure good adhesion. It is a very good idea to also use high heat along these areas to speed up the adhesive build (this is to overcome the repositionable adhesive we built into the film for ease of application) and ensure a good application. Do not wrap films around 180° turns, as this will most likely result in failure. Do not wrap films under the edges of the car or into areas that do not clean well.

8: For over rivets, digital media with an over laminate may tent and is not considered a reason for failure. To apply, use the same technique as the bridging described above, apply the film over the flat areas, bridging the rivet head. Using an air release tool or pin, (do NOT use a knife blade as this will result in a cut propagation issue), poke multiple holes around the rivet head to release the air, then using heat and a rivet brush work the film down. Finally apply high heat to release any tension stresses and to ensure a quick high strength bond. The only proven way to eliminate tenting around rivets with an overlaminated film is to cut completely around the rivet head after application.

9: Do not over-heat or over-stretch the graphic media. Channels that result in the filmbeing stretched too far must be cut.

10: After all the film has been applied, go back and apply heat to the graphic to a high temperature, 200 to 250°F (71° - 126°C), in the areas the vinyl has been stretched to relieve stresses created by stretching.

Stay tuned for some more tips and tricks for vehicle wrap installation!

The following is a pre-application checklist that is essential for getting ready to wrap any vehicle, with any type of wrap media.

1: The ideal location for an installation is indoors in a climate controlled environment. If this is not possible, do your best to protect the surface from changes in temperature, moisture, wind and dust as these will affect the integrity of the application.

2: Prior to application, remove all trimthat may interfere with the wrapping process. This would include: license fixtures, antennas, nameplates, lighting fixtures, etc.

3: Identify possible points of failure, which may include: poor paint jobs, clear coat chipping, rust, dents, nicks, scratches, seams, silicon seals, and rubber window gaskets. The adhesive is designed to adhere to the painted vehicle surface, it doesn’t stick to silicone, rubber etc…The material must be trimmed around these areas!

4: Ensure the vehicle has been kept indoors and surface has been cleaned with IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol, 70%concentration minimum) prior to application. Allow to air dry. The use of towels or rags may contaminate the cleaned surface. Pay special attention to edges, seams, around moldings and gaskets and where objects were removed. Use compressed air or a heat gun to ensure dryness.

5: The vehicle and environment temperature should be above 60°F (15°C) (prior to application.

6: Always ensure the finished graphic lines up with the vehicle before application.

Stay tuned for the next checklist for applying the vinyl to the vehicle!

Here's a common scenario. You've installed some window perf with a laminate overlay. After a week or so your customer calls back because the edges are coming up. You end up calling your vendor and really end up not getting the help you need. So, what do you do?

Let's go through the process of prepping for the installation, and then we'll give you the tips on how to handle peeling. It's really important to make sure that all contaminants are off the window before installation. The common thought is to use Windex or something similar, but not only does Windex not touch silicone, but it actually contains it. Alcohol will not cut through silicone either.

It is actually highly recommended to clean the windows using Soft Scrub, or something similar. Don't waste you time on fancy smells or bleach, as you're just using this to remove silicone from the window. Spread it on a sponge; apply to the window and scrub. After doing this, wash it down with water, and you can finish with isopropyl alcohol to speed the drying process.

After installation, cut the perf back 3/8-inch from the edge of the window and seal it with optically clear tape. It is basically a roll of optically clear overlaminate slit down into thin rolls. It ensures that the edges are not exposed to the elements. You'll notice great success when using this method and the common failures when not.

When working with a customer's needs in a way that will make them remember you, and ultimately continue to use your services, one of the most important elements is that of design. When working with vehicle wraps, it is extremely easy to use a live picture, a company name, and company contact information, but what exactly stands out about that? I bet when you're driving around and notice vehicles with graphics on them pertaining to construction, they all look just about the same. There in lies the problem. They are not current. They are not creative.

The main key and focus when starting a new wrap design project is to attack it with its impact in mind. What you are going to want to do is appeal to your customer's needs. Make sure everything they require is completed, and done so in a way that makes what they were thinking of themselves seem one hundred times better. In order to do so you must first gain a thorough understanding of what your client is asking for. The best way to do this is through direct communication. Spend time with your client. This enables you to feed off of each other's ideas, come up with solutions, and build a relationship. With a final concept completed, always print a proof to show your client. Chances are there will be a few minor changes to be made, but once you get the go-ahead, you'll be ready to take everything on!

It's also very important to remember that with all the media that can be produced with digital printers, you and your company should morph with the times. Keep up to date with the services that can be provided to you through companies who have the ability to keep you current. When you're current, you will be able to offer intelligent designs that focus directly on the customer's product and needs.

When you begin the process of setting up and developing a vehicle wrap for your clients it is extremely important to do the necessary steps to making it easy on your clients, your designer, and ultimately, yourself. The following insights on making sure you cover your bases will make the overall wrap process, including the installation, efficient and stress-free.

One key thing you will want to do early on is take the extra time to create a dialogue with the graphic designer. When you begin working for a client, go out of your way to discuss his or her designs before and after the install, explaining what worked and what did not.

The reason you will want to take extra time, which can take up several hours of phone conversations, emails, and face to face meetings, is that you want to help your graphic designer understand the installation process. Many wrap designs will either not fit properly or will be far too complicated that it makes the overall installation process longer and more difficult. Keep in mind that a graphic on a layout looks flat, but will be applied to a surface that has contours and recessed areas.

Another thing you will want to do in the early stages is take a look at an actual picture of the vehicle online before completing the design. This helps the graphic designer see more of the 3-D aspects and work around them during the design process. Secondly, encourage the graphic designer to make the designs more simple in terms of text and images. A very common error when developing wrap designs is to include too much information and imagery. The most effective designs, which garner the most attention, are the simplest. Also, in terms of installation, simple designs are easier to install.

Lastly, ask your graphic designer to send you the layout before it is approved by the client. This will give you the ability to make a few suggestions that will make the installation quicker and less stressful. Taking ten minutes to do this can save hours of installation, especially on fleet jobs.

Doing all of these little things before the install will make the entire process more efficient, which in turn, will increase your profits and free time. You want to treat installing graphics as a business and try to make it as streamline as possible.