When we started working with Bluemel’s on their business fleet, we knew we were going to have to modify the design as we worked across the numerous vehicle types in their fleet. This included modifications based on the color of the vehicle and this Equinox was no different.
When we started working on the design, we started with the very recognizable image of the dome. The dome is a stunning feature of the Loomis Road facility and has been a trademark of the Bluemel’s name for a very long time. We worked with different orientations, more image, less image, color vs. negative image just to name a few. By turning the dome slightly forward, it allowed us to get more of the image of the dome on each vehicle. It also gave us a nice contrast. The rest of the design focused on displaying the company name and contact information. Also decided to carry the design over the rear windows because to lose that much real estate on each vehicle would have impaired our design. To overcome this, we printed on perforated vinyl, which is made for the express purpose of covering windows. We used a 50/50 perf, which means that half of the vinyl is removed via the holes. This allows the driver to still see through the vinyl while providing a perfect platform to print on.
When it came to color selection we had a bit of a challenge on our hands. The vehicle is wrapped from the rain gutters to the chip guard and from front bumper to tailgate. This required us to match the color of the car perfectly. Paint chips? Color codes from the manufacturer? Nope. None of those will give you an exact match to the color on the car. The only way to match the color is to use a photospectrometer. A photospectrometer measures the amount of reflected and refracted light from a surface and creates values based on those numbers. Optimum Signs has long committed to accurate color replication as one of our tenants of doing business and this is exactly why. We were able to reproduce the exact color of the car on the print so there was no difference between the print and the surface of the car.
We printed the wrap on Avery 1105 RS with release. The release part of this allows us to place the wrap adhesive side down and relocate it as we move it around prior to placing it. They do this by placing very small glass beads in the adhesive that holds the vinyl above the surface of the vehicle until we want the wrap to stay where we placed it. Then, by using a squeegee, the glass beads break and cause the adhesive to bond to the surface of the vehicle. Because we use premium grade wrap material, when the time comes to remove the vinyl, it will release and not damage the clear coat. We just unwrapped my car after 5 years and the surface of the car was like brand new. The wrap acted as a chip guard for my car which was an added benefit.
If you have a fleet of vehicles and you need a company to help with the design, printing and installation of wraps, please give Optimum Signs a call. We can be reached at 262.289.9481 or email us at info@optimumsignswi.com.
