Ask any sign company about vehicle wraps and 99% will say that they can wrap a vehicle. This is probably not the right question, or at least not the only question, you should ask when considering a vehicle wrap. A shop that specializes in vehicle wraps will have some distinctive characteristics over other sign companies:

1. Temperature controlled, enclosed environment for wrapping
2. Wrap technicians that are wrap certified and/or have received training on wrap materials and application by the vinyl manufacturer
3. Experienced wrap designers
4. Company vehicle will have been wrapped by their shop and is available for your inspection
5. Carry garage keepers insurance to cover any loss or damage to your vehicle

Let’s take these one at a time.

• Wrap vinyl performs best under controlled conditions during application. A clean, dry, conditioned environment is optimal for the application of vehicle vinyl. Not only does it allow the installer to lay the vinyl properly (proper flexibility, adhesion, bubble free), it also minimizes the debris that could be trapped under the vinyl during application. Although some companies will wrap outside, the temperature, humidity, weather, wind and dust all contribute to the quality of the installation and the time it takes to do the installation. You can’t wrap in the rain or snow, after all, so inclement weather will keep your vehicle out of service.
• There is a great deal of technology and chemistry that goes into the development of the high performance vinyls used in vehicle wraps. You want your technician to understand the vinyl and laminate compatibility, the proper surface preparation, the proper heating temperature for the vinyl, the right seam sealers to use, etc. In addition, you want the installer to understand how the vinyl will wear, what areas require more tucking than cutting and how to lay the vinyl properly so it lives out its full warranty life. Manufacturers offer various types of training for wrap installers and designers. Certification by particular brands is offered as well as on-line and in-person seminars.
• Taking a two dimensional template and designing for a three dimensional vehicle is some of the most challenging work for a graphic designer. Knowing how the images will translate to the contours of a vehicle and how that image will “read” on the street takes experience in both design and installation. The best wrap designers have put in time in the installation bay so the can better anticipate how what is seen on the computer screen will look on your car, truck, bus, etc.
• Everyone knows, you can’t just talk the talk. If the sign company you are considering has not wrapped their own vehicles, well, you have to wonder how committed and experienced they are to their product.
• Finally, accidents happen. Even the most careful company can make a mistake or suffer a calamity and you want to be sure that if that happens while wrapping your car that they are properly insured. Sign companies who wrap should carry a garage keepers or other liability policy coverage that extends to your vehicle when in their custody. Since a wrap generally takes 2 days between preparation and installation, you can pretty much count on the fact that your car will be at their site over night and that someone will be moving the car as needed. You don’t want to find out after the fact that the sign company didn’t carry insurance to cover your car being sideswiped while on their lot or when they moved it in and out of the garage.

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