12. Be detail-oriented
A successful vehicle wrap installation requires precision, with attention paid to all of the details. The panels must be tucked and trimmed properly, for example, or there will be problems down the road. And window perforation films should be laminated to help ensure the safety of the driver during bad weather, providing a clear view outside.
If it is cold outdoors while the wrap is being installed, the vehicle should be kept indoors for an extra day before it is delivered to the customer. A drop in temperature too soon after the installation can result in media failure.
There are other good reasons to keep the vehicle in the shop overnight, too, such as double-checking the tucked areas, deep contours, body lines, window perforation films and any heated or overstretched areas, to ensure they have all been adhered securely to the vehicle surface. And it also provides a chance to catch little things that may have been missed before, like cutting the material over the gasoline tank cap.
Finally, it is recommended to check the wrap six months after the installation for an updated assessment of the image quality and media durability. After all, the wrap is not just a promotional tool for the client—it is also an advertisement for the sign shop that produced and installed it!
Matt Richart is co-owner of Digital EFX Wraps and an instructor for Roland DGA’s ‘Born to Wrap’ workshop series. For more information, visit www.digitalefxwraps.com and www.rolanddga.com.
