The client approached Image360 Calgary North with the perfect scenario: a well-established brand identity, a clear concept, and a blank canvas for creativity. Photos by Michelle Cortines
The transformation of a transit van through a vehicle wrap that embodies a brand’s identity, this project highlights creativity and technical expertise in vehicle graphics, from design inspiration to the final installation.
By Michelle Cortines
Who doesn’t love a good start-to-finish project? That was the case for this vehicle wrap for our client, Luke, the owner of Sterling Plumbing and Gas, Calgary, Alta. We designed, produced, and installed the vehicle wrap for his 2021 F250 Transit Van. He came to us with the ideal situation: he had a well-developed brand identity, a concept in his head, and a blank canvas to work with. This is not to say that this project came without any challenges. More on that later.
To start this project, I dove into Sterling’s website and social media accounts to better understand his company, its style, and brand. I learned that this plumbing company values knowledge, experience, trust-building with customers, and a friendly, approachable attitude. I understood his goals, methodology, and pain points through conversations with Luke. I was inspired by his objectives for the van and the sweet story behind the cartoon rendition of his Boston terrier on the logo. As part of the Sterling team, this dog would make friendly appearances on-site and on social media, making it the perfect feature for the van’s graphics. Luke’s main goal was to stand out in this competitive field.
He also wanted a design that was loud and memorable, which is the ideal mindset when designing a rolling billboard that turns heads on the highway. We chose vibrant orange and sky blue, already present in the Sterling logo, as the primary colours for the van and complemented them with hints of purple, brown, and cream as secondary colours to support the design.
The digital design of the project on Adobe Illustrator, with bleed indicators for printing purposes.
After a few design iterations, the final rendering was ready. Our production manager, Jason Berger, digitally prepared the file for printing. Setting up artboards with overlapping panels was a crucial part of the printing and installation process, allowing us to use less material by laying out panels strategically on the van’s body. Wide panels called for the use of a large material. For this project, we used 1,524-mm (60-in.) rolls of 3M IJ 180 CV3 cast vinyl to cover the 6-m (20-ft) length of the van. Fourteen vertical panels were printed for the whole van—two for the rear, five for each side, one for the hood, and one for the roof (above the windshield).
For this project, we used our HP Latex 560 large-format printer with water-based inks. For an extra layer of protection, Berger applied a 3M 8518 gloss overlaminate film to shield the prints from ultraviolet (UV) rays, dust, and abrasions—a critical step for the longevity of Sterling’s billboard-on-wheels. With proper cleaning care, this wrap can last seven to nine years.
Before and after.
The installation took two working days to complete. Installer, Conlan Wiebe, started at the back and worked towards the front, a technique recommended to prevent peeling or wrap failure on overlapping seams. Positioning the exposed edge of the vinyl to face backward, in line with the vehicle’s aerodynamic flow, ensures the edge is pushed down rather than pulled or peeled by air pressure while driving. This approach helps increase the print’s longevity.
However, our biggest concern with this van was its deep recesses. We had to be meticulous to avoid overstretching the vinyl in these trouble spots. Overstretching can cause two types of wrap failures: distortion and discolouration of the design and peeling or popping off the van. When the vinyl is stretched over channels, the adhesive spreads too thin, reducing the surface area for adhesion when pressing the vinyl down to the body channel. To prevent this, Wiebe applied 3M Primer 94 to the deep recesses to increase the amount of adhesive in this critical area. With the help of a blow torch, he post-heated the vinyl to allow it to take on a new shape and curve with the channel. The rest of the body was installed using a wet-edge squeegee and wrap gloves. Excess material and seams were trimmed with X-ACTO knives. The result was a bubble-free, nearly seamless van wrap. Mastering this craftsmanship requires patience, concentration, and years of experience.
Overall, Luke was thrilled with his van’s wrap transformation. It was a memorable project for our team; we take pride in the results. We’re confident that this signage will support Luke’s business growth. As I drive down the roads that connect the city of Calgary, Alta., I can’t wait for the day I spot a loud orange van with a cartoon dog and its owner beaming back at me.
Michelle Cortines (she/her) is lead designer at Image360 Calgary North. Cortines is a visual communications designer devoted to building strong relationships with customers to help them find creative solutions for complex challenges.
