There are a lot of opportunities for architectural film work within the retail sector.
Getting started
What is the best approach for taking on this type of work?
Axis Graphics Installations has only been involved in the production side of architectural graphics for a relatively short period of time, having previously focused on the installation side of the industry. However, after making the move and expanding our offering, we have experienced plenty of benefits.
Of course, working with a trusted materials partner is extremely important for many reasons. First and foremost, you want to satisfy your customer and their own clients. There are so many untrained installers out there, and most clients have had a bad experience with an installer in the past. As a result, it only takes one bad installation to completely lose a client’s trust and have them find another solution for future projects.
Retail applications are generally very time- and date-specific, as they relate to new product releases, seasonal changeouts, or scheduled sales. Thus, unsatisfactory installation really compounds the client’s stress in these situations. Additionally, these projects are generally in highly visible, high-traffic areas, so a poor execution is going to be seen by many people until a reprint can be produced to correct the problem.
Installations should only be trusted to qualified and vetted installers. This is one of the many reasons I have served on the Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA) Committee for the past six years. It does not matter how amazing a design or print is if it is installed poorly or incorrectly. Installers should attend any of the available manufacturer training sessions and certifications for the products they will be installing.
Always learning
For long-term success, and to ensure you are keeping up to date with the latest developments, it is also highly recommended you access and take advantage of the industry training available to professionals.
I recommend the PDAA Architectural Films Training and Certification, which incorporates a host of film types and manufacturers, as well as some unique testing stations, which make it a diverse and well-rounded architectural program.
A new perk for this certification is an accompanied Axis Graphic Installations accreditation. We are transitioning our installation business into a national project management company over the coming months, and we feel this program is the only architectural platform rigorous enough to confirm the capabilities of potential partners. Namely, if an installer can achieve the accreditation, then we can trust them with the Axis name.
Every installer that receives the PDAA Architectural Films Certification is placed into our Axis network of installers. Additionally, the bids we send out to the areas with multiple certified installers will be rotated each project, so every “Axis Ally” will have opportunities to bid. In short, there is plenty to be excited about for the future.
Ken Burns is the president of Axis Graphics Installations, a specialty sign/graphics installation and project management company, as well as a managing partner of Capital INK Branding Solutions, a full-service print, production, and installation company.
