Last Impression: Designing head-turning vehicle wraps

by | 20 May 2019 1:18 pm

By Sonia Yooshing

When a hard core Pink Floyd fan approached Quebec-based graphic design, signage, and large-format printing company Lettrage T2 Design with a project for her recreational vehicle, the signmakers welcomed the assignment as a unique challenge.

The client wanted to make heads turn as she drove past and, to ensure just that, the graphics department created a design inspired by photos and albums of the band. Some graphics were combined with lyrics and texts, which were previously selected by the client. The real test; however, was to blend the white colour of the Can-Am Spyder to the vibrant, psychedelic shades, which are symbolic of the band.

In keeping with its tradition for the past five years, the installation team used an environmentally friendly HP Designjet L26500 printer, which uses water-based latex ink without any chemical solvent, to create the image. After nearly 20 hours of printing, the final result was a visually striking image with stunning graphic elements.

The next job at hand was to ensure the design covered the entire vehicle; for this, the signmakers used a 3M IJ 480 vinyl wrapping film along with 3M 8548 lamination. At the time of installation; however, the team felt the visuals would stand out better if some of the white paint showed from beneath the surface.

What makes this project exclusive, other than its ‘green’ printing, is the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and phosphate-free lamination. Even though the design lines were complex, the sign shop was able to successfully achieve a superior quality result.

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/how-to-design-head-turning-vehicle-wraps-graphics/

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