Vehicle wraps: Designing and protecting specialty film applications

by | 9 November 2018 10:32 am

By Samantha Ashenhurst

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Vehicle wraps have proven themselves an excellent form of outdoor mobile advertising. The application of film graphics to cars, buses, trucks, and boats is an increasingly popular strategy for companies looking to reach a wide audience via a moving billboard.

As this trend grows, more and more sign shops are receiving orders for these unique applications; however, for some signmakers, there are still many uncertainties with regards to how to best handle these requests.

JMR Graphics, a 3M-certified manufacturer of commercial vehicle wraps, offers answers to common questions related to these applications, as well as advice for how to effectively preserve these graphics in varying weather conditions and tips for safe removal.

 

Creating eye-catching designs

Vehicle wraps rely on modern digital inkjet printing and skilled installers, but the most important part of the process may be the creation and development of the design.

Before printing or applying graphics, signmakers should take these considerations into account during the design phase.

 

1. Beware of space

While a computer screen on which wrap graphics are designed is two-dimensional (2D), the vehicle itself is, of course, three-dimensional (3D). So, it is important to be mindful of all of the nooks and crannies of the vehicle—such as door handles—that will affect how the image appears after it has been applied.

 

2. Be bold

Large, bold graphics are more certain to grab the attention of onlookers. As long as they appear sufficiently professional and proper to the client, do not shy away from dynamic designs.

 

3. Add a pop of colour

On a similar note, plain designs typically do not attract the most attention, so it is advisable to add some ‘fun’ with bursts of colour, taking advantage of the capabilities of vinyl graphics to show off creative, unique brand images to the public.

 

4. Do not overcrowd the vehicle

While a dynamic design is desirable, it is also important to beware of including too many images and/or words on the vehicle, which could overwhelm viewers and cause them to lose interest. It is better to use negative space to enhance the overall design.

 

Common questions about wraps

While the vehicle wrapping business has grown and its benefits are now well-known, new customers tend to ask the same questions before placing an order. It is important for sign shops entering this business to know how to respond.

According to JMR Graphics, the following are the five most commonly asked questions—and answers—about vehicle wraps:

 

1. How long does it take to install?

The wrap installation process is different for all projects. The estimated time of completion will depend on the type and size of vehicle (e.g. car, truck, or bus) and the intricacy of the wrap design.

With this in mind, sign shops should (a) provide estimates prior to ordering and (b) work closely with clients who need wraps completed by specific dates.

 

2. What is the process of ordering a vehicle wrap?

There are three phases to ordering a vehicle wrap, which should be explained to clients:

(a) The design phase, whereby the layout, text, and images are created.

(b) The production phase, when the design files are printed and prepared for installation.

(c) The installation phase, at which point the vehicle must be taken in for the application of the graphics.

 

3. How long will the wrap last?

There are different types of vinyl for different applications, so a sign shop should offer a variety of options based on durability, but most vehicle wraps will last for years with proper care. To reassure the customer, it is a good idea to offer a warranty plan in case of accidents or other damage.

 

4. Can the wrap be removed?

Any vehicle wrap can be removed, but of course the client will rely on a professional sign shop that can do so safely, preventing any possible damage that could otherwise result from an improper wrap removal.

 

5. Will the wrap damage the vehicle’s paint job?

If a sign shop installs and eventually removes the wrap properly, the vehicle’s paint job should not be affected whatsoever. Rather, upon wrap removal, the vehicle should appear the same as it did before.

Protecting applications from winter weather conditions

With the harsh weather of the winter months approaching, many signmakers and their customers wonder if their vehicle wraps will be able to survive the season. The answer is a question of not only effective installation, but also ongoing care.

Given the growing popularity of vehicle wraps, what 
was once a summer-focused marketing technique has now become a year-round business across Canada. Proper wrapping techniques can help prepare graphics to withstand colder temperatures, but in particular, if a wrap will be applied during the winter, it is important to ensure the installation bay is kept warm enough—at least 10 to 16 C (50 to 60 F).

Then, to care for the wrap correctly, typical maintenance will include a weekly wash, keeping the vehicle sheltered whenever feasible and fixing any small tears, breaks, or holes in the vinyl as soon as possible.

Rock salt and de-icing chemicals, which are commonly used in the winter to help keep roads clear of snow and ice, can certainly present an issue for wrapped vehicles, as they can begin to eat away at the vinyl and ruin its appearance. To combat this problem, wrapped vehicles driven on public roadways during the winter may need to be washed more frequently than usual.

 

Shielding wraps from summer heat

Vehicle wraps create brand awareness with repetitive exposure, but in the summer heat, the graphics may fade or peel, leading to a poor representation of the promoted business. It is important to ensure the proper care is taken to maintain the appearance of a wrap.

With this in mind, the following are four tips for protecting vehicle wraps against the potentially detrimental effects of prolonged exposure to sunshine:

 

1. Install graphics vertically, not horizontally

When vehicle wraps’ graphic panels are applied horizontally, the configuration of the seams leaves them more susceptible to the effects of heat damage and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Graphics should always be applied vertically, such that they can better withstand the damaging rays of a summer sun.

 

2. Use wrap-safe car waxes

A car wax is key to maintaining and enhancing a vehicle’s bright appearance, but any regular wax containing petroleum distillates will damage a graphic wrap. It is important instead to invest in a wrap-safe wax for use after every wash. Some brands offer UV protection for additional prevention of fading in sunlight.

 

3. Apply protective sprays

In addition to choosing the right car wax, UV protective sprays should be kept at hand. It is a good idea to get into the habit of applying them regularly for an extra coating 
of protection, particularly in extreme heat.

 

4. Keep out of the sun whenever possible

Whenever possible, a wrapped vehicle should be parked inside a garage—or at least in the shade—to limit its exposure to sunlight. In open lots and other scenarios where parking in the shade is not possible, the vehicle’s direction should be changed each time it is moved, so as to ‘distribute’ sun exposure as evenly as possible.

 

Safely removing wraps

Sign shops and other companies equipped to install vehicle wraps also need to be prepared to eventually remove the graphics at the end of their useful life. This requires a combination of the right skills and the right tools.

Isopropyl alcohol or a degreaser may be used to clean the vehicle before and/or after graphic removal. It is important to wear gloves when handling any chemicals and solutions to protect the skin from any possible contact damage.

To start the removal process, a heat gun should be used to warm up the edges of the graphic panels. With exposure to steady, high levels of heat, the vinyl should begin to lift up, without any damage to the vehicle’s paint job—but it is important to avoid overheating any plastic parts of the car that could melt, such as the headlights and taillights.

Once the graphic edges begin to lift, they can be slowly pulled away from the vehicle by hand. Gloves should still be worn throughout the process to protect hands from the heat.

The graphics should be lifted at an approximate 15-degree angle and no sharper than a 90-degree angle, so as to avoid leaving any adhesive or residue behind. Again, this work needs to be done slowly. Trying to ‘rip’ the graphics off quickly like a bandage tends to leave behind broken fragments that will then take even longer to remove.

For any residue that is left behind, a razor blade or plastic scraper should prove useful in removing the final bits.

With files from JMR Graphics. For more information, visit www.jmrgraphics.com[4].

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/vehicle-wraps-designing-and-protecting-specialty-film-applications/

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