13 Wrapping Tips

1. Photograph the vehicle. During the initial quote, photograph the vehicle to be wrapped. Shoot it from the most direct angles possible – this helps create an accurate scale. Shoot every side, hood, roof angle and bumper. Sometimes, these shots will convince an indecisive customer and prevent further aggravation.

2. Measure precisely. Record the height and width of every side, hood, rear, roof, door and bumper. Pay attention to body breaks, and consider how you plan to print the panels. Full wraps require breaking designs into panels. Refer back to notes for a door measurement to double check your exact panel measurements.

3. Collect data. Brainstorm ideas with your customers. Collect photos, logos and business information to help determine their goals. Is the wrap advertising a product, image or logo, or merely attracting attention? A wrap must use powerful imagery to convey a product, service or trade.

4. Inform the customer. Convey the media’s expected lifespan and your company’s warranty policies. Document best practices for the wrap’s maintenance. Walk around the vehicle with the customer, and point out possible problem areas, such as those that require relief cuts or seams.

5. Determine the job’s difficulty. Extreme curves, rivets, door handles and other protruding parts can impact installation time and, when handled improperly, cause printing rework. Minimize design in these areas to save installation time.

6. Price it right. Material usage, installation time and the artwork’s complexity are key pricing factors. Consider the customer’s budget with every step.

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7. Get customer approvals. If color or image quality become issues, print samples on your intended media. To avoid future headaches, get signed approvals and a deposit prior to printing.

8. Printing. Seamless wraps are easiest application option, but many jobs require seams or panels? Vertical or horizontal? Horizontal panels force bottom-to-top layout, usually with large panels, get it on straight, and you're done. For vertical panels that require back-to-front applications, make a test run to ensure panels fit. Such jobs usually require five, smaller panels per side. For accurate registration, don’t overstretch your seams.

9. Inspect thoroughly. Use a vehicle-inspection sheet to protect yourself from damage expenses from paint failures after removal. Do the inspection with the customer and point out problem areas. Have the customer sign the inspection sheet and keep it in the client’s file.

10. Properly prep the vehicle. When washing a vehicle with an appropriate soap mixture, remember, water settles behind door moldings, body panels, rubber gaskets, etc. You’ll need heat or extra time to dry it properly. To prevent solvent collection in these areas, we generally use a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution, which we spray onto a rag and apply. Refer to your wrap-media suggestions and specifications for proper cleaning.

11. Take the time to install carefully. A poor install will undo the best design, printer and media. Educated customers know the difference between good and bad work. Experiment with new media to find what works best for you. Study problem areas, and review your clients’ wraps after six months to determine what could be improved on future jobs. When trimming away excess, don’t cut into the paint – this could invite a damage claim when the wrap is removed.

12. Maintain quality control. Improperly tucked and trimmed areas can trigger media failure. In cold weather, keep the vehicle indoors for an extra day so the film stays sufficiently warm. Double check tucked areas, deep contours, body lines, window film, heated or streched areas, and such details as a cut-out area for the vehicle’s gas cap.

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13. Laminate perforated window film. Failure to do so can cause dirt and water to accumulate, which impacts visibility.

Keep wrapping, and good luck!

– Dallas Fowler, Digital EFX Wraps (Louisville, KY)