WHEN SPENCER HARDY, manager of Harrah’s Northern California (Ione, CA), was looking for local companies that could add a splash of color to the casino’s water tanks, he soon realized that painting was out of the question and pivoted to wraps. He turned to his good friend Kam Merzlak, owner of a signshop in Jackson, CA, who in turn referred him to Palmer Signs (Roseville, CA). Hardy was sold upon seeing a water tank that Palmer Signs wrapped in Woodland in addition to their large-scale architectural wraps.
“They were impressed by our portfolio of durable, eye-catching installations across northern California and knew we had the experience to handle a project of this magnitude,” says Palmer Signs owner Tony Palmer. “We’ve been in the industry for over 35 years, and word-of-mouth endorsements like this are a huge part of how we connect with visionary clients looking to make a bold statement.”
Palmer’s in-house design team handled the entire creative process, collaborating closely with Harrah’s to capture their brand while ensuring maximum viewability from a distance. The team used Adobe Creative Suite, primarily Illustrator and Photoshop, which enabled them to iterate quickly on colors, patterns and layouts. “The result was a stunning, custom graphic that perfectly complemented the scenic beauty of Ione and turned the tank into a vibrant beacon for the casino,” Palmer says. The shop printed the graphics on nearly 2,000 sq. ft. of 3M IJ180 vinyl in 52-in. panels, using their HP Latex 830 printers. After printing, they applied 3M Envision Laminate for added protection against UV rays, precipitation and abrasion.
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A closeup of the install.
The true challenges lay in the installation process. To reduce the possibility of delays, Palmer Signs held multiple planning sessions with the management of Harrah’s weeks in advance, discussing placement, viewability and colors. In particular, the team had to figure out the best viewing angle for the logo and for adjusting the graphics on the 9-in.-diameter drain pipe. “Overall, these challenges only strengthened the project, showcasing Palmer Signs’ problem-solving prowess and ability to deliver under pressure,” Palmer says.
The team thoroughly washed and prepped the surface of the 30-ft.-tall, 75-ft.-diameter water tank with a professional cleaning agent, followed by a full day of drying to ensure optimal adhesion. Partnering with construction rental company EquipmentShare, they used a 65-ft. Genie Z-62/40 Articulated Boom Lift to safely access the heights. The curved surface of the water tank would require careful panel alignment to avoid distortions, which was made manageable by the 3M vinyl’s high conformability. They wrapped directly behind the fill pipe, applying the 52 in. by 24 ft. panels from right to left with 1-in. overlaps for a bubble-free finish. Using heat guns and squeegees, they applied the wrap over the next four days.
“What stood out most was the sheer impact, seeing a utilitarian 1.2 million-gallon water tank evolve into a stunning visual icon that’s visible from miles away and has already boosted Harrah’s presence in the community. ” Palmer says. The project has garnered considerable viral buzz on social media with fans sharing time-lapse videos of the transformation, and even prompted the casino to commission a second tower wrap next to it.
Palmer gives the following key lesson to fellow signmakers: Thorough pre-planning and strong client partnerships are everything. “By meeting with Harrah’s team multiple times to refine every detail, we ensured a seamless execution that exceeded expectations,” he adds. “Invest in those relationships and top-quality materials like 3M — it’s the difference between a good wrap and a legendary one.”
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