Extreme Wraps

Slednecks was born a decade ago, when a group of friends living in Jackson, WY, decided to record their snowmobiling prowess on film. Their movies created a buzz in the extreme-sports subculture, and Slednecks capitalized on this momentum by introducing apparel in 2002. In 2006, Paul Thacker, one of the team’s riders, executed a world-record snowmobile jump of 248 ft. and augmented its fame. (The banner that decorated the jumping ramp appeared in ST’s April 2007 International Sign Contest gallery – see page 117.)

Last year, Slednecks bolstered its cache by developing a live show, which Monster energy drink sponsors, that features snowmobile and dirt-bike stunts, as well as onsite concerts. To optimize its branding, Slednecks hired bluemedia (Tempe, AZ) to build the brand through edgy vehicle graphics. Brandon Boetto, a bluemedia designer, created the design using Adobe Photoshop CS3. A base layer of camouflage-green and taxicab, checkered-yellow vinyl is decorated with a second layer of decals that features the Slednecks logo and those of other corporate sponsors.

Using its Mimaki USA JV3-160SP printer, bluemedia produced the wrap using 3M Graphics Market Center's IJ 180-10C cast vinyl with air-egress adhesive and an 8519 luster-finish overlaminate.

Bluemedia’s Chris Keal said the bike’s array of complex curves provided the project’s most substantial challenge, which the design and installation team overcame by careful measurements and close cooperation.