Five-Tool Wraps

In baseball parlance, a position player proficient with all “five tools” – running, throwing, fielding, hitting for average and hitting for power – embodies the total package. With baseball season around the corner, any team’s promotional campaign without vehicle wraps is akin to a centerfielder with a pulled hamstring. The Houston Astros recognized this and hired Houston-based A + E The Graphics Complex to bedeck a Hummer with players’ photos as well as typography and graphics with a fitting Texas twist.

Using Adobe®’s Photoshop® CS2 and Illustrator® CSR. A + E’s Christopher McKim devised the scheme, which the shop output on its EFI-VUTEk 3360 using 3M™’s Controltac™ IJ180c-10 film and 8519 luster-finish overlaminate. A + E’s Stephen Gros said, “Working on Hummers always poses a challenge because of their very curved and contoured surface, and designing the graphics to flow seamlessly into them and the rear running lights requires extra attention to detail.” A job well done, although the “Good Guys” proclamation might not wash here in Cincinnati, home of the National League Central Division rival Reds.