Seeking Professional Help

You’ve just plotted or printed a beautiful new graphic for your customer, and you’re ready to apply it to the company delivery truck. As you work, you’re asking yourself, “Why am I getting all these wrinkles?” or “Why can’t I ever get the vinyl down over these rivets?” Trust me, we’ve all been there.

Whether you’ve been installing vinyl for six months or 10 years, you can learn something new. Industry training courses and seminars can help you overcome some of these installation obstacles. Here are several options that can hopefully help you get over that “old dog,” or even the “new dog,” syndrome.

Why do I need that?

When creating such ubiquitous signs as Coroplast® corrugated plastic “yard sale” blanks decorated with plotter-cut film, you could probably fumble your way through them relatively successfully. So, why would you need further training? What if your customer would like to re-brand his 10 area franchise restaurants with storefront signage and five, fully wrapped catering trucks? Don’t try to fumble through that one.

Advanced training prepares you for applications that require various vinyl types on many different substrates. Need another reason? When the shop down the street can’t handle this type of job, your phone might start ringing more. And, here’s the second reason – more money!

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By now, you’re scanning down the page to see where you can get this training, but slow down – you need some background information first.

The earliest vinyl installers, who were self-taught, learned the correct installation techniques the hard way – through many mistakes and costly re-do’s. They also learned that various vinyl types require different treatments – what you can, or can’t do, with monomeric calendered film or premium cast film. (Actually, these early installation pioneers taught manufacturers the films’ capabilities!)

So, for years, you might have found a training video or a book, but nothing could replicate hands-on training.

Recently, however, vinyl-film manufacturers have offered one-, two-, or three-day seminars that teach vinyl-installation aspects that pertain to one or two specific scenarios, such as vehicle wraps or wall graphics. However, these well-organized and educational classes may devolve into sales pitches.

Additionally, your local sign-supply distributor usually has a large enough facility to provide training. Consider registering for classes or seminars at a local or national tradeshow. Given time and travel variables, these options can cost from $99 to $1,500.

I’ve noted some excellent sources for increasing your squeegee know-how, but consider another, comprehensive option. Door Number 3, please, Monty!

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Certificate, please!

For years, formalized training had been hard to find, but it existed. But, have you ever heard the word “certified” coupled with “vinyl installation”?

Roughly 60 to 80% of major, U.S. installations are completed by companies “certified” to use certain vinyl manufacturers’ films. You’ve probably driven up to your local gas station and been surprised that it transformed, seemingly overnight. Highly trained, certified, installation companies quickly convert such sites by knowing how to efficiently

install any type of vinyl on any type of substrate.

Good news! You can get the same training.

Two organizations in the signage and graphics industry offer materials-certification programs. The elder, and larger, of the two, the Professional Decal Applicators

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Association (PDAA), offers training and certification for such manufacturers as ORACAL USA, Avery Graphics and Mactac. The independent United Applicators Standards Group (UASG) only certifies companies to use 3M® films. What does “certified” really mean? Although the organizations’ requirements differ, a company can become certified if it meets certain qualifications. Most importantly, applicants must pass a written and practical exam. The written exam usually includes questions on proper cleaning techniques, different types of PSA films and correct film selection. The practical portion requires candidates to show their proficiency in applying different types of vinyl on various substrates, such as glass or corrugated

surfaces. Here’s the kicker – the application must be perfect and completed within a certain timeframe. I see a new reality show coming on!

Also, the company must be in business for a certain number of years, carry liability insurance and provide references, among other criteria. Although the process sounds somewhat overwhelming, the benefits can be huge.

One, very obvious benefit is that you’ll receive the best possible training on different materials and their applications, which can catapult you past your local competition.

Also, you’ll be networked nationwide with installers who regularly refer work to each other. Say your customer decides to open a location five states away and wants it to look the same as his current shop. You can look up a member close to the site and send him or her the work, without worrying that it will be done correctly. Or, better yet, if a national franchise needs 10 wrapped vehicles in your town, and you’re the only certified installer nearby, bingo!

Other benefits may include being privy to new materials from manufacturers before they hit the market or being featured in trade publications.

How much does this cost? Each organization’s fees for training, testing and annual dues differ. Again, do your homework, dust off the old business plan, and see if this is worth the investment.

You can’t go wrong investing in knowledge. (Ft. Knox might not hold enough money to help me!) So, next time you wrinkle your graphic during the installation or waste time popping air bubbles, know that help is around the corner.

I almost forgot to give you the information you were looking for down the page! Learn more about PDAA at www.pdaa.com and UASG at www.uasg.org. You can also visit your favorite manufacturer’s website to find upcoming training events.