As long as there are boys – and adventurous girls who buck or transform the princess mold – monster trucks will captivate young imaginations. Lilmonsterrucks.com, a Missouri-based outfit, seeks to take this fascination and use it to convey positive messages. They produced custom, scaled-down monster trucks that function like super-sized all-terrain vehicles (ATV). Moreover, children ages 6-15 drive the ATVs.
The parents of an autistic child, approached the organization with the idea of “Puzzle Master,” a themed monster truck to raise awareness about autism (multi-colored puzzle pieces are a common symbol used by charities that served families who’ve been touched by autism). They eagerly snapped up the idea, and entrusted Washington, MO-based Ziglin Signs to create the graphics and install the wrap.
Ziglin printed the wrap with 3M’s Controltac 2-mil, 10-year, air-release media on a Mimaki JV-5 high-speed, solvent-ink printer. To keep the design vibrant though repeated, off-road wear and tear, the shop applied 3M Scotchcal 8519 luster-finish overlaminate with a Seal 6000 Ultra laminator. Installer Brooks Todd finished the job with 3M Gold and Ogee felt squeegees.
The Puzzle Master enjoyed its maiden voyage in April, during Autism Awareness Month, with 12-year-old driver Blaine Schoenfeld demonstrating its toughness for an autism fundraiser.