Vehicle wrap Training advise please?

[Kevin.Ryan]

Hi Lee
we first wrapped a vehicle back in 1998. it was a black cab taxi and the print was supplied to us on cast with application paper on top.
we had never done it before, but had been in the vinyl game for 11 years previously. as the saying goes the professionals make it look easy, as needless to say the result wasnt great, as we were told it had to be applied dry, etc.
we recieved training from various sources here and there over the years, but still struggled, took too long to do the work and so on.
nearly 3 years ago we spoke to Graphityp about training. the guys they use for the training, Adwraps do nothing but wraps day in day out. it wasnt until we went on the course that we realised what we were doing wrong, they are excellent at what they do, very thorough. i would defineatly suggest a course with them if you want to get into wraps properly, its like everything in life, once you are shown the right way, practise makes perfect.
its a different mind set from simple vinyl application to get it right, but its a growing market for sure.

good luck

[Robert Lambie]

good advice sign tint 😉

lee, my advice is to eather go on a course or try spend a day with a company like adwraps etc…. see how its done, know the pit falls…
i know it can be costly, but… take the grafi course for example…
approx £1000
messing up a customers wrap job could cost that on one vehicle!
3 days isnt long… but there is only so much that can be shown.. the rest is really trial and error.. “hands on i mean” having a play with the material on your own van that kinda thing.

there is, without a doubt.. too many sign makers taking it for granted that vinyl work is the same as wrapping. so “you are” approaching it 100% correct, by finding out before lifting a finger!

watching the guys at sign shows is good food for thought. but… it always looks easier than it is. i for one dont wrap vehicles allot.. but do get my fair share of part wraps etc.. i still do make mistakes… and probably always will to an extent.. its a huge learing curve. every van is different.. so the way you tackle it is never the same..
my biggest grind right now is people jumping in saying they are wrappers.. doesnt mean they are! … theses folk undercut the pro’s… knock the backside out the market before it kicks off & then walk away 6 months later to try something else.
meanwhile we try and justify our rates… it happend with paintwork when vinyl came about.. it happens with cut vinyl.. its happening with digital prints.. and now wrapping… infact.. its happening in almost every area of the sign makers trade.

anyway.. im off on one mate.. i just wish more folk looked before they leaped. doing what you are now… asking.. and walking into it eyes wide open.

my advice is as above.. take a day out with a “pro”.. or go on a course.. see if it is for you…
buy in some vinyl.. just plain wrap.. and start applying it to your van..
plain white on a white van… then leave the patches on the van for a few weeks. month minimum..
then go back and have a good look at it. see where you went wrong.. ask here why it happend etc.. show us pictures.. its best that way i think.. would also be good for other folk on the site to see it and learn from it.

any questions feel free mate

[Kevin.Ryan]

Rob,
totally agree with you, the window tint trade in this counrty has gone to the dogs because everyone and their dog are calling themselves ‘tinters’.
wrapping isn’t for everyone, you can bash some vinyl lettering onto a van in minutes and be away job done, but as you say wraps are a different thing, it will bite you hard if it goes wrong.

if your willing to take the time and learn go for it.

regards
Kevin

[Lee Jones]

Thanks for the replies, Rob & Kevin, very much appreciated. Thats what I like about this place, good, friendly and practical advice, without all the bull sh*t and ego posters.

I will definitely be getting some training. We all sometimes feel we are the best, till we see someone else’s work, or how easy they apply their knowledge to the task at hand, and then you realize , well, perhaps I’m not a good as I thought I was. But I suppose that’s what keeps you keen, and striving to improve your skills.

I’m with you Rob on the price war we have in our industry, Can never understand the mindset of those who go out of there way to undercut everyone else, Yeah, they may get sales to start with, but in the long run, they soon find their pricing too low and have no option other than to give up. I have always priced high, and not always to my advantage, but it gives you a good margin to negotiate, and if you feel it necessary to drop your price (only slightly mind you), the customer always feels their getting a bargain, and we all love a bargain.

Good advice and helpful tips is always welcome in my book, I’m never too proud to listen to anyone and learn from their mistakes, and there is always something extra you can learn.
Your advice Rob, of getting some plain unprinted vinyl is top on my list of ” Things to do” …………Half stripped the Tranny yesterday (the vehicle that is), must get back to stripping the other side today, BTW – run out of Proprietary glue remover, and as I had plenty of screen wash to hand, I tried it !, Fantastic !!!, in fact better than the glue remover we usually use, so guess what I’ll be using in future.

Thanks again guy’s, I’ll let you know how i get on !