The advanced class for the December Mutoh School of Wrap workshop was a true pleasure to teach.  All the students had taken the 2-day Basic/Intermediate workshop so we could really build on my Universal Graphic Installation System.  I was truly amazed at quickly the students picked up all the tips and tricks, especially when we got to bumpers and doorhandles.  The students really understood the concept that with a fluid system wrapping a bumper is no different than wrapping a hood.  Sometimes I felt like Yoda but they understood that with sound technique and the right approach all vehicles become the same which leads to high standards of quality, durability and efficiency.

I think one big factor that helped the learning process was the Avery 1005 Supercast with 1360 1.3mm overlam.  The low tack and supreme flexibility of the Supercast really gives installers a sense of confidence and flow.  Over the course of 3 days the students plowed through 150 yards of film, by far the most for a School of Wrap workshop.  This is a testament to how hard the students worked.  Thanks to everyone at Mutoh for all their help and for a great 2010 School of Wrap.  I'm really looking forward to next year which will have more dates.

The 3M sponsored Carwrap training at Squeezy on Sept. 6 was a big success.  We have now paired the workshop down to two trainers for 10 people which creates a great flow throughout the day.  All the participants were very active and kept on practicing the techniques until they got them right.  Workshops can be very hit or miss this way so its always refreshing to get an eager group.  As per usual, Ruben van Raam was spot on with his theory training.  Herman and I then talked about recessed areas and how to approach them with different media - in this case it was IJ380 and 85 series.  After lunch Herman talked about cleaning, hardware removals and planning then I did a Speedwrap demo by wrapping the side of a car.  After this, people worked on cutting and installation techniques upstairs while I took different groups downstairs to show how to wrap difficult bumpers - always the thing people want to see most and, why not?  Bumpers are not easy unless a couple of tricks are learned.  Thanks always to Niels Langedijk for setting up the trainings at Squeezy.  The next one is in a week - Basic training.  For the full schedule go to:  www.squeezy.nl.

I just got done teaching the 2-day basic/intermediate workshop for Mutoh at Seal in Elkridge, MD.  Once again, it was a great class.  All the students were eager to learn and wrap, wrap wrap.  We wrapped one of the students vehicles, pictured below.  We worked a lot on technique and understanding the film and really only got to wrapping the car during the afternoon session on day 2.  I was very impressed that with everything they had picked up they wrapped the car in 3 1/2 hours.  Thanks as always to Mutoh for printing such beautiful graphics and Avery for their supa Supercast.  A special thanks to Mark Rugen and Seal for the hospitality.  Tomorrow the advanced workshop and then off to Halifax to teach a private workshop for Avery.

This is the group pic of the basic/intermediate group for the Mutoh School of Wrap workshop at Sign Warehouse in Texas.  This was a really great group of students - very eager to learn and get deep into the process.  Over two days they got up to speed on my UGIS: Universal Graphic Installation system and wrapped a box truck for a local high school and a mini-van for Sign Warehouse.

They really enjoyed working with the Avery 1005 Supercast film with the 1.3 overlam.  I think the three things they liked about it was the initial low tack which made it very easy to reposition, how well it conformed to curves and that it prints great.  All the graphics were printed by a Mutoh Valuejet which meant that they were perfect.  Tomorrow is the advanced class and then I'm heading back home to be with my ladies.  A special thanks to Larry Adams and everyone at Sign Warehouse for helping make this a great workshop and to Crystal Baus and Chris Prince at Mutoh for all their hard work in promoting and with administration.

The idea is that the participants will go through 3 training modules in order to receive MCS installer status from 3M Sweden.  Installers with MCS status will be given access to all MCS accounts which are premium level.

The first module is basics, the second is carwrapping and the third is the speedwrapping.  Because the Speedwrap Module is the most advanced workshop it focuses not only on the installation but other aspects involved before and after a wrap . First, the module will fine tune techniques and create speed for fleet wrapping. Second, there is time spent on how to create communication between installers, salespeople and designers.

This significantly reduces stress and time lost as well as increases profits. Third, installers and salesman are shown how to promote and create new markets using the latest materials on the market.

More information will be available when the MCS warranty program is finalized in the coming months.