New DVD website
I have a new website for my DVDs - www.learntowrapcars.com. This website is linked to this website and Carwraps (www.carwraps.net). I will also be adding new tools and videos in the coming months. Most recently I added the Squeezy Sleeve and the Flexifelt to the shopping options. I use both of these squeegee buffers when I install now. To see some youtube videos about my new video and tools check out:
Mutoh interview about wrapping
Brian Phipps, general manager of Mutoh, was interviewed about printers and vehicle graphics. He talked about the Carwraps Business Builder and my trainings. Thanks, Brian.
First Squeezy Carwrap training completed
Yesterday was the first carwrap training at Squeezy and it went very well. There were 9 students with 3 instructors - Sandra, Herman and myself. Ruben and Ronald from 3M were there to provide theory training and answer any questions regarding the media. The facility is just perfect for trainings with lots of mounted doors, a dedicated vehicle for wrapping and a lecture room for video (and for drinking coffee). I am very happy to be part of this training program. For more information on these trainings go to my workshop page on this site or www.squeezy.nl. The media used was 3M's IJ380 and 85 series.
Online videos coming out in DVD format
I'm happy to announce that "Techniques and Tips: Vehicle Graphic Installations" videos are coming out in DVD format starting June 5. The DVD was shot in HD and is over 144 minutes long. It covers everything from basic techniques like cleaning, hardware removals and properties of the film to advanced techniques like bumpers, deep recessed areas and door handles. The DVD will sell for $89 and come with a free Squeezy Sleeve. To pre-order now go to: dvd@justinpate.net.
Techniques and Tips: Vehicle Graphic Installations will continue to be sold at Carwraps and given to new Mutoh owners via Carwraps (www.carwraps.net)
Video from Speedwrapping
This video clip someone posted is of me and Niels Langedijk, co-owner of Squeezy, wrapping a Prius from start to finish in 1 hour 29 min in the Mutoh booth for last years ISA sign show in Vegas. We used 3m IJ180 comply, the wrap was designed by Carwraps and it was printed by a Mutoh Valuejet. This was my first sign show and now that I have few under my belt I have to chuckle when I think of how nervous I was.
http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=RnppQXFRcWuRpUUVWUDA&speedwrapping-mutoh-booth-in-vegas
Squeezy workshop a success
The pilot training session for Squeezy's new 3M sponsored carwrap training took place today. 7 attendees participated in the training which focused on 3M IJ380 and 85 films. Squeezy's training facility is first rate with a dedicated training room that includes a wide array of mounted doors. This is for focusing on the more complex aspects of applications like compound curves and deep recessed areas. In their main installation space there are two vehicles that serve as practice for learning the general story of car wrapping. Niels Langedijk, owner of Squeezy, has really gone out of his way to make this a first rate program. I am very happy to be a part of this new endeavor as it has the potential to set the quality standard for car wrapping and paint replacement. A special thanks to Ruben van Raam of 3M for helping with this project and for instructors Sandra and Herman for being so damn cool.
ISA Show in Orlando
The ISA show in Orlando this past weekend went really, really well. The crowd turnout at Mutoh's booth was big with lots of people inquiring about the Carwraps Business Builder and my videos/workshops. Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps, and myself did 3 demos a day, highlighting the strengths of our program which is efficiency and quality. I used Avery's new 1005 Supercast film for the demos and people were very into it. I think this is going to be a very good product for Avery. High quality media that prints and installs extremely well for an excellent price point. Smart on their part to make the price point the same as their old 1005 Easy Apply RS. The people at Mutoh, particularly Randy "The Man" Anderson, went out of their way to make sure the booth looked great. Always a pleasure to do the demos for Mutoh. The next U.S. event on the horizon is the hands-on workshop at Sign Warehouse from May 10-12. For more info on the workshop go to: www.mutohcarwraps.com.
Dinner with Rob Ivers
I arrived in Orlando yesterday for the ISA sign show which starts in just a few hours. Rob Ivers, a legend in this industry, suggested that we grab some dinner before it all started. I think one of my favorite things about coming to these sign shows has been the chance to talk to some of the legends. I really like to understand how things work, the history and there is no one better and enlightening me than Rob Ivers. This guys has been in the biz since the 70's and has seen it all. Rob will be on of the head judges at the wrap contest this year. I'm now off to get the Prius ready for the demos today. I will be doing 3 demos using Avery's new 1005 Supercast film. The graphics were printed by a Mutoh Valuejet. Todd LaBrie, owner of Carwraps, will be talking about the Carwraps Business Builder that comes with any Mutoh purchase for 2010. For more information on this program go to: www.mutohcarwraps.com.
Gettin’ ready for the first workshop of 2010
One week from today I fly out to Painesville, Oh to teach the first of 6 hands-on workshops for Mutoh and Avery-Dennison for 2010. This first workshop is at Avery-Dennison headquarters which I'm very excited about. The reason for this is that Avery has offered to give the participants (and myself) a full tour of their facility. I always love these behind the scenes tours and its a great chance to learn about how the material is made. For the workshops, both beginner/intermediate and the advanced, we will be using Avery's new 1005 Supercast film that was officially launched on March 1. I'm pleased to have Crystal Baus of Mutoh and Todd LaBrie of Carwraps at Avery for the workshop. They will be on hand to answer any questions about printers and the Carwraps Business Builder that comes with the purchase of Mutoh printers for 2010. For info on the workshops go to: www.mutohcarwraps.com.
Merry X-mas Mom
For X-mas this year, my mom asked me to wrap her car so that it looked like wood. I thought this would be a good chance to experiment with a new combination of film/overlam. For the Mutoh workshops/signshows for 2009 I used Avery 1005 Easy Apply RS film with a 2.0mm overlam. I like a thinner overlam for it helps the film conform better to bumpers and recessed areas so, for my mom's wrap, I used Avery's glossy 1.3mm overlam. The thinner overlam really made a big difference in how the film conformed to curves and recessed areas. It was also just as easy to handle as the 2.0 overlam, an added bonus. I highly recommend this combination of film/overlam (1005 Easy Apply RS/1.3mm glossy overlam) and will it for all my sign shows and workshops in 2010. I would like to shout out a few thank you's for helping make this wrap happen. For the design, Todd LaBrie and Chalong Nanthamong of Carwraps created the file/art work. Randy Anderson and Ken Parsley of Mutoh did the printing/shipping. Lance Hutt, Molly Waters and Ron Winter of Avery coordinated/supplied the Avery film and overlam. Rob Rule and Kyle of Signs Now in Boise for letting me use their space and helping out when needed. Now my mom is the coolest 72 year old driving around Boise. Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year.
