Yesterday I wrapped this Porsche for a 1 week promotion.  Since the wrap was only on for a week the printer, to make a good profit, used unlaminated calendar film - 3M IJ20.  Is this film meant for a car?  No way.  Is unlaminated calendar film tricky to put on without overstretching?  Of course.   Is this an expensive, extra curvy car?  Clearly.  Yet, the install was tight and I have a lot of confidence that it will stay put for a week.   Why did I agree to something like this?  Well, since moving to Europe I have been exposed to a vast variety of films and vehicles.  In the States, I worked only with 3M IJ180C and Avery 1005 EZ.  These two films were used for 1 week, 1 month, 1 year, or  3 year installs.  Moving to Europe was a challenge for me at first (especially since they don't use air-egress and not even, in this case, Controltac for the IJ20).  Yet, its made me a better installer.   The key for me has been learning about the limits of what all films can and cannot do and incorporating that into my techniques with avoiding overstretching as my foundation.  In fact, I just wrote an article about overstretching for Sign and Digital Graphics magazine.  It comes out in October, I think in time for the SGIA show.  I'll post it when it comes out.

I then worked the Mutoh booth in the NBM Long Beach show.

After getting a Sunday off I then taught the Mutoh School of Wrap that was hosted by Graphics One in Burbank.  Monday and Tuesday was the Basic/Intermediate and on Wednesday the Advanced.

Thursday morning I flew to Reno to teach a 2-day private workshop for Sierra Custom Signs.

Friday I flew back to LA to hang out with family then Saturday I returned to my ladies back in Amsterdam.  Definitely a high energy run but well worth it.  It was nice to meet so many people eager to learn the art of wrapping.  Next workshops coming up are at Squeezy on September 2  and the Mutoh School of Wrap at Avery Headquarters in October.  For more information on that workshop go to:  www.mutohschoolofwrap.com.

Yesterday was the last day of demos I did for Mutoh in their booth at the NBM Long Beach show.  Over the three days I wrapped a boat using Avery's 1005 Supercast with 1.3mm overlam.  The graphics were printed brilliantly with a Mutoh Valuejet.  This was only the second time I wrapped a boat so it was nice to get some practice in.  One of the aspects of the 1005 Supercast that I like so much is the initial low tack.  This enables me to install something as long and awkward as the side of a boat by myself.  The reason for this is that I can take the entire backing paper off and install at my own pace.  A special thanks to all of those at Mutoh, especially Brian Phipps, for all their help during the show and to Ron Winter from Avery and Todd LaBrie from Carwraps for all their input.  Next show on tap is SGIA in Vegas in October.  For that show I will be wrapping Rusty Wallace's race car in Mutoh's booth.  Exciting stuff so be sure to come on by.

movie clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRUtqgW6Sr8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrURAasR6Q8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VM_ngWx-lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96J5_n2MIdA

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.

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)

http://www.vidoemo.com/yvideo.php?i=RnppQXFRcWuRpUUVWUDA&speedwrapping-mutoh-booth-in-vegas

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.

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.