Avery Dennison recently announced the launch of CarWraps.net, an easy-to-use website that makes it convenient for small business owners and consumers to get information on branding or personalizing their car with vinyl graphic media. CarWraps.net also includes an easily searchable database so that individuals can locate a pre-screened and certified installer near them and request a quotation on a vehicle wrap.

“Many small- and medium-sized businesses are exploring the idea of having cut or printed graphics applied to their vehicles or fleets as an excellent way to gain exposure for their brands,” said Kathleen Hall, North American vice president and general manager for Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions. “Carwraps.net is designed to make this process straightforward and accessible for them as well as for consumers who want to customize their vehicles with their own style.  Our website also helps them execute their ideas by providing easy access to qualified wrap installation professionals.”

Full-service wrap companies and installers that have been certified by Avery Dennison or the Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA), an independent, industry-leading organization dedicated to raising the reliability and professionalism of the graphics installation industry, are listed on the website.  Avery Dennison and PDAA Master Certified Installers are experienced with all types of graphic installations, including walls and flat surfaces, glass, curved surfaces, and complex curved surfaces including vehicle wraps.

CarWraps.net has exceptional search engine rankings. It is typically listed in the number one or two position for Google searches of “car wrap” or “car wraps,” which are highly used search terms. The website complements the efforts of converters and wrap companies to promote themselves and creates a new lead generation tool for potential customers.

Avery MPI 1005 Supercast digital wrap films and DOL Series overlaminates are the combination of choice for both wrap shops and installers. Supercast films give installers an edge by conforming to compound curves, corrugations and rivets easily.  In addition, the Easy Apply RS feature allows the film to slide across the substrate while being properly positioned and reduces the formation of air bubbles.  Customers love the printability of the film, which makes brands and promotional messages stand out on the vehicle.

Adventurer and billionaire Sir Richard Branson announced on April 5 that he will pilot a one-man submarine to the deepest parts of the ocean and into regions no human has ever seen. The mission of the submarine is to expand the reach of human exploration of our planet. So, you ask, how is Avery Dennison involved in this groundbreaking mission? Read on to find out.

This story shows that if you’re in the wrap business, it pays to wrap your personal and business vehicles with your shop’s graphics and contact information. Rod Voegele is President of GatorWraps and has been in the wrap industry for several years. His Cadillac Escalade, decked out in GatorWraps graphics and contact information, helped him gain his most unique and possibly most important client ever.

A couple months ago, Rod received a call from Chris Welsh, an explorer and the chief pilot of Virgin Oceanic, with the opportunity to wrap the Virgin Oceanic submarine and its docking station – a 125 foot long racing catamaran, Cheyenne, that was owned by adventurer Steve Fossett. Welsh had seen Rod’s wrapped Escalade around Newport Beach – the city where they both live. The project was top secret until it was unveiled on April 5 at a packed press conference at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

More than 1,200 square feet of Avery MPI 1005 Supercast Easy Apply RS was printed and used for a full wrap on the custom-designed submarine and catamaran, which has a 13 foot Virgin logo and 50 foot stern graphic featuring the Virgin Oceanic website. DOL 1360 Gloss overlaminate was used to protect the graphics.

“This was an amazing project to be able to participate in and called for top of the line materials. The Avery Supercast and DOL overlaminate films were the perfect materials for the catamaran’s graphics and the submarine wrap,” said Voegele. “The films adhered superbly to the surfaces and easily conformed to the curves of both vessels.”

Welsh and Branson will pilot the one-man submarine into the five deepest trenches in the ocean. Welsh is expected to make the first descent later this year into the Mariana in the Pacific, a depth of 36,000 feet and deeper than anyone has ever gone. More details on the mission and exploration of Virgin Oceanic are available at http://www.virginoceanic.com.

3M Commercial Graphics is proud to announce its Scotchprint brand Wrap Film Series 1080 has been awarded the title of “Coolest New Product of 2011.”  The award was given at the New Product Showcase competition during the ISA International Sign Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The New Product Showcase highlighted 14 of the sign industry’s most innovative products that were introduced into the marketplace within the last year. Attendees experienced firsthand the features and benefits of cutting edge new products and technology. After listening to brief presentations of each product, they were asked to cast their vote.

“It is an honor to be recognized as a leader in the graphic film industry,” said Doug Blackwell, 3M business development manager. “Scotchprint film 1080 has proven to be anything but ordinary.  Its distinctive look, available in a growing number of colors and textures, offers our customers a chance to stand out in the crowd.  It really is cool.”

Scotchprint wrap film series 1080 is a dual cast film specifically designed to provide dimensional stability and durability without the need for an overlaminate. The pressure-activated adhesive allows you to slide and reposition the film until you apply firm pressure. The non-visible air release channels assure a fast, easy and virtually bubble-free installation. A 60-inch film width makes it possible to wrap almost any section of a vehicle without creating seams.