Gretchen Peck over at Digital Output magazine has put out an interesting article called “Going Ape for Vehicle Graphics.” In it, she discusses APE Wraps and its ‘art of vinyl.’ She spoke to Troy Downey, who I’ve chatted with a few times. He’s a great guy and very knowledgeable about what he does.
“We started out in the hot rod industry—vehicle restoration—years ago, with custom paint jobs,” Downey recalls. “About seven years ago, we started to notice digital print that could actually simulate paint jobs that would otherwise cost between $40,000 and $60,000.”

The article tells how Downey invested in some equipment—including a Seiko I Infotech Inc. ColorPainter 64—and APE Wraps was born.

“Since then, we’ve seen a 780-degree change in the industry. It has reinvented itself three times over,” Downey asserts. “I think we’re actually at a pinnacle now, when the inks are right; the equipment is right, and the media is thinner. We’re at a point where the focus is on execution.”

Click here to read the rest of this article.

There’s an interesting post over at Cararticles.com about vehicle wrapping. They call it car wrapping, but they do spell out some good selling points. So if you are in the vehicle wrapping business and need some good ammunication for how to sell your products, then check it out!

There’s a vehicle wrapping business for sale on Craigslist. This is a turnkey sign, banner, graphics, and vehicle wrap business that has been in business for over 15 years. The president of the business was one of the innovators of wrapping vehicles with graphics. The Current owner is selling due to health problems, but is willing to stay on and train for 1-2 months. With th current working equipment and inventory, the seller says you could easily handle production of over $2 million per year. Everything is in place and ready to roll.

Click here to see the whole post.

There’s an inspirational story in the Memphis Business Journal about the success of local sign guys in the face of competition. It features a Fast Signs franchisee and LSI’s Mason Ezzell III.
The story tells how LSI started as a laminator and bindery business but evolved into identification, promotional products and digital printing for signage. Ezzell says his company made a big investment in large format printers when the equipment was expensive. Ezzell sees competition growing, but like his counterpart at Fast Signs, he’s not worried because of reputation and the company’s expertise in vehicle wrapping. Read the rest of this entry »

Want to see a vehicle wrap demonstrate in living color? Stop by Mutoh booth #419 at SGIA to see live vehicle wrap demonstrations presented daily by West Coast Customs, producers of MTV’s hit show “Pimp my Ride.” The wrap will be printed on Mutoh’s ValueJet 1608-64″ Hybrid with 3M Media the using Mubio inks. You don’t want to miss this one!

Nazdar SourceOne has unveiled its 2008 Digital Media selector swatch book. I haven’t seen one personally just yet, but the company’s marketing materials promise an enhanced selection of flexible and rigid wide format digital media for aqueous, solvent and UV curable inkjet printers.

Nazdar is also touting an expanded product range that includes products for a wide variety of applications such as point of purchase advertising, front and backlit exhibit display graphics, exterior banners, and vehicle wraps. Sounds promising… Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Michael Block, a Delray Beach geriatric medical care specialist, uses his car to display his contact information – and that he makes house calls.

“It’s an incredible form of advertising, a slam dunk,” said Dr. Block. Driving and parking at nursing homes, diners and malls, Block said his visibility has increased while he was able to cut down on the expense of traditional advertising. “The results are measurable,” Block said. “When people call to inquire about my services, they mention they saw my car.”

To get billboard-style advertising on his car, Block turned to Signsource USA / Wrapyourcar.com in Pompano Beach.

David and Marjorie Collins decided to add vehicle wrapping to their SignSourceUSA business about three years ago to boost sagging sales. “It helped save the business,” said David Collins.

Click here to read the rest of this story in the Sun-Sentinel.