Great question. Wrapping vehicles was in somewhat of an infancy back then. 3M was still on IJ180c v1 which had a very unique and visible cross patten for air release, many shops around my area weren’t using the correct viny (calendared all the way for many), Surge (remember him from the Feller days?) hadn’t yet reminded us to fear no bumper (I’m pretty sure he trade marked that phrase) and I noticed many people were fading their wrap designs to the color of the bumper. Indeed fear was present, and it was standard practice to work in vertical panels.
One other thing stands out to me from 2007: meeting Justin Pate. A meeting that completely changed my business.
I can’t remember if I met Justin Pate, world renowned wrapper, at ISA or SGIA (now Printing United) in 2007. But either way I met Justin and watched him do something I hadn’t yet seen:
He wrapped horizontal instead of vertical.
My mind was blown. But it made sense! First off no more alignment issues. Second, no more seams that were ripe for failure. Third the wrap media doesn’t stretch. Fourth with the 60″ width most cars could be done in one piece. Fifth it was demonstratably faster on most projects
As I say I was impressed. I went back to the shop and told my installers that horizontal was the way forward. We made the switch and never looked back.
What do you remember from the old days? Comment below!
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