Houston Cars wraps Blog

The Truth about Vinyl Graphic Films

September 5th, 2012

Admin

There are several choices when it comes to vinyl graphics films. Vinyl graphic films are used for vehicle wraps, car wraps, van wraps, truck wraps, wall murals or wall graphics, floor graphics, decals, window murals, window wraps, vinyl window graphics, or any other application that requires custom vinyl graphic artwork or vinyl printing. No matter, what your project is it is important to know the basics about vinyl graphic films so you can make an informed decision about which is best for you or your company.

There are two main categories of vinyl graphic film, cast and calendered.

Cast Vinyl

Cast vinyl is a higher grade vinyl graphic film. They are known by different names such as premium, high performance, or 2 mil. Cast vinyl graphic film has the qualities of excellent durability and high conformability to a variety of curved or non-curved surfaces. The term ‘cast’ is given because the liquid form of the material is poured into a casting sheet and is then processed into the final product. Because the vinyl graphic film is cast onto the casting sheet in a relaxed state, the material is very thin and conformable. Cast vinyl graphic film is used primarily in fleet graphics, vehicle graphics, full car wraps, full van wraps, and full truck wraps. The thinness of the material is what gives the ‘paint-like’ finish. Cast Vinyl has several important attributes that give it an advantage over calendared vinyl.

Durability

Cast vinyl is generally more durable because of its manufacturing method and materials used. Cast vinyl should be used for fleet graphics and car wraps, van wraps, or truck wraps that are for long term application and covering the majority of the vehicle or substrate.

Conformability

When applied over complex curves, rivets, or corrugated substrates, cast vinyl graphic film is more conformable. These situations arise when performing car wraps or truck wraps where the vehicle has a lot of curves like a Volkswagen Beetle. Trailer wraps, truck wraps, and fleet graphics is where rivets and corrugated substrates are found.

Color

Cast vinyl maintains the integrity of its color longer. This is true for print vinyl as well as solid colored vinyl. Again for long term applications where the majority of the vehicle or substrate is to be covered such as fleet graphics, car wraps, van wraps, truck wraps, or trailer wraps, cast vinyl is the better choice.

Calendered Vinyl

Though cast vinyl may seem like the only choice there are several good reasons to choose calendered vinyl for wall murals or wall graphics, floor graphics, decals, window murals, window wraps, vinyl window graphics, cut vinyl decals, partial fleet graphics, partial car wraps, partial van wraps, and partial truck wraps. Calendered vinyl goes by the names intermediate, short-term, economy or 4 mil. Calendered vinyl also gets its name from the way in which it is manufactured. The material is created the same as cast, but is forced into its final form by stretching and squeezing it. Because it is forced into shape, when exposed to heat, calendered vinyl tends to want to shrink or pull back. Calendered films tend to be thicker and thus less conformable. Calendered vinyl is used for short term applications and on partial vehicle wraps like those found on partial van wraps, partial truck wraps, and partial trailer wraps. Calendered films are ideal for applications that do not require the film to stretch or conform around contours such as wall murals or wall graphics, floor graphics, decals, window murals, window wraps, vinyl window graphics, fleet graphics, van wraps, and cut vinyl decals. Calendered vinyl has advantages over cast vinyl.

Cost Effective

Depending on the project, longevity of the vinyl graphics and substrate calendered vinyl is the optimal choice. It can be a cost effective solution that lasts anywhere from 6 months to 5 years. A great choice for wall murals or wall graphics, floor graphics, decals, window murals, window wraps, vinyl window graphics, cut vinyl decals, partial fleet graphics, partial car wraps, partial van wraps, and partial truck wraps.

Resistance to Abrasion

Because calendered vinyl is thicker, it is more resistant to abrasion. When considering a vinyl graphic film, it is important to gauge the utility of the application. For example, with its characteristics, calendered vinyl is the better choice for wall murals or wall graphics, floor graphics, decals, window murals, window wraps, vinyl window graphics, and cut vinyl decals. These applications will see higher traffic and endure more weather elements.

There are many other choices of vinyl graphic films in the market today. However, they all fall into one of these two categories. If you are bombarded with different terms for the vinyl graphic film for your particular application, Houston Custom Wraps can help you navigate the best solution for your project. We have experience in using both types of films in all its many forms and have created, printed, and installed many vehicle wraps, car wraps, van wraps, truck wraps, wall murals or wall graphics, floor graphics, decals, window murals, window wraps, vinyl window graphics, cut vinyl decals, partial fleet graphics, partial car wraps Houston, partial van wraps, and partial truck wraps. Contact us, and let us produce the highest quality and most cost effective solution that you are sure to be satisfied with.

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Low Cost but Effective Van Wraps

August 27th, 2012

Admin

On the road, we see so many white vans that have not been wrapped. At Houston Custom Wraps, for us, this is a missed opportunity to design a vehicle wrap that acts as a true mobile billboard. Vans offer a great medium for vehicle graphics. Their flat surfaces and large areas offer vehicle graphic designers an opportunity to create powerful vehicle marketing.

A majority of small business owners and contractors own these vans. The most common requests we receive are for Ford E-250, Chevy Cargo vans, and Chevy Astro vans. We have completed many of these and created spectacular van wrap designs utilizing the best vehicle graphics films.

A great many small business owners and contractors are hesitant to wrap their vans. The concern over vehicle wrap pricing prevents them from taking advantage of one of the best mediums for mobile advertising and the opportunity to market their product or service in the most cost effective way. There many options when it comes to vehicle wraps and van wraps are no exception. What follows are points that will help the small business owner or contractor wrap their van at a low cost but still deliver an effective van wrap.

Reduce Printed Vinyl, Reduce Cost

When in the vehicle wrap design process, remember the three main marketing messages for an effective vehicle wrap. Every van wrap should include who you are, your name and logo, what you do, your product or service offering, and how to find you, your contact information. With these three main points and utilizing a technique known as printed cut vinyl a low cost, but effective marketing message can be achieved.

The Message that Speaks a 1000 Words

Small business owners and contractors who want a low cost but effective van wrap should spend as much time as is required to create a marketing message that answers their customer’s most pressing need. Once this has been conceived, incorporate it into the marketing message. With Houston Custom Wraps wide marketing experience, we can help small business owners and contractors find the right phrase.

Maximize the Back Half of the Van

A van wrap does not have to be a full wrap covering the entirety of the van. The majority of usable vehicle graphics space is towards the rear. Houston Custom Wraps vehicle wrap designers can create impressive van wrap designs that maximize the rear half of the van. By reducing the coverable area to just the back and the sides, the cost of a van wrap drops significantly without compromising the moving billboard strategy.

Choose the Right Font

At Houston Custom Wraps we often recommend to our clients to use fonts that are clear, easy to read, but still look elegant. Remember that as a moving billboard, a van wrap must be able to capture the attention of a customer within 6-10 seconds.

Use Solid Colors

If your companies marketing message requires the use of specific colors, try to minimize them as much as possible. This gives the vehicle wrap designer the ability to create vinyl graphics that can be cut like decals. Keep the number of colors to 2-3 maximum, which will maintain a low cost van wrap while ensuring your companies marketing message is maintained.

Houston Custom Wraps can help you in determining the type of partial vehicle graphics package that is right for your needs. We can design an effective van wrap that meets your budget.

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Effective Vehicle Wrap Design For You

August 20th, 2012

Admin

There is no doubt anymore that vehicle wraps, whether car wraps, van wraps or truck wraps, are the most cost effective mobile advertising available in the market today. Small to large companies can all benefit from wrapping their fleet vehicles. Whether that is applying a car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap to one vehicle or several, vehicle graphics should be designed with care.

Transforming your fleet or company vehicle into a moving billboard is much more than applying just vehicle graphics film or vehicle graphics vinyl. After all, it is not the vehicle wrap material that is selling your business, but the marketing message on your mobile billboard that is going to pay dividends. If the vehicle wrap, i.e. car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap, design is ineffective, your marketing dollars are not being spent wisely.

Houston Custom Wraps offers the following four points to consider when designing your vehicle wrap. These are not the end all be all of design, but are some important points to consider as we have experienced these often in the vehicle wrap design process.

Three Messages that Must Be Conveyed

At Houston Custom Wraps we stress that for any vehicle wrap, whether it is a car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap, there are three messages that should be conveyed. When utilizing vehicle graphics to make an impression on a customer, the customer needs to know who you are, or your logo, what you do, or the type of product or service you offer, and most importantly, how to contact you. A customer has 3 to 6 seconds at times to read your message. Send a clear message. An effective car wrap design, van wrap design, or truck wrap design draws the customers eye to this key information first.

Avoid Personal Taste

Vehicle graphics for your car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap should not be about your personal tastes or preferences. Your company’s vehicle wrap design, at a minimum, should include the three messages above. The vehicle graphics that surround this underlying information should present the company’s attributes, not yours. A car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap should take on the persona of the company. This is what your customer’s are expecting. Always keep your clientele’s perception of the company in mind.

Garner Objective Opinions and Criticism

Small business owners and graphics designers of large firms will solicit opinions and feedback from individuals about the car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap design that has been submitted by Houston Custom Wraps. When garnering these opinions, they should be from objective sources. Individuals who will offer constructive criticisms about the overall vehicle wrap design. A vehicle wrap design for a car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap is about effective vehicle marketing. You want individuals critiquing the vehicle wrap design with an eye to brand identity, marketing and strategy.

Match the Wrap to the Vehicle

Unless you are wrapping your work truck for Mary Kay Cosmetics it should not be wrapped in pink. Car wrap designs, van wrap designs, and truck wrap designs should incorporate matching tones and colors that coincide with your company’s logo. Images used in vehicle wraps should not distract consumers from your marketing message. The vehicle wrap design should incorporate the vehicle’s body style to make effective use of mobile billboard impressions. For example a tailgate of a truck wrap or the back doors of a van wrap should have the company’s logo, the product or service, and contact info as readable as possible. Why potentially lose this priceless advertising space to artful design elements or imagery that does not get your company’s message across.

Here at Houston Custom Wraps, we take pride that our vehicle wrap designers, our staff, and installers are all marketing professionals. Houston Custom Wraps is one of the few vehicle wrap companies that offers design consultation for your car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap prior to beginning the vehicle wrap design process. Our experienced staff has degrees in marketing and strategy. Our designers have years of experience in creating effective marketing designs for vehicle wraps, wall wraps, floor wraps, and custom wraps. If you have any questions about effective mobile advertising or vehicle wrap design, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Aware about car Wrap scams or Vehicle Wraps

August 13th, 2012

Admin

Houston Custom Wraps is posting this article so that customers can be aware of a positional vehicle wrap scam that is affecting consumers. As unemployment rates rise, criminals are using car wraps or vehicle wraps to purport their scams. Because people are looking for work to help make ends meet, they are more willing to try alternate ways of earning money.

The vehicle wrap scammers are using the internet to send out mass marketing emails or get contacts from employment websites. The vehicle wrap scammers claim they will pay to have the owner’s car wrapped with advertisements from certain major companies. The vehicles, cars, vans, or trucks to be wrapped will have top brand vinyl decals or fully wrapped with vinyl graphics.

When the victim reads and accepts the vehicle wrap, car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap offer, a check for a large amount is sent. The instructions are to cash the vehicle wrap check and keep a certain portion for payment for sponsoring the car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap. The remaining balance is to be wired to a vehicle wrap or vehicle graphics company who is supposedly to perform the car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap. This company will only perform the vehicle graphics wrap upon receipt of the money.

A car wrap, van wrap, or truck wrap can cost thousands of dollars. The victim realizes only too late that the vehicle wrap check for the vehicle graphics was a fake. The vehicle wrap check bounces and the victim is then liable for the amount with the majority of the money lost to pay the fake vehicle wrap or vehicle graphics company.

While it is possible to earn money with vehicle advertising with car wraps, van wraps, and truck wraps, those days are long gone. Vehicle wrap, car wrap van wrap, truck wrap or vehicle graphics companies are no longer looking for drivers to or consumers to wrap their vehicles for sponsorship or vehicle marketing for major brands.

It is Houston Custom Wraps wish to alert consumers ahead of time so that they do not fall prey to this vehicle wrap scam.

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Adding that Extra Something wall wrap

April 3rd, 2012

Admin

Houston Custom Wraps just completed a wall wrap for a media room. The customer chose the graphic and we made their dream media room a reality. The majority of wall graphics and wall murals that we receive requests for are from commercial customers. But custom residential wall wraps are a going trend. There are some amazing things one can do with a wall mural wraps.

One can use a wall wrap to create that amazing accent wall with just about any graphic they choose. In this case the customer chose a film strip or partial wall wrap to accent their main wall where the viewing screen is to be placed. The ambiance of the room is highlighted by the wall wrap giving the room a unique and completely custom appeal. Contact Houston Custom Wraps for your wall graphics and wall mural installation needs. We can make your room the talk of the town.

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Houston Wall Murals Graphics Wraps

March 27th, 2012

Admin

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what is window graphics wraps?

March 26th, 2012

Admin

What is that graphic in the Window?

Often here at Houston Custom Wraps we are asked, “What is that see through or 1-way vision film that goes on the windows?”

Well, the long answer is perforated window vinyl and the short answer is window pref. The property of this window vinyl is what gives it the ability to make your storefront window graphic look amazing. Also, this film is commonly used on vehicle wraps, car wraps, SUV wraps, van wraps and truck wraps. It is what allows the printed graphics to show on the window, but at the same time allow you to see through the glass clearly.

The size of the each hole is, for the most part, uniform. But what differentiates a window pref is the amount of print coverage. For storefront window wraps, a smart and experienced company, such as Houston Custom Wraps, will recommend a 70/30 or 65/35 window pref. This identifier simply means that film or vinyl is 70 or 65 percent vinyl while the remaining 30 or 35 percent are the holes. When designing and printing a storefront window wrap, this is especially important because you want the window graphics to have as much impact as possible.

For vehicle graphics however, a 50/50 pattern is always used. ‘Always’ is emphasized here because that is what is required by law for the sake of visibility. All vehicle wraps, car wraps, truck wraps, van wraps and SUV wraps should be completed with a 50/50 perforated window vinyl. Call Us 281-463-7005 For More.

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Window Wrap advertising Window Wraps Houston

March 19th, 2012

Admin

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Maintaining your Vehicle Wrap

March 13th, 2012

Admin

Our customers are always pleased with the vehicle wraps Houston Custom Wraps produce for them. We take great pride in the wraps we produce and explain to our customers how to maintain their vehicle wraps so that they last longer and stay looking good.

Here are some tips to maintaining a wrap. These tips apply to car wraps, truck wraps, trailer wraps, SUV wraps, van wraps and even window wraps.

The Car Wash

Hundreds if not thousands of dollars have been spent on a vehicle wrap. The first question that comes up is, “Can we take the wrapped vehicle through the car wash?” Usually, the answer to this question is ‘yes’, but with exceptions. The car wash that you choose should not use power scrubbers or high pressure water jets. These can severely damage a car wrap, van wrap, SUV wrap, trailer wrap, or truck wrap. The jets can cause water to enter to the underside of the vehicle wrap which will inevitably cause lifting of the vehicle graphics. Hand washing your vehicle wrap is still the best solution.

Houston Custom Wraps reviews the vehicle graphics instruction bulletins for the major manufacturers of vehicle wrap vinyl. The instructions for hand washing were generally the same from all three.

Customers should wash their vehicle using a non-abrasive cleaner without strong solvents, washing from top down with lots of water.
Do not use brushes—whether an automatic car wash or by hand. Brushes will either dull the laminate or scratch the graphics. Lifting is also a major concern. A soft sponge or rag should be used instead while avoiding excessive scrubbing.
Rinse with clean water and allow the vehicle to air dry or use a microfiber cloth.

Power Washing

With fleet graphics, hand washing each vehicle is not always an option. Your fleet can include a combination of car wraps, truck wraps, van wraps, trailer wraps and box truck wraps. Power washing can be used if you follow these recommendations. It should be noted that over time the vehicle graphics will start to dull.

Avoid excessive pressure. This can cause damage to the graphics. Also, water can get underneath the graphic causing lifting and curling.
Avoid a direct spray at sharp angles to the graphics.
Avoid spraying directly on the seams.
Replace the section of lifted vehicle graphics if necessary.

Here are some numbers to use when pressure washing.

Set water pressure to a maximum 800 psi to 2000 psi
Set water temperature to a maximum 72 to 180 degrees
Ensure the spray nozzle has a spray pattern of 40 degrees
Keep a minimum distance of the nozzle to the vehicle graphic of 12 to 18 inches
Maintain a spray angle of at least 45 degrees in a sweeping pattern
Do not use a Turbo pressure nozzle

Waxing and Polishing

Avoid waxes whose base is Carnauba. Polishes that contain silicone or Teflon or are designed for vehicle graphics are fine.

Carnauba-based waxes need to be buffed. The buffing process requires rigorous pressure and can damage or dull vehicle graphics.
Waxes can melt in the sun. This results in a greasy residue which causes dirt to stick and can cause black streaks.
If using a polish it should be specifically designed for use on vehicle wraps. Contact Houston Custom Wraps about a polish designed for your car wrap, van wrap, truck wrap, trailer wrap or box truck wrap. The polish we offer is designed to protect vehicle graphics against harsh elements and pollution.
Regardless of the type of used; be sure it is tested in an inconspicuous place first.
Gas spills should be washed off as soon as possible with soapy water.
Oil, tar or asphalt that may build up on the vehicle graphics can be removed with an isopropyl alcohol wipe down followed by a cleaning with a citrus-based cleaner.

Initial Maintenance

Keep an eye on your car wrap, van wrap, truck wrap, SUV wrap, trailer wrap or box truck wrap. This is the best time to catch small problems. If any issues are discovered, bring the vehicle back to Houston Custom Wraps for evaluation and correction.

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3M Uses Facebook to pick next color of vehicle wrap film

January 12th, 2012

Admin

Over 500 Facebook fans of 3M Commercial Graphics voted in “Wrap Battle: 1080”. The contest was held so that fans could have a chance to pick the color they wanted most. By a large margin, fans cast their votes for Brushed Black Metallic. This wrap vinyl is one of the highest quality vehicle wrap vinyls available. If you are in Houston and are thinking about changing the color of your car, you can contact Houston Custom Wraps to complete your car wrap. This vehicle wrap film offers several benefits. One it will change the look of your car giving you an awesome look. Second, it acts a layer of protection to your current paint coat. Third, this film is removable for up to 3 years. 3M offers many different colors of it Scotchprint vehicle wrap vinyl.

Contact Houston Custom Wraps today! – http://www.houstoncustomwraps.com

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Custom Vehicle Wraps

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Cast Vinyl

Durability

Conformability

Color

Calendered Vinyl

Cost Effective

Resistance to Abrasion

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Reduce Printed Vinyl, Reduce Cost

The Message that Speaks a 1000 Words

Maximize the Back Half of the Van

Choose the Right Font

Use Solid Colors

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Three Messages that Must Be Conveyed

Avoid Personal Taste

Garner Objective Opinions and Criticism

Match the Wrap to the Vehicle

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