Posted by
Lucent Ads on Tue, May 15, 2012 @ 12:03 PM
Since the inception of the automobile proud car owners have been customizing their prized possessions to display their own uniqueness as well as their fondness for their cars. The trend of automotive customization has taken numerous steps throughout the years with recent favorites that have included custom wheels, custom paint jobs and altered profiles. Those trends have had their time in the spotlight and, though still popular, improvements in technology have led to a new innovation for car enthusiasts yearning for a fresh method. The next big thing in vehicle customization is upon us, custom designed car wraps.
Custom car wraps have been popular in European countries for many years but are just now catching on domestically. Also known as vehicle graphics, they offer a number of characteristics not previously available through hand-designed paint jobs. First and foremost, the uniqueness in design that many enthusiasts have sought is now even more adaptable through graphic design software used to initially create innovative color schemes and graphics. As opposed to paint routines left in the hands of the individual applicator, car wraps can be designed by nearly any graphic design professional or even a skilled amateur. Those designs are then transferred to an adhesive vinyl medium and applied to an automobile by skilled professionals. This process allows the car owner more influence in the process as well as a wider array of design options through the myriad of available graphic designers. Following the design process the owner can review final concept drawings for approval before application, saving any costly touch-ups paint jobs might require or, worse, a car owner unhappy with the final product.
Another intriguing facet of custom car wrap designs is the ability to flawlessly repeat patterns or shapes within a graphic depiction, even over uneven surfaces or around the corners of a car or truck. For years auto enthusiasts have sought this capability within painted concepts with little control over the quality of the final product. But the custom graphics capabilities brought to life by vinyl car wraps and the associated computerized design process have finally made it a reality. Those eye-catching webbed designs and geometrically inspired visions are now within reach for anyone with the imagination to create them.
Vinyl car wraps offer a number of other benefits to those wishing to truly customize their cars. Those include:
- Protection of the factory paint underneath the car wrap against harsh weathering and other element. The vinyl acts as a barrier, offering enhanced longevity.
- Car wrap graphics can be placed on windows using perforated materials, providing continuation of the designs on the body of the car.
- Alternative textures are available through the use of specialty films. There are also films designed for differing usage including race cars and extended life cycle.
- Car wrap films can be easily removed if an owner decides the car will be easier to sell with factory paint, has short-term usage needs, or just wants to add a new vehicle graphic.
Car wraps have taken their seat as the newest and most innovative design element available to car enthusiasts aspiring to add detail and flare that was previously unavailable. Through the versatility of design and the flexibility of application any car owner can easily implement their dreams of a truly unique look to their favorite automobile.
Lucent Ads is Southern California's leader in custom vehicle wraps. From solid color change to matte black, matte white and custom designed digital images Lucent Ads can transform your imagination into reality. Call for more info 949-334-3533 or email info@lucentads.com
Advertisers have long sought better and more ample opportunities to get their brands, messages, and promotions out to their customers without breaking the bank. As many have found out, vehicle graphics on company fleet vehicles is a great example of a fixed expense, long-term option that their customers will see and identify with. However, many marketers and small business owners often toil with which medium to choose in applying their vehicle graphics, car wraps or paint.
VersatilityCar wraps allow for a wide variety of vehicle graphics, as do custom paint jobs. There are virtually no limits on the design possibilities within both mediums. However, car wraps can be utilized for long-term advertising or short-term promotions. In the case of promotional advertising, installers can utilize low cost vinyl materials that will lessen the fiscal impact while still highlighting marketing efforts. Graphics can be removed in as little as a month or less and quickly replaced with new promotional graphics. A painted vehicle, while impressive from an aesthetic standpoint, does not offer that kind of versatility.
Resale Value
Reselling a fleet or company vehicle can be difficult at times due to unique usage, options, and various customizations that don't appeal to all audiences. An additional variable that can prove costly when it comes to replacing older vehicles is the advertising messages that often come along with them via graphics and logos. In the case of painted vehicle advertising the only viable option is repainting the vehicles at the cost of the company. Using car wraps allows for the same dynamic advertising capabilities while offering the advantage of simply removing the vehicle graphics. Additionally, the vinyl material used in applying car wraps actually protects the original paint job, increasing the resale value as opposed to lowering it.
In the case of leased vehicles, the headaches associated with painted graphics can become more painful due to the possibility of lost deposits or penalties. A painted graphic can be considered damage to the vehicle whereas a car wrap is, again, simply removed leaving the original paint in outstanding condition.
Fleet Consistency
Company logos and associated artwork are often closely guarded by marketing professionals for the consistency and quality that comes with good branding practices. The artwork used to brand their company vehicles is no different. Car wrap advertising allows marketers to simply provide a digital computer file in varying formats to create logos, marketing messages and other designs for fleet vehicles, maintaining consistency within the fleet as well as with other, traditional marketing materials. Custom painted vehicles often end up with just that, custom paint jobs that vary from one vehicle to another due artist variables and human error.
Another aspect of fleet consistency that car wraps can enhance is matching designs for all sizes of vehicles including large delivery trucks and tractor trailers. Scaling graphics is not always a simple task, especially when using varying surfaces and shapes. Doing so the old fashioned way, by the hand of the artist painting the vehicle, risks variables that can have undesirable effects on advertising efforts and brand consistency. Vinyl vehicle graphics are quality controlled digitally, utilizing the same source graphics and artwork for both large and small vehicles, guaranteeing the consistency and quality that marketers and small business owners demand from their fleets.
Vehicle graphics can enhance virtually any marketing or branding campaign while adding a consistent, aesthetic quality to fleet vehicles. By utilizing car wraps instead of traditional vehicle paint business owners gain the additional benefits of versatility to use both short and long term advertising, maintaining resale value and limiting lease return expenses, as well as providing a means to maintain consistency within their fleet vehicles. Car wrap technology enables business owners to limit their expenses while providing a quality medium for advertising on their own vehicles.
Call LucentAds at 949-334-3533 to learn more about Car Painting vs. Car Wrapping and advantages of Fleet Graphics for your business.
Posted by
Lucent Ads on Thu, Mar 29, 2012 @ 02:38 PM
Business advertising has taken on many different shapes and sizes over the years with everything from neon signs to digital displays taking on favored status. One thing has remained constant through the evolution of advertising, the need for better displays to grab the attention of consumers. And what better way to garner the attention of your customers than unmistakable wall graphics livening up a building's exterior. Welcome to the age of store wall wraps.
Versatility
Wall wraps, or wall graphics just like car wraps have become the face ofmany innovative businesses seeking an upper hand in the race to dazzle consumers. Versatility is key in any medium and store wall wraps provide the very latest in custom designed graphics for nearly any surface. Much akin to graphic wall paper, a custom wall graphic can be designed in nearly any shape or size utilizing custom graphics, digital photo's or a company's existing logo as source material. Additionally, wall wraps can be positioned indoors as well as outside, adding a lively marketing aspect to any showroom or lobby area.
Long LastingGraphic wall wraps provide not only a bright, tailored display, they are also engineered to stand the test of time in the elements. Digitally printed on specially engineered vinyl material and laminated with a clear film designed to resist the sun and other elements, store wall wraps provide the longevity businesses need from their advertising and branding efforts while adding the customization and innovative look necessary in today's marketplace.
Artistic and Welcoming
Whether you operate a car dealership or a technology firm your customers will be more attracted to your establishment with a welcoming exterior and interior. By adding wall wraps to your building facade you can both brighten up a normally bland exterior as well as introduce an artistic quality unseen on your competitors' doorsteps. Bright, lively exterior wall graphics will improve the consumers' image of your business as well as their awareness of it.
Indoor wall graphics allow a business to customize a lobby, waiting room or
showroom and demonstrate a flare for branding where dull walls now exist. Whether you are a doctor providing a comforting image to a patient or a technology firm demonstrating your company's creativity, your business will be enhanced by adding a custom wall wrap to your office interior.
Wall graphic wraps have taken their place as the next big thing in business advertising solutions. By enabling businesses to customize their exteriors with bright attractive signage without the difficulty in hanging and powering an electronic display, wall graphics are quickly becoming the favored medium in outdoor display. Versatility in design and application make them extremely simple to implement and their resistance to sunlight and weather make store wall wraps an inviting option to businesses seeking the latest in outdoor displays. Adding an artistic and welcoming presence to any business exterior or interior will make it a more attractive option to potential clientele.
Call LucentAds at 949-334-3533 to learn more about Wall Wrap and how you can transform any space into something very unique.
Posted by
Lucent Ads on Wed, Feb 15, 2012 @ 10:03 PM
Stop the presses! If you're thinking about using vehicle wraps to advertise your business, now’s the time!
Here’s a couple reasons why van wraps, car wraps - even boat wraps - are one of the most effective marketing mediums available:
1) Vehicle wraps are unusual.
Vehicle wraps are still brand-spankin’ new, relatively speaking. In a world inundated by marketing messages, an eye-catching custom vehicle wrap cuts through even the most stubborn anti-marketing filters.
According to a recent study by Cox Communications / Eagle research, 48% of people polled thought car wraps were the most unique advertising they’ve seen. They immediately pop in a world full of gray... blue... white... and trumpet your brand right out where your target market is sure to notice.
2) Vehicle wraps are cost-effective and... well... effective-effective
For a fantastic price, you can be displaying your messages to the masses every time you get into the driver’s seat.
Think about it: the average American’s commute is 54 minutes, with 300+ miles driven each week.
Nancy Fletcher, President of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, recently touted the effectiveness of vehicle wraps in this statement:
"...not only have significant reach, but they also can generate extremely significant frequency of exposure among heavy commuters and vehicle drivers/passengers..."
What, exactly, constitutes “extremely significant frequency”? According to OAAA:
- More than 95% of Americans are reached by media targeting vehicle drivers and passengers.
- One vehicle wrap can generate between 30,000 – 70,000 impressions daily.
- Fleet vehicle advertising boosts name recognition 15 times greater than any other form of advertising.
- 30% of mobile outdoor viewers indicate they would base a buying decision on the ad they see.
That’s an amazing return, when you compare it to traditional media outlets!
3) Vehicle wraps are simple.
If you’re going to be driving or boating anyway... you’re using all that time on the road and it could be doing double-duty for you. It’s simple - but far from passive!
Here’s a couple of ideas to make your vehicle wrap even more effective:
- Use QR codes that people can scan when your vehicle’s at a standstill. You can embed any information into a QR code - a website, a text message, a link to a video, a Google map... The possibilities there are limitless. What’s great is that they encourage people to interact - an invaluable point towards building your brand into their long-term memory!
- Make sure you print your company name and website backwards on the front of your vehicle - conspicuously - so people can read it in their rear-view mirrors.
- Spend your prominent space with branding and message, not contact info. People will remember your name and brand - but chances are highly unlikely that anyone’s going to remember - much less call - your phone number while they’re driving by at 60 miles an hour. Give them a website that they can easily look up later, instead.
- Wrap the top of your vehicle if you’re in a location where people will be looking down on it. It’s worth it to have your info on top if your target market might glance down from a restaurant or an overhead train to see it.
- Make sure your website is compatible with handheld devices. This one gets more business owners than you might think! If your website is heavy on Flash, relies on thick graphics, or looks really clever on a computer but doesn’t open on a smartphone - you’re shooting yourself in the foot. Especially if you’re broadcasting yourself to a world where people are mobile! Pay particular attention to buying and/or action elements of your site - these are potentials for serious breakdown on handhelds.
Call or email LucentAds.com for unique and effective ideas for your vehicle wrap - 949-334-3533 - info@lucentads.com
Posted by
Lucent Ads on Wed, Feb 01, 2012 @ 10:19 AM
Recently Aktion Magazine approached us with a request to turn its Toyota FJ Cruiser into an eye-catching and effective Car Wrap with Custom Vehicle Graphics.
Aktion Magazine is a seasonal outdoor adventure magazine based in Southern California. They are dedicated to bringing outdoor news, reviews, and more to outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. They cover everything outdoors from off-roading, rock climbing to kayaking, camping and snow activities. AKTION Magazine writes reviews on new and current products and keeps you up to date with local and major events.
After learning more about Aktion Magazine and its goal to improve our world around us by supporting local conservation projects, promoting low environmental impact ways to enjoy our world, and practicing tread lightly techniques we couldn't wait to team-up and support their movement.
So we did what we do best, turning regular boring looking cars into eye-catching master pieces.
We started off with a beat-up, scratched-up silver 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser and wrapped it with Avery Dennison's Gloss White vinyl. To give it a unique look we used 3M 1080 Matte Black vinyl for the die-cut lettering.
The finished work looked like OEM Factory paint with painted on lettering. We are excited to see the growth and success of Aktion Magazine.
Keep an eye out for the Aktion Magazine’s vehicle at all major outdoor events and let us know if we can turn your idea into reality.
Call (877-LUCENT-0) or email us (info@Lucentads.com) to receive your custom vehicle graphic quote.
Posted by
Lucent Ads on Sun, Jan 22, 2012 @ 04:52 PM
It appears that LucentWraps.com has performed the first Matte Black Wrap of an Aston Martin DB9 in Southern California.
High-end vehicle owners in Southern California seem to have a very difficult time finding the right car wrap shop that can perform the installation in a professional manner. The majority of the shops offering car wraps do not employ or have a certified installer on their staff. Instead they rely on freelance and independent installers to perform the work.
The DB9 presented a challenge in terms of its unique and excessive body contours. The vehicle has oversized curves both on the rear & front fenders.
The real challenge was not to simply wrap these curves but to do so in a seamless manner without using any Primer-94 and without over stretching the material.
Lucent Wraps Avery Dennison Certified Installer Edmund achieved this goal by making sure the vinyl was placed in the correct position from the start to avoid any excess down the line.
The client also requested that the entire surface of the vehicle including the door jams, inside of the trunk panels and even the very unique door handles to be wrapped in matte black so there was no evidence of the vehicle's original silver color.
The finished work was a complete master-piece in terms of quality and craftsmanship proving once again that Lucent Wraps is truly the premier custom car wrap shop in Southern California.
To request information about matte black car wraps or any other vehicle color change wrap please contact LucentWraps.com
Posted by
Lucent Ads on Sat, Dec 24, 2011 @ 06:14 PM
What is a matte black car wrap? A car wrap is made from a special vinyl specifically designed and manufactured to be used on vehicles. Matte Black car wraps create a very unique look when applied to any vehicle.
There are many other colors for matte wraps available such as: Black, Silver, Gray, White and Green.
There are two different types of matte color wrap:
- Solid Matte Black Cast Vinyl
This type of vinyl is created by the manufacturer in a solid color form and is the best type. 3M, Avery Dennison and Oracal are three best-known brands for matte black wrap.
- Printed Matte Black and Laminated
Using a standard white cast vinyl, the color black is printed and then laminated using a matte laminate.
The first method is always the preferred one since it provides the most true matte black color. When using the second method regardless of the type of cast film used and the quality of the printer the matte black color results is never as rich and true as method one. One main reason for that is because the black is printed on a "White" substrate where as in method one the matte black is created from ground up.
There are also two different methods of installing a matte black wrap:
- The inside of the door panels, hood and the trunk are wrapped in matte black to hide the original color of the car.
- The inside panels are not wrapped and the original color of the car shows when the doors are opened.
Both of these methods are totally acceptable. Besides the obvious the only other difference is the cost. The first method is obviously more expensive as it requires more material and much more installation time to complete.
At Lucent Ads we prefer to use 3M Matte Black on all of our vehicle wraps. We also offer the pricing for both options to fully wrap all the panels or only the surface. In our opinion if the vinyl is properly trimmed and tucked the surface option is fully acceptable and it will save our clients quite bid of money, but the choice is always yours and we'll be happy to wrap all the visible surfaces.
For a free quote or to schedule an appointment please call us at 949-334-3533 or email us at info@lucentads.com
Car Wrap vehicle color change has been a huge trend in Europe for years and is finally working its way to our market. We all know that car manufacturers offer only a limited number of colors on their vehicles forcing the buyers to settle for the same old boring colors - Black, White, Silver, Red, Blue & .... you get the point.
Today's top graphic vinyl manufacturers sucha as 3M, Avery and Oracal offer over 100 different car wrap vinyl colors to choose from. Now keep in mind that a car wrap color change is not for everyone. If you're the kind of person who doesn't really care about the car you're driving then obviously spending money to change the color seems silly.
However, there are many of us who enjoy taking care of our cars since we spend a good portion of our lives traveling in them. We all buy different type of clothes, shoes, jewelry and other accessories to express ourselves, so why not customize your car to deliver the same message.
Car wraps make a great fashion statement and set us apart from the rest, but that is not all they're good for. If you lease a vehicle then you can not have it painted to the color or your choice because when the time comes to return it, it has to be in the original paint. This leaves you with the only option to wrap the car with the color of your choice.
If you purchased your car then it becomes an investment, not a good one but never the less still an investment. To perserve your investment you must keep the car in best shape possible and the first thing anyone will notice when you try to sell your car is the "Paint".
Clear Bras have been really popular over the past few years because to some extend they prevent the nasty little rocks from chipping the front-end of your car. But what about the rest of the car, like the doors, roof... they get dinged and chipped all the time.
This is where a vehicle wrap plays an important role, it will protect your original paint and increase your resale value. In the Netherlands when you purchase a BMW you get an option to have your car wrapped for $6,000 (it's a premium since the same wrap will cost you between $2,300 to $3,000) but they guarantee your car will be worth $6k more than the blue book value in three years when you decide to seel it. If it doesn't they will cover the difference.
At Lucent Ads we specialize in vehicle color change wraps, call or email us anytime for free advise and a quote. www.LucentAds.com Info@LucentAds.com 949-334-3533
Posted by
Lucent Ads on Sun, Nov 20, 2011 @ 06:52 PM
This is a question that we hear almost with every client that inquires about car wraps. The concern is; are vehicles wraps easy to remove? The answer is: YES.
If the vehicle has been wrapped with a high-quality car wrap vinyl then the removal process is very easy. All is needed is a heat source, preferably a heat gun, some experience and a lot of patience.
High-quality films made by Avery and 3M are designed to leave no adhesive residue when removed. However, it is important to keep in mind that both of these brands manufacture many different vinyl where some have very strong adhesive and are not designed for vehicle wraps, choosing the right wrap vinyl is very important.
The removal process of a vehicle wrap is also important. The wrap needs to be heated to reach a certain degree and pulled back slowly in a 45 degree angle. Using both hands with the fingers spread open so contact is made to the most of the surface of the film while pulling back. Do not yank the film. If the car wrap has been on the vehicle for more than 3 years then there is a chance that the adhesion is pretty strong, yanking the film may cause separation from the vinyl and laminate. A car wrap without a laminate is very difficult to remove.
Also, it is very important to make sure when your wrap is installed that you request NO Primer is used... There is an old school of thought that using the 3M Primer 94 on the edges is necessary to seal the vinyl to avoid separation and water getting under the film. This is not true, if the installer takes his/her time and the necessary steps to prepare the surface, install the vinyl properly and perform the post installation requirements then there is absolutely no need to use a primer.
Here is an image of a wrap we recently removed where primer 94 was used to seal the edges. You can see the nasty residue and the separation of the vinyl from the laminate.
Removing a car wrap where a primer has been used on the edges is a nightmare... This not only causes the vinyl & laminate to separate but the adhesive residue left behind is extremely difficult to remove and clean.
Many wrap shops and independent installers use 3M Primer 94 to speed-up the installation process by not performing the necessary steps for an installation that will last for years rather than months. Using the primer is like cheating on a test so you can barely get a passing grade.
It is important to keep in mind that Primer 94 is required when wrapping boats and other water crafts, but that is another blog coming soon...
To conclude if and when a car wrap is installed properly will not only give your vehicle a unique look but will also protect your vehicle's original paint resulting in a higher resale value.
We hope this article answers your question about removing a car wrap.
Call or email us with any questions or to receive a free quote for your project.
949-334-3533 info@lucentads.com www.LucentAds.com
Posted by
Lucent Ads on Sun, Nov 13, 2011 @ 03:24 PM
When it comes to Car Wraps and Vehicle Graphics there are many manufacturers to choose from. However, the top four key players in this segment are:
Avery, 3M, Oracal and Arlon
Usually the decision as to which wrap vinyl film to use is made by the wrap shop and the installer. Clients also may request a specific brand to be used on their project.
At Lucent Ads we use both Avery & 3M:
For all of our print media we use the Avery 1005 EZ RS. As an Avery Dennison Certified Installer we believe that the Avery 1005 EZ RS is the best film for car wraps. The only other film in the industry that performs very similar to this product is by 3M, but it costs about $800 more for a vinyl and laminate kit making it too expensive for most projects.
For all of our solid color car wraps we use the 3M 1080 series.
Many shops will tell you that they use 3M or other manufacturer; however the key question is which film from that particular manufacturer is being used? All manufacturers including 3M have films that cost $250 per roll to over $1000 per roll, so simply by saying that they use a certain brand name doesn't mean much.
Make sure you specifically ask for the vinyl and laminate by product number and a proof that those exact films are being used on your project.
The point we're trying to make here is that don't be fooled when a shop or an installer use the top brand names to sell you a wrap.
Yes, the material is an extremely important part of a great wrap but even the best materials in the hands of a non-certified, inexperienced installer won't last.
Please call us at 949-334-3533 (Toll Free at: 877-LUCENT-0) or email us at info@lucentads.com and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
