An Architectural-Graphic Digest

Rob Ivers owns Rob Ivers Inc. (Raymore, MO), a vehicle graphics and installation company. He’s installed vinyl since 1978 and taught vinyl-graphics installation since 1993. For more information, visit www.robivers.com

Architectural graphics encompass walls, windows, floors and more. I’ve also decorated tabletops, store fixtures and coolers, just to name a few. I really enjoy these projects because they pay well, and they’re usually completed indoors, so weather isn’t a problem.

However, all vinyl-graphics jobs present challenges. With architectural-graphic jobs, construction delays, which lead to frequent rescheduling, often occur. Sometimes, it’s difficult to determine whether lifts, scaffolding or any installation equipment will allow you to safely navigate the jobsite. And, the work must almost always be completed “after hours.”

On the other hand, architectural graphics also offer considerable upside. Most such graphics involve flat-surface application, which simplifies design and installation. Vehicle wraps now receive most industry hoopla, but architectural graphics offer a quicker return on investment.

In a tough economy, it’s tempting to just take whatever work comes in the door. But, if not enough new business arrives, or what does arrive isn’t profitable, maybe it’s time to walk out your door and look around. Would any businesses in your area benefit from a wall mural, some lively window graphics, or maybe a seasonal floor graphic? I think you’ll find more opportunities than you can imagine. If you find any blank walls, windows, or floors, consider them graphics waiting to happen! A friend told me he hates blank spaces and has made money filling them.

 

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All on the wall

I’ve installed hundreds of wall murals. Some are long-term solutions for stores and restaurants, whereas others provide temporary graphics for museum exhibits or barricade graphics that conceal ongoing construction. For instance, Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is undergoing a major renovation. The team is taking advantage of 3M’s IJ 8624, which is designed for brick and other rough surfaces, to order hundreds of new graphics that decorate cinder block, concrete walls and columns. I’m not directly involved, but I trained some of the installers and have served as an onsite consultant a few times.

A few years ago, my local airport’s management sought ways to sell more advertising. They wanted to offer new, larger alternatives to would-be advertisers. Given the airport’s ample wall space, I thought murals provided a natural solution. However, their walls comprise a grid of large, rectangular panels which are secured by 1-in.-thick, extruded-aluminum trim pieces.

Because of this expensive construction, they can’t allow direct graphic application to walls. I helped develop a wall-plate solution that utilizes 4 x 8-ft., ½-in.-thick, Komatex® rigid-PVC panels. The routed panels were joined with “biscuits” to create any desired size. The biscuits kept the seams smooth and flat, regardless of the panel configuration.

To attach them to the wall, I drilled and screwed through the 1-in.-wide trim that held the wall panels in place. There was a hollow gap directly behind the trim, but no one could tell me how large the gap was, or what was behind it (wood, metal, concrete?). And, of course, they wouldn’t let me take it apart to find out.

Through trial and error, I finally found the right type and length of screws to secure the heavy panels. Now, my custom wall plates are installed in all of the terminals, and the airport’s taking advantage of that formerly blank space. Advertisements can be installed, removed and replaced using standard, wall-graphic vinyl.

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Recently, one of the ads was printed on a different material, Phototex, a fabric that’s installed and removed a bit more easily than standard, wall-mural media. It provides a non-glare surface with a more artistic look than conventional vinyl. I enjoyed working with it; if you haven’t checked out Phototex, you should.

Airports are great places to see what’s new in advertising. Recently, on my return from Hawaii back to the Kansas City airport, I saw baggage-carousel graphics for the first time. As I waited for my luggage, I saw the ad unfold over the carousel’s metal sections. I’m not sure what media was used, but I believe it was a removable film with a floor-graphic laminate for added durability. The ad gets great visibility as flights arrive throughout the day. The graphic was showing some wear, but that’s a good thing, right? It means repeat business.

 

Finding money on the floor

You’ve probably seen small floor graphics at a grocery store. Maybe they were promoting an impulse item, such as M&M’s or Lifesavers candy. The right high-quality, floor-graphic media transforms an entire department or store foyer with glossy, colorful images.

FLEXcon’s FloorArt floor-graphic media provides a good example. It’s designed to last approximately six months with no adhesive residue. The panels butt together with no overlap, which makes pedestrian traffic safer.

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I was asked to install a beta-test graphic at Klem’s in Spencer, MA. Jason Bergeron, owner of Applied Advertising (Hartford, CT) and a fellow PDAA Master Certified Installer, provided two of his installers to work all night over Mother’s Day weekend. I want to thank him publicly for his kindness.

 

I do windows

Windows have featured advertising for years. Graphics producers have long used vinyl to post store information. Vinyl that resembles etched glass provides another popular choice. Many companies also use perforated window vinyl for large, photographic ads, and still others provide full building wraps. Others use opaque vinyl for digitally printed, promotional messages.

With ample material offerings, window graphics can provide a profitable revenue stream for your business.
Churches may provide another untapped market. I recently installed a large, colorful graphic that covers a bank of windows at my church. I donated my work. But, it made a big splash with the members. Every Sunday, they see my work, and it’s brought me several good jobs.

I’ve touched on just a few of the hundreds, if not thousands, of architectural-graphic advertising ideas. Hopefully, you’re excited to drum up some business and beautify America by eliminating blank spaces. Let’s help get this economy rocking again!