FIRST PLACE
Fabricator
azpro
Avondale, AZ
(623) 907-8438
www.azprogroup.com
Designers
Dan Antonelli
Graphic D-Signs
Washington, NJ
(908) 835-9000
www.graphicd-signs.com
Installer
Revolution Wraps
Lincoln, NE
(402) 475-2886
www.revolutionwraps.com
Client
Winfrey Plumbing
Vehicle-wrap designers who recognize less is more tend to prevail in this competition. Antonelli and his crew have mastered the art of crisp, uncluttered design with well-defined icons that resonate. Antonelli said it best: “These vehicles are a bright way for the company to make a splash and pipe up in the saturated plumbing market.” Graphic D-Signs developed the template, which features engaging retro typefaces and the telltale water drop that signifies a plumber, using Adobe Illustrator CS6. Azpro produced the wrap using 3M Controltac IJ180-10C film that’s printed on an HP 3000 latex-ink printer, and protected it with 3M Scotchcal 8518 glossy overlaminate applied on a Seal 62 Pro laminator. Revolution Wraps applied the wraps with 4-in.-wide, marine-grade Geek Wraps felt squeegees.
(Editor’s note: Mike Winfrey, Winfrey Plumbing’s [Grand Island, NE] second-generation proprietor, died in an explosion and fire that occurred at his shop on April 24. ST offers its condolences to those affected.)
SECOND PLACE
Fabricator/Designer/Installer
Adam Hegge
Madison Graphics Co.
Sun Prairie, WI
(920) 210-8879
www.msngraphics.com
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Client
Prairie Land Towing
According to Hegge, Prairie Land is known for its behemoth trucks. Suffice it to say that reflective dragons barreling along highways after dark provide larger-than-life graphics that match the vehicles’ gravitas. He designed “The Dragonator” using Adobe Illustrator® and Photoshop® software, and printed the colossal graphic using 3M Scotchlite™ IJ680 reflective film, which was produced on a Roland DGA SolJet Pro III XC-540 printer/cutter. To protect the ivory-white teeth and verdant dragon’s body, he applied Scotchcal 8518 glossy overlaminate on a Royal Sovereign RSC6500H roll laminator. He installed the graphics with Avery Blue felt-tip squeegees, BernzOMatic heat guns and a wrecker full of patience. Menzel Signs and Graphics (Sun Prairie) assisted with the installation.
THIRD PLACE
Fabricator/Installer
azpro
Designer
Dan Antonelli
Graphic D-Signs
Client
Goettl Air Conditioning
In business since 1939 – and, based in a saturated Arizona market where air conditioning is as vital as air and water – Goettl can authentically claim a legacy that hearkens back to when people seemingly took more pride in their work, and business was done on a handshake. The youthful innocence and exuberance of the cartoon boy featured enhance the perception of trustworthiness.
Antonelli designed the wrap using Adobe CS6 cloud-based software. Azpro produced it using 3M Controltac film that’s printed on an HP 3000 latex-ink printer, protected with 3M Scotchcal 8518 glossy overlaminate, and applied on a Seal 62 Pro laminator to provide much-needed durability for a wrap subjected to Arizona weather.
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HONORABLE MENTION
Fabricator/Installer
azpro
Designer
Dan Antonelli
Graphic D-Signs
Client
The Sunny Plumber
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