Bluemedia’s Wall Graphics Strike

The Legends Entertainment District functions as Phoenix’s special-event nerve center. The District houses Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks; US Airways Arena, home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the Arena Football League’s (AFL) Rattlers; and the Phoenix Convention Center, among other key venues.

The AFL has managed to survive for more than two decades because its high-scoring style and smaller, collision-inducing field appeal to many fans. However, its “minor league” status in comparison to the NFL requires aggressive promotion. Representatives of Legends’ ownership group, which includes the D-backs, Suns and the city, contacted bluemedia (Tempe, AZ) about fabricating and installing the wrap. An agency contracted by Rattlers’ ownership had produced the graphics. Bluemedia had 10 days to get permits, proof the graphics, and fabricate and install the 70 x 14-ft. wrap in time for the Rattlers’ season-promotion campaign.

Because of the tight production timeframe, the client waived prepwork for the surface of Phoenix’s historic Luhrs building, where it was installed. Bluemedia’s Doug Alkire said, “On a vehicle wrap, you’re standing on the ground or a ladder. For this job, installers worked on a swing stage 160 ft. in the air. Fortunately, the weather cooperated. Also, working on older brick provides a more challenging surface than a vehicle.”

The shop created the wrap with 3M’s Scotchcal IJ8624 textured-surface material, which it printed on its HP Scitex TurboJet 8300, pigment-solvent-ink printer, and added 3M’s Scotchcal 8524 Scotchcal luster-finish overlaminate. They applied the wrap with a heat gun, which provides heat up to 1,000° F, and 3M TSA-1 textured-media applicators to conform material to challenging surfaces at a pace of 50 sq. ft. per hour. Two installers completed the wrap’s application in two and a half days.