By Melissa Donovan
Vehicle graphics standout amid new introductions. The application maintains notoriety for the same reasons it first caused a stir when it came on the scene decades ago. Vehicle graphics, whether to promote a brand or customize a personal vehicle, are cost efficient. Pressure-sensitive materials used to decorate vehicles support this.
As the automotive market continues to change with new car models and revisions to current ones, printers and installers still remain engaged.
Above: Eagle Enterprises of Wichita, KS produces everything from decals and stripes to full wraps using media from Avery Dennison.
Out of the Basement
In business for the last 30 years, Wichita, KS-based Eagle Enterprises began as a simple operation in a residential basement. Fast forward to 2024, and the multi-faceted organization is spread across three facilities totaling 50,000 square feet.
Core to its success is the business of designing and manufacturing graphics for marine, RV, automotive, fleet, rail, manufacturing, and retail customers. Applications from decals and stripes to full wraps, as well apparel and other products are produced on site. This is achieved through screen printing, digital printing, thermal die cutting, and doming. A staff of over 40 employees helps to complete the many tasks undertaken on a daily basis. Some of Eagle Enterprises’ main clients include automotive installers. It sells to them directly, and they in turn work with automotive dealerships nationwide and internationally.
Wearing many hats, Eagle Enterprises is more than your typical print and vinyl shop. TJ Clayton, operations manager, Eagle Enterprises, notes that it also has experienced great success with its automotive template program, Eagle Cut. The idea for such a service was born around 2020 thanks to the suggestion from professional wrap installer, Justin Pate.
“Eagle Cut is a pay-per-cut system. Users have access to all of our graphic templates, which we designed in house, starting from custom stripes and going beyond that to full vehicles. The program allows users to download their own logos and work them into their designs for a full custom look,” says Clayton.
Still New to Some
While we’ve been talking about the benefits of digital printing in the vehicle graphics space for years, amazingly enough, some have yet to witness and appreciate its benefits.
When it comes to trends in the vehicle graphics space, Clayton notices a strong uptick in interest in digitally printed graphics. “More guys are reaching out and asking us for something new. Lots of this is from people who originally only did vehicle striping, then moved to paint protection, and are looking for something different.”
In response, Clayton and his team direct them to vehicle graphics and digital printing. They even encourage them to consider fleet graphics as an option and he admits this is something a lot of people still haven’t seen before.
Beyond printing, vehicle striping is another service offered at Eagle Enterprises. Vehicle striping is in a unique position right now, admits Clayton. While muscle cars aren’t being seen in a heightened capacity—and a segment where striping was heavily used—Clayton says many customers are scrambling to find that next big thing.
At Eagle Enterprises, one solution is two-tone striping, where two different colors of film are utilized. Two-tone striping can also occur when one color of film and another piece of film is digitally printed.
In Eagle Enterprises’ facilities, digital printing is achieved via latex and solvent ink sets.
Media from Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions is the product of choice, from the MPI 1105 high-gloss cast wrapping film series to the Supreme Wrapping Film vinyl wrap color change portfolio. “We look for high performance products,” says Clayton. This includes only using cast and 2-mil thickness, both of which Avery Dennison supplies.
Expertise in Demand
Eagle Enterprises is proof that vehicle graphics are high in demand. The company leverages its expertise to reach new markets and maintain connections with trusted clients thanks to Avery Dennison’s partnership.
Sep2024, Digital Output
