By Cassandra Balentine
Advancements in print technology and media options enable marketers to use every nook and cranny available as a potential canvas for informational or marketing messaging. Storefront wraps are a trending application. These high-impact installations utilize different display options, from window, door, and wall wraps to floor graphics and standing displays like flags and A frames.
Storefront wraps are ideal for small businesses and big brands in enclosed or outdoor shopping centers looking to get noticed, drive foot traffic, or set an ambiance. For example, a spa can go for a soft effect to set a relaxing mood, while toy stores can use primary colors and shapes to create an inviting atmosphere for children. The options are limited only by creativity.
Above: Pro Dezigns is a visual marketing company that supplies graphics to help businesses expand their marketing opportunities. Storefront wraps are one of its services.
Creative Marketing
Pro Dezigns is a visual marketing company that uses vehicle wraps and other graphics to help business expand their marketing opportunities. Established in 2005, it has 11 employees that work out of one 10,000 square foot location in Eldon, MO.
The company’s core services entail vinyl wraps for vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats, walls, and storefronts. Its target audience is any business trying to promote their brand, service, or product. The company differentiates itself as a wrap shop—not a sign shop—and 95 percent of its business reflects this focus.
The print provider has a team of five in-house designers as well as a marketing department that works alongside them to create effective wraps.
Storefront wraps are a multi-faceted presentation for brick-and-mortar businesses. “Windows are often included in a storefront wrap and commonly a very powerful marketing space, but there are other areas such as entrance doors, signage, and clings to help create a visually impactful storefront as well,” offers Andy Beck, project manager, Pro Dezigns.
As opposed to an a la carte approach to business graphics, Beck points out that with storefront wraps, the cost per impression is unmatched by other marketing outlets.
Additionally, storefront wraps are typically associated with removability, which allows graphics to be switched out often and easily. To print the vinyl graphics used in storefront wraps, Pro Dezigns utilizes a HP Latex 570 printer. Graphics are finished with a UV protective laminate, which are applied with a heat roll laminator. It uses OEM latex inks.
For media, it prefers 3M Commercial Solutions, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, and Orafol Americas Inc. Several different types of media are stocked and used depending upon client request and various application scenarios. “Our install team is also 3M certified, which means our installers go though rigorous training to hold this certification,” offers Beck. “We strive to use the highest quality material and installation techniques to complete every job.”
Beck sees the value in using a combination of perforated and unperforated window media. “I favor a good mix of both. The reason being, every client is trying to achieve a different look or goal with the graphics so it is best to have multiple options to help meet their marketing goals.”
With its equipment line up and staff skill set, designing and producing storefront wraps is the easy part. Pro Dezigns sometimes faces challenges on the installation side as weather can be unpredictable and an ideal setting is essential for installing these graphics. “By running state-of-the art printers and having a knowledgeable marketing team, design and production is the easy part. The largest challenge we face on the installation is attention to the weather to ensure we can complete a job under a client’s requirements in weather permitting conditions,” explains Beck.
Ready for Business
Storefront wraps are a great way for businesses to showcase creativity and draw attention to brick-and-mortar locations for foot traffic or advertising and brand messaging. Pro Dezigns recently created a storefront wrap for recurring client, Remax Next Generation.
The client gave the wrap shop creative freedom to design an effective marketing tool for its storefront. Graphical elements included the company logo and appealing imagery.
Vinyl graphics were printed on perforated window film with the HP Latex 570 and finished with a UV protectant laminate. Installation was completed with a hand applicator squeegee and trimmed to fit the windows.
The wrap is expected to stay up for one year, with no immediate plans for change outs. Design, production, and installation took about two weeks to complete.
“They were ecstatic with the marketing statement that the storefront wrap made for them,” comments Beck.
Wrap Success
Pro Dezigns is a wrap shop that has mastered its craft. Wrapping more than just vehicles, it leveraged its expertise and expanded its offerings without straying far from its master skill set. With its printing capabilities and knowledgeable staff, it creates high-impact marketing campaigns that effectively utilize the space available on its customers’ storefronts.
“The wrap industry is growing with new wrap films allowing marketing to expand to areas never before reached such as carpet wraps, concrete wraps, and much more. We plan to grow along with the industry,” concludes Beck.
May2021, Digital Output
