57 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 261 - October / November 2025 These include its Fedrigoni Installer Certification, providing an in-depth understanding of the makeup and installation techniques for Fedrigoni’s self-adhesive vinyl products. Alongside these more in-depth training programmes, the company also hosts a number of overview courses at different levels including its Beginner Vinyl Application course and Intermediate Wrapping course, catering to a range of abilities. Speaking about the key pitfalls that people can fall into when wrapping a vehicle, Edwards warns that “there are so many areas of potential issue if you are not in the know.” “Where do I start?” he exclaims. “Using incorrect materials for the job, not post-heating at all or not to the correct temperature, a lack of time to prep, print, or gas off, incorrect knowledge or no knowledge at all of the correct processes to use, not cleaning a vehicle properly with the right amount of time left before the install, bad advice to the customers about aftercare. I could go on.” In terms of the tools and techniques to use, Edwards stresses that there are a lot of tools available for almost every area of the install, but that not all are necessarily needed or comfortable to use. His suggestion would be to purchase a basic kit and start adding to this with “bits once you find a gap in what you want to achieve.” At the top of his recommendations is a BodyGuardKnife from YelloTools, which he describes as being “like a second person on a job – a must have.” A good wrap glove is also high on his list, namely a GloveMaxx ProWrap, also by YelloTools. YelloTools, a German-based supplier and manufacturer of wrapping and signage tools, offers a plethora of tools alongside its knives and gloves, with squeegees, alignment aids, removal tools, and cutting rulers among its many offerings. When speaking about the future of the wrapping market, Edwards highlights the increase in coloured high-performance protective film which he sees entering the market at the moment. “However, at the current costs, I think it will be a while before this becomes a ‘go to’ option,” he states. Speaking about what trends he wishes to see for the future, Edwards continues: “I would like to see things like lower postheat temperatures on materials, and higher gloss levels with stronger laminates. I find that vinyls tend to scratch a lot easier these days since we’ve seen the shift to higher gloss levels. Of course, there is a compromise to be had, but I’d like to see the technology improve there.” A Blast from the PLAST Alongside its arsenal of finishing solutions for digital printing, PLASTGrommet also offers a range of sign-making tools tailored to vinyl applications. For Ignacio Gisbert, marketing and communications at PLASTGrommet, the right vinyl wrapping tool is the one thing that can adapt to the installer’s needs. “This will vary depending on each application and the desired effects and materials used. For example, for vehicle wrapping in general a medium-hard squeegee is generally recommended but for certain finishes such as chrome, a softer squeegee is preferred to avoid any damage or scuffs to the surface of the wrap.” Gisbert gives the example of PLASTGrommet’s Microfiber Marathon squeegee, which features a microfibre edge that is reportedly softer than felt. “This avoids scratching and can be used either wet or dry, gliding over graphics and vinyls without any damage enabling our customers to work faster, safer, and with ease,” Gisbert explains. “Our Marathon Flex squeegee offers the same properties as our marathon squeegee, but with added flexibility for areas with curves or for complex shapes. Additionally, we offer our Felt Edge squeegee range featuring a soft, smooth felt edge, enabling vehicle wrappers to apply pressure on the vinyl without causing any damage. Alongside these offerings, the Spanish manufacturer also offers a range of ‘everyday use’ squeegees which include twin ribs designed for easy handling, developed to We expect the sector to continue to grow, driven by personalisation, sustainability, and faster workflows The earliest written references to squeegees date from the 1700s and describe deckcleaning tools for ships Factoid ▲CVi Group offers wrapping courses catered to everyone from beginners to pros WRAPPING TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS | JONATHAN PERT
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