Yes, we wrap more than vehicles! When I talk to people about where I work most have a limited idea of what TKO Graphix does. The majority of people believe we do fleet graphics and not much else. Don’t get me wrong, we do fleet graphics and are darn good at it. Last year we applied graphics to more than 50,000 vehicles. However, we also offer TKO Signs, promotional products, TKO Marketing Solutions, and we wrap more than vehicles.

We Wrap More than Vehicles

Wall Graphics

We have designed, printed, and installed dozens of wall graphics for businesses over the last couple of years. For example, this video shows the extensive wall graphics we completed for PERQ,  How Wall Graphics Create Workplace Excitement. 

Here are eight ways to use wall graphics. Any compliant surface will support wall graphics. Wall graphics lend themselves to imaginative use. Here are eight locations to consider.

• Break Room – TKO used a combination of wall graphics, an Indianapolis city scene, signage, furnishings, and lighting to create an inviting space.
• Lobby – Why limit lobby branding to a sign when it can be enhanced by wall graphics?
• Game room – Any corporate office that has a game room would be well advised to add to the fun with appropriate wall graphics.
• Work area– For years companies have used the psychology of color to create invigorating work environments. Color and design affect how people work and how they feel about work. Why not take it further with custom wall graphics?
• Production – Don’t forget about manufacturing and production areas.
• Corporate timeline –Both employees and clients appreciate a corporate timeline.
• Workout and wellness facilities– Wall graphics can be used to create a fun, positive environment for getting healthy. Healthy employees are productive employees.
• Recognition – “A recognition wall can be used to recognize employees, customers, and company charitable initiatives. If you want to pull a team together and show appreciation, there may be no better way.” — 8 Effective Ways to Use Wall Graphics. 

Wrapping Signs

Adhesive vinyl graphics can be used as part of a dimensional sign or to cover and replace an existing sign. For example, a local club owned by friends had a sign on the side of their building that had the old establishments name on it. They had turned the front of the sign around, but it wasn’t attractive, and it didn’t promote the business. And worse yet, it faced a high traffic highway.

They’d received estimates of more than $5,000 to replace the sign. We fixed it for a fraction of that by printing an adhesive vinyl copy of their logo and placing it over the existing sign. It looks great, and my friends love it. Spykes Bar & Grill A sign Resurrected.

Windows

Windows and doors are another place that vinyl graphics can be applied, using both window clings and adhesive vinyl. For example, “Event planners and trade show vendors are always looking for ways to make their events pop with impressive visuals, and there are lots of options. One great option — window clings — adds a professional element to almost any event.

They can be used for promotions and sales — and at the office. They can be used to liven up drab space and best yet they can be installed and removed in a matter of minutes. By following a few simple steps and using the proper tools, anyone can install a window cling just like a pro.” Video — How to Install a Window Cling.

Products

We’ve installed adhesive vinyl graphics on myriad product such as freezers, retail displays, and OEM products. We recently had a manufacturer inquire about graphics for a portable generator. Almost any product made could benefit from adhesive vinyl graphics.

“The OEM role of print providers such as TKO Graphix is to print and provide graphics to the specifications of the manufacturer for various purposes. Here are a few of OEM Graphics uses.

• Make, model, and serial numbers – At one time most product identification was made using aluminum plates. Today graphics can do the same for a lower cost.
• Branding – Corporate colors, fonts, and logos are easily reproduced with adhesive vinyl graphics.
• Safety, caution, warning, and instruction – For example, we print thousands of “Caution Wide Turn” decals.” — What Role Do Vinyl Graphics Play in OEM?

What Can We Do for You?

Yes, we do fleet graphics, we’re proud of it, and we’re very good, just ask our customers. But we wrap more than vehicles. We make signs, and design promotional advertising products. And we can wrap just about anything you need wrapped. So, how can we help you? Contact Us.

So, what is your vehicle wrap is damaged? Last Friday I introduced myself to a customer waiting on his vehicle in our waiting room. He worked as a sales consultant for our friends at Watchfire Signs who manufacture state of the art signage including message centers, billboards, and LED signs. It seems the sales consultant had backed his work truck into a pole and damaged the vehicle wrap. The Watchfire wrap is a complicated design. This short video will give you an idea of what the wrap looks like, Watchfire Signs Customer Testimonial. The damage to the rear of his truck was a minor scrap and repairable. What can you do when your vehicle graphic is damaged?

Will Insurance Cover a Damaged Vehicle Wrap?

So, will insurance cover you when a vehicle wrap is damaged? That depends on your insurance carrier and your policy, but in most cases, it’s covered. A vehicle wrap is an add-on aftermarket improvement to your vehicle no different than any other aftermarket add-on such as upgraded wheels. However, as I mentioned, it depends on your policy, so before you begin the repair process check coverage with your insurance agent, including your responsibility, such as deductible.

Before the Damage

You should document your vehicle wrap at completion.

• Record images. Pull out your phone and record a walk around video of your new wrap. You might also want to photograph all four sides of your car or truck
• Make a file for all of your documents including contracts, receipts, and releases (note the completion date.), and be sure to include the cost of the work
• After you’ve gathered all of this information make copies and keep them in a secure place

Will the Entire Wrap Need to be Replaced?

Will the entire wrap need to be replaced? Maybe and maybe not, it depends on several factors.

Color calibration

If the graphics printer color calibrates on a consistent basis, then a color match is possible, but if calibration is inconsistent it can be difficult to match, which can lead to replacing the entire wrap due to the inability to match the existing work. Also, are the original design files available? If not, that adds another level of difficulty to match the repair to the existing graphics.

Fading

Has the wrap faded? Have chemicals damaged the vinyl? If so, it might be best to replace the entire graphic rather than attempt to patch an area with new vinyl that doesn’t match the faded material. Adhesive vinyl graphics without overlaminates are much more exposed to UV rays and more likely to fade.

“Prospective clients frequently ask why fleet graphics fade because they’ve seen wraps that have faded. They’ve noticed decals that have turned brown, wraps that are blotchy and discolored, and graphics that just look — washed out. There are several factors, including quality of the material, proper installation, color, and climate, but the number one reason for vehicle graphic discoloration is the lack of lamination.” —Why Do Vehicle Graphics Fade?

So, What Can You Do When Your Vehicle Wrap is Damaged?

The truest answer is … something. That something depends on the age and condition of the vinyl, documentation by the printer, and extent of the damage. If you have any questions please, Contact Us or leave a comment. But most of all we hope you never have to be concerned that your vehicle wrap is damaged. Drive safe!

TKO Graphix is a national fleet and vehicle graphics company helping customers since 1985. We provide full-service graphic design, digital printing, screen printing, graphics installation, and removal of large format graphics.

We’re a fleet and vehicle graphics company and since 1985, we’ve been helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks and company vehicles. Whether you have a fleet of thousands or a few vehicles, we are here to lead you through the vehicle branding process.

TKO Graphix is a Certified 3M™ MCS™ Warranty graphics manufacturer. Our installation crews are 3M Certified and are employees of TKO Graphix, not sub-contractors.

This post is about making a difference. I was walking through TKO Graphix breakroom on my way to rinse out my coffee cup in preparation for my 7^th cup of the day (hey, I’m not even shaking yet!) when I saw a gentleman with a rolled up decal. There were three letters visible on the decal – ICE so I asked him what department and he answered Advance, Indiana Police. His name is Brad Thomas. He’s the town marshal. I followed up by asking what he was doing at TKO and learned he was waiting for vehicle graphics on his new truck. It wasn’t until later that I learned Brad was making a difference.

A Photo Release

Brad shared how excited he was to get the truck and have TKO design and install graphics. I told him I’d love to take photos of it and share it on our website. He was more than happy to sign a photo release.

The truck is impressive, and the graphics look great. I thought it would be great to share on social media.

I went back to the breakroom and reported on Brad’s truck progress. He said he didn’t want to see it until it was done and all the lights turned on. We chatted for a few minute, and then I asked if there was a story I could write about him or the truck for our blog. It may have been the best question I’ve asked all week. Yes, there’s a story. It’s a story about making a difference.

Brad’s Story

Brad is a retired IMPD Narcotics officer. He spent 27 years trying to make things better. He worked in Haulville on the west side of Indianapolis. I asked why he retired and he told me he was tired of doing the same thing over and over again with the same results. He wanted to make a difference. So he retired, went back to school for a teaching degree. He earned his teaching certification, but during his student teaching he felt he was wasting his efforts, it wasn’t the impact he wanted to make, so he tried something else.

Brad ended up as the Advance, Indiana town Marshall; it’s where he lives and where his wife is from. And Brad is making a difference in this town of 8 streets and 490 residents. Yes, he is.

Last year when he took over the job one of his first actions was to hand out Pop Tarts to the children of Advance every morning. Next, he started an after-school program in an 800 square foot room (there looking at a building and hoping for the funds to make it happen). I mentioned the town has a population of 490, think about this 45 or more kids show up every day for the after-school program, that’s 10 % of the population.

They do their homework, eat dinner, and then they go outdoors in the fresh air and play. When Brad began the after-school program it was pretty much all on him, now at least ten volunteers show up every night – teachers, preachers, and cooks.

Making a Difference

Brad shared a story about a kindergarten boy who was about to be kicked out of school for stealing food. Brad learned the boy was trying to bring food home. His mom had perished in a car accident (the boy was in the car with her). The boy’s father was struggling. Brad feed the boy and sent food home. The boy is doing great in school. It was at this point that my eyes welled up. Like I said, best question of the week.

For nine months Brad has been talking to a 7^th-grade girl every school day. He gives her a Pop Tart and asks her a question, but she never answers.  It seems she has suffered abuse and is afraid to talk to men. Last week she spoke to Brad. I found it very difficult to hold back my tears.

You know how I told you Brad takes the kids outdoors to play? He’d love to connect with NFL Play 60

NFL Play 60. Does anyone have any connections they could share with Brad?

It Gets Even Better

Near the end of our conversation I told Brad how much I appreciated what he was doing and then Brad told me he couldn’t thank Tom ( Tom Taulman II, President and CEO of TKO Graphix) for donating the graphics. Wait what? We donated this? Could this get any better? Best question period. Our community involvement, the heart of TKO is one of the reasons I love my job. No, Brad, we thank you. Keep up the great Work.

Here’s a report about Brad, which aired on local affiliate, Fox 59, Behind the Badge.

The Respiratory Partners box truck wrap is an excellent example of an effective fleet graphic. so, what makes any vehicle graphic effective? Is it colors, fonts, hierarchy, calls to action, branding, all packaged to catch the eye, grab attention, and promote action? Well, in a word, yes. So, why am I stating the obvious? Because th Respiratory Partners service truck wrap does just that – it works.

The Wrap

How can anyone miss this moving billboard? Even at 65 MPH, this design draws the eye. First, you notice the waving American flag backdrop. And then the blue and white swoops focus the eye on the outlined copy. The company name, white lettering with a light blue outline, the phone number, black lettering with a white outline, and the web address white letters, red outline, and black shadowing all stand out and are easy to read whether parked at a facility or cruising down the highway.

About Respiratory Partners

“Respiratory Partners provides comprehensive respiratory care services to long-term care facilities. Since our inception in 1994, our company’s success has been built on a foundation of teamwork, dedication, services, quality of care and compassion. Our therapy-driven protocols have played a major role in helping us become a leader in respiratory care services in the long-term care industry.”

Our teamwork-oriented approach is key to prompt courteous and compassionate service

Through our staff of qualified and dedicated professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, continuing education and aggressive pricing, we have earned a respected reputation for care and quality of life for individuals residing in the healthcare setting. Respiratory Partners’ customer-oriented oxygen services; 24 hour, 7-days-a-week responsiveness, knowledgeable staff and experience in the industry are a testament to our commitment in providing support services to the long-term care industry.

We are available and accessible where and when needed

Our professional and knowledgeable staff includes:

State licensed and board certified Respiratory Therapists. Our Respiratory Therapists bring our customers knowledge and experiences in the long-term care industry. Our professionally-trained Delivery Drivers bring close to a decade of combined service with Respiratory Partners. There isn’t a situation that our Equipment Technicians can’t address or resolve. We have the right combination of knowledge, experience, and training to give you the service you want and deserve.” — Respiratory Partners.com

Do Your Fleet Graphics Get the Job Done?

Do your vehicle traps promote your business? Because if not, it may be time to audit your vehicle graphic design. So, if you’d like fleet graphics that catch the eye, grab attention, and promote action, Contact Us. You can rest assured our team will create a design that fits your needs and attracts an audience, once you’re part of our team you can “breathe” easy about that.

If you’d like a free estimate for your fleet or vehicle graphics; you can Request A Quote.

TKO Graphix is a national fleet and vehicle graphics company helping customers since 1985. We provide full-service graphic design, digital printing, screen printing, graphics installation, and removal of large format graphics.

We’re a fleet and vehicle graphics company and since 1985, we’ve been helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks and company vehicles. Whether you have a fleet of thousands or a few vehicles, we are here to lead you through the vehicle branding process.

TKO Graphix is a Certified 3M™ MCS™ Warranty graphics manufacturer. Our installation crews are 3M Certified and are employees of TKO Graphix, not sub-contractors.

So, how do you make a car wrap pop? In the effort of full transparency, I am not a graphic designer, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn … However, some of the best and most experienced vehicle graphics designers in the world share my work area. The TKO Graphix design teams’ average tenure is more than ten years, and that’s counting the new guy (who is only new to us because he’s been a graphic designer for longer than he wants to admit). They know how to make a car wrap pop.

Can You Make My Car Wrap Pop?

One of the questions that our design team receives from customers is, “How can we make my fleet vehicle pop?” Let’s begin by defining pop. I asked the team and heard, “A design that stands out” “Something it’s hard to take your eyes off of”  “A graphic that everyone looks at even when there are twenty other trucks in the parking lot.” So, what makes a vehicle graphic pop?

“The easiest way to get lost in the plethora of fleet vehicles vying for attention is to believe that your company name, address, and phone number is all you need on your cars and trucks. Yes, it’s better than nothing, but you’ve missed an opportunity. If you were to rent a billboard what would you put on it, only your name and phone number?” — Are Your Vehicle Graphics Getting Lost in the Crowd?

Use Colors That Pop! 

“When choosing colors for your vehicle graphics, it may not be what color, but how colors of both the vehicle and your graphics contrast. Using poorly contrasted colors reduces the impact of vehicle advertising. Poorly chosen hues, designs that hide the message, and colors that don’t match your brand waste your marketing dollars. One should first consider the brand, logo, and vehicle colors.” — What Color Should I wrap my Business Vehicle?

“The color palette on vehicle graphics is one of the most important ingredients of a successful vehicle wrap. There’s a lot to consider when discussing vehicle graphics color, and the psychology of color is one of them.” — The Psychology Behind Vehicle Graphics Color.

Keep it Simple and Easy to Read

If you want your fleet graphic to make an impact, to pop, you only have seconds before your vehicle is down the road. And with all of the competition for driver’s attention from signs, billboards, and other vehicle graphics, people will not linger on your graphic design unless you give them a reason. Consider this, “The average attention span for the notoriously ill-focused goldfish is nine seconds, but according to a study from Microsoft Corp., people now generally lose concentration after eight seconds, highlighting the effects of an increasingly digitalized lifestyle on the brain.” – Time.com

Stay with Your Brand

Your vehicle graphics should be as recognizable as your website, banner ads, billboards, signs, and advertising. When folks see your fleet, they should immediately know who you are and what you do. If you’d like to read more on unifying your brand try this, Case Study: Unifying a Small Business Brand.

There’s More, but Why Ask Me?

There’s a lot more to making a car wrap pop than what I’ve shared, but really, why ask me? What do I know? Remember our design team includes some of the best in the business. So why not ask them? Their answers will make your head pop!

If you want your car wrap to pop, take the time to design the pop into the wrap. We can help you design a car wrap that reflects who you are, what you do, and one that fits the vehicle.

If you’d like to read further on this topic try these two posts:

What Makes this Vehicle Graphic Stand Out?

9 Ways to Make Your Fleet Graphics Stand Out in a Crowd

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Rico knows people and at TKO we know customer service. At TKO we receive our fair share of reviews, for example as of 7/19/21 we have 73 Google reviews with a 4.8 out of 5 rating. We’re proud of how team TKO takes care of our clients. Our company embraces the philosophy that customers come first. Customer service always comes first with us.

Customer Service Comes First at TKO Graphix 

Occasionally, we get a letter from a customer that speaks to who we are and what we try our best to accomplish with customer service, and this makes us smile. Here’s one of those letters. It’s from Steve Janusz the production manager at Stadtler Heating and Cooling in Westmont, IL. It was written to Shirley Wurster, TKO Graphix Fulfillment Coordinator, who is outstanding with customer service.

The Letter

“Dear Shirley,

I wanted to send a note along to thank you and your organization for the fine job you did on our small fleet of trucks. The wraps look great and have given new life to our older vehicles.

The design stage was quick and efficient, including the small modifications/changes that we made and needed. The production time was swift even with the added “air shield “sections. The installation on our trucks went very well. The installation and additional prep work was done in a timely and neat fashion.

I am very impressed by your product and workmanship. Much praise and thanks to TKO Graphix for a job well done.

P.S. A special note of thanks to Dave and Mitch for their fine work. They were here early in the day and worked continuously to closing time and sometimes after. They were friendly and pleasant, and my dog Rico liked them, and he’s an excellent judge of good people. I would gladly recommend Dave and Mitch to anyone in need of truck wraps. Thanks TKO for sending us a great team.

P.S.S. Feel free to post this note as a recommendation from Sattler.”

 Who is Stadtler Heating and Cooling?

Stadtler Heating & Cooling is a 4th generation, family-owned and operated residential heating and cooling contractor. We’ve been located in the Downers Grove area for over 60 years and also service the surrounding western suburbs.

Currently, the business is owned and operated by Robert L. Stadtler and Karin Stadtler. We service and install residential furnaces and air conditioners, boilers, ductwork, and energy- and indoor air quality-management systems. Our focus is your total home comfort.” — Stadtler HVAC History

If Rico Likes us You Will Too!

How could Rico be wrong? As the letter from Steve says, “… my dog Rico liked them, and he’s an excellent judge of good people.” We think we’re a pretty good judge of people as well, and since 1985 we’ve been surrounding ourselves with teammates of character who care about customer service, and it shows. Just ask Steve – and Rico!

If we can offer any ideas and advice for your fleet large or small just let us know, Contact Us.

And if you want excellent customer service we’d love to give you a free estimate for your fleet or vehicle graphics; you can Request A Quote.

TKO Graphix is a national fleet and vehicle graphics company helping customers since 1985. We provide full-service graphic design, digital printing, screen printing, graphics installation, and removal of large format graphics.

We’re a fleet and vehicle graphics company and since 1985, we’ve been helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks and company vehicles. Whether you have a fleet of thousands or a few vehicles, we are here to lead you through the vehicle branding process.

TKO Graphix is a Certified 3M™ MCS™ Warranty graphics manufacturer. Our installation crews are 3M Certified and are employees of TKO Graphix, not sub-contractors.

Photo Credit: Aaron Burden @aaronburden

There’s a story behind this Versteel box truck wrap. I met Tony Alford at TKO Graphix when he came to pick up a newly wrapped box truck. Before I go any further, this is for my fellow Hoosiers; yes Tony is related to Indiana basketball legend Steve Alford. They’re second cousins. But enough about basketball, let’s talk about the Versteel box truck wrap.

The Versteel Box Truck Wrap

Who is Versteel?

I asked Tony about Versteel, “We make high-end furniture, office furniture, and steel products. We market all over the United States and Canada and all over the world. Our products are manufactured in Jasper, IN. We’re known nationwide as the place where fine contract furniture is designed and produced.”

This excerpt from their mission statement says a lot about them: “We provide innovative, quality products with outstanding customer service supported by sound partnerships with all stakeholders.”

How Are the Versteel Box Trucks Used?

Next, I asked Tony how they use the Versteel box truck wrap, “We use the box trucks for shipping furniture, and we use them for intercompany transportation. For example, we have a chrome manufacturing plant in Evansville, IN and we go back and forth every day.”

Why Wrap the Box Trucks?

I wanted to know why Versteel wrapped the box trucks, Tony said, “We like people to know what we do, what we make, and how to contact us. The contact information is all on the truck, and we have people contact us after they’ve seen the truck.”

The trucks travel all over North America, delivering products and supplies. These company vehicles have become national rolling billboards for Versteel. They stand out because the Versteel box truck wrap is an eye-catching design that tells a story and shares highly visible contact information. It’s that simple.

https://youtu.be/iYzYs73PFts

How Can We Help You?

If you’d like to learn more about turning a company vehicle into a lead producing traveling billboard, we’d be thrilled to share our knowledge, experience, and ideas. Contact us here, or give us a call at 1-888-544-8051.

If you’d like a free estimate for your fleet or vehicle graphics; you can Request A Quote.

TKO Graphix is a national fleet and vehicle graphics company helping customers since 1985. We provide full-service graphic design, digital printing, screen printing, graphics installation, and removal of large format graphics.

We’re a fleet and vehicle graphics company and since 1985, we’ve been helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks and company vehicles. Whether you have a fleet of thousands or a few vehicles, we are here to lead you through the vehicle branding process.

TKO Graphix is a Certified 3M™ MCS™ Warranty graphics manufacturer. Our installation crews are 3M Certified and are employees of TKO Graphix, not sub-contractors.

Unifying your brand through vehicle graphics should be a no-brainer, but it often isn’t. Most days at the office I spend some time in the installation bay. I chat with our experienced installers and introduce myself to the trainees. I pick the brains of our top applicators for blog post ideas like this one, Knifeless Vehicle Wrap Tape. And I look at the work in progress as well as what’s outside waiting to be picked up. Yesterday, in the far bay, I noticed a Richmond Exteriors box truck about halfway completed. Then I saw two more parked outside.

These were brand new trucks, but other than that I’d be hard-pressed to find any differences between these trucks and the one I wrote about more than one year ago. Photo Blog: Richmond Exterior Vehicle Advertising. It was the same graphics, which sounds kind of boring, doesn’t it? So, why am I writing about the same vehicle graphics again? Because the Richmond Exteriors box trucks are an excellent example of unifying your brand through vehicle graphics.

Unifying Your Brand through Vehicle Graphics

There is no mistaking a Richmond Exteriors work vehicle, because they are unified. Whether parked at a customer’s location or circling I 465 there is no doubt that it’s Richmond Exteriors. Not only are their trucks highly recognizable they are an effective form of advertising. Yes, vehicle graphics, in general, make for good marketing with the lowest cost per CPM (1,000 impressions) than any other form of advertising at .77 cents per 1,000 impressions, but the CPM doesn’t matter if the vehicle graphic design is lacking. The Richmond Exterior vehicle graphics work!

Why Does this Vehicle Graphic Work?

So, why does this graphic work? It’s because it captures attention, shares what Richmond offers, and makes it easy to contact them. It unifies the Richmond brand.

Who is Richmond Exteriors?

‘“Richmond Exteriors is a family owned and operated roofing company in Indianapolis that has been satisfying its customers for more than 30 years! With immense growth in our residential remodeling services, Richmond has expanded its efforts to fulfill the residential needs of the Indianapolis, IN Area & Central Indiana as well as providing superior quality work to commercial clientele throughout the Midwest.” — About Richmond Exteriors

If you’d like us to help, then lets get to unifying your brand through vehicle graphics, Contact Us today!

If you’d like a free estimate for your fleet or vehicle graphics; you can Request A Quote.