WrapGraFX : Vinyl Wraps History then and Training Today

Vinyl film is used in hundreds of different applications, from store fronts to exercise equipment. It's every where.
The vinyl film we use today was first developed by

In an article authored byJohn Nielsen for the web site Sign of the Times, In 1937, when 3M engineers laid double-coated cloth tape, which contained glass beads, as a roadway median, no one could have predicted vinyl’s later success as a sign material.
You can read more of his article and the history of vinyl her at; VINYL: A HISTORY 3M tracks the history of this medium.

In his article John writes that by the late summer of 1939, the first highway signs covered with reflective sheeting appeared on a Minnesota highway, and a new era in signage began. Further in the article he writes that In 1953, non-reflective lettering, using a solvent or heat-activated adhesive, was introduced. The coating technique produced approximately 20 ft. of film per minute, but early technicians were lucky to achieve a 50% yield (of course, manufacturing methods have improved exponentially since then). Vying for market acceptance versus hand-painted graphics, early vinyl materials offered greater durability, as well as the ability to be die-cut in mass quantities.

Bringing us back to today, we now have vinyl wrap applicator training. The up and coming profession is also referred to as a professional vinyl installer.
We have listed a few of the training sites for you here. A few of the vinyl manufactures like 3M are sponsoring certification programs within these training classes offered. Check these links out below.

First up is;

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/graphics-signage-us/resources/installer-training-testing/