38 April / May 2023 - Issue 246 www.signlink.co.uk Driving creativity and inspiration What made FESPA decide to launch WrapFest? Vehicle wrapping has always been one of the most colourful attractions at our FESPA exhibitions, where we have been hosting our annual World Wrap Masters Series competition for over ten years. But until now, there’s never been a focused event that has served the needs of this specific community. With WrapFest, we wanted to provide a hub that plugs wrappers and detailers into the latest trends, enables them to see all the product innovations from multiple suppliers in one space, gives them access to workshops and demos to refresh their skills, and shows them the opportunities that could fuel their growth. What features can we expect to see at the event? The event is aimed at professionals in vehicle wrapping, livery and fleet graphics, car detailing, paint protection, window tinting services, and racing teams. So, in addition to vehicle graphic installation, the event encompasses all areas of vinyl application such as colour change and PPF (paint protection film) wraps which can enhance the look, performance, and use of vehicles. The event will also touch upon architectural interiors as this is a market that some wrap installers are exploring and branching into. The event will feature the Show and Shine Competition, an intimate and interactive speaker programme, Wrap Talks, and exclusive wrapping demos from some of the sector’s most recognisable brands. There will also be a fun festival forecourt with food trucks for visitors to relax throughout the day, and exhibition of materials, tools, and printing technologies. What do you want people to take away from the event? Inspiration, Information and Connections: The event provides print service providers (PSPs) with the opportunity to explore this market, whether they are looking to enter into vehicle graphics, or if they are already a vehicle graphic installer but looking to grow the non-graphic side of their business. WrapFest provides them with the platform to research, look at, and test a wide range of equipment, accessories, and media from industry-leading suppliers in one location. With the inaugural WrapFest event fast approaching, we speak to some of the wrappers taking part in the event and hear from organisers to find out what we can expect to see across the two-day event Q & A / WRAPFEST SPECIAL WrapFest will take place from April 26th to 27th at Silverstone Racing Circuit in Northamptonshire. The event will host live demonstrations and talks from internationally acclaimed wrapping specialists and will also play host to the UK & Ireland World Wrap Masters regional heat with the winner going on to compete in the World Wrap Masters Final at FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 in May. Duncan MacOwan, head of events and marketing at FESPA, has over 20 years’ experience in B2B communications and events. MacOwan originally worked at FESPA from 2010 to 2019 and decided to return in March 2022 as head of event and marketing to lead the development of FESPA’s exhibition, events, and member services to the global graphic arts community. Corey England, director of Wrap Capital and master wrapper, started his company back in 2016 as a sole wrapper with few expectations to gain such a good reputation and be widely recognised which has led to the company becoming a closely knit team of five. Always exploring new methods and products, and pushing boundaries of what vinyl wraps can achieve, England has a particular appetite for creating “mad wraps”, and particularly relishes creating crazy and challenging wraps. Find Wrap Capital’s work on socials with the hashtag #StyleThatSticks or @WrapCapital How did you get into wrapping and how long have you been influential in the wrapping sphere? I’m a qualified vehicle painter having studied vehicle refinishing for two years in college, and spent a number of years running my own body shop for repairs and custom paint. I noticed the vehicle customising market slowly transitioning away from paint, and vinyl technology improving to a standard where a correctly installed wrap was akin to the finish of paint. With wraps being a much more cost-effective option to customise a car, I decided to move away from paint and teach myself to wrap. For me, wrapping gives just as much satisfaction as laying fresh paint! Things have certainly changed in the last couple of years or so after competing in HEXIS UK wrap battle, in which we finished third in 2019, and then second in 2022. We have also collaborated on a couple of projects with Teckwrap and Hexis in the last
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==