that would later be used. The aesthetic and sealing results were exceptional.” The result, Fresco continues, was to be a film comparable to a metallic paint, achieved over almost the entire colour range. Once the new material was perfected, Core Stickers got to work on wrapping a KTM motocross bike belonging to one of its in-house staff. This was so the company could immediately subject the product to maximum stress and monitor its wear. “Motocross is the most extreme test for a graphic; if the material withstands on a motocross bike, it can withstand any other we even got offered the job to complete any Brazil team coach across Europe.” New Solutions From one end of the vehicle wrapping spectrum to the other, we now turn to a motorcycle wrap, courtesy of Core Stickers in Italy. The company, part of the Big One group, has been providing motorcycle graphics since 2008 and recently developed a new film in partnership with APA SpA to provide more options to its customers. AP/99-MBK, also known as SuperCandy Silver, features many of the same characteristics of the APAMBKPRO line, including printability with both solvent and UV inks, softness for an easier application, and an adhesive for both painted and apolar surfaces. “We started the first ‘aesthetic’ printing tests on a material that had the same finish but with an adhesive that was not suitable for our application,” says Giorgio Fresco, owner of Core Stickers, adding: “After several print and lamination tests, we achieved the desired effect.” Fresco continues: “Subsequently, we received a sample laminated with MBK glue (HTS Acrylic Super High Tack) that we were familiar with and produced the first kits to be applied on some motorbikes condition,” Fresco explains, continuing: “We were all really satisfied with the final piece and have since proposed this finish to other customers who, as soon as they saw the colour samples we produced, immediately turned to this product.” Setting Sail Moving on now from bikes to boats and to a hugely impressive feat by Nick Hollis, a former HP manager who took on a task of a lifetime earlier this year as part of a wider challenge. Hollis rowed solo for over 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean to complete the Atlantic Challenge. In doing so, he completed the penultimate phase of his 721 Challenge, which also included the small task of scaling the world’s seven highest peaks and trekking to both the North and South Pole. HP has supported Hollis throughout his challenge, which has spanned several years, with long-term customer PressOn stepping up to help with the Atlantic Challenge. PressOn used its HP Latex R2000 and HP Latex 3600 printers to produce specialist decals to cover Hollis’ boat – aptly named ‘Kraken’ – with his sponsors. Graphics were printed on Hexis THE190EUO vinyl and laminated with Hexis PCI90G2. The graphics were subject to extreme conditions in the rough Atlantic Ocean, in addition to lengthy exposure to the hot sun of the Caribbean. However, as Hollis explains, the graphics remained intact and showed no sign of wear or tear when Nick arrived in Antigua after 50 days at sea. “Upon arrival at the race start in La Gomera, all 39 boats competing in the 2023 World’s Toughest Row had been placed in a cordoned-off race area,” Hollis says, adding: “Kraken, wearing her HP Latex decal, looked stunning. Several of my fellow competitors remarked on how amazing Kraken looked. “When I arrived in Antigua, Kraken, ▲ Grayers Graphics wrapped the Brazil national team’s coach with just eight hours’ notice 44 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 255 - October / November 2024 Motocross is the most extreme test for a graphic; if the material withstands on a motocross bike, it can withstand any other condition ◄Core Stickers wrapped a motocross bike with a newly developed material VEHICLE WRAPPING
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==