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Installer Training ?

B

Brian Campbell

Production Manger - The Ohio State University
Does anyone know of a good installer training program for printed wall graphics, vinyl, window film etc.... Wanting to send a couple of my guys to train. We are a small in-house sign shop and are getting a lot of requests for wall art and window film.

I found 3M does a 3-day class for wall, windows, floors and fleet, does anyone have experience with that program? I don't really need the fleet training, and don't know how much of the class will be 3M specific. We don't run very much 3M materials.
 
Boudica

Boudica

I'm here for Educational Purposes
I only know about 3M's classes. But there are lot's of good youtube videos out there (and of course some bad ones).... have them spend a day (or two) watching a lot of different ones. Be sure to get a good variety of different "experts" for a well rounded approach. don't just stick to one persons channel and their methods.
 
H

Humble PM

Mostly tolerates architects
Gino said:
You'll need a huge screen, popcorn and some beverages while watching. Should be a fun day or two.
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And a building due to be taken down in a few months time for them to practice on.

Or, one due to open in a few months time for them to practice on, and learn the joys of installing and extalling.

Should be a fun week or two.
 
R

RyanECS

New Member
Brian Campbell said:
Does anyone know of a good installer training program for printed wall graphics, vinyl, window film etc.... Wanting to send a couple of my guys to train. We are a small in-house sign shop and are getting a lot of requests for wall art and window film.

I found 3M does a 3-day class for wall, windows, floors and fleet, does anyone have experience with that program? I don't really need the fleet training, and don't know how much of the class will be 3M specific. We don't run very much 3M materials.
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3M certification is good BUT not much in the walls, windows and floors realm. Most of the class specializes in fleet and wrapping. They are eventually going to break down the certification into specific groups so if you want to just get certified in wraps/vehicles or just walls/windows it will be a possibility.
 
jfiscus

jfiscus

Rap Master
Get a hold of Dan Nava at https://ibowtraining.com/ You can set up a class at his facility, or book him to come out to yours depending on the number of people attending the training. Have him coming out here in the next couple weeks for an in-house training day. My daughter attended his wrap training in Indianapolis and said it was very beneficial to her.
 
  • Agree
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Stacey K

Stacey K

I like making signs
If they are good at fleet installing then the transition shouldn't be too bad. Your concern with not using 3M materials - maybe switch over for now with certain "new" installs and once the guys are comfortable then you can experiment more? Would definitely open your business up to new opportunities - or regret LOL
 
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C

CanuckSigns

Active Member
Try something like the wrap institute, it's a ton of online videos by Justin Pate, he covers mostly wraps, but also covers the things you mentioned, it should be able to get them to a certain point and you can then evaluate how to proceed further
 
bob

bob

It's better to have two hands than one glove.
Training? 3M specific? Really? First, it's just not that difficult. If it were then the people that do it couldn't. There's no secret technique, no magic bean, just put the stuff on. You'll figure it out in short order. It's just not that hard to do. If it proves that difficult to anyone they might consider taking up tatting or something.

Second, vinyl is vinyl, other materials also are just other materials. It all goes on the same way regardless of who manufactured it. Every manufacturer believes that their product is special. They honestly believe this. But believing doesn't make it so. When applying it, it's pretty much all the same.
 
Texas_Signmaker

Texas_Signmaker

Very Active Signmaker
bob said:
Training? 3M specific? Really? First, it's just not that difficult. If it were then the people that do it couldn't. There's no secret technique, no magic bean, just put the stuff on. You'll figure it out in short order. It's just not that hard to do. If it proves that difficult to anyone they might consider taking up tatting or something.

Second, vinyl is vinyl, other materials also are just other materials. It all goes on the same way regardless of who manufactured it. Every manufacturer believes that their product is special. They honestly believe this. But believing doesn't make it so. When applying it, it's pretty much all the same.
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Most people don't know how to wrap or do wall correctly. They start a panel and hope it lines up straight and have no idea how to manipulate it if it get off. I only sub out to 3M certified installers now and it makes a difference.
 
Boudica

Boudica

I'm here for Educational Purposes
We blind ship a lot of wall paper murals all over the country for a customer. It's almost funny how often we have to reprint and ship orders because the wallpaper hanger screws it up. In the dumbest ways. Vinyl is more difficult than wall paper. Just saying....
 
Stacey K

Stacey K

I like making signs
Boudica said:
We blind ship a lot of wall paper murals all over the country for a customer. It's almost funny how often we have to reprint and ship orders because the wallpaper hanger screws it up. In the dumbest ways. Vinyl is more difficult than wall paper. Just saying....
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I agree with this. My family has hung lots and lots of wallpaper with the paste (my grandpa had a painting and decorating business). It was much easier than the vinyl. I hung 2 walls for my sister and one for myself with the vinyl...not quite as easy without the moveable paste and they never seem to line up perfectly. But it's less messy so, there's that...
 
Geneva Olson

Geneva Olson

Expert Storyteller
Boudica said:
We blind ship a lot of wall paper murals all over the country for a customer. It's almost funny how often we have to reprint and ship orders because the wallpaper hanger screws it up. In the dumbest ways. Vinyl is more difficult than wall paper. Just saying....
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That's so weird that you say that. We print on arlon 4200 for wallpaper all the time. I watch these home design shows where they are wallpapering rooms and they are unrolling and putting the liquid paste on the back and it looks awkward. It's seems so much easier to wrap a wall with my arlon wallpaper than actual wallpaper. I would totally make a mess and end up with glue everywhere.
 
4RE

4RE

New Member
bob said:
Training? 3M specific? Really? First, it's just not that difficult. If it were then the people that do it couldn't. There's no secret technique, no magic bean, just put the stuff on. You'll figure it out in short order. It's just not that hard to do. If it proves that difficult to anyone they might consider taking up tatting or something.

Second, vinyl is vinyl, other materials also are just other materials. It all goes on the same way regardless of who manufactured it. Every manufacturer believes that their product is special. They honestly believe this. But believing doesn't make it so. When applying it, it's pretty much all the same.
Click to expand...

oh I can do the work. I just was wanting to be snobby and flash 'credentials' when we open our shop. haha


Just saying, my man.
 
D

Dale D

New Member
Brian Campbell said:
Does anyone know of a good installer training program for printed wall graphics, vinyl, window film etc.... Wanting to send a couple of my guys to train. We are a small in-house sign shop and are getting a lot of requests for wall art and window film.

I found 3M does a 3-day class for wall, windows, floors and fleet, does anyone have experience with that program? I don't really need the fleet training, and don't know how much of the class will be 3M specific. We don't run very much 3M materials.
Click to expand...
Contact Kenny at GeekWraps in Ft Lauterdale Fl. He is a 3m certified classroom, offers a 3day class, a 5 day class and also does the 3 day 3m certification test. https://geekwraps.com/
 
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