how to use vinyl graphics

Stick it up. Don't flinch. No sudden movements and everything will be fine. Follow the directions, real easy-like. Do the "A" next, but be careful to get it straight because it's nearly impossible to take off once it's on. That's good, real good. Now back away real slow-like and see what you've just done. Ain't she perty.

The words "Snowbelt Racing Inc." have just been applied to a racing sled by a Young America, Minnesota racer trying to promote his image. Meanwhile, Dan Raustad of Daniel Paul's of Maple Lake, Minnesota, designs vinyl graphics for a 53-foot long enclosed snowmobile trailer, again promoting image.

In a world where billions of daily first impressions are based on appearance, it's important to look the best. A little dash of color, blended with the right mix of creativity, will have passersby turning their heads and saying, "There's a distinguished sledder." The emphasis on appearance in the snowmobiling world has grown mostly out of individual efforts. Until the last five to 10 years, manufacturers dressed their sleds with a few dull lines. Even though sleds fresh off the assembly line have greatly improved graphics, individuals see the need to distinguish themselves with personalized graphics.

"Snowmobilers like to personalize their sleds so they're not the same as 50 others coming out of the barn," says Mark Polski, owner of Lettertech, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based vinyl graphics company. That's why many sledders are turning to vinyl graphic specialists such as Daniel Paul's, Lettertech and Action Graphics, all of Minnesota.

Of course sledders may still have graphics painted on, but vinyl, in-short, has unmatched durability, changeability, flexibility and reliability. Take it from Polski when he says, "There are many advantages of vinyl- longevity, durability and it usually doesn't chip, peal or fade. Plus it's easy to repair if you ruin it. Without a doubt, vinyl gives you a good clean look."

Step into Polski's St. Paul shop and experience the realm of vinyl graphics. Over a half dozen poster-sized boards display type styles, designs and color schemes or icons. One icon features a purple silhouette of a trail rider outlined in teal blue. On the floor is a helmet which displays more samples. After a session of gazing at the vast selection, lean against the oak-paneled counter and select from fifty-four colors- including metallics, reflectives and neons- and over 150 type styles. To get an idea of what others have done, Polski encourages customers to page through a photo album that showcases his work. "Most people get their names or pin stripping," he says, "but we do just about anything you can think of. It's kind of a buffet." Make a selection and let the magic begin.The 12-year graphics veteran goes to the back room with an idea. He duplicates a design on the computer, sends a message to a cutter and walks out of the room with a two-ply vinyl sheet that has an image cut into one layer.

Vinyl which is not part of the image is pealed away, leaving (in simple terms) a sticker with backing. The face of the sticker is covered with tape that will later help in application.Applying the image to another surface is relatively simple. Peel the backing off the sticker and position the graphic while holding onto the tape. Place the image, smooth it onto the surface and lift the tape. For those with less than steady hands, Polski will apply the graphics. It's nearly fool proof. Even large trailer graphics go on easily. One of Polski's largest images is a 16' x 18', Arctic Cat-Green Silhouette of a racer applied to a black trailer.

As more and more racers and recreational snowmobilers are using enclosed trailers, trailer graphics are growing in popularity. Gary Walton, owner of Action Graphics of Brainerd, Minnesota specializes in race vehicles, trucks and trailers. In fact, that is the bulk of his day-to-day business. His two-year-old business grew out of his love for racing. "My first love outside of everyday life is racing," he claims. "Everyone that races likes speed and wants to look professional and fast. We're not above that so we want to help everyone with that look."

Because of his background as a photographer with a graphic arts degree, Walton knows how to capture a special look. His experience has helped him land contracts with Todd Wolff, Steve Houle and multiple I-500 winners Jack Struthers and Kirk Hibbert.

If word-of-mouth still holds credibility, listen to what Hibbert, two-time I-500 winner has to say about trailer graphics: "I knew Gary Walton and he offered to do graphics on my trailer. It has the Arctic Cat logo, my name and some accomplishments. I guess we're trying to make a nice-looking show," he laughs. "I think a nice-looking trailer helps in getting more sponsors."

Another believer in trailer graphics is Jim Dimmerman of Dimmerman Bros. Forest Lake Arctic Cat Inc. (Forest Lake, Minnesota). Dimmerman, who races speed runs for Arctic Cat, says representing the manufacturer is an unwritten criteria. "It's like auto racing. If you're sponsored by Bud you're going to make your car look like a beer can. If you're sponsored by Arctic Cat you're going to use the Arctic Cat logo." Spanning the side of his 30-foot trailer is an Arctic Cat FasTrack Logo with a Dimmerman Logo incorporated into it. According to Dimmerman, the work has to meet Arctic Cat's standards as well as his own.

Other sponsors represented include Black Magic, Roetin, Land and Sea and Top Trailers. "We represent our companies so we have to do it well. That's why we use Daniel Paul's," he adds. "Arctic Cat's Lime Green and Salmon is matched perfectly. Some people comment on what it costs. It costs what it cost to do it correctly."

Originally an artist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and a sign painter, Raustad is pleased to have racers like Dimmerman display his graphics on trailers, sleds, helmets or anywhere, especially since new laws have hindered his, Polski's and Walton's graphics businesses. Until this year, the three Minnesota artists focused their efforts on customizing snowmobile registration numbers that matched manufacturer's graphics. Making and selling decals was secondary. Recently however, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources changed the system to require all snowmobilers to use uniform, black and white, DNR-issued registration numbers. Minnesota vinyl artists are frustrated. "We had a lot of customers who would rather have registration the old way instead of the new way," say Polski. Still the law remains. Polski, Raustad and Walton have to find new ways to promote their businesses. Luckily they have a nationwide clientele and still customize boat registration stickers. Luckily snowmobile racers and recreational snowmobilers are placing an increased emphasis on personalizing their sleds, helmets and trailers with vinyl graphics.

As the demand for graphics shifts, graphic artists are taking a new outlook. "When someone calls to have us do a trailer we get revved-up about it," says Walton. "We know that our work will be seen all winter. It's like a racer getting a sponsor or winning big races."