Wide Format Imaging

For many wide-format imaging companies, installation is a large and crucial part of the overall job of producing graphics. In a way, the installation aspect of servicing a client's order can be likened to the all-important final leg of a relay race, said Charles Uyleman, director of installations for SuperGraphics.

"It starts with the salesperson and the account management group, who get the ball rolling," Uyleman said. "It goes to design, then to proof approvals, then into production, post-production, and finally shipping. And the installer is the anchor on that relay team. We're the guys who have to go to the finish line. When we're done, the client either says, 'Wow!' or 'That's not what I wanted.'"

According to Nathan Franzblau, president of the Professional Decal Application Association (PDAA) and president of Graphics Application Systems, digitally produced vinyl wraps are among the most popular and visible installations. But installers are also responsible for affixing straight vinyl graphics to vehicles, buildings and floors, and putting up point-of-purchase signage, static signs affixed to posts and banners suspended from buildings.

"Film manufacturers like Avery or 3M come to those meetings to present their materials, and their technical information," Franzblau said. "We also gather to share installation technology, tools and techniques among ourselves. In addition, the association has a membership of master installers. These are installers certified by the association and the national film manufacturers, having been certified as having achieved a specified level of competency and skills in installing vinyl."

The Reasons for Outsourcing

Staffing advantages are at the top of the list of benefits derived from outsourcing installation services, Franzblau said. "You don't have the manpower overhead," he said. "You don't have to have these trained, specialized individuals on the payroll. We believe a trained installer requires a significant amount of hands-on training. And that training needs to be supplied by someone. If you have the ability to train these people, that would be ideal. But if you don't have the ability to train in-house installers, you may be better off calling a company like ours, or any member of the PDAA."

It's also difficult for most companies to keep a staff of in-house personnel that can travel throughout the US. If a printing firm obtains a national account and has to provide graphics all over the country, it generally must look outside its own staff to perform the work in a reasonable period.

By outsourcing the installation, printers also are able to determine their costs upfront. "It is cost effective because you fix all your costs," Franzblau said. "Just the cost of liability insurance could be significant, because of liability in the field. If you're working at a gas station, for instance, there is a lot of insurance required simply to be on the site. And all of your costs of travel and labor are fixed in a number prior to the work. If you send your own employees you have to pay for travel, housing, meals and tools, and these are all costs that can be avoided by going to an outsource type of situation. The printer knows what his costs will be."