Graphic Detail

By: Marshal Spiegel

Photos By: Marshall Spiegel

Adding a bit of flair to a Ford F-150 with vinyl graphics from Permanent Impressions.

It would be great if we could all afford to pay Chip Foose to design a custom paint scheme for our trucks. But the fact is that most of us can’t even afford a set of his wheels, let alone paying for his services. Nevertheless, it would be great if we could easily add some type of graphic to differentiate our trucks from the norm.

One of the easiest ways to add some graphics is by using vinyl. But if you remember vinyl graphics as large triangles and stripes that are made from neon colors which are prominently displayed on mini-trucks, you haven’t kept up to date. Vinyl graphics are now used on new vehicles from the manufacturer, including the Ford Harley Davidson Edition trucks and several others.

Vinyl graphics have been around for a long time, but it too has evolved with thinner materials that have a wider range of colors. Computer-generated vinyl graphics also allow for more intricate designs that could not be done in the past. Furthermore, some vinyl products also adhere better and resist fading from exposure to the sun.

Despite all of the advances in vinyl graphics they are as diverse as the people who can come up with the designs. Everything from flames to tribal designs is possible and we wanted to upgrade a truck with vinyl to see how drastically it can alter its appearance. We took a bright red 2002 Ford F-150 over to Permanent Impressions, a graphics studio in Huntington Beach, California. The owner wanted a tribal band design applied to the truck in a combination of black and silver. The results were impressive and the steps it took to create the design will give you an idea of the process.

Permanent Impressions art director Joey Riera puts his plotter to work, cutting the vinyl for the Tribal Band graphic.

Governed by its computer and the design previously entered into it, the plotter proceeds to cut the vinyl.

Emigdio Perez “weeds” the black vinyl section, separating the perfectly trimmed design from the excess vinyl.

Perez extracts the finished graphic carefully and skillfully from its vinyl base.

The ’02 Ford F-150 awaits the application in the natural light in front of the Permanent Impressions building. It was previously washed and cleaned to create a good surface for the vinyl to stick to.

Perez encases the finished black vinyl section in transfer tape so he can apply the graphic to the vehicle.

The company’s applicator, Matt Murphy, begins the tedious task of applying the black section of the Tribal Band Graphic.

Murphy and Perez painstakingly lay the vinyl section on the passenger side front fender so it is level and positioned exactly.

Satisfied that the graphic within the transfer tape is perfectly positioned, Spencer Watzke begins to peel the black section of the graphic.

Perez carefully trims the graphic around the truck’s emblems and door openings.

The vinyl graphic is massaged permanently and smoothly into place and all air bubbles are removed.

The silver section of vinyl is permanently positioned above the black section.

Although it is impossible to see both sides at the same time, great pains are taken to be sure the graphics are positioned exactly the same on both sides of the truck.

Unlike custom paint, vinyl graphics can appear exactly the same on several vehicles. However, the customer can specify whatever colors he desires so he can be different from the next guy.