Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1484533
maximizes the shop's profitability by pro- viding unsupervised roll-to-roll laminat- ing, adjustable speed, and very limited waste when loading media. A Generac water-cooled backup generator sits quiet- ly in the background, waiting to serve as reliable standby power for the entire fa- cility should the southern heat prove too strong for the electrical grid. RAISING THE BAR Montemurro says a lower barrier to en- try and price slashing undoubtedly opened the door for amateurs to diminish quali- ty in the graphics industry. However, he believes quality name brands and proven expertise always turn out to be a winning differentiator. The owner touts Avery and KPMF as premium suppliers and "awesome part- ners," stressing how the former, in particu- lar, offers notable printing variety — from matte and satin to gloss black finishes and more. "The prints, install, and longevity of the product are all great," he says. In addition to offering premium prod- ucts, all Atlantic Pinstriping & Vehicle Wraps technicians are Avery and Lowen certified, as well as 3M preferred installers. The certification holds a shop to a high- er standard, Montemurro emphasizes. The business also hosts four Avery class- es per year on-site, two of which award certifications to attendees. Such educa- tion, he says, separates amateurs from professionals. "If you don't have the skill sets to pass these tests, then you get failed — plain and simple," he says. "When customers see you're an Avery-level installer, they know [they're receiving] quality at the highest degree." Case in point: experienced technicians know if a product comes into contact with extreme heat or is overstretched in areas, its lifespan could be affected. The biggest impact is the costly damage to the vehi- cle if the product is not installed correct- ly, including excessive glue, knife cuts, or chips in the paint. "One customer decided to have a vehi- cle wrapped by my competition because it was $150 cheaper," says Montemurro. 1 8 G R A P H I C S P R O • D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M