Discover how collaboration, custom color matching, premium 3M materials, and expert craftsmanship transformed six commercial vehicles into a cohesive fleet that reflects Lombardi's Catering Company's trusted brand.

When most people see a beautifully wrapped commercial vehicle, they notice the finished product. The graphics are vibrant, the branding is consistent, and the vehicle instantly communicates professionalism.

What they rarely see is everything that happens before the first piece of vinyl is installed.

Exceptional fleet graphics aren't created by simply pressing "Print." They're the result of careful planning, collaboration, material selection, color management, production expertise, and skilled installation. Every decision along the way contributes to how the finished fleet represents a company's brand.

That philosophy guided our recent fleet refresh for Lombardi's Catering Company, where our team partnered closely with both the client and their design firm to produce six fully wrapped vehicles that accurately reflected their established brand. While the finished fleet is certainly eye-catching, the real story lies in the process—and it's that process that separates a professionally branded fleet from one that's merely wrapped.

About Lombardi's Catering Company

For more than two decades, Lombardi's Catering Company has built a reputation throughout the North Bay for exceptional barbecue, catering, and memorable events. Whether serving weddings, corporate gatherings, community celebrations, or private parties, their brand has become synonymous with quality, hospitality, and attention to detail.

When it came time to refresh their fleet, maintaining that trusted brand identity was every bit as important as updating the vehicles themselves.

A fleet vehicle isn't just transportation—it's a moving billboard. Every mile driven, every catering event, and every stoplight creates another opportunity to reinforce a company's image. For an established business like Lombardi's, consistency matters.

Fleet Graphics Are One of the Highest-ROI Marketing Investments

Unlike many forms of advertising that disappear when the campaign ends, fleet graphics continue working every day your vehicles are on the road.

Commercial vehicle wraps generate thousands of impressions daily while reinforcing brand recognition throughout the communities you serve. Whether a customer sees your vehicle parked at an event, driving through town, or arriving at a client's location, your branding is working around the clock.

Fleet graphics also offer several long-term advantages:

• Increase brand recognition

• Build credibility and professionalism

• Create consistent marketing across multiple vehicles

• Protect original paint beneath the wrap

• Deliver years of advertising without recurring media costs

For businesses that depend on local visibility, fleet graphics often become one of the most cost-effective marketing investments they make.

Collaboration Begins Long Before Production

One of the biggest misconceptions about vehicle wraps is that production begins once the artwork is approved.

In reality, that's often where the most important conversations begin.

For this project, our team worked closely with Lombardi's and their design firm to ensure every element translated successfully from digital artwork to real-world vehicles.

Vehicle wraps present challenges that don't exist in traditional print design. Colors behave differently on vinyl than they do on a computer monitor. Curved vehicle panels alter perception. Different lighting conditions can dramatically affect how colors appear outdoors.

Rather than accepting "close enough," everyone involved committed to getting it exactly right.

That collaborative approach became one of the defining characteristics of this project.

The Biggest Challenge Wasn't Installation—It Was Color

Surprisingly, the most technically demanding part of this project had nothing to do with wrapping six vehicles.

It was achieving the perfect gray.

The desired color couldn't be reproduced simply by selecting an existing swatch from a color book. Even standard print profiles couldn't deliver the exact appearance envisioned by the client and design team.

Instead of compromising, we invested the time necessary to develop a custom solution.

Numerous color books were reviewed.

Multiple print swatches were produced.

Custom color adjustments were created.

Each sample was evaluated on the exact material that would be used during production.

Only after everyone agreed the color faithfully represented the brand did full production begin.

That extra effort isn't something most people notice when they see the finished fleet—but it's exactly the kind of craftsmanship that makes the difference.

Why We Print Color Proofs on the Actual Wrap Material

One of the most overlooked aspects of professional vehicle graphics is proofing.

A color displayed on a computer monitor is created using light.

Printed graphics are created with ink.

Those two processes behave very differently.

Even when using high-quality design software, colors can shift depending on:

• The printer

• Ink set

• Vinyl being used

• Laminate

• Ambient lighting

• Viewing angle

That's why we don't rely solely on digital proofs.

For Lombardi's project, every approval sample was printed on 3M IJ180 premium cast wrap film—the exact material that would ultimately be installed on the fleet.

Doing so allowed everyone to evaluate the actual finished appearance rather than making assumptions from a computer screen.

It's a simple step that prevents expensive surprises later.

Why Premium Materials Matter

Every fleet wrap represents a significant investment.

Choosing premium materials helps protect that investment for years to come.

3M IJ180 Premium Cast Wrap Film

For this project, we selected 3M IJ180, one of the most respected premium cast wrap films available.

Its benefits include:

• Outstanding conformability around curves and complex vehicle contours

• Excellent print quality

• Long-term dimensional stability

• Professional installation characteristics

• Proven durability for commercial fleets

Premium cast films like IJ180 are engineered specifically for demanding vehicle applications where long-term performance matters.

3M 8518 Cast Gloss Laminate

Printing beautiful graphics is only half the equation.

Protecting them is equally important.

Every Lombardi's vehicle was finished with 3M 8518 Cast Gloss Laminate, providing:

• UV protection

• Scratch resistance

• Chemical resistance

• Enhanced gloss

• Improved color retention

• Longer service life

Think of laminate as a protective shield for the printed graphics.

Without it, even the highest-quality prints can fade, scratch, or deteriorate prematurely.

Why We Wrapped the Entire Vehicle—Including the Roof

This wasn't a project consisting of simple door logos or partial graphics.

Each vehicle received a complete wrap—including the roof.

A full wrap provides several advantages:

• Maximum advertising space

• Stronger visual impact

• Better color consistency

• A more premium appearance

• Visibility from elevated viewpoints, parking structures, and surrounding buildings

For businesses that spend every day on the road, every additional square foot of branding creates another opportunity to make an impression.

The Challenge of Branding a Mixed Fleet

Fleet branding becomes even more complex when multiple vehicle types are involved.

Different models feature different body lines, window placements, panel sizes, and roof heights.

Creating consistency across those differences requires careful planning.

Graphics must be adjusted without appearing inconsistent.

Logo proportions must remain visually balanced.

Colors must remain identical regardless of production timing.

When complete, every vehicle should look like part of the same professional fleet—even if the vehicles themselves differ.

That's exactly what we set out to achieve.

Quality Is Built Into Every Step

What many customers never see is the amount of quality control built into every project.

Before installation begins, our team has already invested significant time reviewing artwork, evaluating production files, selecting appropriate materials, printing proofs, inspecting output, and preparing every panel for installation.

Professional fleet graphics aren't the result of shortcuts.

They're the result of a disciplined process that prioritizes consistency from beginning to end.

Caring for a Wrapped Fleet

A professionally installed fleet wrap is designed to provide years of service, but proper care helps maximize its lifespan.

We recommend:

• Washing vehicles regularly with mild automotive soap.

• Avoiding abrasive brushes or harsh chemicals.

• Removing bird droppings and tree sap promptly.

• Pressure washing with appropriate distance and pressure settings.

• Parking in shaded areas whenever practical to reduce prolonged UV exposure.

Routine maintenance keeps graphics looking vibrant while protecting the client's investment.

What This Project Teaches Business Owners

One of the biggest lessons from this project is that exceptional fleet branding isn't defined by the installation alone.

It's defined by the decisions made long before installation begins.

Material selection.

Color management.

Collaboration.

Proofing.

Quality control.

These details may not be obvious to someone walking past a finished vehicle, but they're exactly what separates an average fleet wrap from one that strengthens a company's brand for years to come.

If your business relies on vehicles to reach customers, your fleet deserves the same attention to detail that you invest in your products, services, and customer experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do premium fleet wraps typically last?

When produced with premium cast vinyl and quality laminate, professionally installed fleet wraps can provide many years of excellent appearance when properly maintained.

Why not simply use the closest Pantone color?

Not every Pantone color reproduces accurately through large-format digital printing. Custom proofing often delivers a more faithful representation of a brand's desired appearance.

Why does laminate matter?

Laminate protects printed graphics from UV exposure, scratches, chemicals, and everyday wear while helping preserve color over time.

Are full wraps better than partial wraps?

It depends on your goals. Full wraps maximize branding, create a premium appearance, and provide the greatest visual impact.

Can wrapped vehicles be washed?

Yes. Proper washing techniques help maintain the appearance and longevity of the graphics.

Ready to Refresh Your Fleet?

Whether you're updating one service vehicle or an entire commercial fleet, every project deserves the same level of planning, collaboration, and craftsmanship.

At Signarama, we work alongside business owners, marketing teams, and design professionals to create fleet graphics that do more than look impressive—they reinforce your brand every mile of the journey.

From custom color development and premium 3M materials to expert installation and long-term durability, we're committed to delivering fleet graphics that are built to perform and built to last.

If you're considering a fleet refresh, we'd love to help bring your vision to life.

Contact Signarama today to schedule a consultation and discover how professionally designed fleet graphics can transform your vehicles into one of your company's most valuable marketing assets.