Special Report


WRAPPED UP: FROM NOVICE TO KNOWLEDGEABLE


VEHICLE WRAPPING IS A DELICATE ART AND FOR SOME THEY WOULDN’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. LUCKILY THERE ARE EXPERIENCED HEADS ON HAND TO HELP GUIDE NEWBIES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. ACTING EDITOR, BENJAMIN AUSTIN, VISITED PAIGE


WALTON, OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WRAPPING ACADEMY AS HE TOOK STEPS INTO BECOMING THE NEXT GREAT VEHICLE WRAPPER.


I have been writing in this industry for almost two years now, having learned much about the business. To ensure I learnt as quickly as possible I have been more than happy to throw myself into any activity I could find, which for better or for worse has led to a few minor scars, scrapes and injuries. Having tried vehicle wrapping at the previous two Sign & Digital UK shows, I found what I may show in enthusiasm, I was lacking in skill. One judge very kindly called my work “unique” as it was quite literally irreplicable.


Euphemistic language aside I was determined to get better. And that’s when we met Paige Walton. Working with Metamark on the company’s stand at the show. We got talking and she explained how she runs a vehicle wrapping academy from her headquarters in Norfolk. Where better therefore, to learn the tricks of the trade than at The Vehicle Wrapping Academy.


THE TEACHER Paige has run these sessions for more than seven years now, hosting three-day intensive courses every other month.


She said: “When I was learning, I had no one to go to. I didn’t know whether something was right or wrong. So, I decided to create a training academy and bridge the gap between companies that needed the workers.


“My main aim was to create a place where people could come to learn properly with confidence and learn the skill of vehicle wrapping and that is where it all started.”


Ben taking part in the academy THE TEST


A quick 10-minute demonstration perhaps made it look easier than it was, but I went into my first attempt optimistic. Within minutes however I ran into an issue and after trying my best to rectify it, I ended up needing to start again. While restarting I had realised where I went wrong reflecting on Paige’s original demonstration. With that, and with some more experience behind me, I made a far more impressive job, but I must say my tongue got quite the work out after I caught myself sticking it out more than once. A couple of hours of wrapping the handle we all


went for lunch before reassembling to go again, this time with a wing mirror. Once again, a short demo from Paige was followed


by getting hands-on with the work. Though it took me longer, I found this part easier and personally I feel I did a better job on the mirror,


18 | August/September 2026 Having stumbled from job to job in her early career,


by 20 years old, Paige found car wrapping second nature.


She said: “When I got my hands on a piece of


vinyl, I really got it. I understood it. “It takes a certain type of person to do this job, you must have that attention for detail.” Admittedly I am not one of these people but having decided to get better at wrapping I had to persevere.


THE LESSON I joined Paige on the second day of her three-day course with three other students already deep into panel wrapping. Paige explained: “I’ll do a demonstration and then


I’ll say, “right, you’ve got an hour, you’ve got an hour and a half, you’ve got two hours, whatever that is.” And within that time, move on to something else. Try something else.


“This is a practical skill. I cannot sit here and teach anyone just by talking to them. They have to feel the materials, and they need to make mistakes to know where they’ve gone wrong so they can rectify it. “It is essential they get hands-on and do it themselves. I like to give them time. So, not just to do it once. I think it’s important to do it maybe two or three times. “That’s the good thing about a place like this, people are coming in to learn. So, if they do mess up, they can if they want, start again straight away.” Being day two I had some catching up to do so I huddled in while Paige demonstrated wrapping a door handle.


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