In the Crease

The guys at Greensboro, North Carolina-based Matthews Mobile Media have been loyal fans of the Carolina Hurricanes professional hockey team for years, and even got to know the team before they left Greensboro to skate in Raleigh. Owner Brad Matthews kept in contact with the Hurricanes, which led to a chance to wrap one of the team’s vans.

It was a dream job for the Matthews team, with all six designers working on the wrap in some way. “Our installers took a lot of pride, knowing that it was for a pro hockey team,” says Matthews general manager Eddie Gafford. “It was an honor for us to do it.” Artwork was provided by the Hurricanes, but Matthews designer Stuart Cummings still took a special trip up to Raleigh to measure the uniquely shaped Chevy van.

Output was on a Mimaki JV5-160 with 3M IJ 180 CV3 vinyl and 3M 8518 laminate. The installation was a standard one-day affair, and the only tricky point came with trying to integrate an image of team mascot Stormy on the roof. But it was all worth it when Stormy himself stopped by Matthews to pick up the vehicle, which he’ll use for promotions and appearances.