Heritage Meets Horsepower in Custom Wrap for Competitive Pulling Tractor

WHEN CANTON, OHIO-BASED ALD Decal & Graphics set out to create show-stopping pulling tractor with a partial wrap for a modified John Deere 5010, they knew they needed more than just horsepower. They needed a bold, eye-catching design to match for client Hawk Metal Designs.

Enter Dirk Rozich of D’sign Elixir, whose deep-rooted connection to the John Deere 5010 made him the perfect artist for the job. What started as a personal passion project evolved into an award-winning wide-format print installation that masterfully blends history, innovation, and cutting-edge technology.

It’s a wrap that tells a story. The job was to cover the sides and front of the tractor while seamlessly blending the graphics with the iconic John Deere green. The design wasn’t just about aesthetics — it told the story of the Hawk family’s history, from discovering oil beneath their farm to using those funds to build a fully customized tractor for competitive pulling.

Precision printing and installation were key to success. With approximately 130 square feet of 3M IJ180mC-10 vinyl and 3M Envision 8548G Gloss Laminate, the wrap was printed using an HP Latex 700 wide-format printer with 3M MCS warrantied 832 latex inks. The applied vinyl was a perfect material to handle the extreme temperature shifts and wear-and-tear of competitive pulling.

The finishing touches included a reimagined John Deere logo and nameplates, die-cut with precision on a Zund L-2500CV. Every detail had to be meticulously placed to ensure the design flowed seamlessly across the tractor’s panels.

One of the greatest challenges was ensuring the wrap blended perfectly with the tractor’s original paint — a feat requiring both technical expertise and creative finesse. Blending innovation with emotion was the goal. What truly set this project apart was the emotional connection: the tractor once belonged to Rozich’s grandfather, Ronald Brunner. Decades later, fate reunited Rozich with this cherished machine, allowing him to leave his artistic mark on a piece of family history.

With its flawless execution and heartfelt backstory, this project exemplifies the power of wide-format digital printing — not just as a tool for branding, but as a medium for storytelling.

PHOTO GALLERY (8 IMAGES)