Toxic Rat by Nick Caminiti, a car wrap installer at Exotic Graphix, was named the King of the Wrap World in the ‘Wrap Like a King’ Challenge at the 2016 SEMA Show. Caminiti competed against 223 installers from 21 countries to earn the title of King of the Wrap World 2016.
‘As soon as Richard Rawlings announced my name I couldn’t believe it,’ said Caminiti. ‘My team and I at Exotic Graphix worked so hard to design a unique, creative, and technically challenging wrap. It’s an honour to be recognised as the 2016 King of the Wrap World and the first king of our region for our hard work and effort. I’d like to thank my family and friends, especially my wife, for all their support. We can’t wait to take the trophy home to Australia and show it off.’
Caminiti used Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film Diamond Silver with DOL 1460 overlaminate film to complete his entry in the Challenge. According to Caminiti, the entry’s design was inspired by the 1960’s and the printed film created a look that would not be possible with custom paint. To achieve the Toxic Rat design on the back of the car, the rat was airbrushed and scanned in high definition, before it was printed on the DOL 1460 overlaminate. In addition to it’s exterior, the inside of the 1930 Ford Tudor was wrapped to give the entry a cohesive look.
Caminiti’s King of the Wrap World prize package includes a three-night stay in Las Vegas to attend the SEMA show, an Avery Dennison Wrap Class of his choice, a 170.18cm (67”) Race Ramp product and Wrap Like a King swag. In addition, he will receive a R14374,05 ($1000) cash prize, a King of the Wrap World trophy, and marketing support from Avery Dennison. This support includes Facebook ads, exposure on the Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions Website, and a print ad in a trade show publication. The complete prize package is valued at almost R71870,24 ($5000).
A panel of eight industry judges chose the King of the Wrap World as well as regional kings from the West, Midwest, East, South, Canada, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand regions. The 2016 Challenge judges included Justin Pate, Molly Waters, Myles Kovacs, Peter Wright, Vilmar Klok, Nuno Gomes, and Hans Bruins.
‘It was great to see such a high level of workmanship and effort in this year’s entries. The competition was tight among the eight regional winners, but Caminiti’s entry really stood out,’ said Wright, Wrap Like a King judge and technical marketing manager, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Australia/New Zealand. ‘As a first time judge, I just want to say, ‘It’s harder than it looks!’ The panel had a difficult time, but Caminiti deserved every vote and the ultimate crown.’
The judges evaluated 224 total submissions based on the criteria of visual transformation (difference between the before and after pictures submitted), quality and skill level of installation, overall public look and appeal, and uniqueness of the design.
All of the 2016 Wrap Like a King entries, official rules, judges and prize information can be found on wraplikeaking.com.
