Paige Walton, founder of The Vehicle Wrapping Academy
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.”
Having stumbled from job to job in her early career, by 20 years old, Paige found car wrapping second nature.
Paige 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
Ben taking part in the wrapping academy
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.
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 re-assembling 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 a did a better job on the mirror, but again by this point I had several hours of practice under my belt and regular tips and tricks from Paige as I had worked so of course, I was going to improve.
About my efforts, Paige said: “Considering you missed day one, and that’s the most important day. I think you did really well.
“You were a very good listener because you stood there and you took it all in. You’re a good learner.”
The report
Ben wrapping a car wing mirror
But a student is only as good as their teacher and Paige thankfully has a lot of experience.
She said: “I have had hundreds of people through my doors. I couldn’t tell you.
I run my three-day extensive course every other month, but in the middle of that I book one-to-one sessions with me and then in between all of that I also work for Metamark leading their education.
“So I couldn’t even tell you a number because on some of the training courses I might rock up and there’s 30 people on a course. Per year I’ve probably trained I don’t know sometimes like four to 500 people.”
Paige also works with children through alternative education methods for Essex County Council.
She explained: “The council asked me if I would provide for young people either special educational needs or education access. They just don’t get along in mainstream education for whatever reason, and obviously having such a practical environment, I said yes.
“I’ve never regretted it. It’s a good part of what I do, and I am the only alternative provider of education in the whole of the UK in this industry.
“I knew as soon as the opportunity come around, I knew it was going to be a fulfilling job role. It fills the heart when you can help a child.
“Even if it’s not teaching them how to wrap or a career path, it’s finding themselves or finding out that they can do something.
“It’s by far the hardest part of everything else that I do, but there’s nothing like changing someone’s life, right? It’s amazing.”
Being at the Wrapping Academy for only a day I did feel myself getting more competent. I’m not quite ready to take on a paid job yet but now I would happily try again in the future and this time maybe not leave a bubble or burn my hand or a hole through the material.
Paige was an incredible teacher with lots of experience and to hear all the work she does outside of the industry for others just shows with the right passion and dedication anyone can do anything; it just helps to get pointers from the right people.
