Prop wrap vinyl by Iconography to make a gigantic stick of butter out of an ordinary cardboard box. It is true that everything is better with butter. And, the more butter the better!
This custom large display butter was made as a gift to welcome in new Rotarian District Governor Jim Paddock, who apparently is a big fan of butter.
These days, when you have a bit of imagination and a large format printer, you can make just about anything. These custom butter sticks were built by first making heavy cardboard boxes in the desired shapes. The butter wraps were designed by our in-house design staff, and then printed onto our standard adhesive-backed vinyl wrapping film. The vinyl wrap was then applied to the cardboard box shapes, and the result is what you see here – gigantic sticks of butter!
Prop Wraps and Other Vinyl Wrapped Objects
Vinyl wrapping is a versatile, semi-permanent, method to transform, protect, and add color to almost any smooth, non-porous surface, including furniture, electronics, and vehicles. Using heat-activated adhesive, it can be applied to some plastics, metal, and wood to create matte, metallic, or graphic finishes.
What is a “Prop”?
A prop (short for theatrical property) is any movable, inanimate object handled or used by an actor in a film, television show, or theatrical performance, such as weapons, tools, or furniture. Managed by a prop master, these items create realism, define character traits, and advance the story. It is anything that is not considered scenery, costumes, or electrical equipment. Props are generally held or used by actors, differentiating them from set dressing (items just in the background). They can be hand props (used by actors), set props (large items like furniture), or dressing props.Items include books, coffee mugs, swords, wands, weapons…and in this case, butter! They enhance storytelling, establish a scene and help build a believable world.
Key Objects for Vinyl Prop Wrapping
- Furniture & Home Decor: Kitchen cabinets, desks, tables, and refrigerators can be easily updated.
- Electronics & Gadgets: Laptops, phones, mice, and gaming consoles.
- Vehicles & Accessories: Cars, ATVs, motorcycles, and helmets.Miscellaneous: Guitars, hard plastic, glass, and mirrors.
Installation Considerations for All Vinyl Wraps
- Method: Transfer tape application is common for many surfaces and when the graphics are in pieces; heat guns are used to stretch and shape vinyl around curves.
- Durability: High-quality vinyl can last for years and is generally removable without leaving residue for up to 2 years.
- Surface Preparation: Surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of rust or chipped paint to ensure proper adhesion.
- Fixing Issues: Small bubbles can often be smoothed out with heat or will disappear on their own, while excessive tension can cause issues in deep recesses.
- Limitations: Not suitable for porous plastics that continually off-gas. Heavily textured, outdoor, and certain flooring surfaces require a special vinyl material and often a special laminate.
Common Materials & Finishes
- Finishes: Matte, gloss, satin, and textured. There are a wide range of materials from suppliers like Avery and 3M.
- Styles: Pop art, geometric, wood grain, carbon fiber, and camouflage.
- Products: Often sold as pre-cut sheets or rolls on platforms like Etsy and specialized 3M suppliers.
- Specialized Materials include:
- Cast Vinyl: Preferred for its 10-year durability and resistance to shrinking, making it ideal for permanent object customization.
- Nano-Coatings: Modern premium wraps often feature self-healing nano-coatings that automatically repair minor scratches from handling.
- Repositionable Adhesives: Products like those from Metamark or 3M use micro-structured adhesive systems that allow you to lift and move the vinyl multiple times during installation without losing stickiness.
For any unique wrap project, the process is just about the same as with our standard vehicle wrap and wall wrap projects, with the exception of possibly having to do a bit more work at the design stage to make sure we have everything sized correctly for printing and installation.
Have a unique project in mind? Chances are, we can make it happen! Check out some of the other interesting wrap projects we’ve done. Then give us a call at 562-424-4353 to discuss your idea!
