I’ll take a Wrap and a Giant Hot Dog Please

This project allowed us to meld two of our skills, vehicle wraps and 3D Sign Making,  into one “unique” looking vehicle.  Our client Callahan’s Hot Dogs in Norwood was in need of a new vehicle wrap to match their now famous Hot Dog Truck. So Nanette dove into the design then Dan called and asked… “Can you build a giant hot dog for the top of the van?”. Of course I said yes

This is how we did it.

First the new design was created for the wrap. As the guys are working on this we’ll have the guys in fabrication building the hot dog.

Callahans-Proof Small

 

We started with the logo and converted it into a 3D file in Enroute Pro. Then sized it up and split it into two parts. We’ll cut the hot dog in slices so we can build a “skeleton” inside of it. This is important – we need this to be strong and solid as it cruises down the highway.

282

Peter has the foam pieces laid out and will begin building the aluminum structure that will hold this all together.

286

 

 

Meanwhile…. back in the “wrap room” Rad and Greg are cranking out the install.

297

292

296 293

We are really customizing this one – all lettering has been removed from the van and we’ll replace them with the name of the van “Minibeast”. we also removed the Ford emblems and fabricated custom emblems that tread “Since 1950″. we cut the letters of out PVC and will paint them metallic with our PPG Paint System.

294

The emblems are cut from PVC then painted metallic. We then printed the graphic directly to the emblem plate.   Once printed we clear coated them.299 300 303

329

Peter has the basics done and he’s ready to test the sizing of the hot dog. 309 318

I’m in the paint room customizing the hubcaps!

328

331

332

334

 

Dan stopped by for an inspection of the wrap – He’s a little anxious to get that Callahan’s hot dog on there! Don’t worry – it’s coming.

345

Holin and Peter have the dog coated with AquaResin, sanded and ready for paint.  We’ll spray prime it and paint the base color then hand paint the details.

377

391

400

 

403

410

Uh oh – can’t get it out the door…. No we got it.

417

Time for the install.        433 442 All good.  (now we have to light it up). And again – I’m hungry.

551

543

– Steve

Published with permission from KDF Custom Graphics. Source.

Callahan’s Hot Dogs – Food Truck Wrap

If you’re from NJ there’s a good chance you have great memories of Callahan’s Hot Dogs.  Callahan’s Hot Dogs has been a staple in NJ since 1950.  Unfortunately they closed their doors about seven years ago.But the grandson of founder Leonard “Artie” Castranni, had big plans for the beloved hot dog business.  Daniel DeMiglio, being a smart entrepreneur decided to resurrect the brand…and take it mobile with a food truck.

Daniel contacted KDF for the branding and design on the food truck – and we were pumped! We had a short time to get it designed, printed and installed for the big debut.  we got it in right under the wire. Nanette jumped right on the design and nailed it – Rad got the vinyl done just in time.

We were proud to work with such an iconic “NJ” brand and extremely happy that Daniel has brought back Callahan’s! If you see this truck YOU MUST STOP FOR A HOT DOG!

Best of luck – Daniel.  Welcome Back Callahans – you’ve been missed!

– Steve

We started with this…

IMG_7592
TILE MAP-Small

And Here it is!photo 1 photo 2 photo 3

photo 4

Published with permission from KDF Custom Graphics. Source.