Firm stays afloat in Central Texas drought

In only a few years, Four Points–based Wake Graphics, a business specializing in custom and predesigned decorative wraps for boats and other vehicles, has matured into an international company.

Kingsville native Mario R. Perez said he started Wake Graphics at one of the lowest points in his life. After losing his job as an electrical engineer and dealing with a divorce, Perez went out on a limb to start a Web-based business in graphic design, he said.

"That [job loss] was a blessing," Perez said. "I had to get into hustle mode."

He used his resources and contacts to get his first clients—home health agencies that needed medical website design. For Perez, the job paid the bills, but he said that he wanted to use a more creative side of his brain. Living at the lake on Comanche Trail and working out of his home, he would frequently go out on his boat to relax.

In 2010, Perez said he went to the Austin Boat Show and realized he could combine his experience in creating graphics with his love of boats. He said that there were not any vendors at the show making graphic wraps for boats, but he heard some people were wrapping boats in California.

Perez said he had seen logos on fishing boats, but the designs would peel and crack. He found a vinyl wrap product and created a website to sell his idea, he said.

Although Perez keeps an inventory of predesigned templates for a variety of boats, he said that most customers request custom wraps. For these clients, Perez said he creates a vector-based design using the marine model specifications. He said he digitally prints the design with a 54-inch wide printer and exterior-grade, ultraviolet-resistant ink. The wrap is produced on a removable vinyl film made by 3M Corp., he said. Finally, he said the wrap is laminated with a protective film to ensure its beauty while protecting against the sun and saltwater.

"A lot of people thought the wraps were just a paint job," Perez said about the early days of Wake Graphics. "But it was advertising on the water. I got some of my first business that way."

These days, Perez said he uses resources in Argentina and the Philippines to help with illustrations and design.

"Within the last two to three years, there are more people wanting to do something different with their boats," Perez said. "And wraps give used boat owners another option to make their boat look good."

Perez said that it usually takes a day or two to wrap a boat. His wraps typically last five to seven years with proper care and cost $1,500 to $4,000.

The local drought hasn't seemed to impact Perez's client base, many of whom live outside Austin and contract with him to ship their wraps within the U.S. as well as overseas. He said his business stays strong during the winter season, too.

"It's always warm somewhere in the world," Perez said.

What is a wrap?

A wrap is the process of completely or partially covering a boat with printed and laminated vinyl material, Wake Graphics owner Mario R. Perez said. Wrapping a boat gives it a new look for a lower cost than a paint job and protects the boat's existing finish, he said. Perez said he estimates that his wrap sales have doubled from 2012 to 2013.

Full and half-wraps

Most customers choose a full wrap, Perez said. Full wraps are available for owners who want to cover an entire boat. Perez said he also offers half-side wraps and mini wraps that are smaller and easier to install.

"I've never printed the same wrap twice," Perez said.

Installation

Perez said customers can get their vinyl boat wrap installed at the Wake Graphics shop, or they can transport their boats to an installer of their choice.

"It's only vinyl until it's installed," Perez said. "The application process is key."

Wake Graphics

6000 Shepherd Mountain Cove, Austin, 512-298-1999, www.wakegraphics.com