Dawn Patrol: Safeway Wall Graphics Before Opening

Surface prep for vinyl graphic installation at Safeway

We walked through the Safeway doors. It's a fluorescent hellscape. The wall's dirtier than Christopher's browser history. I yell at him "Measure twice. Cut once, you dinguses." Cameron looks at me, like, obviously, as he proceeds to trip over a mock bucket and spill water everywhere. We're cleaning up. There's butt cracks everywhere. A checker walks by us, says, what y'all doing? After a detailed explanation of how we're prepping the surfaces for vinyl graphic installation, he just looks at me cross eyed and says, well, do what you gotta do.

• ScopeHistorical installation under the previous operating model
• Production attributionPrint producer not documented
• ClientSafeway
• LocationNot stated
• DateNot stated; work occurred before opening
• ProductLarge-format printed vinyl wall graphics
• ComponentsRolled wall graphics; panel count not documented
• Artwork / print finishNot documented beyond the printed graphics shown
• Historical field methodSurface preparation, measuring, positioning, registration, squeegeeing, bubble removal, and edge trimming
• Packaging / handoffGraphics arrived as rolls; formal production packaging and handoff are not documented
• ConstraintPre-opening work window and no spare print recorded
• ResultFinished Safeway wall graphic shown in the final project image

Large scale vinyl wall graphics: positioning, alignment, and registration

We start unpacking the stuff, positioning the vinyl. Cameron's close to slipping on a banana. Christopher helps him up the ladder. I just put my hands in my face, but we press on. Christopher decides for more Red Bull, crushes two more. Cameron starts to unroll the fabric out upside down, accidentally falls into it, starts spinning around oh, now we got a human burrito. Thanks, Cameron. But we end up getting it on the wall, registering it just right, measure three times, heck, four times. We're all trying to get on the wall, fumbling with each other like amateur wrestlers. But we've got the vinyl graphic up. It was printed large scale just for this type of installation. Now it's time to get to work.

Step-by-step vinyl installation: squeegeeing and bubble removal

Now we're at the stickening. Peak goofiness here. Physical comedy abounds. I found a roll of stickers that just say eggs. Who knows where they came from? Cameron says to Christopher, Squeegee like you mean it, or I'll wrinkle your butt. I miss one of the ladder rungs. Face goes into the wall. Christopher blasts fart noises from his phone. Luckily, we got it all on there because we didn't have an extra, and there's no reprinting on this one. We got lots of squeegeeing, sweating, grimaces. Bubbles are getting popped dramatically, but we're doing it step by step until the wall graphic is down.

Vinyl graphics installation wrap-up and next steps

Most of the job's done. We're trimming the edges. We're cleaning the tape up. We're admiring the work. No pencil marks on this one. Christopher pretends to bow like it's a mister Miyagi wax on, wax off situation. Safeway managers are just waking up, it seems. It's about 7AM now. People are shuffling in. Coffee looks like it's taking a hold on most of the local residents. It's time for us to leave.

For a current wall-graphics production request, send approved artwork, customer-verified finished dimensions, quantity, intended-surface information supplied by the customer or installer, and required print or finish details through the Quick Quote form. LA Prime Signs does not inspect the wall or provide removal or installation. This record is not a price, fulfillment, durability, or turnaround promise.