Graphics
Graphics had always been an understated necessity to me. The graphics on my other trucks were purposely designed to go unnoticed. My philosophy was to look good, but not attract attention. My friends could immediately recognize my truck. At the weigh stations and going down the road my idea 
was to make it look as much as possible like a company truck.
Joining teamrunsmart made it necessary to have graphics that stood out. It was interesting being a part of a decision making process instead of the chief cook and bottle washer who made all of the decisions. When I was asked the color scheme, the answer was obvious to me. It had to be red and black. They are the colors of Freightliner and Paper Transport, the company that I am leased on with. I grew up near Chicago and live near Green Bay. My old colors were navy over orange. I do a lot of business in the Chicago area and on more than one occasion having Bears colors aided in the unloading process.
This graphics were designed by motorsports designs out of North Carolina. They do a lot of work with NASCAR. When I checked out the website and saw Matt Kenseth’s car I was in. If his graphics don’t blow off at 200 mph, mine would be fine at 64 mph. They insisted the graphics be applied at a shop of their choosing in Waukesha, WI. I fought that decision and wanted it applied at one of the great graphics places here in the Green Bay area. I lost the fight. It was a slight inconvenience. Mark (Stretch) Wenzel at Signs & Lines in Waukesha combined with Paper Transport made it as convenient as possible. I could pick up a load in Green Bay and sleep at Signs & Lines with my load and they got at it first thing in the morning.
I had never watched the graphics application process. People with artistic ability fascinate me. I have no
ne. They set me up in the office with a desk and electricity and allowed me to go back and talk with the applicators whenever I wanted. I did not want to hinder the process or get in the way, but wanted it done right. We were on the same wavelength. In the office they had a flat screen TV that had a slide show of the work that they had done. It was awesome.
The skill and professionalism of the applicators was impressive. They measured everything. The original design was for a raised roof and not a mid roof like mine. That made some decisions necessary. Together we made some slight alterations on the placement locations on a few of the decals. We had to deal with things like VIN numbers, truck numbers, etc. They had the capability of printing whatever was needed in minutes. Lo
oking at the truck, it is impossible to tell what was printed in Waukesha from what was printed in NC.
The truck looks great. The teamrunsmart logo on the sleeper definitely brings attention. The PTI logo on the door stands out separately and smartly. My logo on the roof looks great too. Now, I look at all of the fantastic looking graphics on the trucks out there a little differently. Graphics individualize trucks. I think that it is great. I have a new found respect for the graphics process.