Why You Should Work With a 3M Certified Installer

Exciting, dynamic graphic installations can elevate your brand to new visual heights. To ensure top-quality results, installers should possess the prestigious 3M Certified accreditation. Our skilled in-house team has earned this certification, consistently transforming world-class design concepts into outstanding graphic installations. Keep reading to discover why partnering with a 3M Certified Graphics Installation Company like us makes all the difference.

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INTRO TO 3M CERTIFICATION

Accreditations

The 3M Installation Program is administered by UASG and represents the highest level of achievement in the U.S. installation industry. It’s comprised of two separate accreditations:

• 3M Certified Graphics Installation Company: Indicates that a business is certified to install graphics for Fleet and Windows, Walls and Floor applications, and has passed an on-site, in-person audit to review records and policies.
• 3M Preferred Installer: Indicates that an individual installer has passed advanced testing to install the graphics for one of the listed specialties (i.e. Windows, Walls and Floors, Architectural Finishes, Fleet, and/or Vehicle Color Change).

To achieve accreditation as a 3M Certified Graphics Installation Company, you must have at least one 3M Preferred Installer on staff.

Certification Process & Requirements

The certification and testing process spans five rigorous days at 3M’s test facility in Saint Paul, MN. The first three are dedicated to instruction and skill building. Installers practice wet- and dry-application, cutting, layering, glass film installation, fleet and vehicle wrapping, single and multi-panel wall mural application, flat and complex-shaped vinyl application, and laying into brick. The final two days are comprised of a series of hands-on and written tests in the installer’s chosen specialty:

• 3M Windows, Walls, and Floors
• 3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes
• 3M Fleet Graphics
• 3M Vehicle Color Change

Once an individual installer passes and acquires a 3M Preferred Installer accreditation — and assuming the additional requirements are met — their company can then apply for the 3M Certified Graphics Installation Company accreditation.

3M Certified Graphics Installation Company requirements:

• Company has been in business three or more years.
• Individual installer to be tested has been employed by the company for a minimum of six months as a full-time staff member.
• Company carries liability insurance (verified by the UASG once per year).
• Company meets certain business requirements (annual confirmation and random site visits), and ensures employees follow proper company policies and 3M installation procedures.
• At least one employee in the company, whose primary job is installing, is a 3M Preferred Installer.

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BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A 3M CERTIFIED INSTALLER

Technically, anybody can install vinyl. But you’re guaranteed a much higher quality of work when you partner with a 3M Certified Installer.

Experience & Expertise

All 3M Certified Installers receive training at 3M’s headquarters, ensuring proper technique development, comprehensive material education, and extensive experience across a wide variety of applications. You can rest assured knowing that they’ll use the best practices and materials to make your graphics impress for years to come.

Warranty

A minimum $1 million general liability insurance is required to receive accreditation as a 3M Certified Graphics Installation Company. This ensures that any installer-caused graphic or environmental damage will be repaired free-of-charge by the installation company (i.e., Infinity Images).

Additionally, while any graphics installer can install 3M materials, the materials aren’t backed by UASG’s 3M product warranty unless they were installed by a 3M Certified Installer. This warranty ensures that if a 3M product fails within its specified coverage period, UASG will replace it at no cost.

Quality Assurance

Whether your graphics project features economic or premium materials, know that 3M substrates have a long track record of durability. In fact, 3M was the original inventor of masking tape in 1925, and Scotch® tape in 1930! They’ve been an adhesion pioneer for more than 100 years and continue to manufacture a diverse portfolio of high-quality products. Nowadays, the majority of our wall and window graphics are produced with 3M adhesive vinyl.

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HOW INFINITY IMAGES INSTALLERS DELIVER

Certifications

Infinity Images was the first 3M Certified Graphics Installation Company in Oregon and is now one of only two in the entire state. (Achieving certification is a challenging process!) Our lead installer is also a 3M Preferred Installer with certifications in 3M Windows, Walls, and Floors; 3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes; and 3M Fleet Graphics.

In addition to 3M certifications, our lead installer is PDAA Certified for Walls, Windows, Floors as well as well as Fleet Vehicle wraps. They are also an Arlon Certified Applicator in Fleet Vehicle Wraps.

All our graphic installers also hold the following safety certifications: OSHA Fall Protection, OSHA 30, and MWEP Lift.

Areas of Expertise

Our in-house installation team specializes in a diverse array of services: site surveys, interior and exterior graphics, architectural finishes and signage, vinyl and Type II wall coverings, murals, floor graphics, glass films, rough surfaces, complex alignments, 3D builds, immersive environments, lenticulars, window displays, Silicone Edge Graphics, LED signage, digital screens, and sound control. They’re capable and prepared to work a variety of different environments. Whether it is an active construction site, or a fully operational corporate office, our installers know the difference and work appropriately.

Collaborative Relationships

Installation services round out our one-stop shop, with project management, design, engineering, printing, cutting, fabrication, and fulfillment, all under one roof. In the rare event that an installation issue arises, our installers work directly with the entire Infinity Images team to efficiently create a solution, making things right.