A Holistic Approach to Graffiti Control

Graffiti Shield is a manufacturing converter of anti-graffiti films and surface protection films. They also install anti-graffiti films in commercial properties for the protection of elevators and escalators. Graffiti Shield’s headquarters, located in Anaheim, Calif., currently operates with two SP2000 100w from Trotec Laser (Booths 11751, 11763) to create customized surface protection solutions.

Before purchasing a Trotec laser system, Graffiti Shield manufactured anti-graffiti films using other technologies, such as knife cutters and CNC machines. For a time, those technologies were producing adequate quality, but were not able to achieve the quality standards some of their clients required.

They were also experiencing limitations regarding material size. Working with mass transit agencies requires creating custom solutions for large surfaces. Unfortunately, the equipment Graffiti Shield was operating with was unable to produce the required specifications, so they decided to research laser technology.

Initially, Graffiti Shield reached out to multiple laser manufacturers, only to find they were unable to provide a solution that addressed their size requirements and desired safety features. Graffiti Shield contacted the Trotec sales representative in the area, Gary Sheriff. The company found that the SP200 was able to increase cut quality to meet OEM standards, accommodate anti-graffiti shield sheet sizes for large transit windows, and operate as a safety. Since purchasing the laser, Graffiti Shield has been able to accept a wider range of custom jobs because of the machine’s size, precision, and speed. With the influx of custom jobs, Graffiti Shield bought a second SP2000, and plans to expand with the addition of a SP3000 in the near future.

“Trotec put us in a new arena,” says Jeffrey Schuch, director of manufacturing and R&D, Graffiti Shield. “In addition to improving cut quality and being able to accept a wider range of custom jobs, our SP2000s have allowed us to manufacture acrylic tooling in-house. We have also been able to eliminate working with machine shops to fabricate molds and prototypes for new projects. Now, we are able to produce these pieces on our lasers in record time.”