Meet Ryan Sandoval | Vehicle Wrap Design Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Sandoval and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I was let go from the sign shop where I first discovered my passion for vehicle wrap design, the job market wasn’t exactly welcoming. Despite having a degree and experience, securing interviews was an uphill battle. But I knew there was a growing demand for this type of design, so I decided to take a different approach.

Instead of chasing full-time positions, I offered remote design and formatting services for pending jobs. It was a way for businesses to increase their workflow without the hassle of hiring a new employee. I even took it a step further by providing a print-ready folder with everything pre-paneled, making their production smoother.

As I started getting projects from one company, I realized I had struck gold. So, I expanded my services and Glarb Design was born. It became the go-to solution for vehicle wrap design, and demand started pouring in.

In a nutshell, my journey began with a setback, but I turned it around by tapping into an untapped market. Glarb Design is a testament to the power of adapting and finding innovative solutions. The rest, as they say, is history.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As artists, our constant pursuit is to create something truly unique with a hint of mass appeal. Luckily, vehicle wrap design provides the perfect canvas, especially when working with vehicles such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis. These cars are already breathtaking by themselves, but our clients want something that distinguishes them from the rest.

What sets vehicle wrap design apart from general graphic design is its technical complexity. We face the challenge of translating 2-dimensional designs onto 3-dimensional surfaces, seamlessly wrapping them around the vehicle. Achieving this effect requires precise measurements, templates that capture the car’s contours, and accounting for the vinyl’s stretch around complex curves, allowing the design to transition from the side, to the hood, to the bumpers seamlessly.

Perfecting this process wasn’t easy. Trial and error is extremely costly, so nailing it the first time is extremely important because I couldn’t afford to pay for any reprints. I knew I needed to learn how to install in order to fully understand the characteristics of vinyl. The more comfortable I got with installing, the better I was at anticipate angles and integrate stretch into my templates. It’s an ongoing journey of experimentation that will always require adjustments and tweaks with each finished project but I thoroughly enjoy the challenge.

The entire process is extremely tedious. By the end of it, you are tired, frustrated, and have lost most of the excitement you had at the beginning but there is no greater reward than witnessing your client’s initial reaction when they walk in and see the result of all that hard work!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, it all depends on which friends I have coming to visit. If they’re up for the quintessential Florida experience, I’d keep them close to the beach and kick off our adventure in Fort Lauderdale, working our way south. We’ll hit all the beach essentials, and of course, start with an oversized margarita at Rok Bar to set the tone for our Floridian escapades.

We’ll swing by Blondie’s or Elbow Room for a quick round to scratch the historical itch. Then we’ll meander down Las Olas, checking out some bars and restaurants or hop on a Water Taxi to catch a glimpse of those lavish “summer houses” that line the intercoastal.

As we head south, we’ll make quick stops at Hollywood Beach, grab a burger at Le Tub. We’ll hit some dive bars or take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk, soaking in the laid-back vibes.

The of course Wynwood so they can experience the mesmerizing art and delicious food. Then fuel up with a Cafecito to continue down to South Beach where I’d suggest grabbing a cocktail and doing some people watching by the beach. Then try to endulge in every possible cuisine down that strip of Miami Beach restaurants.

If we still have some energy left, we might even attempt a jaunt to Key Largo or Islamorada to grab a bountiful seafood platter while watching a classic Florida sunset.

If they want a different experience that doesn’t involve a sunburn or food coma, then I would schedule a deep sea fishing trip or scuba diving excursion in either Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Nothing is more memorable than catching a handful of Mahi that you are able to cook up later that day or dropping down 60-80ft and experiencing all of our beautiful underwater wildlife. Something they are able to brag about for years when they get back home to wherever they are from.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When considering the support and mentorship that shaped my journey, two individuals truly stand out. First and foremost, I owe a profound debt of gratitude to my dad, Greg Sandoval. His entrepreneurial spirit, unwavering work ethic, and commitment to family have deeply influenced me throughout my journey. At an early age, he broke free of a predetermined path by leaving home and took control of his own destiny through hard work and determination. He mentored me not only through life but also the challenges of business ownership, and his dedication to our family continues to inspire me every day. Tragically, we lost him to pancreatic cancer less than a year ago. Although his absence presents daily challenges me and my family, I find solace in knowing he continues to inspire and guide me from above. He never made excuses, and in order to honor his legacy, neither will I.

On the business side, Burl Cole, the owner of Boatwraps.com, deserves immense credit. When no one else would give me a chance, Burl extended his hand and offered me an opportunity to prove myself. His industry experience led to unique projects that pushed my skills and accelerated my growth. Burl’s introductions to other professionals and his ongoing collaboration have been invaluable. Over the course of 12 years and countless projects, Burl and I have become very good friends and still tackle unique projects that continue to challenge and inspire me. It’s safe to say that without Burl’s unwavering support, I wouldn’t have experienced the rapid growth and development that shaped my journey in immeasurable ways.

Website: glarb.design. (still being built but should be up soonish)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glarb.design/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlarbWraps/