FESPA has launched the fifth edition of the FESPA Wrap Cup Masters Series, the live vehicle wrapping competition running throughout FESPA Digital 2012 (Barcelona, 21-24 February). Over the course of the four-day event, up to 48 vehicle wrappers will battle through several rounds to be crowned the FESPA Wrap Cup Masters European champion 2012.

The FESPA Wrap Cup Masters Series comprises eight events over three years. Launched at FESPA 2010 in Munich the Wrap Cup had pit stops at FESPA Americas, FESPA Mexico and at FESPA Digital 2011 in Hamburg. Following FESPA Digital 2012 in Barcelona, the Wrap Cup’s Grand Finale will take place at FESPA 2013 in London, where contenders will go head to head against regional winners to be awarded the ultimate title of FESPA Global Wrap Cup Masters Champion.

Designed to encourage, recognise and promote excellence in the global vehicle wrapping community, the FESPA Wrap Cup Masters Series is a chance for wrapping professionals to be involved in a live competition and gain global recognition for their expertise. Within each competition, a collection of prestigious cars will act as a blank canvas for vinyl mastery. Contenders will be judged on quality and speed using the most advanced materials and techniques, with the goal of impressing a panel of experienced judges.

Skill will be rewarded with valuable prizes which include printers, software, wrap tools, consumables, vinyl vouchers, discounts and much more provided by the sponsors of Wrap Cup, HP, Seat, Leister ISee2, Avery, Roland, MR Clipart, Rigidisc, Rotutech, Knifeless Tech Systems and Eurosystems.

The Wrap Cup 2012 winner will also receive an all expenses paid trip to the FESPA Wrap Cup Masters Final Event at FESPA 2013 (25-29 June, London).

The panel of judges will operate a scoring system designed to place high priority on excellence and precision. Contenders will be given an assigned time to complete their work; wrappers who manage to deliver the best quality car wrap within the deadline will advance to the next round. Through progressive stages, winners will culminate in a daily final and then go on to compete in the Grand Finale on the last day of the show.

FESPA’s Head of Events & New Media, Duncan MacOwan comments, “The FESPA Wrap Cup Masters Series is as much fun to watch as it is to take part in and it has proved to be a very successful event that engages both contenders and visitors - the competition is fierce! Although vehicle decoration is quite an established application in the wide format arena, the skill and creativity it demands still generates enormous interest within the print community. PSPs can sometimes underestimate how accurately this work needs to be performed to meet high quality specifications without compromising on turnaround times.”