With both the World Wrap Masters Europe and World Wrap Masters Final competitions set to return at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2022 this year, judges and sponsors gave their thoughts ahead of the much-anticipated contests.
While the World Wrap Masters Final has always been seen as one of the main highlights on the wrapping calendar, this year’s event will be more special than ever before as winners from regional events spanning 2019 to 2022 will compete to take home the biggest prize in wrapping.
The final will be immediately preceded by the World Wrap Masters Europe, the winner of which will also qualify for the final, and the four-day festival at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2022 looks set to be a celebration of the art of wrapping.
Ahead of the two competitions, we caught up with the judges that will decide the eventual winner of the global competition, as well as event sponsors to find out their views and hopes for this year’s carnival of creativity.
Guest MC
Ole Solskin is a Danish professional who has been wrapping vehicles for more than 27 years, and is the competitions’ guest MC/ Ole said he is excited not only for the two World Wrap Masters contests, but also the wider FESPA Global Print Expo event, as the industry continues to move back towards normal operations following the pandemic.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing new people as well as our existing competitors and old friends, of which there will be many this year,” Ole said. “I cannot wait to see the next group of young wrappers showing off their skills at the two events.
Caption: Wrappers will face a series of challenges across the two events
“I’m also looking forward to welcoming more girls than ever before to the contest. It’s really important to show all ladies that the World Wrap Masters is not just a male competition, but for everyone. It’s fantastic to have so many women involved.”
As for advice for those taking part, Ole simply said that in order to win at the World Wrap Masters, you have to be the best of the best.
“From my point of view, all of our competitors are winners,” Ole said. “They have come to show their skills and it’s not easy to do that with so many people watching. Even those that have competed a number of times; they are out of their comfort zone with the pressure.
“I tell newcomers that if you can hit a high level, you will still be at the top. Nobody can do a perfect job, but some will come very close at the World Wrap Masters.”
“This year, we have changed the scoring system a bit to see if we can make it a bit more transparent. Competitors will now know what the maximum score is they can get. With that in mind, I look forward to celebrating all of our winners.”
Justin Pate from The Wrap Institute
Justin Pate returns as a judge for both competitions. Having wrapped just about anything that can be wrapped and with over 3,100 completed wraps over his 20-year career, Justin knows all there is to know about wrapping.
“It was very exciting to have the event in October in Amsterdam last year, even though it wasn’t the full program everyone is used to, but now that the full program is ready to go for Berlin, the excitement is palpable,” Justin said.
Caption: World Wrap Masters Europe 2022 will take place on 31st May and 1st June, with the World Wrap Masters Final following on 2nd June and 3rd June
“It’s great for the industry and that it inspires master installers to get even better. I think the double event always works as it brings together so many installers from all across the world. The melting pot of techniques, tools and passion is a cornerstone each year for the industry.
“I hope to see those special installation moments that can only occur during a tense competition where professional installers capture that spark of creativity and use it to either create something very special during the creative round or take it to another gear during the standard rounds.”
Kiss Lajos from Fixfolia
Another member of the judging panel this year is Kiss Lajos, a highly experienced wrapper who runs his own company, Fixfolia, from Hungary, and provides expert wrapping services to clients all over the world.
“I’m really happy that the time has come once again for the World Wrap Masters Final,” Kiss said. “Last year Covid meant we didn’t get to have a ginal, but this year we will once again crown a World Wrap Masters champion, and it is always great to judge the contest with my fellow judges.
“The fact that it will be a double event this year is a real bonus. It means more competitors, more rounds and, perhaps most importantly, more excitement!
“That said, I do also think it will be more difficult than ever before to decide a winner, with the standard among competitors set to be extremely high. To be honest, when it comes to most entrants and choosing between them, we really do have to split hairs as they are all just so good at what they do.”
With this in mind, what is Kiss hoping to see over the two events at the FESPA Global Print Expo this year?
Caption:The World Wrap Masters Final winner will be announced on 3rd June
“We have seen a lot of awesome new installers over the past year and I’m curious as to how much they raised the level of installing in that time,” Kiss said. “Also, I have seen that we will have new rising stars like the LadyWrapStar from Denmark, so I really can’t wait to see what the competitors will show us this year!”
Unique opportunity
The World Wrap Masters will this year run with the support of a number of major sponsors, including 3M as vinyl partner and HP as the print partner. Vesela Asenova, event manager for EMEA large-format at HP, said the competition is a unique event on the large-format printing calendar and an event that is not to be missed.
“It is always exciting to sponsor a competition like the World Wrap Masters as the entrants will get to experience and use the newest products on the market,” Asenova said.
“We are very excited for the return of the World Wrap Masters event as this is a great opportunity to connect and celebrate the best wrapping installers in the world. We are expecting this year’s competition to be better than ever before and are looking forward to witnessing the skills of the participants.”
Asenova went on to say that the World Wrap Masters double event this year will allow HP to reconnect with its print wrapping media contacts in person, after several years away due to the pandemic.
“This event provides a unique opportunity for those involved in the industry to connect and to get to see what the best of this industry entails,” Asenova said. “The competition will be comprised of numerous rounds, showcasing the best of the best, before the final and the prizegiving on the last day. We are excited to see what the competitors do and the work they achieve.
“We are glad to see World Wrap Masters take place alongside FESPA 2022, as this will enable a wider audience to be exposed to the new technology and products available in the industry.
“The World Wrap Masters happening in conjunction with FESPA will also bring more attention to the competition and allow visitors to learn more about the expertise and skills required in large-format printing businesses.”
With excitement high among judges and sponsors alike, the World Wrap Masters Europe and World Wrap Masters Final are certainly events not to be missed! Register here to visit and watch the best wrappers in the world compete against each other. Use promo code WWMV22 to receive a 30 euros discount.