Idea for Slate: sell wrap samples

[BAR]

I had the thought for Slate's merchandise site.

Wrap samples could be sold like three for 10 dollars. We could then see actual colors before deciding. There are a couple i might like, but cant tell if my monitor is showing them accurately. I'd spent $20 to keep my excitement up!

 

[Harley Earl]

Many automotive aftermarket providers do exactly this. Why not an OEM like SLATE...

 

[19SL80s]

I had the thought for Slate's merchandise site.

Wrap samples could be sold like three for 10 dollars. We could then see actual colors before deciding. There are a couple i might like, but cant tell if my monitor is showing them accurately. I'd spent $20 to keep my excitement up!

I absolutely agree. The way things present themselves in the Slate Maker and across different devices is not like real life, especially some of those metallic and pearlescent finishes. It’s even hard to tell the difference between gloss, satin, and matte.

 

[AZFox]

I've previously written

Internet rando here, with a high-ROI idea for Slate.​

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Put a Swatch Packs page on the website where you can order swatch packs of various sizes (quantities of swatches). Choose the quantity and whichever colors you want to see.​

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I think a lot of customers who might not otherwise get a wrap would opt to get one if they could see swatches.​

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[Slatester89]

When I ordered vinyl stripes for my Miata, they sent swatches of a dozen blues & greys for FREE! For the price of a first class stamp, they got a grateful customer that was more than happy to pay for the "upgraded" vinyl AND one that will readily recommend them to anyone that wants vinyl (they use Avery brand) racing stripes for their car.

The Slate "wrap" vendor needs to step up and provide swatches for free.

b.

 

[Slatester89]

As an aside to anyone that is considering doing a wrap DIY:

All the chatter about the Slate being designed/built for DIY wrap is all well and good. That means no real compound curves to deal with...I hope.

But wrapping even perfectly flat, square panels isn't: "all ya gotta do is peel off the back an lay it in place". However, Slate panels are not flat, and square...have you looked at the fenders, hood, roof, front bumpwr lately? Corners are curved. Edges will need to be tucked. Laying vinyl aint as easy as it sounds. It is easier (I think) if it wet-applied versus dry-applied. That allows you to more easily re-position the vinyl so that it meets the edges properly and it is easier to push out air bubbles...if you catch them soon enough. Do we know yet if this vinyl is wet, dry, or either? All vinyl is not the same.

Plus, edges and corners can be a severe pain in the ass to do correctly. Some curved corners may require "stretching" of the vinyl. Okay, how hard can that be? It depends. Think about wrapping a book in plastic wrap. How nice are the edges/corners wrapped? Proper stretching prevents "fingers". But stretching can also stretch it out of shape such that you can't get it to lay properly/cover properly at all. Then what? You trash that piece. Then what? You contact the vendor an ask to buy a replacement panel and hope that an individual panel from a "kit" is sold separately. If not, expect to hear, "You need to buy the full kit".

Some food for thought when thinking about DIY.

b.

 

[KevinRS]

I have thought of a possible reason they haven't offered swatches, or even put names on the wrap wall we saw in videos. 2 different possible material vendors were brought up in another thread. If Slate hasn't finalized everything with both vendors, that would be a reason to hold where they are in what they are showing us. The wrap selection may change before launch.
They just about HAVE to get good photos and video of each color for us to view at a minimum before asking anyone to actually but a color.

So I think the recommendation would be just to be patient, and don't lock in on what you think is the perfect color yet.

 

[Slatester89]

I have thought of a possible reason they haven't offered swatches, or even put names on the wrap wall we saw in videos. 2 different possible material vendors were brought up in another thread. If Slate hasn't finalized everything with both vendors, that would be a reason to hold where they are in what they are showing us. The wrap selection may change before launch.
They just about HAVE to get good photos and video of each color for us to view at a minimum before asking anyone to actually but a color.

So I think the recommendation would be just to be patient, and don't lock in on what you think is the perfect color yet.

Dude...this is the interwebz. There is no room for logic. ^^^.


b

 

[kvermeer]

I had the thought for Slate's merchandise site.

Wrap samples could be sold like three for 10 dollars. We could then see actual colors before deciding. There are a couple i might like, but cant tell if my monitor is showing them accurately. I'd spent $20 to keep my excitement up!

Yep, I sent them an email a month ago when they switched from AD and 3M vinyl color names to their own custom names, with a request for the same sample cards.

They said:

We always love to see what fun and creative ideas you guys come up with. We'll make sure this gets passed along to the team!

Didn't think it was all that unique, but I'm glad they passed it along.