The professional wrap event, which is sponsored by 3M and Mutoh, will see up to 36 individuals from across the world compete to win the title of World Wrap Master.
Items being wrapped this year will include Opel ‘Adam’ cars, two-metre tall space rockets and Scandinavian-designed vacuum jugs from Eva Solo. These products have been chosen to demonstrate the complexity of wrapping above and beyond a typical vehicle application.
“The Eva Solo jugs are beautiful shapes and we’re wrapping rockets because this year’s theme is ‘Discover your universe of print’. Both items are challenging to wrap,” said Fespa head of new media and events Duncan MacOwan.
The qualifying round will see up to 36 competitors take to the Wrap Hub (Hall 6, Stand T85) between 18-20 May. The competition will start on the first day at 10.30am. The qualifiers from this round will join regional champion wrappers from Africa, Brazil, Russia, and France in the global final of the World Wrap Masters.
The top 12 wrappers will then compete in the final, which will take place on the final two days of the show (21-22 May). The 2015 champion will be announced at 3pm on Friday 22 May, with the top three finalists winning trophies and cash prizes of €2,500 (£1,800), €1,250 and €750 respectively.
Each competitor will receive a ‘goody bag’ containing wrap accessories that can be used to practise their skills.
Judges for this year’s competition include head judge Ole Solskin Ravn, owner of Danish company Suntint A/S, Klaus Willekens from 3M, and Justin Pate, a certified graphics instructor and installer at 3M who specialises in vehicle graphics installations.
In addition to the competition, visitors to the Wrap Hub will be able to attempt wrapping car doors against the clock.
MacOwan said: “The Wrap Hub and World Wrap Masters will undoubtedly see some strong competition among wrap experts looking to be crowned champion.
“It is a real sharing experience and the competitors and judges will be on hand to share tips and tricks throughout the week. The wrappers, even though they’re competing against each other, will share tips on how they wrap a particular item, like a door handle or a wing mirror.
“I’m also looking forward to seeing visitors try their hand at wrapping, so they can see the complexity and finesse involved."
MacOwan said there were "a handful" of spaces left for the qualifying round of the competition and that registration to compete will close once the maximum cap for participant numbers is reached. To register your interest in competing, visit www.wrap-masters.com.
Fespa 2015 will be held in Cologne from 18-22 May. To register to attend, visit: www.fespa2015.com.
