Every year we bolt aftermarket products on our fleet of snowmobiles for product testing, but never have we “tested” graphics. Our 2008 Polaris IQ Shift demo sled was a clean slate, and frankly, it was kind of boring. So with its plain-black hood and side panels, we thought, why not install a custom-designed graphics kit?
To help bring our Shift’s meager looks up to a level that would match its strong performance, we hired Utendorfer Graphic Design in Minneapolis to draw up a custom Snow Goer graphics package. We chose Utendorfer because the one-man shop has designed catalogs and materials for Polaris, Holz Racing Products and other aftermarket companies.
Once we settled on the design, Utendorfer turned over the project to Blown Concepts, a custom vinyl graphics shop in Plymouth, Minnesota. Blown Concepts owner Robb Kaiser printed the design on thick, motocross-style vinyl and stuck them on our sled.
Most snowmobile decals are printed on ultra-thin vinyl that tears easily and is difficult to work with. But the vinyl Blown Concepts uses is thick, durable and easy to install. By the end of winter, the graphics showed no sign of separating from the hood and the colors were as vibrant as the day they were installed.
Like what you see here? Blown Concepts does design work, too, and it offers custom snowmobile graphics kits for $300. Contact the shop with colors and a scheme you think would look cool and it can design a package for your sled, no matter its brand or age. — Andy Swanson
Turnaround time: 2/2
Communication: 2/2
Durability: 2/2
Design: 1.8/2
Value: 1.7/2
Total: 9.5/10
Blown Concepts
Plymouth, Minn.
763/694-8951