Custom Wrap for PCC Foundation’s Airplane Classroom

Portland Community College (PCC) connects more than 50,000 students annually to high-quality education and training that prepares them for a successful career. One of its many regarded programs is the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program (AMTP), which has served students since 1969.

Horizon Air, a regional airline, donated a Bombardier Q400 commercial propeller plane to PCC, through the PCC Foundation, so AMTP students can receive hands-on training in an actual aircraft—essentially serving as an airplane classroom.

The PCC Foundation partnered with Premier Press to install a custom wrap on the airplane featuring the PCC branding, helping the plane stand out among other private and commercial aircraft at its home in the Hillsboro airport.

Portland Community College’s vinyl wrapped aircraft featuring a blueprint design.

portland community college vinyl wrapped training aircraft 1

Branding for Large Vehicles and Aircraft

Premier Press has decades of experience in creating and installing vehicle livery, including branding for buses, tractors, and other types of grounded vehicles. After partnering with PCC Foundation for several installations, their team was eager to work with us to adorn their training aircraft with new branding.

Wendy Wright, a senior graphic designer at the PCC Foundation, designed the livery, which includes a new color scheme for the airplane’s tail. Bringing this vision to life required precise measurements and a meticulous installation for a seamless appearance. We conducted a site assessment to measure the airplane and understand the intricate details that would affect the livery design and installation.

We then partnered with PCC to select the optimal material for longevity, taking into account the weather the aircraft will experience at the airport. Although the airplane is not intended to fly, the application still needs to be durable and resistant to prolonged sunlight and harsh conditions.

After conducting a test print to ensure the colors and design transferred to the selected material exactly as intended, we got to work on installation so the plane would be ready for its debut at the Oregon International Air Show.

Detail of Portland Community College’s vinyl wrapped aircraft featuring a blueprint design.

A bold blueprint design wraps the body of the airplane (its fuselage), with custom cutouts for the airplane windows, doors, and mechanical elements. The Portland Community College logo is prominently displayed, so there is no question who the plane belongs to.

The large vinyl wrap was applied to a clean aircraft to ensure optimal adherence. The design includes several vinyl pieces that were expertly installed for flawless execution. We used 3M™ IJ180C film and an 8520 laminate.

Detail of the vinyl wrapping around the windows of Portland Community College’s training aircraft.

Detail of the vinyl wrapping on the tail of Portland Community College’s training aircraft.

The tail remains fully operational and continues the blueprint design featured on the body of the aircraft.

The wrap was made with high-quality materials that will hold up for years to come as generations of students receive hands-on training before taking flight in their careers.

Tackling Complex Designs with Ease

Our partnership with PCC enabled us to tap into our in-house capabilities and expertise, making something as complex as branding an airplane feel simple.

We love to tackle new design concepts and guide clients through every step to ensure a stunning end result — whether it’s something as large as a building or airplane or as small as an influencer kit or branded merchandise.

If you’re seeking a creative partner for your next design, we’re ready to help. Reach out today and tell us your idea.