A Complete Guide to PDAA Certification
General Information
To become a PDAA Basic or Master Certified Member Company, at least one full time employee (not sub-contractor) must pass the PDAA Certification Written Exam with a passing score of 80% or higher and pass the corresponding PDAA Certification Installation Tests (Hands-on Testing).
TO SAVE YOU MONEY AND DISAPPOINTMENT, PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER FOR AND TAKE THE PDAA MASTER CERTIFIED TEST UNTIL YOU ARE 100% CERTAIN YOU ARE QUALIFIED AND COMPETENT ENOUGH TO PASS THE COMPLETE BATTERY OF TESTING.
Although PDAA has two levels of Certification, Basic and Master, PDAA currently offers only one complete test (if you would like to take the Basic Certification Test only, please inform us of that when you register and special arrangements / pricing can be arranged). The Basic Certification status was created for two situations. First, PDAA wants to accommodate companies that have absolutely no interest in doing vehicle wraps with complex curves, but would like to be certified for flat installations (signs, glass, walls, and flat with rivet box trucks and trailers). Secondly, there are individuals that pass the Basic Certification Tests, but fall short on the Master Certification tests. Those individuals can earn some distinction for their effort and recognition of their current skill level. These individuals will be encouraged to keep honing their skills and retake the test when they are ready. They do not have to retake the complete test, only the portions they did not pass the first time.
The testing is administered in a one-day session that starts usually at 8:00 a.m. and generally finishes around 5-6:00 p.m.
All of the information that will be covered on the written test is included in the PDAA Guide, provided to all PDAA members. Carefully review and study this guide and you should be able to pass the written test with a very high, if not perfect score. Your ability to pass the Hands-on Testing will of course depend on your installation skills. Following is a description of each test.
PDAA Certification Written Exam
The written exam has fifty multiple-choice questions. All questions are pertinent to vinyl graphics, installation, methods, techniques, and procedures. The test was created by the PDAA Certification Director, with input from several PDAA graphic installation professionals, and submitted to the PDAA Steering Committee for their review. They were asked to check for relevance, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
It was then submitted to the technical representatives of the vinyl manufacturers that currently endorse the PDAA’s Certification for their review. These companies include Arlon, Avery, FLEXcon, and MACtac. They were also asked to check for relevance, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
The result is a test we believe to be fair, accurate, relevant, and comprehensive in regard to assessing the knowledge and expertise of today’s graphic installation professional.
Basic Certification Installation Tests |
Cleaning Test
Purpose
The purpose of the Cleaning Test is to demonstrate your understanding of PDAA Approved cleaning methods and techniques, which include selecting the appropriate cleaning solutions and using them properly.
Substrate
A passenger vehicle, glass, acrylic, and Flat aluminum with rivets (trailer and box truck surfaces).
Instructions
From a variety of cleaning supplies furnished, choose the right combination, and thoroughly and properly clean the surfaces assigned to you by the test administrator.
Procedure
Use PDAA approved cleaning solutions and techniques:
- For all solutions, pour some of the solution into a bucket. Immerse a small rag in the solution and wring out the excess. Do not just “wash” the surface but also get it clean, this may involve some dwell time and / or some scrubbing. While the surface is still wet, use a clean, dry, terry cloth towel to remove the solution (with the contaminants dissolved in the solution) before it evaporates (spreading the contaminants evenly across the surface).
- Clean vehicle surfaces with detergent and water if dirt and mud are present. Dry surface.
- Solvent wipe all vehicle surfaces. Dry properly.
- Always use Isopropyl 70% Rubbing Alcohol as a final rinse to remove any residues that you may have missed. Dry properly.
Requirements to pass
Choose the approved solutions and supplies, properly clean, and dry the surfaces assigned to you by the test administrator.
Control of Depth Cut Test
Purpose
The purpose of the Control of Depth Cut Test is to demonstrate your ability to trim and cut applied graphics to the proper depth, precisely, without damaging the substrate.
Substrate
Aluminum with a baked enamel finish.
Graphic
The vinyl used to create the graphic may vary, but will always be of a type commonly encountered in our industry. The graphic will already be applied to the substrate. The test administrator will provide you the exact specifications of the applied graphic.
Instructions
Carefully trim off ¼ “of vinyl from the right edge of the graphic. Remove the trimmed portion. Carefully trim off another ¼ “of vinyl from the right edge of the graphic. Examine the area of your first cut and inspect for damage. Repeat the process until you make three perfect cuts in succession.
Procedure
Trim the graphic in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques, which include:
- Using an Olfa knife with a stainless steel blade
- Start each trim with a new, unused blade (snap off segments)
- Use little to no inward pressure, simply draw the blade across the vinyl
- The actual amount of pressure required depends on graphic thickness
- For 2 mil vinyl, with a brand new, razor sharp Olfa blade, NO inward pressure is required to make a perfect cut
- For 2 mil vinyl with a 2 mil vinyl laminate, a very slight amount of inward pressure is required to make a perfect cut
- Err on the side of using too little pressure, not too much
- Do try this at home - in other words practice on something other than your customer’s vehicle / job
- If you are unsure you can make the trim without damaging the substrate - don’t trim on the substrate Requirements to pass Make three perfect trims in succession.
Acrylic Test
Purpose
The purpose of the Acrylic Test is to demonstrate your ability to handle any type of flat surface installations.
Substrate
All testing is scheduled to be conducted indoors to avoid cancellation due to weather. Many real world installations do occur outdoors in hot weather. Acrylic (Plexiglas) was chosen for this test because it is difficult, even at room temperature; it has a high-energy surface causing vinyl to adhere to it aggressively. Note: Although most vinyl manufacturers publish a minimum (40-50°F) to maximum (100°F) temperature range in product and instructional bulletins for most of their vinyl products, the PDAA recommends a surface and ambient air temperature range of 60°- 80°F for all vinyl installations.
Graphic
Regular vinyl (cast or calendered), no air egress, computer cut, one color, 42” x 94”. The graphic is a solid vinyl rectangle with text weeded out, with premask.
Instructions
Apply the graphic centered on the acrylic.
Procedure
Apply the graphic in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques, which include:
- Cleaning the surface properly with Isopropyl 70% Rubbing Alcohol
- Applying the graphic in the correct location
- Remove the premask
- Remove bubbles / wrinkles
- Re-squeegee the entire graphic
Requirements to pass
The graphic was applied in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques listed. The graphic must also be free of wrinkles, bubbles and in the correct position within a tolerance of one-eighth inch.
Trailer Test - Flat with Rivets
Purpose
The purpose of the Trailer Test - Flat with rivets is to demonstrate your ability to apply vinyl graphics to a flat surface with rivets.
Substrate
Flat aluminum with rivets (trailer and box truck surfaces).
Graphic
Two panel digital print, 2 mil vinyl with air egress, with cast vinyl laminate, no premask, approximate finished size of 4’ x 8’.
Instructions
Apply the two graphic panels, properly aligned to each other, positioned per specs you will be given at the time by the test administrator, taking into account proper wind seam overlap, and seal the rivets.
Procedure
Apply the graphic in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques, which include:
- Cleaning the surface properly (Solvent wipe with Xylol or Naptha)
- Final cleaning with Isopropyl Alcohol
- Applying the graphic
- Cutting and tucking the seams
- Sealing the rivets
- Re-squeegee the graphic
Requirements to pass
The graphics were applied in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques listed. The finished graphics must be free of wrinkles and bubbles and the two panels aligned properly with respect to each other, and in the correct position within a tolerance of one-eighth inch. The vinyl must be tightaround the rivets, with all of the air removed using a rivet brush and adequate heat to prevent future lifting. All seams, edges, and overlaps were re-squeegeed.
Master Certification Installation Tests |
Vehicle Wrap Side Test
Purpose
The purpose of the Vehicle Wrap Side Test is to demonstrate your ability to apply graphics on vehicle wraps that include doors, door handles, keyholes, complex curves, and mirrors properly.
Substrate
A passenger vehicle, usually a late model Ford van or similar.
Graphics
Digitally printed with a solvent inkjet printer. Printed on a two mil vinyl with air egress, with a cast vinyl laminate, no premask, and multiple panels, tiled vertically with a one inch overlap (approximate).
Instructions
Properly apply the graphic panels, positioned per specs you will be given at the time by the test administrator.
Procedure
Apply the graphics in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques, which include:
- Proper surface preparation
- Apply the graphics with absolute minimum stretching
- Apply the graphics in the proper position on the vehicle
- Apply the graphic panels properly aligned to each other - Take into account the proper wind seam overlap direction
- Properly remove all bubbles
Requirements to pass
The graphics were applied in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques listed. The finished graphics must be free of wrinkles and bubbles on the exterior of the vehicle, panels aligned properly with respect to each other, and in the specified position on the vehicle.
Vehicle Wrap Trimming and Finishing Test
Purpose
The purpose of the Vehicle Wrap Trimming and Finishing Test is to demonstrate your ability to properly trim and finish graphics on vehicle wraps.
Instructions
Properly trim and finish the graphics just applied in the Vehicle Wrap Side Test.
Procedure
Trim and finish the graphics in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques, which include:
- Precisely trim, tuck, and wrap the graphics in the correct manner and locations
- Make sure all seams and edges are properly finished
- Post heat all complex curve areas
- Wipe off the graphics to remove fingerprints, smudges, and any marks you may have made
Requirements to pass
The graphics were trimmed and finished in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques listed. The graphic installation and finishing is complete and of the quality expected from a PDAA Master Certified Installer.
Vehicle Wrap Rear Test
Purpose
The purpose of the Vehicle Wrap Rear Test is to demonstrate your ability to apply graphics on vehicle wraps that include hinges, license plates, windows, and perforated window graphics properly.
Substrate
A passenger vehicle, usually a late model Ford van or similar.
Graphics
Digitally printed with a solvent inkjet printer. Printed on a two mil vinyl with air egress, with a cast vinyl laminate, no premask, and multiple panels, tiled vertically with a one inch overlap (approximate). Includes vinyl and perforated window graphics.
Instructions
Properly apply the graphic panels, positioned per specs you will be given at the time by the test administrator.
Procedure
Apply the graphics in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques, which include:
- Proper surface preparation
- Apply the graphics with absolute minimum stretching
- Apply the graphics in the proper position on the vehicle
- Apply the graphic panels properly aligned to each other
- Properly remove all bubbles
- Precisely trim, tuck, and wrap the graphics in the correct manner and locations
- Make sure all seams and edges are properly finished
- Post heat all complex curve areas
- Wipe off the graphics to remove fingerprints, smudges, and any marks you may have made
Requirements to pass
The graphics were applied in a confident manner using PDAA approved techniques listed. The finished graphics must be free of wrinkles and bubbles on the exterior of the vehicle, panels aligned properly with respect to each other, and in the specified position on the vehicle. The graphics were trimmed and finished properly. The graphic installation and finishing is complete and of the quality expected from a PDAA Master Certified Installer.
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