Why the Best Wrap Shops Never Stop Experimenting | Jay Kroll (General Formulations)

Most wrap shops look for the “right way” to do things. The right material. The right process. The right system.

But the best shops do something different.
They test. Constantly.

In this episode, recorded live with Jay Kroll from General Formulations, the conversation centers around experimentation and why the shops that grow fastest are the ones willing to try, fail, and adjust in real time.

In this episode:
• Why waiting for the perfect process slows most shops down
• How top shops use testing to improve installs, materials, and workflow
• What suppliers see from shops that consistently perform at a high level
• Why material choice is less important than how you work with it
• The role of curiosity in becoming a better installer and operator
• How small adjustments lead to big long term gains
• Why feedback loops between shop and supplier matter
• The difference between guessing and intentional testing
There is no final version of your process.

The best wrap shops are always experimenting.
Always refining.
Always improving.

They do not wait until they have every answer.
They take action, learn fast, and adjust.
If you want to grow your shop, stop looking for certainty.
Start testing.

Connect with Jay Kroll and General Formulations: 
generalformulations.com
https://www.instagram.com/general_formulations

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This episode is sponsored by Wrap Fam Unleashed:
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[0:00] Introduction: The Power of Curiosity Andrew kicks off the episode live from the International Sign Association (ISA) expo, gives a shoutout to The Wrap Institute, and introduces Jay Cruel from General Formulations.

[1:55] Jay’s Background: From Medical Devices to Vinyl Wraps Jay shares his unique origin story, transitioning from engineering life-saving medical bandages for gunshot wounds to designing and developing adhesive films for the graphics industry.

[10:05] Educating the Customer & Mastering the Discovery Call Andrew and Jay discuss the reality of dealing with first-time wrap customers. They cover how to set proper expectations, why you should make customers bring their vehicles to your shop, and using your space as a visual tour.

[15:24] The 70-Year History of General Formulations (GF) A deep dive into GF’s roots starting in 1953 as "General Assembly." Jay explains how the company evolved from building screen printing equipment to engineering cross-platform vinyl materials.

[19:04] Navigating Distributors & Choosing the Right Material How exactly do you buy General Formulations products? Jay breaks down their vast network of distributors and explains the importance of asking the ultimate question: “What are we sticking this to?”

[24:14] Inventory Strategies & COVID Supply Chain Lessons Andrew shares how his shop built a $20,000 inventory closet to survive supply chain crashes, and Jay explains why material scarcity is actually the perfect excuse to test out newer, more cost-effective films.

[30:03] How to Partner with Your Manufacturer Beyond just buying rolls of vinyl, Jay explains how wrap shops can leverage their relationship with manufacturers for tech support, product education, and utilizing their shop as a physical demo space.

[35:03] Vetting Materials & Turning Failures into Lifelong Customers How to spot cheap, unreliable materials (like films using permanent construction adhesive). Andrew also shares a shop horror story of failing a Chevy Express van wrap twice—and how owning the mistake built a customer for life.

[42:15] Beyond the Squeegee: GF’s Training & Certification Jay details General Formulations' upcoming training programs. It’s not just about how to hold a squeegee; it’s about understanding surface science, material behavior, and high-level installation troubleshooting.

[48:30] Final Thoughts: Stay Curious & Outro Jay leaves the audience with one final, powerful piece of advice for growing a wrap shop: always stay curious.

What is The WrapOps Podcast?

We’re Andrew and Tanor Banks, owners of Performance Wraps and creators of WrapOps—the podcast for serious wrap shop owners. You’ll find episodes packed with real stories, lessons, and strategies from the front lines of running and scaling a wrap business. From tackling overwhelm to building teams and systems, WrapOps is here to help you grow smarter, not just harder.