May 4—It’s a buzz of activity as six people at Wrap Hive work to meticulously place a design on a semi-truck.
Wrap Hive can take a plain trailer and turn it into a creative slate, with straight lines, contrasting colors and high-quality images. Located south of Kalispell, the vehicle wrapper is a one-stop-shop for branding and business identity, only ensuring quality products leave their garage, owner Chance Remien said.
“Where we really try to specialize is by customizing each job to the client … making something that meets your budget and your goals,” he said.
On a Friday in April, the shop is working on a project for Polson company Stutzman’s Amish Furniture. Wrap Hive prints everything in house and to scale for each project.
“Everything has to work together to get that 360 image,” Remien said, pointing to a carefully curated curved line that travels throughout different sections of the truck.
And that is just one example of what they do, Remien said. From boats, cars, golf carts and more to decal graphics for walls, floors and windows, there is constantly room for creativity.
Remien opened Wrap Hive in 2017 on Center Street in Kalispell. Originally from Ronan and a Montana State University 2011 graphic design graduate, Remien worked in Bozeman for a few years after graduation but knew he wanted to start a business back in Northwest Montana.
In 2021, Wrap Hive outgrew its previous location and moved to a previous fabrication shop where the bypass meets U.S. 93 south of town.
Remien estimates that around 80% of the work they do is for businesses while 20% is for personal preference. For example, full vehicle wraps to change the color or look of a car are sometimes popular for individuals while branded vehicles may be more popular for businesses.
Vehicles are around 70% of what they do, Remien said.
Whether someone needs a new original design or has their artwork ready, Wrap Hive can work to make an idea a printed reality.
Businesses working with Wrap Hive receive an all-around approach to branding, Remien said. Wrap Hive will work with existing logos and designers to bring a patron’s vision to life by using very specialized, calibrated colors.
With his background in graphic design, Remien produces full branding mockups for interested customers, including logo creation, color themes and graphic ideas.
From custom design vehicle wraps and graphics, paint protection films, boat and trailer wraps and graphics, wall murals, banners, stickers and more, everything Wrap Hive does is printed and installed in-house.
Once a design is selected, Remien and his team print the various panels and decals that the project requires. Those prints are then laminated, cut down to size and then placed on the surface. Using a technique to remove any bubbles and heat to mimic sun wear, the wrap leaves the shop in stellar condition, guaranteed, Remien said.
The wraps last, on average, five years with an ensured easy removal. They can last longer but removal may not be as clean, Remien said.
“Being able to have that eye to detail to stick to the quality of work we do is important,” Remien said.
To talk through projects, request a mockup or learn more about services, visit wraphive.com.
Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.
A recently completed project by Wrap Hive in Kalispell for Stutzman’s Amish Furniture. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
Wrap Hive is a custom graphic design and vehicle wrap business in south Kalispell. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
Wrap Hive in Kalispell prints and installs custom vehicle wraps and art. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
Chance Remien owns Wrap Hive in Kalispell. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
