Paint Protection Film Specialist + Graphic Designer
Experience matters.
Your vehicle matters.
Experience in caring for your vehicle matters too.
Mike is an experienced professional in caring for your investment at Auto Trim DESIGN. He is a certified professional and is experienced in Vehicle Detailing, Paint Protection Film (PPF) & Vinyl application, Business Services, and Customer Service. Mike brings over Thirty (30) years of experience in caring for what matters when it comes to your vehicle.
From a young age, Mike was always drawn to cars, particularly classic models from the '60s. However, when he got involved with Auto Trim DESIGN, his perspective broadened to include a wider variety of vehicles across different years and styles.
In the early 2000s, his passion for cars became even more refined through a relationship with a local car enthusiast. This person became his mentor and helped foster a deeper, more defined love for the automotive world.
The Auto Trim DESIGN brand, established in 1991, began as a cooperative of independently owned and operated small businesses, each specializing in similar automotive services. Over time, these businesses expanded their offerings to include a wide range of automotive-related services, such as vehicle electronics, accessories, sun and moon roofs, window tinting, and more. At its peak, the group provided no fewer than 60 distinct services.
Eventually, as the industry evolved and individual owners adapted their business strategies, the cooperative transitioned into a collection of individually owned and operated businesses. This shift allowed each location to focus on the services and specialties that best met the needs of their local markets.
Before joining Auto Trim DESIGN, Mike worked as a Remodeling and Building Contractor, specializing in Residential Design. While he enjoyed that chapter of his career, Mike was ready for a new challenge. Around that time, a friend approached him with an opportunity to join their family’s growing business. It was the perfect chance to pivot and bring his design skills into a fresh industry. So Mike officially started with Auto Trim DESIGN April 1st of 1994.
In 1999, the once closely connected group of Auto Trim DESIGN businesses dissolved their cooperative structure. As a result, the Indianapolis-based headquarters relinquished the trademark for the name. Recognizing the value of the brand, Auto Trim DESIGN NE WI stepped in to acquire the rights to the trademark. This allowed Auto Trim DESIGN NE Wisconsin not only to retain the established identity but also to advertise the Auto Trim DESIGN brand on a global scale.
In the early 2000s, the Auto Trim DESIGN Team recognized a growing demand for pre-cut automotive decals and graphic kits, especially in the online marketplace. As pioneers in this space, the team enjoyed the opportunity to take the graphic designs they were applying locally and offer them to the global community. Over time, their unique designs began to reach various parts of the world.
As the online presence grew, they expanded their offerings to include Paint Protection Film (PPF) kits, with a particular focus on motorcycles. While Mike didn’t have an exact number of products he personally designed, but as a team, they've designed and now offer thousands of decal, graphic, and PPF kits through their website. These products cater to a wide range of customer needs and preferences, showcasing their diverse expertise and commitment to quality.
If you don’t see a precut kit for your vehicle on our website, just Ask, we’ll create it!
When it comes to designing PPF and Vinyl Kits, Mike enjoys the accuracy in fitment, it is his top priority. There's a real sense of satisfaction when a decal, graphic, or Paint Protection Film kit fits perfectly, with no need for additional trimming or stretching. Achieving that seamless, precise application is the most rewarding part of the design process for him.
Paint Protection Film is a relatively new addition to the automotive industry, currently holding only about 10–15% of the aftermarket services market share. This makes it an exciting and growing field with immense potential. They have the opportunity to provide our customers with advanced solutions to protect their vehicles.
This is particularly important given the noticeable decline in paint quality on many new cars. PPF not only preserves the vehicle's finish but also enhances its appearance with a stunning high-gloss finish.
The digital side of the business is just as critical as the hands-on, analog work involved in Graphic Application, Window Tint Installation, and Paint Protection Film services. Keeping up with advancements in software and technology has been both a challenge and an exciting opportunity.
Today’s tools, like cloud-based design systems and the rapid emergence of AI-assisted graphic design, have transformed how we approach his work. These innovations enable him and his team to streamline processes, elevate their creativity, and deliver even more fantastic projects tailored to their customers' needs.
When we asked Mike “How was learning the wrap world for you when you first started”, He laughed for a moment because he was wrapping vehicles before the term “wrap” even existed. Back in the mid-90s, they called it "SuperGraphics." The process was much more challenging than it is today because they only had regular vinyl film to work with—there were no air release channels like modern wrap films have.
Mike is a believer that college education is an excellent path for some, as it can help guide individuals toward careers that align with their strengths and interests. For those who already know their desired career path, higher education can be a valuable tool to refine and broaden their skill sets.
That said, there are also tremendous opportunities available through on-the-job training, which he personally values the most. Mike always enjoys learning as he goes, gaining practical experience in real-world situations, and supplementing that with continuing education as needed to stay current and enhance his abilities.
As a company, they share this philosophy. At Auto Trim DESIGN, they actively seek out and appreciate opportunities for continuing education in our specialized fields, including Graphic Application, Window Tinting, Paint Protection Film Installation, Vehicle Detailing, and Automotive Restoration Services. This commitment ensures that we stay at the forefront of our industry and provide the best possible service to our customers. With offering multiple services under one roof, Auto Trim DESIGN can be a one stop shop.
While Mike has many favorite vehicles, one that stands out as a dream project for applying PPF would be the Pagani Zonda. The design, craftsmanship, and exclusivity of that car make it an incredible opportunity to work on. So if anyone knows someone with a Pagani Zonda, send them our way!
Every day, Mike feels incredibly thankful to be part of a business that allows him to work alongside a talented and creative team. Auto Trim DESIGN has the opportunity to provide solutions for all kinds of vehicles that come through their doors—whether it’s a $2,000 Toyota Camry or an eight-figure exotic car. Mike personally, also finds it incredibly rewarding to apply PPF, knowing that he’s helping our customers protect their investment while elevating their vehicle's look.This gives the team variety and challenges the team encounters make this work so rewarding. It's also rewarding to witness how far the industry has come with tools and materials that make wraps more efficient and precise. Mike is thrilled about the future and looks forward to embracing new technologies to keep pushing the boundaries of what they can achieve for their clients.
A.VanHaren
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