At LA LIVE, nothing happens quietly. Even the ice resurfacer becomes part of the experience. For the LA Kings Holiday Ice season, the Zamboni was a powerful branding machine. CR&A Custom produced the full custom wrap for the Zamboni, transforming a functional machine into a branded feature that felt right at home in the middle of a high energy environment.
A Zamboni wrap is a different challenge than a vehicle wrap you see on the street. The shape is irregular. Panels break unexpectedly and mechanical components interrupt clean surfaces. Every inch still needs to read well while staying clear of moving parts, access panels, lights, and safety features. There is no room for shortcuts.
CR&A Custom approached the project with the reality that the wrap design needed to work from all angles. Fans see the Zamboni head on, from the sides, and from behind as it circles the rink. It also had to photograph well under arena lighting and hold up through constant use.
The imagery centered on LA Kings Holiday Ice branding, with bold graphics, winter themed color, and strong contrast that stays legible in motion. The logo placement was carefully planned so it never feels cut off or distorted by panel seams. Even when the Zamboni is moving, the branding reads clean and intentional.
Material choice mattered just as much as layout. Zambonis deal with cold, moisture, and constant cleaning. The vinyl had to adhere reliably to metal surfaces that see temperature swings and frequent wipe downs. Lamination had to protect the graphics without adding glare under bright rink lighting.
The installation required precision. Every curve, edge, and corner had to be addressed individually. Panels were wrapped to follow the machine’s contours while maintaining alignment from one section to the next. Hardware, lights, and access points were accounted for so nothing interfered with operation or maintenance.
What makes this kind of project stand out is how natural it feels once complete. The Zamboni does not look like it was wrapped after the fact. It looks like it was built this way. That is usually the result of careful prep work and installers who understand how machines function, not just how graphics look on a flat surface.
During events, the wrapped Zamboni becomes part of the atmosphere. Kids notice it. Fans take photos. It adds to the sense that Holiday Ice is more than just skating on a rink. It is an experience built around the LA Kings brand and the setting at LA LIVE.
From a branding standpoint, this kind of large format work does a lot of quiet heavy lifting. It reinforces identity without needing explanation. It turns downtime between sessions into a visual moment. It also extends the brand into places people do not expect, which is often where it makes the strongest impression.
CR&A Custom’s work on the LA Kings Zamboni shows what happens when production teams understand both design intent and real world use. The wrap holds up, reads clearly, and fits the environment without feeling forced.
Even when it is just resurfacing ice, the Zamboni now plays a visible role in the overall experience. For fans, it is part of the memory. For the brand, it is another surface working hard in a space where details matter.
