Do installer titles like "STEK Black Label" or "XPEL Dealer of the Year" mean a shop is better?
Short answer
Not on their own. These titles come from manufacturers and reward a shop's commitment to one brand. A title shows loyalty to one manufacturer, not that its product is the best for your car.
What do these titles measure?
XPEL's Dealer of the Year weighs sales and installation volume alongside service. STEK Black Label requires installing STEK exclusively. Ceramic Pro's Elite Dealer program required carrying Ceramic Pro's full line.
These are normal programs that manufacturers use to support committed shops. They just measure loyalty and volume, not which product fits your car.
Where does APC stand?
APC was a Ceramic Pro Elite Dealer and chose to leave. APC also chose not to pursue STEK Black Label, so it can pick the best product in each category. For the full story, read what installer titles mean on our sister site.
How APC Auto Spa does it
APC is a STEK certified installer and has installed STEK since STEK came to the US. It chooses each product on its own merits rather than one brand's full catalog.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a shop with a title do worse work?
- No. A title simply doesn't tell you either way.
- Why didn't APC pursue Black Label?
- It requires installing STEK exclusively, and APC wants to pick the best product in each category.
Reviewed by Heather Humphrey, co-owner of APC Auto Spa ยท Last updated October 2026
Heather leads customer education and training at APC's Tukwila and Monroe shops.