Vehicle Graphics Buyers Guide

www.signsexpress.co.uk/plymouth

How to Choose the Right Type of Vehicle Graphics for Your Business

your vehicle

So, you’ve just purchased a new company vehicle and decided like many other companies that vehicle graphics are a great way to promote your business.

The good news is that you are making a great investment in efficiently marketing your business. Now you need to determine what type of graphics are best for your fleet of vehicles.

With the average commercial driver spending over a month a year behind the wheel, research has shown that over 3000 people see your vehicle every hour of the day*. This exposure would outmatch most forms of advertising, so this is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss!

We’ve put together this comparison guide to help you make the best decision for your marketing and business goals. The first step is to define each type of graphics currently available for your vehicles.

For this comparison guide we’ve included five types:

• Vehicle Wraps

• Colour Change

• Vehicle Graphics/Lettering

• Rear Window Graphics

• Magnetic Vehicle Signs

Other types of graphics are also available.

*research from 3M study ‘The Power of Vehicle Advertising’

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VEHICLE WRAP

It is easiest to think of a vehicle wrap like a large custom sticker. Wraps are

custom designed and digitally printed using high resolution large format

printers. These large printed vinyl “stickers” are then laminated to protect

the quality of the print from fading or abrasion.

Our highly skilled professional installers then apply the vinyl graphics to a

vehicle. The special cast vinyl material is designed to expand, contract and

conform to the shape of your vehicle. When expertly applied it should have

the look and feel of a new coat of paint. These graphics can be removed

by applying heat with no damage or residue to the vehicle as long as the

vehicles paintwork is factory quality and in good condition. In most cases,

vehicle wraps and graphics are approved for leased vehicles. Vehicle wraps

do not need to cover the entire vehicle. It can be economical and highly

effective to only wrap parts of the vehicle (a partial vs full wrap).

More and more companies are using vibrant colours and strong imagery

to brand their vehicle. This means a more striking visual effect making

more use of the entire space of the vehicle and allows for a much more

innovative way of communicating your message.

See more examples of vehicle wraps and graphics here.

Colour change material is a solid coloured cast vinyl which is applied

directly to the surface of the vehicle. As with printed vinyl, the material is

designed to conform to the shape of the vehicle panels.

Almost any vehicle - Cars, Vans, Lorries, Buses, Bikes, Boats, Trains and

even Aeroplanes can have graphics applied.

The important point is that every vehicle needs to be assessed

individually to ensure installation of the right quality. By using this

material, it changes the colour of the vehicle and just as the vehicle wrap,

this material should only be applied to a good quality painted finish. Due

to the nature of the ‘Colour Change’ material it will not hide blemishes in

the bodywork such as dents, scratches or rust.

See examples of Vehicle Colour Change graphics here.

Colour change

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Vehicle lettering or cut graphics are another very popular choice of

branding vehicles. They allow the business owner to include their company

name and contact information in a colour and font of their choice. Applying

vehicle graphics can have several different effects:

• Accentuate the professionalism and authority of your business

• Make your vehicle a reference point for the local community

• Promote a point of difference over your competitors or highlight a

special skill or selling message

• Feature important details such as telephone numbers or website

• Simply make an older vehicle look smart, clean and as new.

Customers often ask us if the fitting of vehicle graphics is complicated - Not

if you go to Signs Express. Any problems with vehicle graphics can be traced

back to three issues – the wrong material, the application or the wrong

tools. It is also beneficial to have a dedicated area within our premises

to install the graphics rather than having to do it outside exposed to the

elements.

See examples of Vehicle Graphics & Lettering here.

vehicle graphics & lettering Window GRAPHICS

Vehicle window graphics are like other vehicle wraps and graphics in that

they are custom designed and printed on adhesive vinyl using a large

format printer. The type of vinyl, however, is a bit different.

The adhesive vinyl used for window graphics is perforated with tiny round

holes.

These holes remove approximately 50% of the material. This perforation

allows those inside the vehicle to see out, while those outside the vehicle

only see the graphic design.

This material can be installed on slightly curved surfaces. See examples of

Perforated Window Film here

See examples of Vehicle Window Graphics here.

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magnetic Signs

Magnetic signs are exactly what they sound like.

They are custom designed and printed sheets of flexible printable

magnetic material. They can be applied to the driver and passenger

doors or the rear of a car, van or truck.

This is often the starting point for exploring vehicle graphics, especially

when the vehicle is used for both business and personal use. While it is

simple and affordable, it comes with more risks that the other options.

Be sure you understand the risks and limitations as well as the proper care

required for magnetic signs before attaching them to your vehicle(s).

See our website for further details on caring for vehicle magnetic signs.

See our website for further details on caring for vehicle magnetic signs.

Vehicle Graphics Options VehicleWrap & Col-our Change

Vehicle Graphics &Lettering

RearWindowGraphics

Magnetic Signs

suitabilityMobile advertising

Fully customisable

Creates a professional image

Can be removed from vehicle

Any design, colour, font, or photo, possibleEasily replaced if vehicle needs repairingWorks within smaller budget

Appropriate for leased vehicles

Can be seen from all angles

Big impression - grabs attention - memorableGreat for mixed use vehicle (prof. & personal)

considerationsCan be an expensive option

Medium to long term commitment

Weekly/daily care to avoid paint damagedriving hazard at high speeds

Not advised for leased vehicles

Expensive replacement

helping you choose

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We hope the chart on the previous page helps you weigh out some of the quantitative and qualitative considerations for your vehicle graphics decision. Whilst price is a driving factor for many businesses, it is important to know what you can expect for your investment, so you can make the right decision for you and your brand.

The choice is down to the business owner, however these are the important factors affecting the pricing of your graphics:

We use the best quality materials at Signs Express for all our signage to give the best possible finish.

Once you have narrowed your options you can start evaluating your choices financially. Make sure you consider budget, design and the type of vehicle graphics from the above list.

Remember, vehicle graphics get your business seen on the road and can last for many years so are an important marketing investment.

What is you budget for the project?

Do you have a design?How complicated is the artwork?

How much vinyl material will be used?

e.g. The whole of the vehicle or just both sides and rear.

The type of vinyl that is required?

e.g. The life expectancey of the graphics and the vehicle type

on your decisions

CONTACT US TODAY!01752 563336

plymouth@signs-express.co.uk

@SXPlymouth

@SignsExpressPlymouth

Unit 14 Wolseley Business Park | Wolseley Close

Plymouth | PL2 3BY

01752 563336 | www.signsexpress.co.uk/branch/plymouth

plymouth@signs-express.co.uk