Van Graphics

Van Graphics: Helping Your Business To Stand Out

If you are serious about your business, you will need to think about how you will advertise yourself. One of the most cost efficient ways is with your van and the use of graphics.

What are van decals?

Van decals are the most well known options for adding business information to a van. A decal uses the colour of the van as part of the design and places the information in a way that it is easy to read and provides enough information about your business. You have probably seen decals on vans thousands of times over the years, and they all have the same format. A logo is used as well as some basic contact information about the business. The best way to think of a van decal is a mobile business card that people can see every time you take your van out for a spin.

What is van wrapping?

Van wrapping could be considered next level decals. Wrapping a van in vinyl allows the van to be completely covered with a design to promote your business. If a decal is a business card, then a wrapping is a mobile billboard. Vinyl wrapping is a growing trend for business users as the cost of the wrap, which can last several years, is the same as a small ad in a paper for a week or two. The design of the wrap can be big or small as you need it to be. And when you are done with the design and want to change it, you can simply peel it off and get a new design.

Custom spray job

If you want something more permanent on your van, there is the option of a custom paint job. These are not as common as decals and wrapping as they can cost a lot more. And depending on the place that you go to, they might not be able to put the details that you desire. However, some people love the idea of a work of art on their van and will settle for nothing less. Custom paint jobs are normally seen on artist vans and they have done the design and work themselves. Of course, that custom paint job can be as simple as spraying the side of the van with some paint as you hold a stencil over it. 

Magnetic van signs

If you don’t feel that you can commit to just one design, or cannot get any of the other graphics that we have listed, there is another option. Having a magnetic sign that can be applied and removed whenever you need to, is a great middle ground. The magnets are powerful and will stay put as you are driving around. This can be a great option if you don’t own the van or are unsure about the terms and conditions of your agreement. The magnets can be custom made and can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. 

Graphics and your van

Before you get excited about the idea of covering your van with your business details, you may need to consider the ownership of your van. If you one your van outright, you can cover it in whatever you want. However, if you are leasing your van, you might need to look at the terms and conditions. Some lease contracts forbid the van from being altered in any way. Some may allow a wrap to be applied, as long as it does not affect the paint work. To be on the safe side, always check your paperwork to ensure that you can change the appearance. If you are not allowed, you might need to look into other finance options for your van.

How long does it take to apply signage to a van?

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. The first thing you need to consider is if your van is clean and ready to work with. If it is, great! Work can start straight away. However, if the outside of the van needs to be cleaned, this will add extra time to the job as the decals, wrap, or paint cannot be applied to a dirty body. The second consideration is how much work is being done to the van. Sometimes the turnaround can be as quick as a few hours for some simple decals. Other times it can take a week for complex designs and full coverage to be applied. The third factor is the size of the van. A smaller van being fully covered will take less time than a large van to cover. However, when you are discussing the plans for your van, the timescale should be explained. In some cases, printers will let you drop your van off for the weekend and not break your stride with work. Other times you may need to cancel jobs for a week, or use a different van, while you wait on your new graphic being applied.

Surprising savings

When you are weighing up the costs of getting your van customised, you might be surprised to discover the savings that can come with it. For example, we have already mentioned how a wrapped van can be considered a mobile advert for your business. This can save you a lot of money on advertising costs in the local papers or on TV adverts. Having clear signage on your van can also lower the insurance costs. Having an easily identifiable van with clear signage makes it less likely to be stolen. This fact can help to lower the insurance. And finally, having the van wrapped can help prevent damage to the paintwork underneath. As wrapping is temporary, when you remove the vinyl, the paintwork is preserved underneath and can help to preserve the value of the van too.

When it comes to making your business mark on your van, there are many options to choose from.