Everything You Need To KNOW About Van Signwriting
Signwriting is the art of creating eye-catching, bespoke signage to promote your business. When applied to vans, it can transform your vehicle into an essential mobile advertisement.
Signwriting grew in prominence throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, following the Industrial Revolution, and enabled businesses to communicate messages in public spaces. Shopfronts became emboldened with creative advertisements, ornate signage and artistic creations that became a hallmark for attracting new and prospective customers.
Today, van signwriting has evolved with digital technologies, allowing for high-quality, durable designs that can completely transform your brand visibility. While traditional hand-painted lettering is still admired for its craftsmanship, modern techniques can allow businesses to create striking, professional signage with precision and efficiency, ensuring your business stands out - wherever the road takes you.
The Importance of Signwriting
Van signwriting is a vital tool for businesses looking to establish a strong brand presence. Well-designed vehicle signage can turn any van into a moving advertisement, helping you to promote your services, build recognition, and create a lasting impression on potential customers.
Brand Awareness
An average of 3000 people an HOUR will see your sign, and it will be clear to anyone exactly what you do and how best to contact you.
A well-designed van sign ensures your business stands out in a crowded market. Customers buy from brands that are aligned in some way with their own style and requirements. Whether parked outside a job site or driving through busy streets, your signage will grab attention, providing key information, such as your company name, contact details, and services offered.
A Professional Service
Did you know that there is no legitimate reason for a GP to wear a lab coat? Yet, for some reason, they do! Why? Because of the perception it gives off. When a patient comes in for their appointment, in the split second it takes to make a judgement, they are assured of their Doctor’s experience and professionalism in part due to the lab coat and van signwriting does the same sort of thing.
A bespoke van sign can, therefore, help build trust and credibility, making your company look professional and trustworthy wherever you go.
Inspire Confidence
The difference between the perception of a professional business or a “white van man” lies (in part) in the presence or absence of vehicle graphics.
A sign written van inspires more confidence in customers as there is more perceived accountability. This acts as an incentive for a customer to go with a well-known company with graphics rather than an unmarked vehicle. It gives customers confidence in the quality of work they can expect to receive.
Added Protection
Whether you have bought or leased your van, signwriting is a fantastic means of protecting the vehicle from all sorts of damage. Many who lease their vehicle choose to get signwriting added, and then when it is time to return the van to the dealership, the graphics are easily removed, and the van looks just as good as when it was first driven off the forecourt.
Deter Thieves
There's a wide variety of insurers out there, and this may not be the case for all of them, however, van signage has been a deterrent against theft of equipment as well as theft of the actual vehicle.
Recognisable logos help differentiate your van; they do not easily blend in, so it would not be a desirable target for thieves. - Simple stickers such as “GPS tracking” and “no tools/valuables are left in this vehicle overnight” are also a low-cost visual deterrent.
Long story short, your insurance will not be increased due to your van signwriting, and in some cases, it will even be reduced.
Matt Tozer, commercial director of van insurance experts Vast Visibility, says: “Typically, having a van sign written will give a discount with some insurers. This is because insurers are likely to perceive those who have signs drawn up for their businesses as more professional, and therefore trustworthy
Long-term Investment
Investing in quality van signwriting is a cost-effective marketing strategy that delivers long-term results, helping businesses grow by making a lasting impression.
Once the initial outlay has been paid, you are good to go for 5-7 years. That is now an advert for your business, 24/7 literally earning your business in your sleep, while you drive and when you are just parked up.
What are the Different Types of Signwriting?
- Hand-painted signage: created with traditional brush techniques for a timeless finish.
- Vinyl lettering: modern, precision-cut, offering a contemporary look.
- Digital and printed signage: high quality, large-scale prints, useful for branding.
- 3D signage and illuminated signs: eye-catching signs designed to stand out.
- Vehicle signwriting: mobile advertising solutions, including van and vehicle graphics, lorry and bus graphics and fleet graphics that can promote your business while on the move.
For more details, explore our Guide to Digital Signage to find out how to make the most of your signage solutions.
What Kinds of Van Signwriting Are Available?
Vinyl signwriting: The most commonly used and long-lasting signage for your van. This encompasses everything from your full wraps to simple logos and contact details.
Magnetic signage: Handy if you want to be off duty at times or if your van has multiple uses, as the sign can be left on the van or easily swapped or put away when needed. If you like to draw a line when you are off the clock, or if other people will be driving the van.
If you are renting a van and want to differentiate yourself for the reasons we have already listed, this is also a great option.
The Dos and Don’ts of van signwriting
√ DO get your graphics professionally designed
We know your best mate’s daughter is great with design, but on this one occasion, please trust the professionals. You will be driving with this design on your van for the next 5 -7 years, so let’s make sure that it is absolutely perfect. There is also no need to separately source a designer anyway, as we provide everything from the initial graphic design, right down to the fitting - all in-house.
√ DO bring us a clean vehicle
To make sure your signwriting will last for the longest time and be of a high standard, we need to fit the graphics to a clean vehicle. So, 10 minutes in a car wash before you pay us a visit will save you any hassle.
√ DO make sure your van is legally compliant
There are certain sectors who legally need Chapter 8 graphics to be permitted to carry out their work. So double check and do not get caught out by this rule!
X DON’T rush your proofreading
Once you have signed off on your artwork, this is precisely what will be made and fitted to your van. If there is a mistake, we can certainly amend this, but it is more hassle for you, so, as with everything, “measure twice and cut once.”
X DON’T go to a car wash immediately afterwards
We know you want to show off your shiny new signwriting, but you need to allow at least 2-3 days for the adhesive to settle; however, if you have followed our previous point (clean your van beforehand!) that won’t be an issue.
X DON’T accept poor service
Poor signwriting is always worse than no signwriting! As with most things, you will always get a better-quality product from a specialist. We eat, sleep, and breathe van signwriting, it has been our bread and butter for nearly 20 years. Have a look at our gallery of work and 5-star reviews, we have done it all!
What details do I need to provide to get my van sign written?
If you want to expedite this process, your best bet is to have these details ready. Whether you let us know via email of or over the phone, we will need:
- Your Artwork. If you will be providing it yourself, please send us your artwork in either PDF or AI format. If you would like us to supply the artwork, then do not worry about this step.
- Your Budget. Please let us know the parameters you would like us to stay within, and we will always try our best to accommodate you.
Please provide a picture of the vehicle as well as the model, year, and colour.
How much will van sign writing cost me?
Well, how long is a piece of string? Do you want a custom full wrap on a Ford Transit Jumbo or just a logo and some contact details on your Volkswagen Caddy? As these are vastly different jobs. As a very rough guide though, with the example of a Ford Transit Custom, including fitting, you can expect to pay anywhere from: £200 +VAT* for a simple logo and contact details £550 +VAT* for a half wrap £1500 +VAT* for a full wrap. This, of course, is a very rough outline, so for an accurate same-day quote (working days only), contact us on the enquiry form below.
*all prices are estimated and should be used as a guide only.
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