Vehicle Wrap

[David W. Jones]

So when I got my Sprinter van a few years back I had considered doing a graphic wrap, but ended up going with magnetic signage so I could remove it when needed. I'm now considering doing something along the lines of a black matte wrap with minimal graphics. Anyone have experience doing one of these?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[paulears]

Nothing to ad about the how, but I always think the matt colours make a van look old and unloved. I can see it on cars, for image - but so many old vans are flat paint now - especially the Royal Mail red ones, and matt black would look to me unloved and old.

 

[David W. Jones]

Fair enough.

Here is how it looks now.

 

[David W. Jones]

And here are a few matte examples.

 

[Egg Born Son]

Gloss and/or metallic text and graphics on a matte finish can look pretty cool. It's a way to be garish and understated at the same time with show cars.

It depends how much you want to stand out.

If I was a punter I might be more impressed with a showy graphic laden vehicle like you might see on a mobile DJ or car detailers vehicle. If I was a professional I'd probably be more impressed with a white van with or without signage. Where I work in my dayjob (communications network tech) we used to have white vans with a discrete company logo front and doors. A couple of years ago they switched to full graphic bright colours (reminiscent of those found in a 3 year olds toys) and slogans. We felt diminished and we still get mocked in the streets by passersby. So glad I damaged my vehicle, now at least one side of my vehicle is white post repair. Think about the image you're trying to project is what I guess I'm trying to say.

 

[hojomo]

I would probably look at getting it painted before I would wrap it in vinyl (work in sign/printing industry). Then you could just use vinyl for the graphic portion. If 3m/equivalent good quality cast vinyl is used and applied properly, a wrap might stand the test of time. Then again it could look like ***t in 3 years. If you go wrap try to get a referral from a happy customer, and only get it installed at a shop that does a lot of wraps. The quality of the application is at least as important as the materials.

 

[David W. Jones]

It would be with a local 3M certified installer where I would trade video services for the wrap.

 

[David W. Jones]

May sound silly, but I have always wanted a vehicle with a flame job.

 

[OldCorpse]

I know you're joking, but careful with a "flame job" on a commercial vehicle - while many like it, there are most definitely those who will have a very negative reaction... so ask yourself if you may be alienating some clients. For many the "flame job" painting scheme is associated (unfairly or not) with socially regressive attitudes (redneck, rebel flag waving, outlaw motorcycle gang etc.) - I know it's not fair, but there you go.

 

[David W. Jones]

Pretty much axed the idea of big graphics, and thinking of just web address on the doors, with a possible color change.

 

[David W. Jones]

OK here is the first draft from the wrap place.

Thoughts?

 

[Alex H.]

Needs anamorphic lens flare.

 

[robmneilson]

Looks good, but I don't like the font or the placement of the top "David Jones Films". I would perhaps drop it lower and put them both in the grey trim?

Seems like it may also be missing something. If you're going to pay to get your vehicle wrapped I should think it should be more eye catching.

 

[Tom Shortridge]

I feel like a similar discussion was had on this board before regarding graphics on vehicles, and one of the major concerns was, if you're going to be transporting expensive gear around, logos/branding/anything that lets people know what you do could make you a highly visible target for thieves.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

[reygun]

Looks good, but I don't like the font or the placement of the top "David Jones Films". I would perhaps drop it lower and put them both in the grey trim?

Seems like it may also be missing something. If you're going to pay to get your vehicle wrapped I should think it should be more eye catching.

I agree with this. I think it's graphically very minimal and could be conveyed just as well with vinyl lettering, plus the large logo as a partial wrap.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I feel like a similar discussion was had on this board before regarding graphics on vehicles, and one of the major concerns was, if you're going to be transporting expensive gear around, logos/branding/anything that lets people know what you do could make you a highly visible target for thieves.

Just something to keep in mind.

+1 That is the reason I never did anything on mine.

Be the grey man.

 

[Paul F]

The big operations usually don't have anything on their trucks. Not even a small mention of what company they are; always plain white. I think this is a combination of tradition and for the reasons stated above about being a target for thieves. The exception is network and cable-owned production trucks, which like to advertise.

 

[David W. Jones]

That was my thought as well, and the reason why I went with magnetic signage so it could be removed.

But I was trying to work out a trade with a wrap place and wanted to see what they came up with.

 

[hojomo]

I agree with this. I think it's graphically very minimal and could be conveyed just as well with vinyl lettering, plus the large logo as a partial wrap.

+1. This isn't a wrap.

There's nothing much going on to make it look distinct. The text and graphic aren't integrated, and it you want to plaster the side of a van with graphics; I'd suggest you'd also want something resembling a logo. Or at least a good photo with a typeface with more personality (website font not so much, I like simple/sans serif).

The graphic is a shutter? I would take the time to curve the blades, add more detail to make that more apparent/distinct. I would add an additional color too, even if you are just wanting greyscale. Doesn't have to be saturated.

I also would put info higher. It might look aesthetically more pleasing from a layout perspective (but not a given), but for visibility I would want the info higher to not get covered up by cars on your side when you are out driving.

Having said that, if I had a video production company I would go blank, and slap magnetics on if it made sense to advertise periodically

I obviously don't know what the monetary value of your services (or theirs) for this work would be, but in an independent sign shop in Houston or Seattle... you'd be looking at maybe $1200-$1500, including installation.

 

[pixelated]

I personally like to stay incognito, but the idea of a service trade doesn't necessarily have to be your vehicle. What about another client who might love to have a delivery vehicle wrapped. The new photo wraps are becoming very popular here. They wrap his truck - you shoot their vid - he pays you instead of them. Everybody wins.