The Complete Guide to Vehicle Graphics

Signs Express are experts in vehicle graphic solutions. With over 30 years’ experience we are perfectly placed to give you the complete guide to vehicle graphics; walking you through the benefits and the process of installing graphics on your organisation’s vehicles.

Brand awareness - If you want your vehicle to stand out to motorists and pedestrians alike, then ensure that you have professionally designed branding on your vehicle. To maximise the impact, vehicle wraps can boost name recognition up to 15 times more than other forms of advertising.

Build a local business presence - Vehicle branding provides a powerful cornerstone for local advertising campaigns. Most views that your vehicle will get will be from those who live or work in the area you operate. The recognition of your company vehicle graphics may well inspire those who are in the market for your goods/services to contact you for their solution.

Flexible cost-effective advertising - As one of the most economical forms of advertising, you can be flexible with how you use them. Graphics can be changed as often or as little as your campaigns dictate, whether you want to have your company details on a vehicle for several years or whether you want to wrap a van in your latest promotion.

Reach any demographic - With many people opting out of email campaigns and doing all they can to protect their privacy from advertisers online, vehicle graphics can’t be avoided. Statistics in a report commissioned by 3M state that your vehicle will be seen up to 3,000 times per hour on its journeys and state that we spend on average 1,040 hours behind the wheel every year – around 1.5 months! With 35.6 million registered vehicles on the road this is a huge number of potential customers.

Vehicle protection - Vinyl wrapping your vehicle allows some protection from stone chips, scuffs and minor abrasions, as well as everyday wear and tear. Once the wrapping is removed, the vehicle will have that ‘almost new’ appearance, regardless of how long the wrap has been applied.

Full Wraps

A full vehicle wrap is a vinyl graphic that uses large sheets of printed vinyl to cover and transform the appearance of your vehicle. Heated and moulded to the contours of the bodywork the vinyl is expertly applied and can be removed when you want them changed. A full wrap completely covers the exterior surface of a vehicle, including the bonnet, doors, roof, and sometimes windows using perforated vinyl. This transforms the vehicle into a high-impact mobile advertisement, maximising exposure wherever it travels. While partial wraps are a popular, cost-effective alternative that still create a strong visual impact, a full wrap provides the most extensive coverage and brand visibility.

Benefits of a Full Wrap:

👉 Maximum Advertising Space – A full wrap offers the largest possible area for branding, messaging, and creative designs, ensuring maximum visibility and making a bold statement on the road.

👉 Consistent & Professional Branding – By covering the entire vehicle, a full wrap creates a seamless, cohesive design that strengthens brand recognition and presents a polished, professional image.

👉 Complete Paint Protection – The vinyl wrap serves as a protective barrier against UV rays, scratches, and minor damage, helping to preserve the vehicle’s original paintwork and maintain its resale value.

Van Graphics Bedfordshire Fire Service Wrap Bedford

Partial Wraps

A partial wrap covers specific sections of a vehicle rather than the entire surface. This approach is commonly used on areas such as the doors, roof, bonnet, or rear of the vehicle.

Benefits of a Partial Wrap:

👉 Cost-Effective – A well-designed partial wrap can be just as impactful as a full wrap while requiring a lower investment. It provides high visibility while reducing material and installation costs.

👉 Faster Installation & Removal – With less surface area to cover, partial wraps take less time to apply and can be removed more easily. This makes them a great option for temporary promotions or seasonal branding.

👉 Creative & Flexible Design – Partial wraps allow for striking designs by incorporating the vehicle’s existing colour into the overall look. This technique enhances contrast, draws attention to key areas, and ensures a professional, eye-catching finish.

Van Partial Wrap NOLA HIRE Signs Express Bedford

Modular Wraps

Modular wraps are an innovative alternative to traditional vehicle graphics, designed to be more versatile, cost-effective, and easier to install. Using a pioneering modular decal system, these wraps streamline the branding process, reducing costs, installation time, and downtime while ensuring a high-quality, professional finish that you would achieve from traditional vehicle branding techniques.

Benefits of Modular Vehicle Wraps:

👉 Faster & Simpler Installation – Modular wraps can be applied up to 75% quicker than traditional wraps, minimising vehicle downtime and keeping your fleet on the road.

👉 Cost-Effective Solution – With up to 30% cost savings versus comparable vehicle branding methods, modular wraps offer a budget-friendly way to achieve striking vehicle branding without compromising on quality.

👉 Eco-Friendly Choice – By reducing material waste, energy consumption and installation time, modular wraps have a 73% smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional wraps.

Vehicle Stickers & Decals

Vinyl lettering and graphics offer a fast and economical way to brand your vehicle, providing a professional and impactful look without the need for a full wrap. Decals, which are typically larger stickers, often incorporate full-colour graphics to maximise visibility and make a stronger impression.

Benefits of Vinyl Lettering & Graphics:

👉 Affordable & Quick to Apply – Vinyl lettering, stickers, and decals are a budget-friendly alternative to full wraps or partial wraps, offering an effective branding solution with a faster turnaround.

👉 Ideal for Short-Term Promotions – Custom vehicle stickers are perfect for temporary advertising, such as promotional events or seasonal campaigns. They can be produced quickly, making them ideal for ad hoc marketing needs.

👉 Durable & Weatherproof – When using quality materials both stickers and decals are waterproof and can be applied to the vehicle’s bodywork or rear windows, ensuring longevity and resilience against the elements.

Reflective Vehicle Graphics

For vehicles operating on high-speed roads for maintenance or inspection, high-visibility rear markings are a legal requirement under Chapter 8 regulations. These markings ensure maximum visibility, protecting both road workers and other drivers.

Types of High-Visibility Rear Markings:

👉 Chevron Markings – Made up of alternating fluorescent orange-red retroreflective and fluorescent yellow non-retroreflective stripes, at least 150mm wide and angled between 45°–60°.

👉Fluorescent Orange-Red Reflective Block – A solid block of retroreflective fluorescent orange-red material, providing enhanced visibility in all lighting conditions.

Who Needs to Follow Chapter 8 Regulations?

Organisations and businesses that operate vehicles on high-speed roads may be required to comply with Chapter 8, including:

✔ Highways agencies & council works
✔ Motorway maintenance service vehicles
✔ Ambulance & emergency services
✔ Utility and energy companies
✔ Breakdown and recovery vehicles
✔ Courier & transport services

Even if Chapter 8 markings are not legally required for your vehicle, incorporating them into your design improves safety and visibility while ensuring compliance with best practices.

Magnetic Vehicle Signs

Magnetic vehicle signs provide a highly effective and versatile way to brand your vehicle without a permanent commitment. As one of the easiest types of vehicle graphics to apply and remove, they offer a practical solution for businesses needing temporary signage or short-term promotions.

Benefits of Magnetic Vehicle Signs:

👉 Quick & Easy to Apply – No professional installation required; simply attach the sign to any magnetic surface on your vehicle for an instant branding solution, making them perfect for temporary promotions such as seasonal advertising, event sponsorship, or short-term campaigns

👉 Completely Removable & Reusable – Unlike vinyl wraps or decals, magnetic signs can be removed and reattached as needed, making them ideal for vehicles used for both business and personal purposes.

👉 Low Maintenance & Cost-Effective – Durable and weather-resistant, magnetic signs require minimal upkeep and provide a budget-friendly alternative to permanent vehicle graphics.

Collins Walker Magnetic Car Sign Bedford

Branded Window Film

Custom-printed window film is a great way to enhance the look of a vehicle while adding practical benefits such as UV protection and increased security. Applied to side or rear windows, it can create a sleek, professional finish that complements the overall vehicle design. It also integrates seamlessly with full or partial wraps, helping to reinforce your brand identity.

Benefits of Custom Window Film:

👉 Enhances Vehicle Aesthetics – Printed window film creates a high-end, professional appearance, improving the overall look of your vehicle.

👉 Branding & Advertising – Custom designs can incorporate your branding, making window film an excellent addition to a full or partial wrap.

👉 UV Protection & Security – Window film helps to reduce glare and heat from the sun while also increasing privacy and security by limiting visibility into the vehicle.

🚨 Legal Considerations in the UK – UK law states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, and the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through. This means window film cannot be applied to these areas but can be used on rear and side windows for branding and privacy.

How do you get Vehicle Graphics?

If you aren't sure where to start with your vehicle graphics why not give us a call? Sometimes it's best to chat through options where we can advise on solutions we think will work best.

Typically the process of choosing your graphics will include the following steps:

1) Have a look at the gallery of vehicle graphics on our website and decide which examples appeal to you and could form the inspiration for your graphics.

2) Agree a pricing range or budget with your local Signs Express centre, there is no point in designing a full wrap if all you are wanting is a low budget solution.

3) Decide what you want to put on the vehicle. The golden rule is to make sure you tell prospective customers who you are, what you do and how to contact you.

4) Send the above details, and ideally, an electronic copy of your logo and the exact make and model details of your vehicle so that your local centre can put a draft design together.

5) Tweak the design to get it exactly as you want it.

6) Book the vehicle in to have the graphics applied. Typically the fitting date will be a week or two in the future to allow time to get all the graphics prepared. This means the vehicle will be off the road for the minimum amount of time. The actual fitting time will typically be a half to full day for simpler designs, and a few days for partial and full wraps. Whatever your vehicle type, we can help. As well as cars, vans, lorries, and buses; our accredited installers work with motorbikes, jet skis and heavy plant to name but a few.

Conclusion

Whether using decals, stickers, full or partial vinyl wraps, your vehicle plays an important role in creating awareness of your business and your products or services. Graphics can be applied to a range of vehicles and the design is only limited by imagination. Signs Express are able to create vehicle graphics to display photographs, complex artwork or logos, produced in an array of colours and, in many cases, different finishes such as matte, metallic and reflective.

Our expert vehicle graphic specialists can help you transform your vehicle into an asset for your business. Whatever your requirements our network of centres are ideally placed to ensure brand visibility and increase awareness. We are dedicated to creating distinctive and memorable signage to differentiate your business from the competition, so get in touch today!

Speed Deck Partial Livery Signs Express Bedford

Q. How effective are vehicle graphics for marketing and brand exposure in the UK?
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Vehicle graphics are an extremely effective marketing tool in the UK, offering high visibility and brand exposure. As vehicles travel across different locations, they act as mobile billboards, reaching a diverse audience. The effectiveness depends on the design's clarity, message, and the areas where the vehicle is driven. It's a cost-effective way of advertising, especially in high-traffic areas or during peak travel times. Learn how to Turn Your Vehicle Into a 24-hour Marketing Machine here
Q. Can vehicle graphics be removed without damaging the vehicle's paint?
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Yes, high-quality vehicle graphics designed for vehicles can be removed without damaging the paint. It's recommended to have a professional remove the graphics to ensure there is no residue or damage. The condition of the paint prior to application and the duration of the graphics being on the vehicle can also affect the removal process. To find out more read our article on How to Remove Vehicle Graphics article.
Q. How long do vehicle graphics typically last?
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The lifespan of vehicle graphics depends on the quality of the materials used and exposure to elements like sun and rain. High-quality vinyl graphics can last up to 7 years but there are more cost-effective solutions available, but these may not last as long as premium alternatives. Regular maintenance and careful cleaning can extend the life of the graphics.
Q. What are the legal requirements for vehicle graphics in the UK?
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In the UK, vehicle graphics must not obstruct the driver's view and should comply with the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001. This means registration plates must remain visible and legible. Graphics should not be misleading or resemble official signage (like emergency vehicles). Additionally, ensure that graphics do not contain offensive or explicit content as per the UK's public decency laws.
Q. What kind of signwriting can I get for my vehicle?
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Whether you’re looking to cover an individual vehicle or entire fleet, the wide range of options for vehicle signwriting means you can find a solution matched to your budget and timescale.

For those looking for a speedy solution with a smaller budget, vehicle decals and stickers can be quickly applied to your vehicle so you can be back on the road in no time. This also applies for magnetic signs, which have the added benefit of being quickly removed or replaced whenever you like. This makes them an ideal solution if you have regular or seasonal promotions or to temporarily brand a hire vehicle.

Self-adhesive cut vinyl graphics offer a great solution for a permanent or longer-term vehicle rebrand. They are cost-effective, durable, designed bespoke to your vehicle make and model, and help to preserve paintwork underneath. Typical use cases include branding vehicles and fleets with company logos, contact details, slogans and key messaging.

For those looking for even more eye-catching and impactful vehicle graphics, partial and full vehicle wrapping can achieve amazing results. For the most successful application, any existing graphics must be removed and the bodywork should be in good condition. Because they are printed using large format printers, high resolution photographs, designs, and eye-popping colours can all be used to ensure your vehicle is always noticed on the go.

While full vehicle wraps have a longer turnaround time than some of the simpler solutions such as stickers, they offer considerable reductions in lead time when compared with traditional hand-painted signwriting – and the use of digital printing means the possibilities for colour and design are virtually endless.
Q. Do vehicle graphics damage the vehicle?
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No, vehicle graphics don't damage the vehicle. In fact, the opposite is true. Graphics actually help to protect the paintwork, making a full wrap a popular option for lease vehicles for this exact reason. If you require graphics to be removed from your vehicle, be sure to get in touch with us for a professional service.
Q. How long will my vehicle be off the road to have vehicle graphics applied?
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Standard graphics can typically be applied in half a day, while more complex designs can take around a day. Full wraps usually take 2-3 days but this may be longer depending on the size of the vehicle.
Q. Which colours work best for vehicle wraps?
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It's important you use colours that are already associated with the identity of your business, if you have brand colours ensure these are incorporated. No matter which colours you choose, make sure there is enough contrast between the message and the background colours.
Q. How much do vehicle wraps cost?
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As vehicle wraps are bespoke, all jobs are quoted on an individual basis. Costs range from a few hundred pounds for simple design up to several thousand for a full wrap. However, if you want a more cost effective solution, decals, stickers and magnetic boards are all great alternatives.
Q. Should I get my vehicle wrapped?
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The answer is, 'yes you should'. A 3M study on the 'Power of Vehicle Advertising' claims up to 3,000 people see your vehicle every hour. So once you break down the cost of a vehicle wrap or vehicle graphic over the course of its lifetime it can be as little as pennies, (depending on the design and signage solution) making it one of the most cost-effective advertising methods available.
Q. What details should I have on my vehicle wrap?
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When considering wrapping a commercial vehicle, you need to decide what the most important things are you want customers to know. The golden rule is to state who you are, what you do and how to contact you.

If your company name doesn’t make it clear what services or products you offer it might be worth considering adding additional details or a small product list.

Your vehicle graphics can be completely bespoke, alongside text you can apply logos, patterns and imagery where appropriate.
Q. How long does a vehicle wrap last?
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A professionally installed vehicle wrap, using quality materials, installed by a wrap specialist can last between three and five years, typically. The quality of wrap is a very important factor, along with type of climate and environment the vehicle is used in. Some wraps may last longer, if the vehicle was to be lightly used and the wrap cared for.
Q. How do I take care of my vehicle wrap?
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After you’ve invested in a new vehicle wrap it’s important to keep it in good condition to ensure it will last longer and look fresher. Follow the below tips to get the best from your van wrap.

Hand washing your vehicle is the best way to keep wraps in perfect condition. Using a non-abrasive solution, rinse first to soften and loosen dirt, and then wash with a gentle sponge or cloth.

Car washes are fine, however avoid stiff brushes that can scratch the finish. A rough brush pulls up the corners, and the bristle motions can remove the shine, causing it to look dull. The better options are touchless car washes or rolling up your sleeves!

Pressure washing isn’t recommended, although it depends on the type of wrap on your vehicle. 3M recommends using water pressure under 2,000 PSI, keeping heat under 80 °C, and using a 40-degree angle spray with the water stream at 90 degrees to the bodywork.

If you take care of your vehicle wrap, they’ll remain as good as new.
Q. How do I remove my vehicle wrap?
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To remove your wrap, find yourself a blunt plastic scraper (something that won’t damage the paintwork underneath the graphics) and a hair dryer.

With the hair dryer, focus heat on a small area of your signage to gently melt the glue beneath the vinyl. The area should not be so hot that you cannot touch it; if the vinyl is too hot it will stretch and tear rather than coming off cleanly. Tearing is not a issue in itself, just that it will take a lot longer to remove.

With a patch of vinyl now heated, use your plastic scraper to push up an edge, this raised edge gives you a starting point to pull the vinyl away from the surface. If the vinyl is at the right temperature, you should be able to lift and remove a good size piece of the vinyl.

Our Basildon centre have put together a handy guide on how to remove vehicle graphics, if you would like to learn more.
Q. What are the top tips for getting a vehicle wrapped?
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- Above all, make it clear and obvious what you do.
- Make sure the colour and design matches your brand, and is recognisable.
- Make sure your contact details stand out, so potential customers can contact you.
- As your vehicle will be moving a lot of the time, make sure the design is uncluttered and concise.
- Make the most of the rear of your van. People behind you have more time to digest this area of advertisement.
- If you vehicle has a sliding door, check that there are no inappropriate words on show when it is open.
- Don't put too much detail in. You only have a finite space for your design, so use it wisely.

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