What are vehicle graphics?

Vehicle graphics include anything that you use to customise your car, van, truck or motorbike. You may have also heard the terms decal, livery and vehicle wrap – they’re all basically just stickers. But not any old stickers that’ll peel off or fade after a few weeks, they’re made from digitally printed vinyl that’s designed to last.

What are they used for?

Vehicle graphics are most commonly used for advertising purposes, so you’ll see taxis and buses covered in them. You can also customise your own vehicle with the details of your business or services, so that every time you’re on the road, people can see who you are and what you do. This is a really effective method of mobile advertising that can be more beneficial than static adverts like posters or billboards.

Are they just for advertising?

No, if you don’t run a business but just want to personalise your vehicle, you can get all kinds of fun decals to really make it your own. You might want to write a funny message on your bonnet or just add some colour to your car doors; the possibilities are endless! Health and safety signage can also come in the form of vehicle graphics, such as chapter 8 chevron kits for highway maintenance vehicles, like the one below.

How are they applied?

All types of vehicle graphics have to be applied to clean, grease-free surfaces in order for the self-adhesive vinyl to stick properly. Once your vehicle is ready for application, it’s measured up and each decal is carefully applied by hand wherever you want it. With vehicle wrap, the vinyl is applied one panel at a time and smoothed out with a nylon blade to get rid of any wrinkles or bubbles.

Do they damage the paintwork?

No, as long as your paint job is in good condition before the graphics are applied, they won’t peel it off when they’re removed. Full wraps actually offer great protection as they cover the whole surface of your vehicle.

How long do they last?

Depending what you’ll be using your vehicle for (and how well you take care of it), you can expect most graphics to last between three and five years. We recommend that you wash your customised vehicle regularly with a soft sponge and gentle detergent to give it a long life.

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