Let’s face it; most business people aren’t experts on vehicle graphics. It’s not something that people do every day unless they’re in the adhesive vinyl vehicle graphics business. And when any of us only occasionally are involved in a project of this complexity it’s easy to make mistakes. That’s why it’s essential to have a basic understanding of where it can go wrong. Here are five vehicle graphics mistakes that are easy to make and happen more often than they should.
Know Your Audience
I was driving on I-465, the freeway that circles Indianapolis, when a van fully wrapped with a partially clothed woman passed me. The wrap represented a business in our industry, a firm that works with other companies primarily local. I know this group does excellent work, has a good design team, and competent installers. They’re reasonably priced and have occasionally outbid us.
However, we’ve had potential customers call us because of what they considered inappropriate branding. The semi-nude females grab attention, but it might not always be the kind of attention the business wants or needs. My point isn’t to knock our competitor it’s to make the point that you need to know your audience and then consider how they might react to your design. Not knowing your audience is one of the most common vehicle graphics mistakes.
Don’t Lose the Message
With digital printers, it’s easy to overdo it. Unlike screen print, there’s virtually no limit to the colors, images, and copy. However, putting too much information on your fleet vehicles is an easy mistake to make. When your advertising is traveling at 55 MPH, it’s important to get to the point and keep it simple.
“Whether a consumer is driving, or walking in a business district, there are thousands of messages fighting for their attention — signs, billboards, and fleet graphics come at people in droves. It’s impossible to take them all in, and even the best only receive seconds of anyone’s attention.” — The Fleet Graphics 5 Second Rule. This is the TMI of vehicle graphics mistakes.
Vehicle Graphics Isn’t Vehicle Repair
Vehicle graphics will not fix dents, and they won’t adhere to and cover rust, peeling paint, or oxidation. Attempting to use adhesive vinyl graphic to fix the finish on a vehicle will create graphics that come off, bubble, and peel away. Before beginning your fleet graphics journey thoroughly inspect the surface condition of all of your vehicles and repair any damage before applying adhesive vinyl graphics.
“Decals and wraps aren’t an alternative to surface repair. When anyone tries to sweep surface damage under the rug by hiding it behind a wrap, they’re not solving the problem, and they might make it worse.” — When Vehicle Graphics Won’t Help Your Car or Truck. Vehicle graphics mistakes are made when the wrong car or truck aren’t ready.
Don’t Go Cut Rate
Use the best materials, inks, and printers; don’t try to save a dollar and end up hurting your organization’s image. Last summer a customer brought a boat he wanted wrapped. He already had the adhesive vinyl printed. He wanted us to install it. However, there are specific materials, as well as inks used on a boat – at least the part of the boat under water – that’s not the material he had purchased. He thought he had saved money when in fact he not only added to his expense but also delayed the completion of the project.
“A small business owner brought his work vehicle to TKO to inquire about repair, which had a faded graphic installed by another graphics provider. The graphics provider who completed the installation was no longer in business. Unfortunately, the material used had a very limited warranty. It covered fading, but did not cover removal or installation of the failed graphic.” The Cost of Going Cheap. This is one of the most costly of vehicle graphics mistakes.
Use Certified Vehicle Graphics Applicators
“There are two primary vehicle graphics installation certification programs. PDAA (Professional Decal Application Alliance), which is administered by SGIA (Specialty Graphics Imaging Association), and UASG (United Application Standards Group), through 3M. Both require extensive training and testing, and there are different levels of certification.
For example, PDAA offers both basic and master certification. According to PDAA, “Basic certification accommodates companies that have absolutely no interest in doing vehicle wraps with complex curves.” So be sure you have an application team certified for the type of installation required.” — How to find the best vehicle graphics installers. Inexperienced installers are bound to make vehicle graphics mistakes.
Don’t Make These 5 Vehicle Graphics Mistakes
By taking your time to consider your audience as well as the message you want to send, using the best materials for the job, and finding the most qualified installers you can save yourself time, money, and a lot of headaches. If we can answer any questions, Contact Us. It’s no mistake that we have the answers you’re looking for.
Photo Credit: Image Author: Tumisu ID: 1966448 Provider: Pixabay
