So what does it mean to scale your fleet graphics or lose your message? What is scale? Scale is two-fold. In design, it’s how elements compare in size and placement to each other. It’s also about fitting, or scaling to, the different types and sizes of vehicles that you have in your entire fleet.
Scale Your Fleet Vehicles
Most fleets have many sizes and shapes of vehicles. For example, your fleet might include box trucks, work vans, and cars. Or it could be all 53-foot trailers and delivery vans. Regardless, when it comes to fleet graphics, one size does not fit all. You must scale your fleet graphics to all your vehicles.
A design that works on a 53-foot trailer may not fit a delivery van. You should always tailor vehicle graphics to the vehicle, so unless all your vehicles are identical, one design will not get the job done. And what is that job? It’s to share your message, unify your brand, and create a call to action.
International manufacturer of adhesive vinyl graphics, 3M says this, “If you have a fleet of vehicles that vary in size and type, adjust your message and design accordingly. A design that works well for your trailer may not work well for your delivery van. Scaling and tailoring your design according to the vehicle application enhances the aesthetics and effectiveness of your graphics.” — Tips to maximize your wrap’s impact
Scale Your Design
Scale not only affects design hierarchy, but can also detract or enhance aesthetics, thus, impacting the effectiveness of the design. Designers can scale your fleet graphics to change perspective, set the tone, and even create the illusion of movement.
Size isn’t the only scaling factor. A design has multiple elements, which affect scale. For example, color and color contrast impact scale. Suppose you used the same size elements such as a logo and placed one against a low contrast background and another in a high contrast area. The high contrast will look larger and be more striking to the eye.
Placement on the vehicle can also make a difference in scale. For example, placing a tagline at the bottom of a door will not be as noticeable as placing it higher on the door.
Obviously, size has a lot to do with scale. However, if your design has too many elements similar in size, they will detract from each other. For example, if you do not scale your fleet graphics, and your logo, contact information, and business services are all the same size, the hierarchy is lost and the viewer doesn’t know where to look first.
Scale Your Fleet Graphics Vehicles and Design
To scale your fleet graphics means fitting the vehicle both in size and design. Improper scaling to diverse fleet vehicles often leads to a failure of the design. For example, a logo designed to fit a Ford Transit may be perfectly scaled to create movement, perspective, and set the hierarchy. But the same design may not achieve any of this when applied to a 53-foot trailer.
Even enlarging the design from the Transit for the trailer may not achieve your desired results. Not only does the design need to be sized to the vehicle, but it must also fit the vehicle itself. An element that might stand out on the rear of the Transit will not look the same on the rear doors of a semi-trailer.
Need help bringing a consistent branding to your diverse fleet of vehicles? We can help you scale your fleet graphics. Let us help you create professional fleet vehicle graphics that promote your business and drive your brand for years to come. Contact us, TKO Graphix, at 888-544-8051 or Contact Us online.
For over 35 years, TKO Graphix has partnered with commercial freight carriers and private fleet carriers to provide quality design, production, and installation of trailer graphics and decals. We are proud that thousands of companies throughout the United States trust TKO Graphix as their fleet graphics provider.
