Can you use my logo in the design? Thank you for asking. Sometimes it takes courage to ask and admit you don’t know, rather than do what I did a few years ago and say, “Just use my logo…” followed by, “What do you mean you can’t use it?!”

Can You Use My Logo in the Design

Before I worked for a graphics company, I didn’t know a raster from a vector. I did leadership training, consulting, and writing. I proved how little I knew about graphics by designing my own business cards. They were pretty awful, and to make matters worse, I didn’t understand why I couldn’t just scan the image for collateral marketing materials. Didn’t they know how to do it? It wasn’t the graphics people who didn’t get it — it was me.

Is the Format Correct?

Existing logos can be used, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, it may look unprofessional, which is the last thing you want in representing your business. Vector artwork, which can be enlarged to any size without losing quality, is best. These files are typically in .ai or .eps formats, and should include any specific brand colors, such as those in the Pantone Matching System®, for color matching the final logo output.

Raster, or “bitmap” graphics, are made of pixels and they lose clarity when enlarged, but they can be easier to add certain effects, like drop shadows. Altering logos, however, especially of established brands, is frowned upon. The file types for raster logos are typically high resolution .jpg, .psd, .pdf, or .tiff images. If a scanned image is all that is available, it may be best to have a designer recreate it, which will incur additional art fees.

When submitting your logo to a third party vendor or printer, you can also ask for their Artwork Submission Guidelines. This guide offers directions, and helps avoid potential pitfalls and problems.

How Do the Big Boys Do It?

Many organizations use a brand guideline, or style guide, which offers an overview, variations, fonts, and colors. When utilizing someone else’s logo, it’s best to ask if they have a brand guideline to ensure all rules for an organization’s identity are followed. This is done to maintain the integrity and consistency of the brand.

I advise seeking out graphic design professionals for help — otherwise, you could have images and graphics that hurt your brand (you should have seen my cards), or you might break the rules of an existing brand, which could lead to a total redo. If you’d like to learn more, give us a call at 1-888-544-8051 or send us a message — we’d be happy to “guide” you.

Will insurance cover my fleet graphics? That’s a good question. This isn’t the first time someone has asked us that question. It usually begins with, can it be fixed and will it match. And then leads to questions about insurance such as this. “One of my business box trucks was recently involved in a fender bender. One side was damaged, including the branded fleet adhesive vinyl graphics. So, will I have to pay for that out of my pocket?”

In most cases, insurance covers replacing vinyl graphics damaged in an accident. However, the only way to be certain is to contact your insurance carrier. As far as insurance coverage, a wrap should be no different than any other aftermarket equipment add-on. For example, if you’ve upgraded the stereo or added wheels, and they were damaged or stolen, you’d expect coverage by your insurance, wouldn’t you? Another example is a repainted car. Insurance coverage would include the new paint. When contacting your insurance agency, ask what specific documentation the insurance provider requires for vehicle graphics coverage.

Documenting Your Fleet Graphics

• Record a video while walking around one of your fleet vehicles. Show the entire wrap
• Keep documents, including contracts and receipts. Show the cost of the fleet graphics broken down by vehicle
• Document the date of the completion of the graphic
• Ask the graphics provider for a materials list
• Make copies and store in a safe place

Can the Wrap be Partially Repaired?

Maybe — first, the graphics provider should color calibrate daily to ensure consistent color match. If it’s not calibrated, it may be a challenge to match. Especially if the design is multi-colored. Next, are the original files available? It’s possible to get a match without the files. However, it’s more difficult. How long has the wrap been exposed to the elements? If the wrap was done several years ago, it may have faded and difficult to match. The fading process can be slowed by using top quality materials. And also by protecting the wrap with laminate or clear coat during installation.

So, Will Insurance Cover My Fleet Graphics?

Will insurance cover my fleet graphics? Most likely yes. However, you can increase the likelihood of your fleet graphics being covered by being prepared. Document the wrap, use a  professional provider, and contact your insurance carrier at completion of the wrap. Because doing this could save you time, money, and heartache after an accident. If you’d like to learn more, we’d be happy to give you a “crash course”.

If we can answer any questions don’t hesitate to Contact us.

There are a variety of banner styles differentiated by use and material. Choosing the right style and material for your needs is key. Picking the wrong material or style can lead to an ineffective banner, or even a minor disaster. For example, using the wrong banner for an outdoor event on a rainy or windy day can lead to a destroyed display and a ruined marketing effort.

Where and How Will the Banner be Used?

Will it be used outdoors? Banners used outside usually include light pole banners. Used by municipalities and event promoters, they are an attractive addition anywhere a light pole is available. Outdoor hanging banners may be small or as big as a building – the last few years, TKO has supplied the Indiana State Fair with giant hanging banners, advertising entertainment and events. Other banners used primarily outdoors include fence banners, sports banners, and double-sided sandwich boards.

Is the banner part of a display? Display banners may be used inside and outside. These include the many different types of banner stands. Retractable, pop-up, telescope, and A frames are all examples. Other examples of display banners are table, drape, and backgrounds, such as step and repeat banners. Event banners include aisle markers, hall banners, and podium signs, like these at the FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference). Almost any type of banner may be used indoors or outdoors if the proper material is used.

What’s the Best Materials For the Job?

• Vinyl is the most common banner material. Vinyl can be used indoors or outdoors. It’s durable enough to withstand the elements and light enough to be hung indoors. The material lends itself to modern printing, and with a little care, can last for a number of years.

• Mesh is manufactured from polyester fibers, which are crisscrossed, allowing wind to blow through the banner. Designed for outdoor use in windy areas, they’re somewhat opaque, but once printed, display well. The advantage over vinyl banners is they seldom blow out of shape or rip, thanks to their wind slits.

• Fabric may be made from poplin or high-end materials, such as satin. Cost can vary greatly by material. Higher-end materials may have a rich look and feel. Fabric is usually printed on a screen press, limiting the design options, compared to digital print used with vinyl. They’re usually not as durable as vinyl, and usually shouldn’t be used outdoors.

• Paper is used occasionally for temporary banners.
By considering how a banner will be used, where it will be placed, and how long it will be used you can choose the type, style, and material best suited to your needs. If you’d like to learn more about banners we’d be happy to “hang” out with you and answer your questions.

If you’d like to learn more on how banners can help your marketing efforts, let us know!

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To answer the question what info should my vehicle wrap include we need to know how the vehicle will be used? Is it a business or a non-profit? Are you advertising to promote a brand, share a call to action, or both? An example of a call to action is this School on Wheels full wrap. The Toyota was a raffle prize. The vehicle was displayed prominently at local events before being raffled. It was successful in promoting both the charity’s brand, and their call to action. 

What Successful Vehicle Wraps for Business Share

Organization Name and Logo

This may sound like a no-brainer, but it needs to stand out. It should usually be a larger font than any other text on the wrap, and in contrast to the background. The logo should be the same logo for all advertising — print, media, or TV.

FAIL — Not long ago, I saw a black vehicle with a dark blue logo. It was hard to see standing next to it, let alone, driving down the highway.

Phone Number and Web address

Again, the first consideration should be how easy they are to read, not how pretty they are. Stick with standard readable fonts and colors that are easy to see against the background.

FAIL — I’ve seen several web addresses using a script font; now was that an “A” or an “O”?

Products and Services

Stick with your primary products or new services you’re promoting. Don’t overdo it. At most, list two or three services.

FAIL — I saw a heating and air service van listing what must have been every service they offered. At best, it was confusing.

Social Media Icons

If you’re on social media, let the public know. More and more prospects use social media to search for products and services.

FAIL — While it’s often advisable to place social media handles or usernames on mediums like print or web, they’re typically too small to be usable on vehicles usually moving past prospects, and they make the design more cluttered. It’s best to use social media icons only, and definitely don’t display full URLs.

Design, Artwork, and Background

The purpose is to enhance the branding and call to action, not compete with or detract from it. In an effective vehicle wrap the message shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the artwork. The priority for a business is to share the message. This is advertising. It’s not a personal vehicle where artwork and design may come first.

FAIL — Everyday, everywhere I go, I see company vehicles where the message is lost in the design.

Slogans

Your company’s slogan is good and probably should be used if they’re a part of your advertising campaigns, but be careful. The slogan shouldn’t be the focus. Think about it – what do you want the prospect to retain – your name and contact information, or your slogan only?

FAIL — I’ve seen wraps with the slogan as the predominate feature. Let’s hope prospects remember whose slogan it is.

Design Hierarchy

Another point of consideration is what are the primary and secondary messages your organization wants to deliver. What do you want to stand out? “Before setting vehicle graphic design hierarchy in order, an organization must consider what messages take precedence, what is the hierarchy of your messages? What do you want to communicate and what do you want people to understand about your business. Consider the following and create a hierarchy from this list.” — Vehicle Graphic Design Hierarchy

“So, here’s the point, yes, less is more in vehicle graphic design, which means you need to know the message you want to send. Is it your 24-hour service, time in business, your contact information, brand, or logo? Could you use your brand colors and fonts to promote a call to action? Is there a special offer you want to advertise? Whatever it is you only have a few seconds to get your message across, so don’t clutter it with unneeded graphics. Because in vehicle graphic design less is more.” — Less is More in Vehicle Graphic Design

You Are Part of the Design Team 

You and your business are part of the design team, The team creating your fleet graphics needs your input. They want to know your message, who your target audience is and your brand compliances. ” Vehicle graphic design is an art and a science, and vehicle graphic designers are artists as well as scientist. Vehicle graphic design is the art of sharing a singular message and making it stand out from thousands of others. And it’s the science of sculpting a three-dimensional image to the exact specifications of a vehicle without losing the message.  The designer is only part of the equation for creating an artistic and scientific vehicle graphic. The customer has a lot to do with it as well.” — 5 Things Vehicle Graphic Designers Want You to Know to Make Your Life Easier

Be Sure the Designer has the Information They Need

So, what information does the designer need to know about my vehicle? “The easy answer to what does a vehicle graphic designer need to know about your vehicle before she or he begins the vehicle graphics design process is – everything! But that’s not true, they don’t need to know the size of the motor, the color of the interior, or your favorite radio station but they pretty much need to know everything about the exterior of the vehicle from top to bottom.

This includes the make, model, color, options, and add-on equipment of the car or truck. One of the best ways to help a graphic designer serve you and meet your needs, as well as your expectations, is to furnish the designer with accurate and complete specifications in a timely manner.

For example, to say you have a 2018 Ford F150 isn’t enough information. The F150 is available in at least a dozen packages from XL, XLT, and Lariat to the Platinum. They’re available in regular cab, extended cab, two-door, four-door, and with multiple options. One graphic design will not fit all the variations of the 2018 F150.” — FAQ: What Does a Vehicle Graphic Designer Need to Know About My Vehicle?

So, What Info Should My Vehicle Wrap Include?

The key to a successful company vehicle wrap is for the message to be the focal point of the design. Whether it’s a call to action or branding – the company name, logo, and contact information should be the primary focus. If you’d like more information about “How to drive your brand message home,” we’d be happy to put it in focus for you.

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