CHF 35.- setup — machine setup, file handling and proof approval included
A van can introduce your business on the road and at customer sites. The rear and both sides are viewed differently: a good design distributes the logo, services and contact details without overcrowding the bodywork. Here is how to plan graphics for a service business.
Models and available surfaces
Dimensions, doors, glazing and contours vary by model, year and version. The following families offer starting points; the actual vehicle still needs measuring.
- VW Caddy / Caddy Maxi: A compact format for service calls and customer visits. Fit the message to the actual available area.
- VW Crafter / Mercedes Sprinter: Large surfaces depending on the version, with sliding doors and joins to account for in the design.
- Renault Trafic / Master: Several lengths and heights are available. Confirm the version before setting artwork proportions.
- Mercedes Vito: A mid-sized van whose panels, recesses and glazing need checking on the specific version.
- Ford Transit / Transit Custom: Generations and variants differ: an older template is not enough without checking.
- Iveco Daily: Contours, equipment and any body conversion affect usable areas.
- Peugeot Boxer / Citroën Jumper / Fiat Ducato: Related models, but dimensions and equipment still need confirming for each vehicle.
Send the exact model, year, length, height and photographs. We check whether a template is available and which measurements are needed. For material comparisons, see the vehicle graphics guide.
Planning the three sides
The concept has three main surfaces, with a front accent where useful:
- Rear doors or panel: A readable logo, service description and contact method when the vehicle is parked. Advertise emergency services only if they are actually offered.
- Driver’s side: A recognisable logo and a short message. Check contrast and readability at the intended distance, without promising legibility at a specific speed.
- Passenger side: Pedestrians may see it when the vehicle is parked. Keep the content consistent with the other side while accounting for openings.
- Front: A small logo or accent on a suitable area, without covering sensors, lights or ventilation.
The three sides do not have to be identical. A shared identity can use more contact information at the rear and a more prominent logo on the sides.
Choosing the message for your services
| Trade | Rear message | Side message | Film to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing | Phone number and emergency service if offered | Logo and services | Suitable cut vinyl |
| Electrical work | Logo and call-out service if offered | Logo and specialisms | Suitable cut vinyl |
| Painting and decorating | Logo and short message | A design related to the trade | Compatible printed vinyl |
| Joinery | Logo and website | Furniture, doors or interiors | Cut or printed vinyl |
| Tiling and flooring | Logo and main service | Examples of materials offered | Compatible printed vinyl |
| Gardening and maintenance | Logo and seasonal services | Pruning, planting and maintenance | Suitable cut vinyl |
| Sheet-metal roofing and roof work | Logo and call-out service if offered | Logo and specialisms | Suitable cut vinyl |
These are content suggestions. The design should reflect your actual services, colours and the information your customers need.
Rear: logo and contact details
The rear can bring the essential information together. Even when parked, avoid long lists: the service and contact method should stand out.
- Main logo: Recognisable, with space around it. Position depends on doors, handles and equipment.
- Phone number: Size and contrast suited to the viewing distance. Check a full-size mock-up.
- Website: A short, readable address that is easy to remember.
- Service: Name the main service. Add hours or emergency availability only when accurate and useful.
- Optional: Icons, authorised certification marks or a QR code for use when the vehicle is parked. Do not encourage drivers to scan while moving.
Choose the contact method your customers actually use: phone or website. Make it visible without crowding the design or multiplying messages.
Sides: making your services visible
The sides offer space but are often seen briefly. A simple design is easier to understand than a catalogue of services.
- Visible logo: Clear contrast against the vehicle colour. A multicolour logo can work if it remains readable.
- Slogan or service: A few specific words, such as plumbing, heating and ventilation, rather than a generic sentence.
- Compact contact details: Group phone and website in a readable area without competing with the logo.
- Graphic accents: A texture or illustration can explain the service. Keep it only if it helps people understand the message.
Check the design with doors open and closed. Avoid placing important information where it is frequently hidden or interrupted.
Front: an optional accent
Front graphics are optional. Three areas can be considered depending on the vehicle:
- Wing logo: A discreet accent on a compatible and sufficiently visible surface.
- Bonnet message: A logo or short text, if the bonnet shape and exposure suit the film.
- Front area to check: Do not cover grilles, sensors, cameras or necessary openings. Confirm usable areas against vehicle instructions.
Keep the front simple. Contact details are generally easier to organise on the rear and sides.
Fleet: maintaining a shared identity
A fleet becomes more coherent through shared colours, hierarchy and comparable messages. That does not require identical dimensions on every body style.
- Shared layout logic: Reuse artwork elements, then adjust proportions and cuts for each model.
- Consistent materials: Choose compatible products and retain their identification. Two vehicles can still age differently according to exposure.
- Staggered appointments: Plan downtime around service needs. Agree the schedule according to workshop and vehicle availability.
- Artwork for repeat orders: Retained artwork can simplify a repeat order. A change of model, text or colour may require adjustments.
A record of photographs, dimensions, film references and artwork versions helps track the fleet and plan replacements.
Choosing the film
Van graphics face washing, dirt and daily use. Selection needs to account for the surface and actual conditions.
- Suitable cut vinyl: For solid-colour logos and lettering. Choose the product for the contours, exposure and planned use.
- Printed film with compatible laminate: For photographs and multiple colours. Check the performance of the film, ink and laminate system.
- Temporary film: For a short campaign if the surface and removal conditions allow it.
- Cast wrapping film: For shapes and surfaces compatible with the chosen product. The word cast alone does not define service life.
Compare the full cost: preparation, installation, care and removal. A higher-grade product may be worthwhile, without promising the same extra years or percentage saving for every vehicle.
Example concept: a plumbing fleet
Illustrative concept, not a verified customer report: a plumbing business wants matching graphics on six vans using green and white, a clear logo and its actual services.
The rear combines logo and contact details, the sides explain the services and the front remains discreet. Each model gets an adapted template while sharing the visual identity.
The schedule limits how many vehicles are unavailable at once. Artwork and material references are retained to plan replacements. This example does not guarantee timing or results after several years.
Frequently asked questions
Which van model is best for graphics?
It depends on the version, doors, glazing and contours. Send photographs and the exact model: a large flat area helps some designs, but it is not the only factor.
How prominent should the rear phone number be?
If it is the main contact method, it should be readable at the intended distance. Test size, typeface and contrast on a full-size mock-up; there is no universal minimum height.
Do I need a slogan?
Not necessarily. A logo, specific service and contact details may be enough. Add a short slogan only if it explains a useful difference to the customer.
How long will the van be unavailable?
It depends on preparation, area, complexity and film. We confirm the slot and duration with the quote after reviewing the vehicle and artwork.
Can a template be reused on another model?
Artwork elements can be reused, but proportions, doors and contours need checking. Even a new generation of the same model may require adjustments.
How much do van graphics cost?
The price depends on the vehicle, design, film and installation. Send photographs and intended content for a suitable quote rather than relying on a broad price range.
Can installation take place at our premises?
A clean, adequately lit space at the temperature required by the film is needed. We check conditions and confirm the location before the appointment.
Graphics for your service vans?
Send the model, year, photographs, colours and number of vehicles. Add availability constraints so we can prepare a realistic design and schedule.
This guide was prepared in the Fabrik4 Lab using our workshop content and an editorial review.
