Wrapping It Up: The Dos and Don’ts

Dressing up your trucks is like having a mobile billboard advertising your business at the fraction of the cost. It can be one of the best advertising techniques, especially if it looks good. Here’s how to get the most out of your wrapping.

Step one: wrap or paint? First things first—to wrap or to paint? Well, we’ll spoil the result for you—it’s better to wrap. Painting is a great indication of talent, and a steady hand, but it is costly and time-consuming. Getting an artist to paint all the trucks in your fleet can cost tens of thousands and can take your trucks off the road for up to two weeks. Conversely, wrapping is much cheaper than painting and can be designed to be identical for each truck. It is much quicker to apply than painting, meaning your trucks can get back on the road sooner. Wrapping is also much easier to remove, which is important when selling or trading in the trucks, or when details need updating. Wrapping can be easily removed, with the design adjusted quickly for a speedy reprint and re-wrap. Painted trucks, however, would have to be sanded down, then have the painter rehired to start the excruciating process again, which could take weeks. Additionally, wrapping allows you to see the design before it’s put on your truck. You may show the painter what you want, but it could turn out different to how you imagined it. Wrapping can also be designed to exactly match the dimensions and shape of your truck so that it is identical on every truck in your fleet, properly representing your business as a cohesive group. Step two: choosing a design The next stage is to choose the design for the wrap. Here are some things you should consider when picking your design. What service or product do you deliver? You want your design and logo to demonstrate exactly what it is your company does. In the first five seconds someone sees your truck, they should be able to understand what your business is about. Humans are visual creatures, and will process images before text, so make sure your design represents your business. Make it identifiable Your business name should be the focus of the wrap design, incorporated in a way that is fluid, yet bold. It should be easily seen so people don’t forget it. You should never leave people wondering what your business is called. All Lift Forklifts: an example of a bold wrap that immediately brings to attention the business name, job and phone. Create associations with your brand Every brand has a logo that is immediately identifiable and associated with the business. McDonald’s has the golden arches. KFC has the Colonel. The design of your business should be recognisable from a mile away. If your logo is just your business name, make the font and colour a trademark of your brand. Consider the use of mascots, slogans or mottos to accompany your logo to draw interest. The chicken is Com N’ Get It food truck’s mascot, featured on their trucks and menu. Observe what competitors are doing Have you ever noticed that all the major fast food companies are red? And all major tech brands are blue? That’s because colours affect us, giving us information without needing to say anything. Red is the colour of excitement, whilst blue conveys trust. Consider what colour your brand should identify with by what field it’s in. Observe what your competitors are doing. You want to appear in the same realm as them, but also stand out as your own entity. Step three: avoid legal issues No one wants to get in trouble because they didn’t do their research. When considering your design make sure you’re not infringing any copyright or intellectual property laws. To find out what is and isn’t protected under Copyright Law, take a look at this fact sheet. Here are some tips:

• Be original; create everything from scratch. This way you’ll avoid any liability.
• If you want to use something that is existing, make sure you get legal permission to use it.
• Use stock images—they can be purchased for a low price. Some major stock image sites include iStock, Shutterstock and Adobe’s Fotolia.

Step four: don’t skimp on printing You’re ready to print, and the first thing to do is look for a reliable, quality printer or sign shop. Spend the cash on qualified professionals who will print and wrap your truck to a high standard. Your trucks represent your business, and if they are designed, printed and wrapped well, it’ll make your business stand out in all the right ways. Don’t skimp on wrap material. If you do, it will be sad-looking and fade quickly. Getting a good quality wrap will ensure it lasts longer, usually between five and seven years. With Australia’s temperamental weather conditions, it’ll be worth splurging on something that will last longer and look better. Additionally, most professional graphic design teams provide warranty on your wraps, covering accident repairs, and general wear and tear, as well as cracking, tearing and fading. Make sure you compare the warranty details of the places you’re considering to see what will suit you. The high quality of wrap used on FS Transport’s trucks is obvious with the sleek matte black sheen. Wrapping to rep Now that your truck’s all wrapped up and repping your business, make sure you drive a lot to take advantage of that advertising! Want to do more for your business than just wrapping your truck? Have a look at fulfilling your business needs by selecting the best Ready-to-Work truck that’s, well, ready to work.