DIY Van Signage

ella_ella_ella

Hi, Im looking into having a van sign written and remember a link posted on here some time ago about DIY Van signage but I cant find the link.

Pretty sure it was £49 for both sides and back, has anybody used these sort of kits? are they really naff? I have posted on the local boards for a recommendation of a proper company but wanted to get opinions before deciding as I dont have the first clue (I may even leave it blank)

It's a berlingo which I think is classed as small?

toasterman

I had some very nice looking signage done before by this company:
http://hipposigns.co.uk
The website is a little confusing, but email/phone them and they will give you the details.
They will ask how big the van is - I gave them the make/model of car, and they printed me something just the right size to go between window and bottom of door (my prints went on the side).

I gave them a basic name, and showed them the logo I wanted, but they realised it would cost a fortune because of all the different colours, so suggested they could make it cheaper by modifying it slightly. This was fine for me, and I got a web address, logo, and a phone number down both sides of my car, for <£40.

You have to apply it yourself, but it came with all instructions, and if you get a friend to help apply it evenly, it wasn't too bad. Lettering was the most awkward bit - the logo just went on in one go, but the actual individual letters were a bit more of a faff.
Removal was a harder process...I was burning my fingers and rushing, and I pulled off several layers of paint. Luckily my car was 10+ years old, so the new buyer didn't care less when I sold it - you might want to consider paying a pro to do it if you value your paintwork.

scbk

Take photos of the van square on from the side/rear and have a play about in photoshop or even paint about what you want. With cut vinyl the less colours you use the easier/cheaper it is.
There are loads and loads of people on the internet who do sign writing/cut vinyl by post, look on google/ebay.

So long as you're putting it over flat surfaces it's pretty easy to apply

ukbill69

Ive just used http://www.blindsandsigns.net/ and they where very good on price and nice guys there.

thatsyourlot

have you tried Vista Print?? They do some magnetic signs that are easy to put onto vehicles & they stay on too!!

My hubby designed some on Vista print & now has them on his van, they were so so cheap to do too.

Hope that helps

DKLS

A bit obvious, but after just seeing the van signage of the Plumber down the road, I would show the design to your friends/family for proofreading and critique before spending any money.

The guy down the road has chosen a lovely handwriting style font to advertise his business, its lovely, but barely legible.

ella_ella_ella

Thanks for great replies and suggestions, the suggestion about photoshop is great - I would never of thought of that but will definatley have a go as I dont really know what I want on there apart from keeping it simple. Once I have more idea of what I want I will contact the companys suggested, thanks guys

ella_ella_ella

DKLS wrote: »

A bit obvious, but after just seeing the van signage of the Plumber down the road, I would show the design to your friends/family for proofreading and critique before spending any money.

The guy down the road has chosen a lovely handwriting style font to advertise his business, its lovely, but barely legible.

Its actually a good point....im getting a website banner designed (was free with website) and I was toying with the idea of using a handwriting style font and would of probably had the signage to match but I might think again now...

ella_ella_ella

thatsyourlot wrote: »

have you tried Vista Print?? They do some magnetic signs that are easy to put onto vehicles & they stay on too!!

My hubby designed some on Vista print & now has them on his van, they were so so cheap to do too.

Hope that helps

I saw these the other week but thought they might look a bit unprofessional or fly off as soon as you drove away so never really gave them a glance but I will have a look now...are you pleased with yours?

DKLS

ella_ella_ella wrote: »

Its actually a good point....im getting a website banner designed (was free with website) and I was toying with the idea of using a handwriting style font and would of probably had the signage to match but I might think again now...

I found this after a quick google search, that you could play around with in Photoshop, Does cost $28 you may be able to find a free one with a more in depth google.

If it was me, I would photograph as many sign written vans as possible, see what you like, what works what doesn't, then try and incorporate those aspects into your design. And overall try and think from my potential customers eyes and not your own tastes.

thatsyourlot

ella_ella_ella wrote: »

I saw these the other week but thought they might look a bit unprofessional or fly off as soon as you drove away so never really gave them a glance but I will have a look now...are you pleased with yours?

Well I thought that they may "fly off" when he drove his van down the road but they are really good & have stuck on so far. My hubby puchased 3 all together. 1 for each door & then got 1 to put on the bonnet of the van.

He has had 2 phonecalls since about work, saying that they had seen his van parked at such n such place & can he go quote for them, so they have paid for themselves really as he got another job from his van being parked up.

He has a nice image on his signs along with the telephone number.

Id say go for it & for the price, you have nothing to lose.

xx