Vehicle Lettering

[paintlessplus]

I ask every customer how they found out about me, and keep a mental record of whats working. This month I start a 3/4 inch yellow page ad and am interested in the response. This ad will cost me $30.00 a month for my area- who knows if it will work On the other hand, I spent about $200.00 on my vehicle lettering and even if I get only a few calls , It gets my name out there and imprinted on the minds of future customers. My truck looks like a rolling bill board right now and I'm thinking about adding flames to the front to make it even more noticable. If I do I'll post more pics. Bob

[Delta Kits]

JSmith submitted photos of his new Scion...

html/jsmith.html

If anyone else wants pictures put up, let me know!

[StarQuest]

Very nice graphics JSmith!!!!

[JSmith]

Thank you entire vehicle under $200 at decalzone.com

[Rock-It]

I put my logo on my VW Eurovan about 2 months ago. It is a real eye catcher. I have the same logo on three sides of this bread box on wheels. I have always thought that this German Road Block would be perfect for advertising my business.
I have only recieved one phone call from the Van logo and it happened to be a local Progressive agent. She asked for a stack of cards and told me that mobile WSR was a great service for her customers. She then told me that the Van looked very professional and a real eye catcher but she advised me to use magnets instead of vinyl. The agent warned me of the people who will try to get into an accident with me and then sue me as a business.
I drove a fleet vehicle for two years in the Seattle metro area and never had a someone try it. I guess I was lucky. I am not too worried. I will make sure not to go by my agents office with my van unless I want to see my insurance dropped!
Anyway, does anyone think I am not getting as much business from the Van as it is not an Chevy or Ford? Just a thought. I get alot of looks when driving around and parked but sometimes I think the looks are from someone who hates anything that is not made in the USA. Thanks for any input other than bashing my addiction to VW's.

[i.c.stars]

Just one note that I haven't seen mentioned in this thread... one mistake that I have seen on signage (vehicular or otherwise) is color and typography choice (font). You want your signage to be READABLE:

First consider the contrast and values of the color of the vehicle as compared to the color of the lettering. Obviously the highest contrast would be white lettering on a black vehicle (or vice-versa). That doesn't mean you can't use color, but think of the VALUE of the colors (in otherwords, if you took a picture of it in BLACK & WHITE, how much contrast is there between the letters and the background.

On might think that red and green are going to contrast, but (depending upon the shade) they might actually be almost the same VALUE and be difficult to read from a distance. Look at signage from that perspective and you'll see what is most effective.

Regarding typography, avoid the temptation to get overly cute with the fonts you use. You should never use more than two different fonts on a vehicle and if you want contrast in your typography, one should be a serif style and another sans-serif (serifs are the little legs on the letters).
A good article on the subject is here: http://www.eyewire.com/magazine/columns ... /index.htm. (Other articles on typography by the same author: http://www.eyewire.com/magazine/columns/robin/

You might think all of this is too esoteric, but it isn't. When you make choices for your vehicle signage, logo, invoices or business card you are making DESIGN decisions. In that sense we are all designers, some of us are just not very good ones. Like everything else, you CAN get educated on the subject. It isn't difficult at all, there are basically just 4 rules to remember: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity. (I wish there was a good acronym for remembering those, but unfortunately.... wait!)
: )

Go to your local library (or interlibrary loan program) and request Robin William's most excellent (and THIN) book "Non-Designer's Design Book" (used for as little as $2 at Amazon.com). It will give you an educated eye in a hurry.

Right now, you know simply that you "like" something or you don't (from a design perspective. After learning these principles, you will also know WHY.

Jeeez, that was a HELL of a First Post, wasn't it? (Sorry for the length)

i.c. stars

[chips1144]

ic stars...
I couldnt agree with you more, and you explained it so well...
I see many vehicles that have poor unreadable signs, Some people try too hard to make a van look cute or different with creative signs, while stood the vehicle may be readable, but once its moving its a different situation altogether, Youve got a few seconds to make an Impression, I say keep it EASY ON THE EYES, if youve got to focus hard its a bad design...