If people see your company vehicles on the road and you want them to recognize your brand instantly. Any vehicle your company uses, from the van placed outside a customer's house, to the ute running around in Adelaide, or a truck on a highway, every vehicle should give people the same impression of your business. That's where consistent fleet graphics make a difference. But maintaining brand uniformity isn't always simple, particularly when you've set up various vehicle models and sizes. A design that looks fantastic on a large van may not work as well on a ute with a small cab. The bright side is that you don't need to use the same styling for each vehicle. All you need is a clear design philosophy that makes your whole fleet look coordinated.
Real life customer example
An Adelaide plumbing company had a large service van, two “dual-cab” utes, and a small car for customers. At first, all company cars were the same “van” design. However, the results were not quite right. The logo was too large on the smaller vehicles, the contacts were hard to see on the utes, and it seemed a tad inconsistent overall. The business has decided to change their fleet vehicle branding. It didn't duplicate the same layout on all models, but it established a single design method and customized the graphics accordingly. The same colors, logo, and language were applied in each location, but positioning and size increased or decreased to suit each placement's space. The result was a fleet that looked like it belonged to one business, even though every vehicle was different. This example demonstrates the importance of careful planning when branding multiple vehicles.
Start with a consistent brand design
When displaying graphics on the outside of your vehicles, decide how you want your brand to appear. Be consistent with the same overall theme, logo, color, and font throughout the fleet. Once someone glimpses your car, that is what they start to recognize. For instance, if the company has a specific color scheme of blue and white, apply it to every vehicle. Don't scale the logo down to an unnatural size or customize it to fit the layout. A simple brand guide will make everything easier to manage. It should include:
- Approval of a logo and a set of color codes.
- The letters and font sizes you use as part of your branding.
- Favorable placement and size of logos.
- Information about contacts and business.
- Some approved designs for reference.
Once these details are ready, planning future fleet vehicle wraps becomes much easier.
Adjust the design to suit each vehicle
Working with different vehicle shapes is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome when developing a fleet-branded solution. With a delivery van, you've got a lot of flat surfaces to put graphics on, with a ute, you've got smaller areas to work with, around the door handle and around curves, etc. A compact car's tight fit is even worse. Where branding is considered, attempting to fit the same design into each car may create a congested or imbalanced aesthetic. Instead, develop a single design theme and adapt it for each car. Use the same key message, positioning, and colors, but adjust the logo size as appropriate. Your logo may run the length of a van's side panel, but look a little different on a ute. The key is that customers can still identify your brand without having to work out the design.
Pay attention to color matching
Ever seen two vehicles with the same color but look quite different? Variations in vinyl materials, vinyl finishes, atmospheric factors, and lighting can cause this. Carefully consider brand colors when designing graphics for commercial vehicles and note the exact brand colors used. This makes it easier to create similar-looking wraps on other vehicles later. Additionally, it is important to determine a finish. Vinyl comes in a variety of finishes, gloss, matte, and satin that can create different looks, even with the same color. Request and review real samples for a large fleet project. During natural light checks, consider these factors to make an informed decision.
Maintain your logo and contact information so they are easily recognized
Your own fleet cars are more than transportation. It's also a great opportunity to promote your business to prospects. That is why the crucial information needs to be noticeable. Don't fill all the panels with text, pictures, and promotional materials. If it's overcrowded, people will struggle to understand your business offering. Rather, place a priority on:
- Your business logo.
- Brief description of the type of services you provide.
- Your website or phone number.
- An easy to understand color palette.
Consider how your car looks while moving versus when it's stationary. Your business should be identifiable to someone driving past their home without having to read a few lines of text.
Establish an approval process
If multiple vehicles are involved, it can be easy to miss details. The phone numbers could differ, the logo could be slightly different, or the graphics could be in a different relative place. These issues can be avoided with an easy-to-follow authorization process. Check the artwork for each vehicle and compare the designs before production starts. Ensure that the appropriate logo, colors, contact information, and layout are used. It would also be useful to have one person to approve the final designs. This will prevent confusion if people are involved in the project in more than one way. Some extra effort now will reduce corrections later.
Keep your branding consistent as your fleet grows
Your enterprise may have just two vehicles at the start, but what occurs once you have 5 more? Without records, it can be difficult to match the original branding. Be sure to keep copies of your approved design, vinyl color references, vehicle measurements, and installation photos. This information will be valuable for replacing or replenishing an older vehicle or adding a new one to the fleet. Regularly checking your graphics is also a good idea. If the panels are damaged, the edges peel, or the vinyl fades, it will affect the look of your branding. By taking care of your wraps, you can ensure that the entire fleet looks professional.
So, why choose professional help with fleet graphics?
A correct design is crucial, and proper installation is equally essential. If it's placed improperly, or if the edges or surfaces aren't prepared properly, the result may look poor. Having a professional vehicle graphics supplier create and install the graphics ensures the design and installation are done correctly. Tint Bros Brighton's vehicles, utes, vans and trucks offer businesses an opportunity to consider vehicle wraps, custom vinyl graphics and commercial fleet branding. Talk to a professional who can help you choose the right option. A well-planned, well-researched fleet branding project can create a more recognizable presence on the road for Adelaide and beyond in South Australian suburbs businesses.
Final Takeaway
Keeping your fleet branding consistent doesn't mean making every vehicle look identical, it does require a degree of similarity. It's about keeping the same colors, logo, messaging, and design, while customizing each layout to fit the vehicle. To keep your cars, utes, vans, and trucks looking professional and consistent, plan ahead, choose the right material, and hire a professional to fit it. Whether you're looking to enhance your fleet or add more vehicles, Tint Bros Brighton can help you explore vehicle wrap and fleet graphics options that unite your business's identity.