Advertising your business on the side of your van can be a great way to drum up some extra business. So, to help you stand out from the crowd, here’s everything you need to know about signwriting your van.
What are the benefits of van signwriting?
Custom signwriting your van is a great way to market your business and widen your audience.
In fact, according to multinational 3M, driving your vehicle through high traffic areas like big cities can mean more than 3,000 people will see your van every hour. Needless to say, that’s a huge opportunity for picking up new customers.
Signwriting is also a relatively cheap and very efficient way to advertise your business. Not only are you likely to be out and about in your van constantly which increases your business’ exposure, it’s advertising you don’t need to keep paying out for.
Van signwriting can also add an extra layer of professionalism. It shows potential customers that you’ve invested time and money into your business which could result in them viewing your services more favourably.
Another good reason for signwriting is that it adds a protective layer to your van and can help minimise superficial damage like scratches and chipped paintwork.
Are there disadvantages to van signwriting?
Despite there being lots of positives, there are some downsides to signwriting too.
Publicising what your van is used for highlights what’s potentially inside it which could make it an attractive proposition for would-be thieves.
Although there’s no proof that supports the idea that signwriting makes your van a target of theft, it’s likely one of the reasons 40% of business van owners decide not to customise the outside of their vehicles.
Does signwriting affect the cost of van insurance?
There’s no clear cut answer and it really depends on the attitude of the insurer. On the one hand, altering the appearance of your van is technically classed as a modification, which you have to tell your insurer about. Modifications generally increase your premium because they can make your vehicle more expensive to repair.
Similarly, you could end up paying more for van insurance because thieves could target your vehicle for tools or equipment.
However, some insurers take a very different approach and consider signwriting to be a positive feature and it could actually help lower your premium. This is down to the fact that you’re more likely to drive carefully because your business name is on display.
Plus, because your van is more easily identifiable, some insurers actually see this as a reason why thieves may not target your van in the first place.
Ultimately, if you’re concerned about whether or not van signwriting will increase your insurance, it’s best to speak to your current insurer before you have the work done.
What are the different types of signwriting?
There are several different types of signwriting to choose from so if it’s something you’re interested in, there’s likely to be a method to suit your needs and your budget. Options include:
Vinyl stencils
Signwriters will create a stencil to apply to your van. Even if you stencil both sides and rear van doors, it’s typically the cheapest option.
Vinyl wraps
As the name suggests, these designs envelop your whole van to create a complete look that ties into your business branding. Good examples include Sky and Openreach who both wrap their van fleets. Full vinyl van wraps are the most expensive option but you can also get partial wraps which cost slightly less.
Magnetic signs
Technically not signwriting but this is another popular way to advertise your business. It’s also the most flexible option as you’ll be able to add and remove the signs whenever you please. Bear in mind that although magnetic signs are generally secure, they can fall off at high speeds.
How much does it cost to signwrite a van?
Cost will really depend on the type of signwriting you choose and how elaborate the design is. Magnetic signs and vinyl stencils generally cost less and you can expect to pay in the region of £100+.
Partial wraps are likely to set you back £500+ while you should expect to budget at least £1000 for a full wrap.
How to get signwriting off a van
Some valet firms will remove vehicle graphics for you, but it’s also something you can easily do yourself.
Simply use a hairdryer or heat gun to warm the glue beneath the wrap. When it’s warm (but not so hot you can’t touch it) gently start to peel off the vinyl. Using a plastic scraper that won’t damage the paint is a good way to do this.
You’ll need to repeat this until all of the wrap is removed. When you’re finished, buff your van with a soft cloth and remove traces of glue with a specialist glue remover.
Compare van insurance
Whether your van has signwriting, wraps or nothing at all, you can compare insurance deals from leading providers right here at mustard.co.uk. Simply fill in our online form and we’ll bring you back quotes in minutes. Alternatively, you can speak to an expert on t: 0330 022 8814.
