Vinyl Vehicle Graphics FAQ

Trends in vinyl design and lettering on trucks come and go, but the usefulness of a pickup truck for business will never fade. Some 1.6 million pickup trucks were purchased in the United States in 2012, and sales increased by 8% in August of 2015.

There's nothing like a truck for conducting business, but before you hit the streets, you'll need to include all of the appropriate commercial information about your business on the outside of your truck. While you're driving around, you might as well take advantage of the advertising opportunities by sprucing up your truck with a custom vinyl design.

If you're looking to add vinyl graphics to your vehicle, you'll want to make sure it's done perfectly. Here's everything you need to known about vinyl vehicle graphics and how to get the job done right.

How do I prepare my surface?

Make sure the area is thoroughly cleaned to avoid any bumps or bubbles. Even small bits of dust or wax can ruin a perfectly good design. Wash -- don't wax -- and then rub the area with isopropyl alcohol.

What’s the easiest way to trim the vinyl wrapping?

Use vinyl cutting tape to trim your truck wrap. Firmly press the cut tape along the desired trim line before applying the vinyl wrap. Once the wrap is applied, you can create a pull-tab with the cut-tape. This will allow you to easily trim along the desired path, without the need for a knife or blade.

Will vinyl cutting tape scratch my paint job?

A fine filament edge cutting tape will produce a clean cut without damaging the paint of your truck. Our wrap cut tape, for example, leaves no residue, even when cutting through vinyl, carbon fiber, or PPF. To get impressively straight-cut lines, use a vinyl cutting tape that has a cutting filament along the entire length of the tape.


How long will the application last?

The durability of your lettering or design depends on a number of factors -- one of the most important being how much sun exposure your design gets. While vinyl graphics applied vertically (i.e., on the siding or doors of a vehicle) can often remain in good condition for six years or more, graphics applied horizontally (i.e., on the hood or roof) might only last half as long because of deterioration from the sun's UV rays. In high-sun areas like California, the longevity might be even less, without proper attention and care.


Give your design the utmost attention to detail for a truck that can carry you and your company's message all over town.