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> Benefits of Signwriting
> Car and Van Graphics Ideas
> Types of Vehicle Graphics

1. understanding why you need graphics for your van

When you are out and about on the road an average of 800 people a day will see your van as you make your way around to do business. The number one reason that people get graphics on their vehicles is that its free advertising on a day to day basis. It’s a fact that graphics on your van can help advertise your business and help get you noticed.

Other reasons you may need van graphics could be that reflective vehicle safety graphics, often referred to as Chapter 8 graphics, are mandatory if you are working on highways. Whatever reason you are looking for graphics for your van it’s important that you think about the following points.

,2. know your budget

First and foremost, ensure you know how much you have as a budget. A basic set of contact details on a small van you can expect to be pay  around  the £350 mark, and a full vinyl  wrap for is going to start from £2,000. The costs in getting your van graphics are going to be the design of the artwork, the print and materials and the installation of the graphics.

3. know what the options are

As with everything, there are a lot of options for your vehicle graphics. As mentioned above a few basic contact details can be added to the sides, bonnet and back doors to your van reasonably cost-effectively, but once you start adding more design and vinyl’s to the process the costs will increase. There most common options.

1: Logo and contact details
2: Infill panels
3: Quarter wrap
4: Half wrap
5: Full wrap

Our handy vehicle graphics calculator will give you a few ideas for what levels of work and coverage you can expect.

4. know the implications

Fitting graphics to a van is by no means permanent but there are things to think about before you commit to installing them on your van.

It’s common to lease or contract hire a van in today’s market, and whilst the lease company are usually fine with you fitting these, they will expect these removed before you return it to them.

We offer a graphics removal service which is chargeable by the hour.

If the graphics have been on a dark coloured van, there will be some colour difference as the sun will affect the colour of the paint that is exposed to the sun while the vinyl will protect the areas that aren’t, this will need some polish work to remover this.

Another point we would raise if you are planning on applying a full wrap to an older van, be aware that any blemishes or dents are not going to be covered by applying a wrap these will still be visible, any vehicle graphics specialist should tell you this and point any flaws out before your start.

5. get the message right

Once you’ve chosen your supplier for your vehicle graphics, you’ll need the design.

Most vehicle graphics design companies will have a template book and you can expect them to use this to show you what the finish will look like. 

When you start on the design keep it simple, keep the message short, don’t crowd and try and put too much information on your vehicle. Ask your supplier to help, ultimately its what they do, so they should be able to advise the best options for your message.

Its also a good idea to get a second opinion and everything treble checked. Just because a designer can make it look good doesn’t mean they know your phone number!

6. make sure it looks great

You can expect to be asked for a deposit for the design on any vehicle design, this will usually be discounted from the final bill. Take as long as you need and make sure you are 100% happy before you sign it off take your time, sleep on it, come back to it and make sure it’s perfect. You are going to be looking at it every day, you 100% need to be happy with it.

7. know the insurance implications

Technically adding graphics to your vehicle is classed as an alteration, so you will need to ensure that you tell your insurer, All commercial insurance companies are prepared for you to add graphics and in some cases, the policy can be reduced. Let’s be honest who is going to drive like an idiot if your contact details are on the back doors?

8. choose your sign supplier wisely

Enough said on this one 😉

Before you commit any money (even for the design) check the company out, check their portfolio, check the website or check their TrustPilot or Google Reviews but do keep an open mind just because “my mate” always uses “Phil” to do his doesn’t mean you are going to get what you want, or that the at the design will be any good. Our advice is to shop around a bit, make a few calls, ask a few questions get some examples.

9. before the fitting

Where you get the graphics fitted will normally be based around you. Most professional services will have a workshop and they will ask you to deliver the van to them, so you will need to arrange a lift back from dropping off the van and collecting it.

You will also need to make sure the van is properly cleaned (but not waxed) before you drop it off, if you don’t do this you can probably expect to be asked to pay and addition to get it cleaned beforehand.

10. check the quality

Honestly though, it is good practice to check the work before you pick it up, you should expect to have a vehicle sign off and check list gone through once the work is completed. Walk around the vehicle as look for blemishes, bumps or creases. Don’t just accept it, check the work.

If you would like to find out more about the Motive Vehicle Graphics service, or talk in more detail about your van, car, lorry or truck graphics then please contact us.

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> Types of commercial signs
> What type of sign do i need?
> Where do i buy a sign?

We appreciate that undertaking a signage project can be daunting – especially if you don’t have prior experience or simply lack the necessary time to add this into your workload.

In these instances, many clients choose the services of the Motive signage team to guide and support them throughout their project and learn from the experts on the job!

We’d encourage you to do the same if you find yourself in these circumstances.

To get the ultimate sign fitting project guide – read on!

1. understanding the purpose of the signage

What is your sign intended to convey to those that view it? What will be deemed as making the completed sign installation a success? Is there an existing sign that needs to be replaced? If so, is this due to a redesign or to replace old with new? Will it be a like for like replacement or are there new materials that could be utilised for a better outcome?

The design of your signs may be created by a third party such as a design agency or you may wish your sign supplier to provide the sign design on your behalf. If your sign supplier is to produce the design then ensure they are thoroughly briefed and equipped with branding guidelines, sketches, photographs or examples of similar projects that will help them to interpret your vision.

2. understand who the sign project stakeholders are

First and foremost, ensure it is crystal clear what your role is. Then establish which colleagues form part of your project team and their roles and responsibilities.

Do you know who needs to be part of the approval process and at what stages of your project?

Make sure you have identified who will facilitate the on-site fitting of the sign by your chosen sign suppliers.

Document this and circulate to those involved.

3. know the expected project timeframes

4. know your budget

You may be allocated a budget and even given detailed specifications for your sign(s) but might not be able to ascertain whether or not this is realistic until after the site survey and consultation with your chosen supplier. By providing as much information as possible to your sign supplier (see our briefing guide for help) they will be able to give you the best solutions to your signage requirements at the best possible price.

Your supplier can also make recommendations on varying materials or manufacturing processes in order to provide different cost-effective alternatives.

A rough estimate can be provided in the first instance to help manage expectations of your project costs.

5. undertake a thorough site survey

Once your chosen supplier has been instructed to provide a detailed quotation, they need to fully understand the scope of the project so will usually request to attend the site(s) to assess the exact requirements of the job.

The site audit will take into consideration sign location(s), the surrounding areas, buildings, substrate conditions, accessibility, power supply and vehicle access. Exact measurements will be taken and plenty more images will be taken.

6. know the legal implications

Do you need planning permission from your local authority for your sign to be erected? Or do you require consent from a landlord to install the sign on rented premises or your trading estate? It is crucial that you know this right at the beginning of your project as you may need to wait some time for approval. Ignore this at your peril.

Fitting roadside signs can be a headache, along with illuminated signs in either a residential area or a culturally or environmentally sensitive area.

7. select the best type of sign for the job

8. ensure your sign design works with the surroundings

Not all signs work in every surrounding, while having a good design helps, it also is essential to make sure the design of your sign works aesthetically within its surroundings. If you have a rustic log cabin, then sticking a high tech looking sign on it won’t fit with its style. A good sign company will send you a superimposed visual that will, as much as possible, demonstrate how the final sign design will look once it’s installed – allowing you to get an idea of how it will look. This is a valuable document as it is the final step in the approval process and allows for any final tweaks, prior to manufacturing the sign.

9. choose your sign supplier wisely

10. ensure you communicate

How often should each of the stakeholders be informed? Ensure all involved are kept abreast of the project updates. Poor communication can result in misunderstandings which can cost time and money and, at the worst outcome – a rework of the job!

Adhering to the key elements of our sign fitting project guide will help to keep you on track.

If you would like to find out more about the Motive sign project management service, or talk in more detail about your signage project then please contact us.

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can you recycle foamex?

Foamex is a brand name that is universally used for PVC foam board and is widely used in internal and external signs. Along with exhibition display stands and almost every shell scheme is made from these boards.

But the question I am regularly asked is, “can you recycle foamex?” and “can I use it to make an eco friendly exhibition stand?”.

recycling pvc foam board, is it all smoke and mirrors?

Before we look at whether you can recycle a product its important to understand a couple of key points.

foamex; pre-consumer waste recycling

Pre-consumer means exactly this, it’s before it gets to either a sign maker, custom booth builder or events company, its basically recycled before it leaves where its made.

If you imagine making a pie, and you fill the tray with pastry, you then trim the surplus, re-roll this and then reuse it to make another pie. This all takes place before the pie reaches the shop, so its pre-consumer.

This is a not so clever (actually misleading) bit of marketing used by the manufacturers of PVC foam board to make it “sound” like it can be recycled, it probably can. To do this you have a line that can pick up off cuts, then reprocess on the spot this would need to be immaculately clean waste. Its actually pretty standard in all manufacturing …. but let’s be honest its not “recycling” foamex and its not helping you if you want to make an eco friendly exhibition.

foamex; post-consumer waste recycling

This is where the issues start.

In principal, a sign maker, stand builder or exhibition company COULD keep all its offcuts, keep these immaculately clean and send these back to source.

To do this, you’d need a bin to place this in, a collection from someone who could then collect tonnes of this, and then a method of getting it back to where it came from. In reality this isn’t going to happen, PVC foam is super cheap (which is why its so widely used) and its simply not cost effective to do this. I’ve not even considered the CO2 impact of this, but suffice to say that’s not going to work either.

Further to this, once the bits that are printed on, cut or have vinyls applied to these are now “contaminated” and you then cant even send this back to be reprocessed, the outcome …. landfill. Still no closer to an eco friendly display stand.

foamex: post consumer reuse

So with the options of recycling PVC foamboard being limited (at best) the next option available is to reuse the boards.

This is actually not impossible and providing that they are looked after when they are installed and used, it is perfectly practical, you can apply a new layer of vinyl and away you go.

Obviously, you’ll need to get these back to the company that has printed these and this in turn can present a problem but its do-able with a bit of effort. Kind of getting there with regards to an eco friendly exhibition stand.

best alternatives to foamex

So if you are thinking, “I’m not liking any of these options what can I do?”

Basically, you have one choice that’s viable (well two) first just place it into landfill and ignore the fact it will take an indeterminate number of years (50+) to break down, or find an alternative, this is an option but let be totally honest its not really where we need to be as an industry.

Products do exist (we use a product called Ecoboard) that are FSC certified, recycled and are recyclable and these are easily recycled by you or me as post-consumer. These will give you an option to provide eco friendly display stands at all of your upcoming events.

If you are going to go along this route, contact your supplier and ask for samples, some are better than others, some even have waterproof qualities, but some of them are sub-standard.

so what options are available for an eco friendly exhibition stand?

Regrettably unless you start pushing your supplier to provide an alternative, not much will change. Everything is ultimately driven by you, the customer.

If though you want to talk with a company that already has experience of this and can supply for you some alternatives that will save you the leg work. Get in touch with us and I’ll get everything moving and will happily share my knowledge with you.

creating an interactive exhibition stand

Looking for  an interactive exhibition that really engages with your prospective clients and leads?

Having spent hours working with a supplier to come up with some clever display stand design ideas is all well and good but if you really want to get people onto your stand an interactive exhibition space is the way forward.

Our exhibition services team have lots of valuable experience in advising on the best way to create an interactive exhibition.

We will help you not only plan the floor plan and how people will interact, but will come up with display stand ideas that will help deliver an interactive exhibition.

touch screens and apps

People love to play with technology. We can supply app design, and the tablets and monitors. All fitted and delivered and ready to use for you on the day by our custom booth builders.

We have experience in delivering games, touch screen tech, competitions, VR headsets and a whole host of creative ideas that will help give you and your team not only something interesting to deliver but also a great way of generating leads.

We want you to get the most out of your event, so contact a member of our   exhibition services team at Motive Graphics and let’s come up with some display stand design ideas that deliver a truly amazing interactive exhibition.

finally

Thanks for reading this, as a team we have a lot of real-life experience and are in constant contact with people who run their own business or are Marketing for a business, we have experience and we hear loads of ideas so we are great to bounce ideas off.

If you want to make contact, and we’ll give you a hand, make you, and your brand look brilliant, and most importantly make its easy.

Enjoy your show.