Should I Use Truck Wraps or Frame and Banner Graphics For My Fleet?

Lately, I have received several questions regarding the pros and cons of Adhesive Truck Wraps (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Vinyl) verses Frame and Banner Systems. As the popularity of fleet advertising grows, the question of how to produce the most cost effective ads becomes an essential one. To get an accurate answer to this question, you must look at several different factors that play into your decision making process. As with most things, there are pros and cons to both products depending on what you are using them for. 

Today, I will lay out 2 basic uses for both products, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each. 

1. Truck Branding.

I think we've all seen examples of truck branding while traveling on our highways. It's hard not to notice that bright red Coca-Cola truck in the lane beside you as you speed on by. The purpose of that Coca-Cola truck is not necessarily to advertise a specific product or message, but to consistently reinforce the company's brand, and to keep Coca-Cola on your mind. 

Branding trucks can be accomplished with both Adhesive and Non-Adhesive Truck Graphics. Many companies use Adhesive Truck Wraps to brand their trucks because they have no need to change their branding and can use a more traditional solution. Adhesive Truck Wraps also tend to be used when truck sides contain roll up doors or other obstructive elements.

However, if a company wants to change their truck's branding, such as updating a logo or change a color scheme, than Adhesive Truck Wraps can become an expensive and time consuming choice. The cost to remove a Truck Wrap and install a new graphic can be twice the cost and take twice the time of their Non-adhesive counterparts. When graphic changes are involved, companies tend not to use Adhesive Truck Decals as often.

In terms of Truck Branding, both products will get the job done sufficiently, your determining factors will be: how flat is your surface and  how often you need to change your graphics. 

2. Fleet Advertising:

When advertising on your fleet, you are transforming your trucks in to Rolling Billboards in order to attract the most attention to your message. The more people that see your Ad, presumably the more attention your advertiser will receive.

Like traditional Billboards, you will be hosting advertising from many different companies, requiring frequent changing of graphics. The cost of these changes are generally passed on to the advertising client in the form of production and installation fees. The difference in those fees can often be the deciding factor when a client is choosing a fleet advertising company. Let's take a look at a comparison of the costs involved in both Adhesive Truck Decals and Non-Adhesive Truck Graphics for Advertising.

Keep in mind that the chart above is a general comparison. Actual prices will vary depending on geographical location and other factors.

As you can see from the chart above, when it comes to changing your fleet advertising, Adhesive Truck Wraps can get pretty expensive. Higher costs are involved because you must remove the existing graphic and install a new Decal or attach the new Decal over the existing graphic. In either case, you will pay the same high initial cost of the installation for every new advertisement.

On the other hand, with a Frame and Banner Truck Graphic System, you will only pay the full installation cost once. All future graphic changes require a simple vinyl graphic replacement, which costs around half of the initial price. Once the Frame and Banner Truck Graphic System is installed, replacing the advertisement takes very little time and a very little money when compared to Adhesive Truck Wraps.

A  Few More Things To Consider

When deciding which Truck Graphic method to use, also consider the following factors:

• Adhesive Truck Wraps are a better choice for vehicles and trucks that have non-flat surfaces.
• Frame and Banner Truck Graphics are the best choice to hide damage to your trailer. 
• Adhesive Truck Wraps work great on Roll-up doors.
• Frame and Banner Truck Graphics produce a smooth tight finish with no seams or rivets.
• Adhesive Truck Wraps require a Certified 3M installer.
• Most Frame and Banner Truck Graphics are DIY (do-it-yourself). 

As you can see there are times that both Adhesive Truck Wraps and Frame and Banner Truck Graphics are appropriate. There will be situations where one product will make more sense than the other. To decide which product is best for you, first determine what you will need the product to do, and then consider each product's pros and cons for your specific needs.

For More Information on Truck Graphics and Truck Advertising:

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