What Makes the Ideal or Best Vehicle Wrap or Graphic? Digital vs. Vinyl!

With the advent of digital graphics there are many more decisions to make when it comes to having graphics or “wraps” applied to your vehicle. There are 2 types of graphics in use today, digital and vinyl. On the one hand vinyl graphics will deliver truer, deeper colors but their use is limited in delivering gradients often referred to as a “fade” where the color tone of the material “fades” or varies along a range of points throughout the graphic. On the other hand, digital graphics can deliver more muted subtle color combinations that your logo or design theme may rely on whereas vinyl graphics cannot. Fades or gradients are typically an integral part of any vehicle “wrap”. In addition, digital graphics can deliver far more complex color combinations that may be needed throughout the graphics you desire than vinyl graphics ever will. Due to the nature of their production characteristics the color of vinyl graphics is through-and-through the media whereas digital graphics are applied to neutral or white toned adhesive backed vinyl media using digital equipment. It’s these characteristics that tend to give more longevity to vinyl graphics versus digital graphics when both are exposed to the environment. At Majestic Sign and Design (MS&D) located in Warren, MI we can handle both media exclusively or even a blend of each. In the following design and applications we used vinyl graphics exclusively because the design called for that;

Whereas in the following design we used a blend of digital graphics and vinyl graphics;

For the flames above the “running icon” and the arrows above and below the company name-we designed gradient colors that vary in gradation throughout the graphic-so in this case we had to use digital graphics. However, for the remaining graphics on the truck we utilized vinyl graphics as they were designed from one single color of either red or blue or black in this case.

In the same way the “fire & water” graphic seen below has a gradient in it requiring digital graphics but the gold and blue lettering on this vehicle actually utilizes a shadow or outline where gold lettering is placed within the larger blue field behind the letter.

While the project whose photo appears at the top of this post needed a digital graphic to create the stork and the corporate “SEARS”, “Blue Crew” & “Die Hard” logos; while using vinyl for the lettering.

In the same manner this graphic uses a combination of digital and vinyl

graphics because this customer wanted to emphasize a particular piece of specialized equipment (top right corner of the side panel) they have that distinguishes them from their competition and only a photo of the equipment would do that justice. Whereas the following graphic is 100% digital;

Digital graphics are needed in this instance to be able to portray all the images that we included in the overall design graphic especially the 3 dimensional images portrayed on the articulated rear door that is used to achieve depth. One other thing of note in this particular graphic is how we managed to contain the overall size of the images on the side panels. The key to such an installation is hiding the seams on a graphic this large. Since all equipment has some upper level size parameter, you have to manage that in producing and applying graphics. In this case, if you look closely on the side of the truck there are actually 5 one-piece graphic panels there – each about 5’ in width. The challenge here is overlapping the graphics so the “messaging” never appears to be interrupted.

One other thing to consider when choosing a company to design and install graphics is to make sure they have the capability to deliver a whole fleet of vehicles that you want  identical in appearance regardless of their size, shape or body style. As you can see below, Majestic Sign can do just that! In this case we delivered multiple quantities of unique vehicles with a common, consistent theme including;
• 3 full size vans from 2 different manufacturers as well as different model years;

• Full size trucks

• Compact pick-ups

• Multi-purpose vehicles.

So the next time you’re in the market to spruce up, replace, remake or add to your fleet consider Majestic Sign & Design located in southeast MI for all your wrap and graphics needs. Whether digital, vinyl or an ideal blend of each and especially if you want to carry a common, consistent theme into, onto and throughout your business over to the road where the “cost per impression” is the least expensive of all media.