Vehicle Wrapping: Myth Or Fact?

If you’ve ever stopped and stared at a vehicle covered in incredible graphics, then you’re one of the millions impressed by this cost-effective form of marketing. Fully wrapped vehicles remain a relatively rare sight on our roads, but they make a huge impact wherever they go. If you’re unsure about whether a vinyl wrap is the right way to market your business or whether wrapping can damage your vehicle, we’ve looked into some of the most common myths about vehicle wrapping.

You can’t wrap a leased vehicle

This is a myth. In fact, most fully or partially wrapped vehicles are leased. Vinyl wrapping is not only a recognised marketing tool, but it can differentiate your cheap white van from all the others on the road. You’ll need to check your leasing agreement, but the fact is many leasing companies approve of vinyl wrapping, because it protects the vehicle’s bodywork against scrapes, scratches and dents.

Vehicle wrapping damages your paintwork

In the vast majority of cases, vehicle wraps protect the paintwork and help to ensure good resale value for your vehicles. However, if you have a wrap applied over damaged paintwork, there is the possibility that when the wrap is removed, the paintwork might suffer further damage. That’s why it’s a good idea to always do a pre-wrap inspection and take a photo of any compromised areas of the bodywork. Otherwise, your wrapped vehicle is protected from pollutants, dirt and UV damage.

You can’t remove a wrap once it’s in place

It’s true that the installation and removal of vehicle wrapping should be done by skilled professionals for the best results. But vinyl wraps don’t last forever and are made to be removable – otherwise, there would be vehicles driving around with outdated contact info and logos. Just as heat is used to seal the wrap in place, the application of additional heat will start the process of lifting the vinyl from the bodywork of your vehicle – it’s both easy and painless.

Car wraps aren’t worth the bother

When it comes to a cost per thousand impressions of as little as 4p, vinyl wraps are hard to beat as a marketing tool. And because you only have a single upfront cost, they far outstrip traditional marketing methods like TV and radio advertising in terms of being cost-effective. Put a vinyl wrap up against online advertising and it has the advantage of not being ad-blocked or perceived as an aggressive style of advertising. Of course, a great deal depends on the design of your wrapping – make it a simple and effective showcase for your branding with a unique URL or shortcode to track lead generation and a well-designed vehicle wrap is definitely worth the bother when marketing your business.

It’s all too much hassle

Wrong again. At The Sussex Sign Company, we offer a fully integrated service from design to installation, that lets your London based business get the most out of cost-effective vinyl wrap. We’ll advise you on the best way to get the maximum return on your investment and we’ll wrap your vehicles in a way that boosts brand awareness and recognition. Effective, eye-catching and an excellent way to differentiate your business, why not give vehicle wrapping a go and contact us today?

5 Elements Of Effective Signage Design

Signage design is important so when you’re investing in new signs for your London business, you need to know that they’ll stand out from the crowd. From illuminated signs to wayfinding signage, how do you create eye-catching signs that really work? What are the elements that create successful signs that deliver a good return on investment?

Creating an effective and show-stopping sign is about more than carefully considering specific elements like fonts and colours. It’s about more than a sign simply looking good or being in the right place. Good signs are part of the story that your business tells about itself.

Aesthetics that create a connection

The way you convey your message can create an emotional connection with customers. A dull and plain sign can contain the same information as an aesthetically pleasing one, but a beautiful sign will always create more of a direct response in your customers. Be careful about the interplay of design elements and create something that is pleasing to the eye for maximum impact.

Supplying the right information

Signage design and information go hand in hand, with the essential information delivering the functionality to support the aesthetics. Ask yourself whether your sign includes the details you’d expect to see as a customer – is every piece of information essential, or can you reduce the amount of text yet communicate your message just as effectively, or more so?

Remember signage legibility and readability Beautiful graphics and punchy, well-chosen information will only take you so far. Now that you’ve captured your customer’s attention, they must be able to read your sign and absorb the information at a glance. However, it’s at this stage in the design process that things can go awry, particularly if you get the scale wrong. Charming graphic elements can assume monstrous proportions and elements can look out of whack with each other.

You should also be designing for accessibility. Design for your visually impaired clients and everyone will benefit from the clear and legible signs you create.

Boost your brand

However accessible your design, with perfectly balanced graphic elements and a strong, punchy message, you can still come unstuck. One of the benefits of creating successful signs is to boost brand recognition and identification. However, if your sign doesn’t connect with your brand, then it won’t connect with your customer to deliver that brand boost.

It’s not difficult to connect your brand with your signage – you can create consistency with the use of logos, straplines, brand colours and typography. If you’re not happy with those elements, then a new suite of signs could be the opportunity for a rebranding exercise.

Create a customer experience

Your signage design is all part of creating a welcoming environment that delivers a customer experience that’s superior to the other guys. By creating signs that are a seamless extension of your overall brand identity, you’re delivering another piece of the experience that customers will want to tweet and share.

Delivering effective signs

At The Sussex Sign Company, we’ll work with you to create effective signs that maximise your return on investment. Whether you’re in London or the South East, contact us and our end to end service will deliver signs that get Instagrammed and help you to create an experience that’s beneficial for your clients and your brand.

The Big Four Benefits Of Vehicle Livery For Your Startup

The statistical case for vehicle livery is a persuasive one. A thousand impressions can cost as little as 4p while your vehicle can be seen by as many as 3,000 people in an hour. But when you’re a startup, the business case for your marketing spend needs to be watertight – can you afford to invest in a vinyl wrap if you’re not convinced of the ROI?

When it comes to investing in vehicle graphics, however, there are plenty of other nailed on benefits to using your vehicle as a mobile billboard. From maximising resale value to boosting brand identity, a well-designed vinyl wrap drives your message into the heart of your target markets.

Create a buzz around your brand

If you’re struggling to create an outstanding brand identity then you’ll already know you need to keep things consistent across your marketing channels. Having your branding on your vehicles creates a buzz around your brand and promotes the idea that you’re a professional business to be taken seriously – after all, a long-lasting vinyl wrap says you’ll be around for the long run.

A well-designed wrap that delivers a strong message with pleasing aesthetics is so much more visually appealing and reassuring than an anonymous white van. You’ll catch the eye of potential customers whether you’re on the go or parked outside the office and that helps to drive brand recognition, keeping you top of mind.

Non-aggressive persuasion

No one responds to advertising that is pushy and aggressive. That’s why online customers block intrusive marketing with ad blocking software. Your mobile marketing is both non-aggressive and subtly persuasive, making it a highly effective way to get your brand recognised.

Cost-effective marketing

Vehicle livery is also surprisingly cost-effective. In surveys, customers have ranked good quality vehicle signwriting more highly than radio or TV advertising, which is considerably less affordable. When used for brand awareness, a vinyl wrap can be a great investment lasting up to eight years. And because your advertising changes its location on a regular basis, the content can remain static. However, if you need to alter your vehicle wrap it’s simple to add decals to alter contact information or add time-limited promotions.

Increased resale value

When you opt for a vinyl wrap you’re not only creating stand out marketing, you’re effectively wrapping your vehicle in a protective skin that’s incredibly durable and weatherproof. Properly looked after your vehicle signwriting will continue to look good for years to come while protecting the paintwork from everyday bumps and scratches. Opt for professional installation and removal of your vehicle livery and you’ll have a pleasant surprise when the vinyl wrap is removed – the bodywork will look impeccable, enhancing the resale value of your car or van.

Investing in vehicle livery in East Sussex

If a vinyl wrap looks like the cost-effective marketing solution for your East Sussex startup, we can help. At The Sussex Sign Company we offer a full spectrum design and wrap service that makes the most of the benefits of a vinyl wrap for your business. If you’re interested in persuasive advertising that delivers an excellent return on your investment, contact us today to discuss your vehicle signwriting options.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Seasonal Signage

It’s the season to be jolly and really nail your seasonal signage displays. Christmas is a huge opportunity for your business to get creative with your promotions and to design signs that really provoke your customers interest. Whether you’re wrapping a vehicle with a seasonal scene or creating a POS display with digital wallpaper, here’s how to give your brand a holiday twist and get the best out of your seasonal marketing.

Why you need seasonal signage

When you need to create eye-catching festive displays fast, signs are an easy way to make things happen. Banners and posters can feature traffic-building text that drives footfall through the door. Add a festive note to wayfinding signs with vinyl decals or use them to add seasonal marketing messages to your company vehicles.

Seasonal themed signs will attract your customers attention, increasing your ROI. Don’t forget to add a QR code or unique URL, so you can measure your most successful marketing strategies and build on them for your next seasonal campaign.

Think outside the box

Seasonal signs benefit from being used as part of a narrative, so decide on your story. Instead of Valentine’s, think Cupid’s Arrow, and instead of Christmas, think Nutcracker or the Snow Queen. The more sophisticated your theme, the more sophisticated and engaging the display you can create.

Turn on the lights

If you haven’t previously used illuminated signs, now could be the time to start. With low cost LEDs, you can create astonishing lighting effects with exceptionally low running costs. It’s a quick and easy way to add some pizzazz to both interior and exterior signs and it will help you to stand out on the high street.

Lighting effects should be bold enough to grab the attention of passers-by and hold it, so be bold. A combination of shape and colour can be used to great effect, especially if you think beyond the usual seasonal cliches to create some dazzling effects – if the competition are using red, change your signs with a bold fuchsia.

The benefits of seasonal branding

It’s relatively simple to up your seasonal branding game – an update to your website colours, promotional materials with a seasonal theme and a seasonal twist on your logo. Replicating these changes across your seasonal signage reinforces your branding and creates a consistent and professional image.

Tapping into the seasonal appeal can make your brand look active and dynamic and encourages that personal connection that all brands thrive on – think Starbuck’s famous holiday cups for inspiration. Changing your brand with a few tweaks and a focus on upgrading your signage can reap big benefits by reinvigorating your customers’ interest in your brand, resulting in greater engagement and an uptick in sales.

Season’s greetings

If your West Sussex business wants to make an impact this Christmas – or Valentine’s Day, summer holidays or Halloween – try thinking outside the box and exploring the huge range of signs designed to support your seasonal marketing efforts. At The Sussex Sign Company, we specialise in maximising the ROI on your signs all year round, so why not call us today or email our team and see how we can help you get the most out of your next seasonal campaign?

5 Signs Your Van Needs New Vehicle Livery

A vinyl wrap is a durable, effective and high impact way of advertising your business across East Sussex. With proper maintenance, a premium cast vinyl wrap can last up to 8 years. But even the best thought out campaign can run its course and the most professionally installed wrap can start to show signs of wear and tear.

Knowing when to update your vehicle livery can be challenging. Here are the five surefire signs that your vehicle graphics need an update.

Has your wrap seen better days?

Even the best cared for vinyl wrap will eventually show signs of wear and tear. Sun and rain can cause fading and damage, making your car graphics look washed out and less impactful.

Look for signs of peeling and scratching, especially around the bottom of the vehicle. Even though your wrap may still look good from a distance, if it’s showing signs of wear close to the edges, that’s a sure sign you need to change it.

Are your contact details up to date?

If you’ve moved premises, updated your website or changed phone numbers, then you need to change your wrap. If the overall condition is still good, then vinyl decals can be the smart way to bring your details up to date.

Check your wrap for any outdated expressions. Tastes change with the times and what was once funny may now simply cause customers to cringe. It never hurts to rethink the impact of your slogans and the message you’re sending to your customers.

Is your vehicle livery design outdated?

There are fashions in design elements like fonts and images and these can change over time as surely as fashion in clothes. Take a look at what your competitors are doing – do their designs seemed tired and outdated or fresh and contemporary?

Working together with a designer will help you to refresh your design and create something that not only appeals to your target market in East Sussex, but grabs the attention wherever you go. In turn, that boosts brand recognition and maximises the return on your investment in vehicle livery.

Does your wrap fit your business?

As your business grows and expands, your branding needs to transform to keep in step with the direction of travel. The chances are that, unless you’re in the vintage and retro business, your outlook and business goals can have changed radically since you first invested in vehicle graphics.

Have you moved into a totally different market? Or have you radically broadened the range of services you offer? The chances are that if your wrap is approaching 8 years old, it doesn’t reflect your bold new business model. Now could be the time to upgrade and reflect those exciting changes.

Are you still maximising your ROI?

It can be difficult, though not impossible, to measure the ROI of your vehicle graphics. But to do that, you’ll need to rethink your design or add some new decals or a partial wrap.

QR codes, dedicated landing page URLs and short code SMS are all smart ways to evaluate how well your message is getting through to your target customers. At Sussex Signs, we’ll work with you to update your design and maximise your return on investment. Contact us for all the help and information you need.