Your van is parked outside every job and driving past hundreds of people a day. Branding it is one of the best value bits of advertising a trades business can do. But what does it actually cost?
It depends a lot on your van, the design and how much of it you want covered. Here are rough UK ballparks for each option, what pushes the price up or down, and how to get the most for your money.
Rough prices at a glance
These are typical ranges for UK trades vans. Prices vary by area, installer and design, so treat them as a guide, not a quote.
- Magnetic door signs: roughly £50 to £150 a pair
- Signwriting (cut vinyl lettering and logo): roughly £150 to £600
- Part wrap: roughly £600 to £1,500
- Full wrap, small van: roughly £1,500 to £2,500
- Full wrap, medium van like a Transit Custom: roughly £2,000 to £3,500
- Full wrap, large van like a long wheelbase Sprinter: roughly £2,500 to £4,500 or more
What you get at each level
Magnetic signs
Printed magnets that stick to your doors. The cheapest way to get your name on the van, and they come off when you want to use it personally or if it's leased. The downside is they're small, can blow off at speed if not fitted well, and don't look as established as permanent graphics.
Signwriting
Cut vinyl lettering and logos applied straight to the van. Company name, logo, phone number, website and services. It's clean, professional and does the job for most new businesses. Great value for what you get.
Part wrap
Printed graphics covering part of the van, often the sides and rear, using the van's own paint colour as part of the design. Done well, a part wrap can look almost as striking as a full wrap for a fraction of the price.
Full wrap
The whole van covered in printed vinyl. Maximum impact, and you can change the colour of the van completely without paint. It also protects the original paintwork underneath, which can help when you come to sell or hand back a lease.
What pushes the price up
- Van size: more van means more material and more fitting time
- Coverage: full wraps cost far more than graphics on the sides only
- Design complexity: photos, gradients and detailed artwork need printing rather than cut vinyl
- Film quality: better quality vinyl costs more but lasts longer and comes off cleaner
- Prep work: removing old graphics, or dealing with dents and rust, adds time
- Design work: if you don't have a logo or brand yet, that needs doing first
How long does it last?
A good quality wrap, properly fitted and looked after, typically lasts several years. Cheaper films and poor fitting can start peeling or fading much sooner. It's one of those jobs where paying a bit more upfront usually works out cheaper in the long run.
A wrap that peels after a year isn't cheap. It's an advert telling everyone your business cuts corners.
Getting the most for your money
- Get the design right first. A strong logo and a clear layout matter more than how much of the van is covered
- Keep it readable. Name, what you do, phone number and website, readable from across the road. Don't cram it
- Consider a part wrap. For a lot of trades it's the sweet spot between cost and impact
- Match it to everything else. Same logo and colours as your website and uniforms, so it all looks like one business
- Think about the future. If you'll add more vans later, a design that works across different models saves money
See it before you spend anything
The hardest part of choosing is picturing it on your van. That's why we offer a free van design mockup. Send us your van details and we'll show you what it could look like with your branding on, no obligation.
Not sure between a wrap and signwriting? We've covered that in wrap or signwriting.