How to Prepare Artwork for Van Graphics
Preparing artwork for van graphics does not have to be complicated. However, providing the right files and information at the beginning can make the design process clearer and help avoid unnecessary changes later.
How to Prepare Artwork for Van Graphics
Preparing artwork for van graphics does not have to be complicated. However, providing the right files and information at the beginning can make the design process clearer and help avoid unnecessary changes later.
This van graphics artwork guide is intended for business owners, tradespeople, fleet managers and organisations planning graphics for a van or commercial vehicle. It explains what to collect before requesting a design or quote from Printmonster.
Printmonster supplies vehicle graphics for businesses across Cannock, Hednesford, Rugeley, Stafford, Lichfield, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Dudley, West Bromwich and the wider West Midlands. Whether you already have completed artwork or only a logo and a rough idea, our team can help you plan the next step.
Why good artwork preparation matters
Vehicle graphics need to work on a three dimensional surface rather than a flat sheet or screen. Van doors, windows, handles, trims, curves and panel gaps can all affect where important information should be placed.
Good preparation helps the designer understand:
• What your business does
• Which information is most important
• How your brand should look
• Which parts of the vehicle can be used
• Whether your existing files are suitable
• What result you want from the finished graphics
You do not need to create the final layout yourself. In many cases, supplying clear information and the best available brand files is enough for the design process to begin.
Businesses that do not already have completed artwork can also use Printmonster’s expert design service for help preparing a suitable layout.
Start with the correct vehicle information
The first requirement is the exact vehicle make, model, body style and year.
For example, it is not always enough to say that the vehicle is a Ford Transit. Different wheelbases, roof heights, door layouts and model years can have different panel shapes and dimensions.
Useful details include:
• Vehicle manufacturer
• Exact model
• Registration year
• Short, medium or long wheelbase
• Standard, medium or high roof
• Number and position of side doors
• Whether the rear has doors or a tailgate
• Any windows, trims or unusual fittings
• The vehicle colour
Clear photographs are also extremely useful. Ideally, provide straight photographs of both sides, the front and the rear. The vehicle should be parked in an open space, with the full body visible and no part of it cut off.
Photographs allow the designer to check the actual vehicle rather than relying only on a standard template. They can also reveal accessories, damage, existing graphics or bodywork features that may affect the proposed layout.
Supply the best version of your logo
Where possible, supply the original vector version of your logo. Common vector file formats include:
• AI
• EPS
• SVG
• Some editable PDF files
Vector artwork can normally be enlarged without losing quality. This makes it suitable for vehicle lettering and large printed graphics.
A small logo copied from a website, email signature or social media profile may not reproduce clearly when enlarged. JPEG and PNG files can still be useful, but they should be supplied at the highest available quality.
Our vector versus raster artwork guide explains why some logos can be enlarged cleanly while others become blurred or pixelated.
Do not worry if you are unsure which version is suitable. Send the files you have and Printmonster can check them before the design work begins.
Choose clear wording for your van graphics
Before the design begins, decide what information the vehicle needs to communicate.
This may include:
• Business name
• Logo
• Main service or trade
• Short list of key services
• Telephone number
• Website address
• Email address
• Social media details
• Accreditations or membership logos that you are authorised to use
• A short message or strapline
Try to prioritise the information that someone needs to understand quickly. A vehicle may only be seen for a few seconds while driving, parked outside a property or passing a work site.
Long paragraphs and very detailed service lists are usually difficult to read from a distance. Clear wording, strong contrast and a simple information hierarchy often work better.
For tradespeople, it is usually useful to make the business name, main trade, telephone number and website easy to recognise. You can see more guidance about this service on our van graphics for tradespeople page.
Check every telephone number, website address and email address carefully before approving the final artwork. Once graphics have been produced, incorrect information may require replacement sections.
Use suitable images and photographs
Some van graphics use photographs, illustrations, textures or printed background designs.
If you want to include an image, provide the original file where possible. Images taken from a website, screenshot or messaging application may be too small for large format printing.
A suitable image should be:
• Clear and in focus
• Large enough for its intended printed size
• Free from heavy compression
• Licensed for commercial use
• Supplied without unnecessary screenshots or borders
Do not enlarge a small photograph in an attempt to improve its quality. Making the dimensions larger does not add missing detail.
Our best file types for printing guide explains the main formats used for logos, photographs and finished print artwork.
Printmonster can check whether an image appears suitable before it is included in the final vehicle graphics design.
Check colours, fonts and brand details
Provide any brand colour references you use, such as CMYK values, Pantone references or an existing brand guide.
Colours can appear differently across computer screens, phones, printed vinyl and different materials. Therefore, screen colours should not always be treated as an exact print reference.
Our RGB, HEX and CMYK colour guide explains how colours are represented on screens and in print.
You should also supply the names or files for any specific fonts used within your branding. If a licensed font cannot be shared, provide the font name so a suitable approach can be discussed.
When sending completed artwork, convert fonts to outlines or include the required font files where licensing allows. This helps prevent missing fonts or unwanted substitutions.
Keep an editable copy of the original artwork before converting fonts to outlines. Outlined text is useful for production, but it is more difficult to edit later.
Think about doors, handles and panel joins
Important text and logos should not be placed without considering the shape of the van.
Potential problem areas include:
• Door handles
• Sliding door tracks
• Fuel caps
• Wheel arches
• Deep recesses
• Panel joins
• Rubber trims
• Windows
• Hinges
• Parking sensors
• Vehicle badges
A design may look correct on a flat computer template but become harder to read when divided by a door opening or wrapped around a curved panel.
Allow the Printmonster design team to position important elements with these features in mind. Avoid creating a finished design around an unverified vehicle outline unless the correct professional template has been used.
The design approach will also depend on the type of graphics required. Some businesses need simple cut vinyl lettering, while others choose larger printed sections or partial vehicle wraps to cover more of the vehicle body.
For temporary or removable branding, magnetic vehicle signs may be another option, provided the vehicle surface is suitable.
How to send your artwork and design information
You can provide artwork as individual files rather than trying to combine everything into one document.
A useful artwork package may include:
• Your logo files
• Brand colours
• Font information
• Vehicle details
• Photographs of the vehicle
• Exact wording
• Contact details
• Images or illustrations
• Examples of styles you like
• Notes explaining which information matters most
Name files clearly where possible. For example:
company-name-logo.eps
company-name-brand-colours.pdf
van-passenger-side.jpg
van-driver-side.jpg
van-rear.jpg
vehicle-graphics-wording.docx
Clear file names make it easier to identify each item.
If your files are too large for email, our guide to sending large artwork files explains practical ways to provide them.
You can also read our general guide to supplying print ready artwork for further advice about file checking, fonts, images and final PDFs.
What happens if your artwork is not print ready?
Many customers do not have completed artwork when they first contact Printmonster.
You may only have a business card, an old logo file, a photograph of the van and an idea of what you would like. That is still a useful starting point.
Printmonster can inspect your supplied files and advise whether they can be used, need adjustment or should be recreated.
Possible artwork work may include:
• Checking supplied files
• Recreating simple logos where appropriate
• Arranging wording and contact information
• Preparing a layout using a vehicle template
• Adjusting colours and image placement
• Producing a visual proof for approval
The amount of design work required will depend on the quality of the supplied files and the complexity of the proposed graphics.
For businesses with several vans or commercial vehicles, Printmonster also provides fleet branding. Consistent artwork preparation is especially important for fleet projects because logos, colours and information need to remain uniform across different vehicles.
Van graphics artwork checklist
Before sending your enquiry, check that you have included:
☐ Exact vehicle make and model
☐ Vehicle year and body style
☐ Roof height and wheelbase
☐ Clear photographs of all sides
☐ Best available logo file
☐ Correct business name
☐ Main service or trade
☐ Telephone number
☐ Website and email address
☐ List of services to include
☐ Brand colours
☐ Font information
☐ Suitable photographs or images
☐ Examples of designs you like
☐ Notes about the result you want
Do not delay your enquiry because one item is missing. Send the information you already have and ask Printmonster what else is required.
Get help with your van graphics artwork
Good vehicle graphics begin with clear information, suitable artwork and a layout designed for the actual vehicle.
Printmonster supplies vehicle graphics for businesses, tradespeople and organisations throughout the wider West Midlands service area. Options include simple lettering, printed graphics, partial wraps, fleet branding and removable magnetic signs.
Once your graphics have been installed, our vehicle graphics care guide explains how to clean and look after them.
To discuss a new vehicle graphics project, contact our friendly team and send us your vehicle details, artwork files and ideas. We will review the information and explain the most practical next step.
Van graphics FAQ
Do I need completed artwork before requesting van graphics?
No. You can contact Printmonster with your logo, wording, vehicle details and a rough idea of what you need. Our expert design service can help when completed artwork has not already been prepared.
What is the best logo format for van graphics?
A vector file such as AI, EPS or SVG is usually the most flexible option because it can be enlarged without becoming pixelated. An editable vector PDF may also be suitable. Our vector versus raster artwork guide explains the difference.
Can you use a logo taken from my website?
A website logo may be too small for large vehicle graphics. It is better to supply the original artwork file where possible. If that is unavailable, send the best version you have for assessment.
Do you need photographs of the van?
Yes. Supply straight photographs of both sides, the front and the rear. These help identify doors, windows, trims, handles and any differences from a standard vehicle template.
Should I design the graphics on a photograph of my van?
A photograph can be useful for explaining an idea, but final artwork should be prepared using the correct vehicle information and an appropriate template. Printmonster can advise on the best approach.
How much information should be included?
Focus on the details people need to understand quickly, such as your business name, main service, telephone number and website. Too much small text can be difficult to read while the vehicle is moving.
Can photographs be included in van graphics?
Yes, provided the images are suitable for large format printing and licensed for commercial use. Supply original, high resolution files wherever possible. Our best file types for printing guide provides further advice.
Will the printed colours exactly match my computer screen?
Screen colours and printed colours can differ. Provide recognised brand colour references where possible and discuss any colour critical requirements before production. Read our RGB, HEX and CMYK colour guide for more information.
Should fonts be converted to outlines?
For completed artwork, converting fonts to outlines can prevent font substitution problems. Keep a separate editable copy before converting the text.
Can Printmonster help correct unsuitable artwork?
Printmonster can inspect your supplied files and advise what work may be needed. This may include adjusting the layout, recreating simple elements or preparing new artwork through the expert design service.
Can the same design be used across several vans?
Yes, although the layout may need to be adjusted for different vehicle models, roof heights, wheelbases and door arrangements. Printmonster’s fleet branding service can help keep the main brand elements consistent.
How do I send large artwork files?
Large files can be supplied through an agreed file transfer method. Read our guide to sending large artwork files before sending your artwork.
Need help preparing artwork for your van graphics?
Send Printmonster your vehicle details, logo files, wording and any design ideas you already have. Our friendly team can check your artwork, explain what else may be required and help you plan practical vehicle graphics for your business.
Whether you need simple van lettering, printed graphics, a partial wrap or branding across several vehicles.