Fleet graphics are vehicle graphics installed on a company's entire set of vehicles. This can be a simple logo and slogan, or a full wrap which covers the whole vehicle. They are often seen on delivery trucks, buses, vans, and cars.
Substrate Creation
Vehicle graphics are made from vinyl. This material is created with PVC resin and plasticizers. The manufacturing process begins by combining the PVC resin and plasticizers in a large mixer. Once these two ingredients are mixed, they undergo a chemical reaction which creates heat. The heat causes the PVC resin to expand and become malleable.
After the PVC resin has been mixed with the plasticizers, it is poured into large molds. The size of the mold varies depending on the required thickness of the vinyl. Once the vinyl has cooled and hardened, it is cut into large sheets. These sheets are then sent to a calendaring machine.
The calendaring machine evenly coats the vinyl with a layer of adhesive. Once the adhesive has been applied, a release liner is placed over the top. The release liner is a thin layer of paper or plastic which protects the adhesive from dirt and debris.
Printing
There are two common methods of printing on vinyl: screen printing and digital printing.
- Screen printing is the older of the two methods. It involves utilizing a stencil to apply ink to the vinyl. The stencil has a negative image of the graphic being printed. The ink is forced through the stencil onto the vinyl with a squeegee.
- Digital printing is a newer method involving large-format printers. The vinyl is fed through the printer, and the graphic is printed directly onto the material. This method is less labor-intensive than screen printing and can produce more complex designs.
Installation
Vehicle graphics are installed with either an adhesive or a heat transfer process.
- Adhesive installation is the most common method. It involves applying a layer of adhesive to the back of the graphic and then attaching it to the vehicle. This method is quick and easy, but it can damage the paint on the vehicle if it is not done correctly.
- Heat transfer installation is a more advanced method using heat to attach the graphic to the vehicle. First, a transfer paper is placed over the top of the graphic. The entire assembly is then passed through a heat press. The heat press applies pressure and heat to the transfer paper, which causes it to adhere to the vehicle. This method is more time-consuming than adhesive installation, but it will not damage the paint on the vehicle.
At FASTSIGNS® of Louisville, KY, we design and install custom fleet graphics for businesses. Contact us today to learn how fleet graphics can elevate your company's bottom line.
