Getting your vehicle wrapped is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Early on, you may be wondering how to find a good vehicle wrap designer – especially one who gets your brand and works at a reasonable cost. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry!
This guide covers what you should look for in a vehicle branding graphic designer, so you can turn your ambitious ideas into fully realised wraps, without any costly blunders.
Why do you need a vehicle wrap designer?
Branding itself takes design skills. This applies to your logos, letterheads, and any graphics you may have online. Most experienced graphic designers can do these for you.
It gets tricky with the vehicle design template. This creates a 2D visualisation of your vehicle, where you can place the various design elements onto each section of the vehicle – including the top, doors, and around windows and wing mirrors. It’s all edited in Adobe Illustrator, so you know to ask for that particular skill!
What if you don't use a vehicle branding graphic designer?
A vehicle template isn’t just a conceptual drawing. It’s also used by your wrapping company during the installation process, so your van or car graphic designer must be accurate.
Shortfalls may include:
- Words or sentences getting cut off
- Elements that don’t line up properly
- Stretched logos and blurry images
- Mismatched colours or a busy appearance
- An underwhelming design, not fit for print
If you make a design yourself or use a keen amateur, you may end up with something that looks nice but proves less than ideal for marketing your business. For example, a wrap can be attractive, but it’ll be useless if it doesn’t tell people what you’re about. The best vehicle wraps do both things effortlessly.
Finally, your design might impress on paper but fail to look right when printed on your vehicle. That’s why you need a vehicle graphics design expert who’s worked with templates before and knows how they translate into the real world.
Find a good vehicle wrap designer in 5 easy steps
There are ways to tell if a van or car wrap designer is right for your project. The steps below will help you get the help you need, whether you’re branding a single van or an entire fleet of vehicles.
1. Check online platforms
You can find vehicle branding graphic designers on sites like Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr. Browse through online portfolios, then connect with designers who will provide the designs you need, all at the agreed-on price and to a reasonable deadline.
2. Contact design agencies
There’s no shortage of designers who can create good logos and other branding materials. It’s harder to find design experts who have worked with templates, but they are out there. Simply ask the agency if they have an experienced vehicle wrap designer available.
3. Ask for referrals
Can anyone in your network or industry group help? If you’ve seen an example of vehicle branding you’ve loved, you can reach out to them and find out who created the design. This is a great way to find a reliable vehicle branding designer who’s already proven their skills.
4. Browse their portfolio
Do they know their jpegs from their vectors? You can assess their expertise by looking at work from their portfolio. No vehicle branding designer worth their salt will expect you to act on their word alone. If they can show you previous vehicle graphics, design templates, or other samples related to commercial vehicle wrapping, then they may be the perfect choice for you.
5. Ask about previous jobs
Now you’ve seen the designer’s work, ask them about it! What limitations did they have? How did they make sure the 2D design would work on a 3D vehicle? How did they maintain brand consistency when it came to the van or car graphic design process? If you find yourself nodding along, then you know they’re good at what they do.
For best results, use an in-house vehicle wrap designer
Vehicle branding can be much easier when you know where to look. If you’re frustrated with the process or still worried you won’t get the right expertise, it’s worth choosing a wrap company that can design, print and install your wrap all in one place. This removes confusion and ensures everyone on the team knows where they are and what to do with your vehicle design project.
Ask if they can present a 3D render
If you have a personal or luxury vehicle, and you’d like its colour change or a custom design, then an established wrap company should be able to use the latest 3D rendering software to bring your ideas to life on screen before you commit.
It removes the guesswork of how your vehicle will look, and with hundreds of base designs readily available, it could also save you time and money.
Most standard graphic designers won’t have access to this software, so it’s another great reason to pick someone in-house. It’s great for businesses too, as it can present a mock-up of your branded vehicle, so you can be sure it presents your company in the best possible light.
Take the next step right here...
We offer free 30-minute design meetings, where you’ll get to discuss your design with a member of the team. This makes life easy for clients looking to brand one or more vehicles, as well as owners of luxury and motorsport cars.
One of our designers will create your vehicle template from scratch and use 3D software to render your car or van with the design applied. It’s all shown to you live on screen, through a highly visual approach!
So, what are you waiting for? Click the link to arrange your consultation now.
