Most people see a bakkie from behind. In a queue, at a robot, on a highway or in a parking lot, the tailgate is the surface that sits directly in front of another driver's windscreen. It is also the one panel that stays in view for the longest time, which makes it an excellent place for a name, a trade line and a contact detail.
At the same time, the tailgate is a busy panel. It has a handle, a lock, sometimes a camera, a stamped ridge or badge, and a bumper below. Good tailgate branding respects all of that and stays simple.
What we can brand
- Tailgate centre panelname and contact
- Tailgate lower edgereflective strip
- Rear bumper top surfacefleet number or short text
- Tailgate top railthin stripe in brand colour
- Number-plate surroundclear space only
What to put on a tailgate
Keep it short. The reader is moving, usually behind you, and has a few seconds. A company name or logo, a one-line description and a single contact route are enough. If you want customers to phone, make the number the largest element after the name. If you prefer web leads, a short web address is better. We do not recommend more than three lines of text.
- Company name or logo, centred or aligned to the tailgate stamping
- Trade line, for example 'Roofing and Waterproofing'
- One contact route: call us, website or social handle
- Optional 'How am I driving?' style line, if your fleet runs a reporting service
- Reflective strip across the lower edge
Dealing with handles, cameras and ridges
Modern tailgates have a recessed handle area and a camera housing. Vinyl is cut around them, never over a lens or sensor. Pressed ridges can distort text if lettering crosses them, so we place text in the flat panels between ridges or position it to follow a ridge deliberately. A scaled template of your exact model helps us avoid these surprises.
Reflective options for night visibility
Reflective vinyl on the tailgate and rear bumper area returns light from headlights, making the rear of the bakkie easier to see when it is parked beside a road. We often propose a reflective border or a thin stripe, while keeping the main name in standard vinyl so the design looks the same by day. Reflective graphics add to visibility but do not replace lights, indicators or required vehicle markings.
Matching the rest of the vehicle
A tailgate is strongest when it echoes the doors and the canopy, using the same typeface and colours so the vehicle reads as a single brand. For ideas on the sides, see bakkie door branding and canopy branding. If you have a fleet, the tailgate is also the best place for a fleet number, so managers can identify a vehicle from a photo or a customer report.
Suitable branding options
At a glance
Bakkie tailgate branding puts your name where other drivers spend most of their time looking. In a queue, at a robot or on the highway, the tailgate sits directly in front of the next windscreen, which makes it one of the most effective advertising surfaces on any vehicle. A clear company name, a short trade line and a single contact detail can generate calls from people who simply followed your bakkie for a few minutes.
We design tailgate graphics around the handle, the number plate recess, the stamped ribs, any camera or lock and the tailgate hinge area, so nothing is cut awkwardly. Options include cut vinyl lettering, printed and laminated panels, reflective strips and chevrons for visibility at night, and rear bumper markings for fleets. Tailgate branding works on its own or together with door and canopy graphics for a consistent look. Contractors, tradesmen, couriers and service companies in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, Midrand and Centurion can send a photo of the rear of the vehicle and request a quote for one tailgate or a whole fleet. Studio visits in Rivonia are by appointment only.
Common questions
Can you brand over the tailgate handle?
No. Handles, locks and cameras are cut around, never covered.
Is a tailgate decal enough on its own?
It is the lowest-cost way to start, and many owners add door graphics afterwards.
Will the number plate be covered?
No. We leave the number plate, light clusters and any required markings clear.
Can I include a QR code?
Yes, if it is large enough to scan and the contrast is high. We discuss readability at proof stage.