Curtain-side trailers are common in general freight, agricultural produce, building supplies and palletised goods. They look similar to tautliners, but the curtain construction and fixing often differ, and some designs have curtains that are fixed in place at the front and open only at the rear or on one side. That affects how artwork should be planned.
The branding plan starts with a simple question: does the curtain open, and how often? A curtain that is opened many times a day needs a different build from one that rarely moves.
What we can brand
- Side curtainsmain artwork
- Headboardcompany name and logo
- Rear frame and doorsname and reflective detail
- Corner postsnarrow vertical branding
- Lower railfleet number or contact line
Understanding your curtain system
Some curtain-siders use rails and runners, with curtains that slide and bunch up at one end. Others use fixed curtains with lashing straps and a rear opening. In sliding designs, artwork gets folded and compressed when the curtain is open. We keep key brand elements away from the stack end so the logo is not buried in the folds.
In fixed or lashed designs, the full length of the curtain is visible at all times, and a continuous design along the side works well.
Choosing between printed curtains and applied graphics
Printed PVC curtains are the better long-term solution for large graphics because the image is part of the material. Adhesive vinyl on a flexing curtain can crack or lift over time, so we generally avoid it for large areas that move. Small cut-vinyl elements on a stable, flat patch can work, and we advise where this is appropriate.
Material and finish choices are confirmed on your quotation, with warranty terms depending on the material and application.
The frame, headboard and rear
The fixed parts of the trailer are where adhesive vinyl performs well. Headboards, corner posts, rear frames and lower side rails can carry cut lettering or printed panels. A good pairing is a curtain with a strong brand image and a headboard with a clear company name, so the trailer is identifiable even when parked front-on at a gate.
Matching tractor and trailer
A curtain-side trailer is usually pulled by a tractor that needs to look part of the same fleet. We can coordinate cab and trailer graphics, using the same colours, typeface and logo placement, so the combination reads as one unit. Our truck cab branding page covers the cab side of that coordination.
Rebranding without stripping the trailer
When your business changes name or colours, fitting new printed curtains is quick compared with a full vinyl strip. We can produce new curtain sets and update the headboard and rear vinyl in the same visit. See rebranding and fleet changeovers for how we handle bigger programmes.
Planning artwork across joins
Where curtain sections are joined, we plan the weld or seam position in the design, so the image continues cleanly across the join and no text is cut by it. A scaled layout is shown to you before print.
Suitable branding options
At a glance
Curtain-side trailer branding has to deal with two materials on one body: soft curtains along the sides and a rigid frame, headboard and rear that suit self-adhesive vinyl. A curtainsider can look scattered if these parts are treated separately, so the artwork is planned across the whole trailer and then split sensibly by surface. Getting curtain-side trailer branding right starts with a clear brief: which surfaces are available, how the vehicle is used and what a passer-by should take in within a couple of seconds.
We design, print and fit curtain-side trailer graphics for operators across South Africa, from local distribution fleets in Sandton and Midrand to long-distance carriers running into Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. Curtain material is printed and finished to suit the fastenings, while framework graphics are applied with care around rails and fittings. Send photos for a quote. Artwork is proofed with you before print and fitted by trained installers so the finish is neat. Whether you need one vehicle done or a whole fleet matched, colours, logo placement and finishing stay consistent, which is what makes curtainside trailer graphics look planned rather than patched together. Studio visits are by appointment only.
Common questions
What is the difference between curtain-side and tautliner branding?
The approach is similar, but curtain systems differ. We check how your curtains open and fix so the artwork survives the folds and straps.
Can I keep my current curtains and add graphics?
Small elements may be possible. For large graphics we recommend new printed curtains. Send photos and we advise.
Will my logo be lost when the curtain slides open?
We place key elements away from the stacking end where possible, and we discuss this at the design stage.
Can the same artwork go on several trailers?
Yes. Curtains are made to each trailer's measurements from one master design.