A panel van is a van with a closed load area and no side windows behind the cab. That absence of glass is what makes it so good for branding. The side panels are uninterrupted sheet metal, usually with a sliding door on one or both sides and a set of rear doors or a tailgate at the back. Artwork can run the full length of the body.
Panel vans are used for deliveries, trades, mobile services and small-business logistics. They are bought by owner-operators and by fleet managers, and the branding needs to work for both.
What we can brand
- Side panel behind the cabmain name and imagery
- Sliding doorlogo or service list
- Rear quarter panelscontact strip
- Rear doorsphone and website
- Rooflogo
- Bonnetbrand mark
Reading a panel van's surfaces
Each side usually has a large panel behind the cab, a sliding door with a track along the sill, and a rear quarter above the wheel arch. The sliding door's rail runs across the side at about mid-height or low on the body, and it cannot be covered. We plan artwork so a break in the design coincides with the rail, or so a stripe visually absorbs it.
Pressed ribs run along many panel vans, some shallow and some deep. Print can cross shallow ribs with a conformable film, while deep ribs and sharp creases may require sectional application.
Using the full side
On a panel van, the side is one big billboard. A headline name set across the middle, a service list below and a contact line near the rear cover most needs. For a full-colour image, such as a food product, a cleaning team or a building, a wrap across the full side gives the best result. For simpler brands, a colour block on the lower body with white lettering above works well and is economical.
Rear doors and the load-bay view
The rear doors are seen by everyone following. They are also where hinges, handles, locks and sometimes a window or camera sit. Branding here must be restrained: a name, a phone number and perhaps a website. If the rear doors have windows, one-way vision film can allow graphics while still letting you see out, subject to the vehicle and its use and confirmed at quotation.
Roof and front
Many panel vans have tall roofs that are visible from first-floor windows, overhead walkways and parking decks. A logo on the roof is a quiet way to use that exposure. On the front, the bonnet and bumper area take smaller graphics such as a logo and a fleet number.
Who buys panel van branding
Typical clients include couriers, caterers, electricians, plumbers, florists, cleaning companies and online retailers delivering locally. If your van is used for deliveries and you run more than one, read about courier van branding and fleet branding.
Suitable branding options
At a glance
Panel van branding makes use of one of the best advertising surfaces on the road: long, flat, windowless sides and a tall rear door with nothing to interrupt the artwork. Because there are no side windows, a message can run uninterrupted from the front door to the rear corner, which suits a bold logo, a clear service line and a contact detail that is readable from the next lane. Design, printing and fitting are handled by one team, so the artwork you approve is the artwork that reaches the road.
Our panel van branding covers full wraps, partial wraps, cut vinyl lettering and rear door graphics for businesses in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, Midrand, Centurion and across Gauteng and South Africa. We measure each panel van before design, allowing for ribs, sliding door tracks, handles and the join lines that affect how a graphic sits. Artwork is printed in vinyl made for outdoor use, then fitted by trained installers so edges lie flat and corners are sealed. Whether you run one panel van or a depot full of them, we can match the livery across the fleet. Studio visits in Rivonia are by appointment only, and you are welcome to send photos or dimensions for a quote.
Common questions
Can you cover the sliding door rail?
No. The rail is left clear and the design is planned around it.
What if my panel van has a high roof?
A high roof gives taller side panels, so we scale the artwork to suit and can use the extra height for imagery.
Is it cheaper to brand a panel van than a bakkie?
Not necessarily. A panel van has more surface area, so cost depends on the design and the panels chosen. The price is confirmed on your quotation.
Can you do one side differently from the other?
Yes. Some businesses use different content on each side, for example a contact line on the kerb side.