Decals are the entry point for most vehicle branding. A printed logo on each door, a contact panel on the rear, a safety sticker on the tailgate or a slogan on a trailer side: each is a self-contained piece of film that goes on quickly and can be replaced without touching the rest of the vehicle.
The difference between a decal that lasts and one that peels in its first summer is the film, the laminate and the surface preparation. Vehicle decals are made differently from office stickers, and we treat them that way.
What we can brand
- Front doorscompany logo
- Tailgate or rear doorcontact panel
- Trailer sidename and tagline
- Windscreen headerfleet or route identifiers
- Bumper and rear panelsafety stickers
Coverage options
Decals fall into three broad types. Printed rectangles or ovals carry full-colour logos on a solid or white background. Contour-cut decals are trimmed to the shape of the artwork, so the logo sits on the vehicle without a visible box around it. Small stickers handle functional jobs such as fuel type, tyre pressure, load limits, hazard markings and fleet identifiers.
Decals suit vehicles that need a company identity but not a full livery: owner-driver bakkies, service vans, hired vehicles, and trailers that move between tractors.
- Door logo decals, pairs sized to the door panel
- Tailgate and rear-door decals
- Contour-cut logos
- Contact and service panels
- Safety and warning stickers
- Magnetic-style alternatives discussed at quotation where permanent fitting is not wanted
Design process
We size decals against the vehicle, not the screen. A logo that looks fine on a monitor may be unreadable from a following car, so we check legibility at distance and placement against handles, mirrors and door gaps. Text should be large, short and high contrast.
Send vector artwork if you have it. If you only have a small image file, our studio can redraw the logo so it prints sharply. See our artwork requirements.
Material choices
Most vehicle decals use calendered vinyl, which suits flat and gently curved areas, with a clear laminate over printed items. Cast vinyl is better where the decal wraps over a curve or into a recess. Where a decal must show at night, reflective vinyl can be used instead, see reflective vehicle branding.
Gloss laminate suits clean bright finishes. Matte reduces glare and suits dark vehicles.
Preparation and installation
The panel must be clean, dry and free of wax, polish or silicone. Decals do not stick reliably to flaking paint, heavily textured plastic or freshly resprayed paint that has not fully cured. We position each decal with a measured template so left and right sides match across the whole fleet.
Fitting can be done at our studio, or at your depot through on-site installation, subject to site conditions and scheduling.
Care and replacement
Allow time for the adhesive to bond before washing and keep pressure-washer jets away from edges. When a decal is damaged or outdated, it can be removed and replaced individually, see graphics removal and replacement.
What we need to quote
Give us the number and type of decals, the vehicle make and model, the artwork file, preferred sizes and where each decal will sit. Photos of the vehicle help us confirm panel sizes.
Suitable branding options
At a glance
Vehicle decals and stickers are the most common starting point for branding a work vehicle. A printed logo on each door, a contact panel on the rear, a safety notice on the tailgate or a slogan along a trailer side: each piece is a self-contained graphic that fits quickly and can be replaced without disturbing the rest of the vehicle. Well made decals suit bakkies, vans, trucks, buses, tow trucks and plant equipment, and they work for a single vehicle or a whole fleet that needs the same markings.
Decals can be printed in full colour, cut to the shape of the logo or supplied as clear background stickers, and they are made for outdoor use in the heat, dust and rain common to South African roads. Artwork is sized to the real vehicle so that text remains readable from a distance and avoids door handles, fuel flaps and panel edges. Businesses in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town order vehicle decals for new fleets, replacement logos and compliance markings. Ask for a vehicle decals and stickers quote and send us your logo and vehicle type. Our team can supply decals in matched sets so every vehicle in a fleet looks identical.
Common questions
How long do vehicle decals last?
It depends on the material, laminate, placement and how the vehicle is used. Warranty terms depend on the material and application and are confirmed on your quotation.
Can decals be removed without marking the paint?
On sound original paint, yes, usually with gentle heat. Faded paint under a decal may show a ghost outline once it is removed.
Do you offer decals for a single vehicle?
Yes. Single decals, pairs and whole-fleet sets are all quoted.
What is the difference between a decal and cut vinyl?
A decal is printed, so it can carry full colour and photographs. Cut vinyl is a solid colour cut from a roll, ideal for simple lettering.
Can decals go on a tarpaulin?
PVC tarpaulins need different adhesives or direct printing. See our tarpaulin branding service.