A tautliner is defined by its curtains. The side is a sheet of PVC-coated fabric, held by straps and buckles over a steel frame, and it slides open for side loading. That fabric is the branding surface, and it behaves nothing like a painted panel.
Because curtains flex, shed water and get strapped down tight, they are printed rather than covered in self-adhesive vinyl. The artwork is built to cope with creases, tension points and the occasional repair.
What we can brand
- Curtainsprinted logo and message
- Headboardpermanent logo
- Rear frame and doorslogo, reflective strips
- Chassis skirtslower-edge reflective trim
- Cab doors and roofname and fleet number
Printing on tautliner curtains
Curtain branding is usually a PVC tarpaulin printed with a large logo and message, then welded or fitted to the body. In some cases, printed PVC panels are applied to an existing curtain. The choice depends on the condition of your curtains, the type of frame and how long you intend to keep the trailer.
Colour and finish need to suit the fabric. Printed PVC holds strong colour and stays flexible, but dark flat colours show dust and road film. We discuss this at design stage. See also our truck tarpaulin branding page.
Designing around straps and buckles
Tautliner curtains have vertical straps, rope rails and buckles spaced along their length, and the curtain gathers between posts when it is pulled open. We avoid putting a logo on the strap line, and we plan the layout so the design still reads when the curtain is partially open at a loading dock.
The main logo normally sits in the larger gaps between posts. A repeating pattern or a long band can work well, because it stays recognisable even when part of the curtain is bunched.
Other tautliner surfaces
Not everything is fabric. The front bulkhead or headboard, the rear frame and doors, the chassis skirts and the cab are all conventional surfaces. These take vinyl, cut lettering and reflective strips in the usual way.
Headboards are an effective place for a logo that is permanently visible, because the curtains never cover it.
Who uses tautliners
General freight hauliers, building-supply and timber distributors, packaging suppliers and agricultural carriers run tautliners. Operators often own the truck but not always the trailer, which is another reason cab and trailer branding are sometimes done separately. See tautliner trailer branding for trailers that run behind a horse.
Planning the job
Send the curtain length and height, the make of the frame if known, and photos of the front, rear and both sides. If your curtains are already printed, say whether you want to replace them or work with them. Artwork goes to you for approval, and timelines and material warranties are confirmed on your quotation.
Suitable branding options
At a glance
Tautliner truck branding is different from wrapping a fixed body, because the side of the vehicle is a PVC-coated curtain held by straps and buckles over a steel frame. That fabric is the branding surface, and it is printed rather than covered with adhesive vinyl. Curtains flex, flap and slide open for side loading, so the artwork has to survive movement, tension and regular folding without cracking, and the layout needs to stay readable when the curtain is drawn back.
We design tautliner curtains with strap lines, buckle positions and the sliding pattern in mind, and we print on material suited to long-distance road use along the N1, N3 and N4 corridors. Headboards, rear panels and cab graphics are branded to match, so the whole combination reads as one livery. Replacement curtains can be produced when an existing set is worn or when a trailer changes hands. Transport operators in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Midrand, Centurion, Durban and Cape Town can request a tautliner truck branding quote for one trailer or a complete fleet, and we can advise on artwork size before anything is printed. Strap and buckle positions are marked on the proof.
Common questions
Can you put vinyl on a tautliner curtain?
Self-adhesive vinyl is not recommended on flexing curtain fabric. We use printed PVC or fitted printed panels instead.
What if a curtain gets damaged?
Curtains are repairable, and we plan the artwork so panels can be replaced without redoing the whole body. Ask about this when you order.
Can you match all my curtains across a fleet?
Yes. We keep the layout and colours consistent and size the artwork to each curtain length.
Do you also print the headboard?
Yes, usually in vinyl on the solid panel.