Recently, there have been major improvements in the field of auto graphics that allow advertisers many advantages that were previously unheard of. Just a few years ago, the extent of vehicle-borne advertising was vinyl or plastic stickers that were applied to the flat areas of a vehicle. While this method does have a few advantages, it has been largely overtaken by a new auto graphics technology called digital vehicle wraps.
Digital vehicle wrapping has fast become a standard in advertising. It is used on everything from privately owned vehicles (such as high-profile company cars) to public transit systems. Recently, the Las Vegas monorail was successfully wrapped for the first time, giving the advertisers a catchy, edgy motion billboard that reached all of the Las Vegas downtown area.
Vehicle wrapping also gives advertisers and firms a unique opportunity to create custom graphics in a size and shape that is different every time. Unlike standard billboards, they can specifically select vehicles that match the personality of the ad campaign, enhancing the effectiveness of the ad. Since custom auto graphics are mobile, they can also reach a much wider audience with the same number of ads.
Sticker-Based Auto Graphics
Traditional sticker-based custom auto graphics advertising also has advantages, though. In some cases, vehicle wrapping may be cost-prohibitive, or may take too long to install. Also, for companies looking to outfit a small fleet of vehicles, using stickers allows them to create a standard graphic that can be mass produced quickly and easily. Non-professionals can also apply sticker-based graphics to the vehicles, which may save time and money.
Auto decals have emerged as the successor to custom paint jobs and, to some extent, have assumed even more popularity than their predecessor. Many racers, drivers of custom cars, and truckers use decals to brand, customize, and enhance their vehicles. Though many auto decals are just large enough to act as identification on a vehicle, some (particularly with racecars and government vehicles) are large enough that they cover the entire side of the car.
Installing Auto Decals
Most auto decals are cut from self-adhesive vinyl. The vinyl is sticky on one side, and backed with a protective film during preparation. After the vinyl is cut to the desired size and shape, it is covered with transfer paper. The transfer paper allows the graphic to stay whole (particularly useful with graphic lettering) while the backing paper is removed.
Once complete, the installation technician must align the auto decal on the side of the vehicle, and attach the decal with a hinge of masking tape along the top edge. Though there are many different installation techniques, most people recommend spraying the surface of the vehicle with soapy water before removing the backing paper to reduce the initial tackiness of the vinyl. This may not be a problem with pressure sensitive adhesives of newer adhesives that allow some adjustments to be made before final adhesion.
In the past, installation was a much more complicated process. The adhesives often contained some kind of chemical agent, or were reactive to heat, necessitating heat guns or propane torches to install a simple vinyl graphic. Part of the popularity boom of vinyl decals can no doubt be attributed to modern graphics' ease of installation.
Vinyl car graphics have been popular, non-destructive ways of modifying a vehicle for many years. They have been popular amongst racers, truckers, and non-commercial drivers alike, and have been produced in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Until somewhat recently, however, some vinyl car graphics have remained difficult to install, remove, or modify without the help of a professional.
Advancements in Vinyl Graphics Technology
Many of the discernible advancements that have been made in vinyl technology have to do with the adhesives that are used to affix the vinyl to the vehicle. Older kinds of adhesives often used chemical solvents that could be harsh and dangerous, necessitating certain professional equipment for installation and removal jobs. Many types of vinyl also required extreme heat to deconstruct the adhesive, meaning that the torches or heat guns used could potentially mar the vehicle's paint job.
New types of vinyl are easier to both install and remove. Companies such as 3M, who specialize in vinyl graphics materials, have developed tools that can aid consumers in applying their own vinyl decals. They have also developed various kinds of easy-on, easy-off vinyl that doesn't require professional installation.
Vinyl graphics printed on some new kinds of vinyl can be lightly affixed and then repositioned on the surface of the vehicle, without destroying the vinyl or the vehicle's finish. They do so by using a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which won't become active until firm pressure is applied. Other kinds of vinyl allow air to escape when installed, reducing the occurrence of air bubbles.
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