Vehicle Lettering and Decals in Cut Vinyl

Lettering is the practical starting point for vehicle branding.

• Tradespeople, plumbers, electricians and contractors with bakkies or vans
• Company cars and sales vehicles with a name and logo on the doors
• Delivery vehicles needing legible contact details on the rear
• Fleet numbers, vehicle IDs and compliance markings
• Window lettering for opening hours and website addresses
• Event and temporary branding that must remove cleanly

If you want full-colour imagery, consider Partial Vehicle Wraps.

Cut-vinyl lettering can be done in several ways:

• Single-colour letters: text and simple logos cut from one colour of vinyl.
• Layered or multi-colour logos: several colours stacked or placed together.
• Digitally printed and contour-cut decals: full-colour logos cut to shape.
• Transfer-taped installation: the lettering is applied as one piece so spacing stays correct.
• Reverse-cut or window-specific lettering: for glass, applied inside or outside as suitable.

Keep the message short. A name, a trade, a phone number and perhaps a website is easier to read than a full services list. We layout contact details with sensible spacing for following traffic.

The film you choose affects appearance and performance.

• Cast and polymeric vinyl: for curved panels and longer-term use.
• Calendered vinyl: for flat surfaces and shorter-term use.
• Reflective vinyl: for night-time visibility.
• Metallic and gloss finishes: for a premium look.
• Printable vinyl with laminate: for full-colour logos.

Matching the film to the use, and checking suitability for your vehicle surfaces, is part of our recommendation.

Lettering is not lit. Contrast gives readability: light letters on dark paint and dark letters on light paint, with outlines where colours are close. Reflective vinyl improves night visibility on rear and side panels. Make sure lettering stays clear of lights, number plates and required reflectors.

Choose lettering and decals for clean, affordable identification. For other needs:

• Partial Vehicle Wraps add large printed graphics.
• Full Car Wraps cover the whole vehicle.
• Bakkie Branding combines lettering with canopy and tailgate branding.
• Reflective Vehicle Graphics focus on night-time visibility.
• Vehicle Window Graphics deal with glass.

Lettering is also the simplest to change later. If your phone number or name changes, new decals are straightforward.

Viewing distance and size. As a rough guide, many designers allow around 25 mm of letter height per 10 m of viewing distance. Letters on a door seen at close range can be smaller, while rear contact details for following traffic should be bigger.

Surface. Vinyl needs clean, sound paint. Fresh respray paint may need time to cure before lettering, and textured plastics need suitable film.

Panel gaps and curves. Letters should not cross deep recesses or panel joins. We position them on flat or gently curved areas.

Weather. Apply in dry, moderate conditions, and avoid washing for the first days so the adhesive can settle.

Rules. Commercial vehicles may carry required markings and windows have visibility rules. Tell us about restrictions.

• Amount of lettering and the size of logos
• Number of colours and layers
• Vinyl type, finish and reflective options
• Printed versus cut vinyl
• Design work and revisions
• Removal of old lettering
• Number of vehicles
• Fitting at our premises or arranged by appointment

Send your logo and a vehicle photo with Request a Quote.

Wait a few days before the first wash, then hand wash with mild shampoo. Avoid pressure jets directly at letter edges and avoid abrasive polish across lettering. Check for lifting corners and replace damaged letters. When you sell or hand back a vehicle, see Vehicle Branding Removal.

We letter vehicles for businesses across Gauteng. Vehicle inspections and fitment are arranged by appointment from our base in Rivonia, Sandton.

• Signage in Sandton
• Signage in Johannesburg
• Signage in Midrand
• Signage in Pretoria
• Signage in Centurion
• Signage in Germiston