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Here’s an idea and, if I can get enough interest one that’s pretty damn easily done. This one is for subscribers only!
How do you all fancy pitching in to by a vinyl graphics printer?
Before you think I’ve finally lost my marbles totally, I’ve not. 😉
We mostly all have to get graphics done for the vans or for windows, signs etc and the cheapest way to do that is cut vinyl. So, why not do it ourselves?
I’ve looked at various printers, not in depth yet I admit, but it appears that they range from a few hundred quid which is not what we need, up to about £3K plus VAT. I think what we need lies somewhere around the £2-3K mark to do almost ALL our own van livery in-house. However, being merely a file on a PC these days to produce quality signage means that we could reproduce almost any livery that we like at the click of a mouse!
For us, the subscribers, we get it at cost, i.e. the cost of the vinyl we use and the postage/packing (if applicable) to get it to you, although I’m sure we can work something out there in time.
For anyone else we can sell the graphics and we’ll have most of the logo’s available to man that are industry specific so we’re ahead of most there. We can also do this at a low-margin which will enable some of the guys to look more professional as well as feeding some money back into UKW.
Initial investment would only be £2-300 each and I’d certainly be willing to invest that in the project as it’s an easy one with huge impact.
Can it fly? Thoughts and comments please.
K.
I meant to say, if DASA want to pitch in as well I’ll more than welcome that and we can then do the van stickers for DASA at cost as well. Makes sense, saves them money and helps us in the process as well.
Also serves to promote both.
K.
Re: Cut Vinyl Graphics
Kindly sent in by Phil, makes interesting reading even if it is short. This was from a business targetted email sent out by Volkswagen who, I have to admit know a fair old bit about marketing and branding. 😉
Use your fleet as a marketing tool.
The vans in your fleet could be seen by thousands of people an hour – meaning they represent a significant marketing opportunity for your business.
Putting well-thought-out signs on your vans allows you to promote your firm and build brand awareness.
“You need to state your company name and what you do,” says Justin Pearce, national accounts manager at sign-making company Signs Express. “You should also give an easy-to-remember phone number – such as an 0800 number – and a website address if you have one.”
Other useful tips include:
Put graphics on the back of the van as well as on its side – people in traffic behind you will have plenty of time to take your message in.
Keep signage in good condition – tatty graphics aren’t a good advertisement.
If you don’t have an eye for design, take professional advice.
Ensure colours and logos tie in with your corporate branding.Ask to see a final draft of the sign before it is printed on your vans. Check for grammatical and spelling errors.
If you make repeat purchases of vehicles it’s a good idea to use the same sign company for continuity.
Interesting stuff really.
K.
Re: Cut Vinyl Graphics
Ken,
just a thought but as we all have a variety of models of vans how do we get the templates to produce for a tranie without seeing it..ie from its model number?kevin
Last time I had my van done, they just punched the model up as part of the graphics software and went from there.
Chris.
No idea, I stopped looking at stuff but I will look into it further if the interest is there.
I found something interesting though, there’s a printer out there that does this and an absolute raft of other things, including POS displays, real fancy graphics work and clothing amongst other things. The only downside is that it’s £8K excl. VAT. 🙁
On the upside we can, I think, do a lot with such a device for ourselves at a very low cost through time. Even just getting vans done has to be a good thing.
K.
Re: Cut Vinyl Graphics
I’m interested, but I ain’t going halves! Might it not be simpler to find a pet supplier, furnish them with the basic designs/logos and see if we can’t get a club discount? My new van isn’t “written” yet, so I’d be interested for one.
Cheers,
Chris.Ah, this is a long-term project P, if we have our own means of doing this then the cost comes down over a longer period. As well as having the flexability to do and change what we want, when we want at little cost.
K.
Re: Cut Vinyl Graphics
Sounds like a good idea Ken.
I have had 10 new vans kitted out in the last twelve months, each van cost £275 plus vat to signwrite. That equates to £2,750 plus vat for me alone!
I would imagine the signwriter takes £200 profit per van and £75 being the cost of the materials etc.
Count me in for £275 that is equivellent to one van! What a bargain! 😀
Yeah Phil I know the kinda costs involved in getting them done. We used to get the stickers supplied for free from the likes of Zanussi and we put them on and it’s really pretty easy to do. Soapy water and a plastic spatula thing and your away, taking them off is even easier with a hair dryer. 😉
Anyway, the point is that it wouldn’t save any money for us immediately but I think there’s a long-term benefit to be had from it. After all, it won’t pay you on the first one, but every one after that is recouping the cost.
But here’s a thought for you all to mull over and one I mentioned to Dave earlier as I’ve been thinking on this tact for a few days now, what about charging to advertise on the vans? I mean if you read that Volkswagen article it is 100{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} correct, why do you think people get paid to drive about with “Red Bull” splattered all over their nice VW? Simple, it’s high profile advertising that is seen by a LOT of people. So in adition to advertising ourselves we could also approach others and see if they want to pay to have their proper logos displayed.
Just a thought or two.
K.
Re: Cut Vinyl Graphics
To revive this a little as I think it’s about time…
Sean got this draft back
Any interest in getting these done?
Next question, do we pay for it out our pockets (shouldn’t cost much really) or do we use the funds?
And, do we expand on this idea?
K.
Re: Cut Vinyl Graphics
I suggest those that want them pay a contribution, say 50{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d}. It aint going to be mega-bucks once the template is done.
Don’t think it is for subscribers funds to cover any of the costs as there will be a few of us potentially subsiding a few more. Maybe subscribers pay 30{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} and UKW members who are not part of the subscribers group pay 60{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d}.
Bit of number crunching from the accountany side reqd. I think.
Alex
Ah but…
For that particular one above, it’s only subscribers that could have one as only they have a member number. 😉
Don’t worry Alex, we all have “blond” moments. 😆
Any other signage we get done, if people want it including non-subscribers, should just be paid for after all as you say, it’s hardly a lot of money.
Or do we go down the path of allowing ONLY subscribers access to any official signage?
K.
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