6 Kinds of Law Enforcement Vehicle Graphics

Today, we’re going to talk more about the different types of law enforcement vehicle graphics, their purpose, and the options you have to choose from when it comes to your own fleet. 

Police Chevrons

Chevron designs on police vehicles not only help identify these vehicles to the public, but they also play an important role in keeping officers safe. Chevron bumpers make vehicles more visible which can help give other drivers adequate time to get out of the way or pass safely. Essentially, police chevrons are key for vehicle visibility!

When it comes to the options for your own fleet, GDI Graphics offers several chevron law enforcement vehicle graphics to choose from, including:

• TYPE 1: 6 INCH SINGLE COLOR. Available in: BLACK, RED, YELLOW AND WHITE REFLECTIVE.
• TYPE 2: 6 INCH DOUBLE COLOR. Available in: BLACK, RED, YELLOW AND WHITE REFLECTIVE.
• TYPE 3: 3 INCH DOUBLE COLOR. Available in: BLACK, RED, YELLOW AND WHITE REFLECTIVE.
• TYPE 4: 3 INCH DOUBLE COLOR SEPARATED. Available in: BLACK, RED, YELLOW AND WHITE REFLECTIVE.

Click here to learn more about our wide selection of bumper chevron striping to fit your department needs!

Ghost Law Enforcement Vehicle Graphics

Sometimes, visibility isn’t the goal when it comes to law enforcement vehicle graphics. In some cases, departments want to make their graphics as subtle as possible so their fleet can serve as ghost vehicles.

In this case, there are still plenty of options when it comes to different types of law enforcement vehicle graphics. For starters, we can help you choose graphics that will be virtually invisible during daylight. But when it comes to nighttime visibility, these same decals can also be reflective enough to make sure your vehicles and your officers are safe from oncoming traffic. 

In this post, we cover why police ghost vehicle graphics are becoming so popular. 

Custom Door Decals

Custom door decals are one of the most common types of law enforcement vehicle graphics! With a single photo, your fleet can have your badge proudly displayed on every door. 

You have a number of options to choose from in addition to badges, including shields and patches. 

For creating these decals, we have a number of different production types to choose from to suit your needs. Without being limited to a single production type, you can mix and match to meet your needs! 

Here are three options and their benefits to help you choose between them.

1. Digital printing: Most flexible, create stunning original graphics, UV protectant applied for longer life. Choose from a wide selection of colors, as well as pigmented or nonpigmented reflective and non-reflective vinyls.
2. Cut and layered vinyl: Long active life, roll goods for easy repairs. These can help you stretch your budget as far as possible because of their long-lasting nature.
3. Screen printed: Longevity, cost-effective when purchased in larger quantities. This is ideal if you have a large fleet in need of decals or if your vehicles need several decals each. 

Vehicle Wraps

Vehicle wraps are another popular choice for many fleets. You can choose from partial or full vehicle wraps, but the right choice for your fleet depends on factors. For example, a full vehicle wrap is more suited to larger vehicles with more flat, smooth surface area. On smaller vehicles with more intricacies, a full vehicle wrap isn’t necessarily the best choice. Instead, partial vehicle wraps can be strategically placed around the vehicle in the places that will work best.

In addition to displaying important information and creating a cohesive look, vehicle wraps also serve other important purposes. For example, did you know they can actually protect your vehicles from a variety of damage? Things like UV damage, dings, and etc, can all be prevented with the added layer of protection from vehicle wrapping. 

Specialty Vehicle Decals

Does your fleet include speciality law enforcement vehicles? Perhaps you have golf carts or motorcycles in need of law enforcement vehicle graphics that match the rest of your fleet. Whatever your specialty vehicle needs may be, we can make it happen.

We manufacture graphics for everything from mobile command centers to golf carts. Click here to see some examples of our recent projects. 

Fleet Vehicle Rebranding

Do you have existing artwork? Did your current graphics supplier discontinue your kit? Graphic Designs International’s Art Department will use your existing art or kits and reproduce them for you.

Or maybe your fleet is beginning to look outdated and it’s time for a refresh! Working with you to get to know your tastes and needs, we offer fleet vehicle rebranding to get your fleet looking better than ever. During this rebranding, you’ll have the opportunity to consider all types of law enforcement vehicle graphics and whether it’s time to add or take away certain graphics from your own fleet. 

Ready to Learn More About the Different Types of Law Enforcement Vehicle Graphics?

We’ve just covered six different types of law enforcement vehicle graphics, but now it’s time to put these ideas to work for your own fleet! We know there are so many options to choose from and you might not be sure where to start. But you don’t need to make these decisions alone! We would be happy to walk you through all of your options to discover what’s right for you. Whether you require custom artwork for your vehicle decals or a more straightforward project, we have the expertise and experience to make it happen. 

Graphic Designs International’s Art Department designs custom artwork to translate your vision into reality. We specialize in taking rough ideas or simple drawings and transforming them into professional graphic kits for all the vehicles in your fleet. Regardless of your vision, we help you bring it to life with our selection of custom designs, different printing styles, and a number of materials and options to choose from. 

Call us today for a quote!

The post 6 Types of Law Enforcement Vehicle Graphics & Their Purpose appeared first on GDI Graphics.

This is particularly true when you work with Graphic Designs International for your emergency vehicle decals. Although today’s post is focusing on police car decals, we work with emergency vehicles of all kinds. This includes ambulances, fire trucks, and security vehicles.

Quick Guide To Police Car Decals Variation

But for now, back to the police car decals variation! We’re going to discuss the options available to you when it comes to four characteristics of your police vehicle decals: color, size, shape, and the content displayed on the decals.

Let’s get started!

Colors

Some police vehicles require bright, vibrant graphics. Many departments choose highly contrasting colors to ensure their vehicles are highly visible. This helps keep their officers safe, while also making it easier for the public to identify sources of help. 

However, there are also certain scenarios when less conspicuous decal coloring is ideal. For example, if your fleet includes ghost vehicles. In this case, you may want the most subtle, least contrasting decals available. That way, the decals don’t bring any additional attention to your vehicle. That being said, if someone is standing beside the vehicle, they can still get the important information they need, including the vehicle identification number. 

Your options are limitless! That being said, there are certain colors that are more commonly used for police vehicles, including black, blue, and red decals. If you’re not sure which colors would suit your fleet best, we are happy to help. Our team has seen and done it all. We’ll be happy to share our wealth of knowledge with you to ensure you explore all of your options when it comes to coloring and police car deals variation. 

Sizes

Next, let’s discuss the size of police vehicle decals and what kind of options you have to choose from. A lot of this will come down to the size and type of vehicle the decals are going on. On standard sedans, individual decals are a more common choice than full-body wraps. Another option is partial wraps that cover certain sides of the vehicle without wrapping all the way around.

Police departments with large trucks or vans may opt for wraps rather than decals if there’s more surface area to cover. These aren’t ideal, however, if the vehicle doesn’t have a smooth surface for the wrap to adhere to. Vehicle wraps are more suited to vehicles with plenty of flat, smooth surfaces. Otherwise, the lifespan and integrity of your police vehicle decals will be compromised.

If you’re struggling to decide between custom graphics or a full vehicle wrap, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at this post for more information to help you decide: IS POLICE CAR WRAP OR CUSTOM GRAPHICS DESIGN BETTER FOR MY VEHICLES?

Many departments also choose to get decals in different sizes—this is the beauty of police vehicle decals variation! For example, your department’s badge may be the biggest decal on the side of the vehicle, along with the word “Police.” Then, other information, including the vehicle number, may be displayed on the back of the vehicle with a smaller decal. 

Shapes

Now that we’ve discussed the colors and sizes of police vehicle decals, let’s move on to the shapes of the decals and what options are available to you. This largely depends on the type of information or content in the decal. For example, a police badge can be cut to the exact shape you’d like. Additionally, different font sizes and shapes can be used to get the look you want for your fleet.

While you’re considering police vehicle decals variation, you might have sheriff vehicles specifically in mind. These vehicles often have badges, stars, or shields in a variety of shapes along with several other decals with other pieces of information. In this post, we cover some of your most important considerations for selecting sheriff vehicle graphics. 

Content

The color, size, and shape of your decals are important…but it all comes down to the content displayed on these decals! By that, we mean things like the name of your city in which the department operates, emergency phone numbers, vehicle numbers, mottos, badges, and more. 

Because there are no federal guidelines for the requirements for marked and unmarked vehicles, each state sets its own and can decide what information must be shown on a police vehicle. Depending on where you live, police vehicles may be required to display certain pieces of information, including:

• Authority symbol
• Jurisdiction name
• Vehicle ID number
• Motto
• Values
• Contact information

It’s important to consider the content of your police vehicle graphics very carefully. They play an important role in keeping the public safe, properly identifying your officers, and helping the vehicles be as visible as they need to be. Not to mention, the graphics themselves can even help protect your vehicles from dings, dents, and scrapes. 

Do You Have More Questions About Police Car Decals Variation?

Each state has a number of different laws about police vehicle markings. For example, in 2020 in Florida, a bill was passed requiring the removal of official markings before retired police cars are sold. 

But there are also many rules about the markings on a vehicle when they are still in use by a police department. So, while there may be limitless police car decals variations to choose from, this doesn’t mean they will necessarily be legal. Not to mention, they might not be the most aesthetically appealing option for your vehicles.  

With all of that in mind, we know you may still have a number of questions about the best options for your police vehicle decals. Rest assured, we are here to help! 

We offer a number of police vehicles graphics services including:

• Police kits
• Custom artwork
• Chevron bumpers
• Police decals

Contact us today for a quote for your fleet. 

The post Quick Guide To Police Car Decals Variation appeared first on GDI Graphics.

How Custom Security Vehicle Decals are Designed and Made

That’s why, today, we’re going to tell you all about the design and creation process for custom security vehicle decals. This includes offering up plenty of information about choosing the best designs for your fleet. So, let’s get started! 

Your First Steps

To begin, you’ll want to decide exactly what information to display on your security vehicles.

In most cases, this includes:

• The word “Security”
  The name of the security company
• A vehicle identification number
• A contact number for the security company
• The security company’s badge or logo
• An email address for the security company

What’s Next? 

Once you’ve nailed down the specific information that will be shown on your vehicle, it’s time to think about the aesthetic elements of the graphics. For starters, this includes the colors of the decals, as well as the fonts you will use, the font size, and whether you choose reflective or non-reflective materials. 

Typically, most security companies want their fleets to be highly visible. This enhances the effect the presence of a security vehicle can have right off the bat! 

As for materials, here are the options you will typically have to choose from:

• Reflective 3M Scotchlite: This material comes with a number of benefits. They include enhancing visibility while still remaining flat. Additionally, no edge sealing is necessary, and the application is straightforward.
• Reflective 3M Diamond Grade: This material requires edge sealing. However, it does offer more reflective qualities than other materials used for custom security vehicle decals. 
• Non-reflective ORACAL: This is another material option that doesn’t need edge sealing.

The Design Process

So, you’ve decided on the information you want on your custom security vehicle decals as well as the material for your fleet. Now it’s time to hand things over to the design team at Graphic Designs International! They’ll begin working with all of this information to create what’s known as a color rendering layout. This step really helps you visualize what the final result will look like. At the same time, it allows you to make any final adjustments or changes before your designs are printed. 

Now it’s time to move on to final graphic approval! Here is where you can sign off on the design and the fabrication of your decals begins. 

How are Vehicle Graphics Fabricated?

So, your final designs are ready and now it’s time to start printing! Your vinyl vehicle wraps print on special printers meant just for this job. Then, they can be cut to shape according to the specifications of your vehicle. In some cases, your wrap might be meant to wrap the entire vehicle. This is a ‘full wrap’. With security vehicles, partial wraps are more common. In that case, just certain parts of the vehicle have been wrapped. 

Your graphics have a high-quality, durable adhesive backing so they can be stuck to your vehicle— this gives you the confidence they’ll stay where they are. This durability has a number of advantages. Not only can you be sure it will stay in place, but it also offers additional protection for your vehicle.

It’s not news to you how much time your fleet spends braving the elements. Your vehicles operate during rain, snow, or sunshine. And each of these elements (and more) ultimately take a toll on the vehicle’s exterior. Luckily, vinyl wrapping adds some protection from these things. They can help defend your vehicles against the wind, rain, and UV damage. Ultimately, they help contribute to the longevity of your vehicle rather than damaging your fleet!

Important Considerations for Custom Security Vehicle Decals

Although security vehicles can look a lot like police or sheriff vehicles, it’s important to ensure the public doesn’t confuse these vehicles with those services. 

For that reason, one of the most important considerations for your custom security vehicle decals is making sure the word “security” is on prominent display. That way, the public will understand they’re there for security purposes, but they will need to contact emergency services for police, sheriff, or fire rescue services.

Common Questions about Custom Security Vehicle Decals

Do you have more questions about custom security vehicle decals? You might find the answers right here:

What if my vehicle wrapping is damaged?

Your custom security vehicle decals from Graphic Designs International are built to last. But depending on what your vehicle faces on the job and how long the decals have been on the vehicle, there is a chance they can sustain damage. Whether it’s a small scratch or a bigger issue can affect how it’s fixed. 

For small blemishes on the vinyl wrapping caused by minor car accidents, this can usually be corrected without redoing the entire vehicle. In the case of extensive vinyl damage along with damage to your actual vehicle? This means the wrapping will often need to be removed, to begin with. Then, the underlying vehicle damage can be corrected before applying new vinyl wrapping or decals. 

How do I prepare my vehicles for wrapping?

Custom security vehicle decals should be applied to clean vehicles in good condition. For example, if your vehicle is rusting or corroding, adding decals or wrapping over these spots isn’t a good idea. 

Contact Graphic Designs International Today

Ready to learn more about custom security vehicle decals? Graphic Designs International is here for you! We can help you take your vision of your security vehicle fleet and create a custom look for your vehicles. Contact us today for a quote!

For further reading about custom security vehicle decals: gdigraphics.com/security/

The post How Custom Security Vehicle Decals are Designed and Made appeared first on GDI Graphics.

What Kind of Sheriff Vehicle Graphics Should You Select for Your Fleet?

At Graphic Designs International, we live and breathe all types of emergency vehicle graphics. And that includes sheriff vehicle graphic design, along with graphic designs for a variety of other fleets. With that in mind, today we plan to focus on offering you all of the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to choosing graphics for your sheriff vehicles. Let’s begin! 

State Requirements

There are a number of things to consider when it comes to the aesthetic design of your fleet graphics. In addition to personal taste, you will also need to take into account state requirements. 

Some states dictate the colors of their sheriff vehicles for uniformity across the state. In that case, you’ll know where to begin, at least from a color palette standpoint. But other times, you’re starting from scratch and the colors you choose for your graphics are up to you. 

What Information Will You Display?

Whether you choose the colors to display on your vehicle or the state decides for you, your next step will involve deciding on which information should be placed with your sheriff’s vehicle graphics. 

First and foremost, you will need to decide on the font and size of “Sheriff” on your vehicles. For most sheriff vehicles, this is the largest decal on the vehicle. Along with this word, you will also want to include your department name and vehicle ID number somewhere in the graphics. 

Along with the ID number, many law enforcement groups also decide to include phone numbers for emergency vehicles. In addition to 9-1-1, this can include non-emergency phone numbers. More and more departments are also including social media information on their vehicles these days as well.

Badges, Shields, and Stars

Most law enforcement groups also include a badge, shield, or star with their sheriff vehicle graphics. Not only does this help make the vehicle more recognizable, but it also creates an appealing aesthetic element that is uniform across the fleet. 

Ghost Vehicle Graphics

Another incredibly important consideration for your sheriff vehicle graphics is whether your vehicles will be highly visible or operate as ghost vehicles.

In the case of ghost vehicles, your graphics will naturally be less obvious and more subtle than they are on patrol vehicles. For example, traditional emergency vehicle graphics often include reflective materials. This is important to help the public identify these vehicles as quickly as possible. Not to mention, it makes the vehicles appear to other drivers, keeping both the public and your officers safe. 

For ghost vehicles, however, it’s important to stick to more subtle options for sheriff vehicle graphics. That way, the vehicles are identifiable up close, but they are able to ‘fly under the radar if they are using ghost vehicles. 

If you do choose ghost graphics for your vehicles, they should be reflective so that the drivers at night can prevent auto accidents when your deputies are on the side of the road. The colors of the ghost graphics should be similar to the vehicle’s base color.

Types of Fleet Wraps for Sheriff Vehicle Graphics

In addition to the information you choose to display with your sheriff vehicle graphics, you will also need to decide on the type of vehicle wraps and graphics that are right for your fleet. Emergency vehicle graphics are mostly high-quality vinyl wrapping. This material is resistant to corrosion, heat, and also helps protect the vehicle from environmental damage that can occur over time. 

Here are some of the options you have to choose from:

Full Wrap

Wrapping your entire vehicle with this vinyl material is what we call “full wrap”. Whether it is for a sedan or an SUV, this creates the most eye-catching and comprehensive design possible.

Partial Wrap

This is another popular option for sheriff vehicle graphics. It involves wrapping a section of the vehicle with graphics, but leaving some spots as is. One advantage to this option is that it costs significantly less than a full wrap. 

Spot Graphics

If you ever spot an emergency vehicle with a single graphic “stuck” on one spot on the vehicle, without a full or partial wrap, its what we call spot graphic. It essentially acts as a sticker on the vehicle. 

Questions About Sheriff Vehicle Graphics

We know you might still have more questions about these graphics, so let’s answer some of the most frequent ones now.

Will the graphics damage my vehicle?

No! When your sheriff vehicle graphic is installed by professionals (like the ones at Graphic Designs International), they can actually have the opposite effect. Rather than damaging your vehicle, well-installed, durable graphics can help protect your vehicle from things like UV damage, wind, rain, and other environmental factors. 

How long will my vehicle graphics last?

This number will vary on several factors, including the type of material that is used, what it is subject to, and who installs the graphics. It isn’t uncommon for graphics and wraps to last upwards of eight years. However, most organizations choose to update their graphics more frequently. This keeps their fleet looking modern and in the best condition possible.

Do you want to learn more?

Are you ready to explore these and other options for your fleet? The team at Graphic Designs International is here to help! As the only nationwide fleet graphics company dedicated to Police, Sheriff, Fire Rescue, Security, and the Public Safety Community, we have seen and done it all. Whether you’re ready to update your fleet or just want to know more, get in touch today. Click here to learn more or get a quote.

The post What Kind of Sheriff Vehicle Graphics Should You Select for Your Fleet? appeared first on GDI Graphics.

Luckily, there are professional emergency vehicle graphics design companies out there who will help make this process, and these decisions, a whole lot easier. As the only nationwide fleet graphics company dedicated to police, sheriff, fire rescue, security, and the public safety community, you’re in the right place when you come to us for help.

While we can take care of the design and installation of a number of emergency vehicle graphics, today we’ll focus specifically on custom firefighter decals for trucks. 

How Are Firefighter Truck Decals Used and Why Are They Important?

Let’s begin by discussing the basics. How are firefighter truck decals used and what makes them so important?

They actually serve two important purposes.

For starters, they help you personalize your fleet. Unique decals make your fleet stand out and can display a variety of information and images of your choosing. 

But at the same time, there are also a number of pieces of information legally required to be displayed on your vehicles. With the right firefighter truck decals, you can accomplish your style and your compliance goals all in one. (We’ll get to more on exactly what kind of styles and designs can be displayed in a moment)

Visibility Requirements

As for the compliance portion, the NFPA has certain visibility requirements that apply to “new automotive fire apparatus and trailers designed to be used under emergency conditions to transport personnel and equipment and to support the suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous situations.”

As such, the visibility requirements include:

• Reflective striping must cover 25% of the front of the apparatus. This striping must be a minimum of four inches tall. 
• Reflective striping must cover 50% of the cab and body length of the apparatus. It must also be a minimum of four inches tall.
• For aerial apparatus, all outriggers must include reflective materials.
• At least 50% of the rear-facing vertical surfaces, visible from the rear of the apparatus, excluding any pump panel areas not covered by a door, must be equipped with retro-reflective striping. It needs to be in a chevron pattern sloping downward and away from the centerline of the vehicle at a 45° angle.

Why is Visibility So Important for Fire Trucks?

We’ve already discussed some of the visibility requirements. But it’s also worth noting what makes them a requirement in the first place! Fire trucks need to be highly visible for a number of reasons. 

For starters, this helps other drivers see them in advance so they can get out of the way and let the fire truck get to an emergency. These large vehicles should also be highly visible to reduce the likelihood of collisions. In emergency situations, they also provide evidence that help is on its way. Finally, distinguishable colors and firefighter truck decals help civilians know where to turn for help. 

Of course, you’ll want to be sure your decals align with all requirements from the NFPA. Beyond that, you are able to get creative with many aspects of the firefighter truck decals design process. 

(Are you curious about adding lettering to your fire trucks? We explain the process in detail in this post)

Selecting the Right Firefighter Truck Decals for Your Fleet

Here are some of the ways you can customize your fleet with decals:

• Fire department name: This is an obvious choice for most departments. And it’s often one of the larger decals on many vehicles. 
• Unit number: This is another straightforward option for what to include on your vehicles. It’s a helpful piece of information for civilians and fire rescue teams alike. These numbers help differentiate fire rescue vehicles from others in the same community when multiple vehicles respond to the same scene. 
• City, town or village: While fire engines and trucks are usually responding to emergencies in the same city they’re based in, this isn’t always the case. There are times when more resources and teams come to help. During these events, displaying the city, town, or village the fire truck is from is a helpful piece of information.
• Quotes or sayings: Does your firehouse have a quote, saying, or motto the team operates under? Adding this to your fleet in an eye-catching font is a great way to help your vehicles stand out and to spread your message. 
• Flags: Whether it’s the American flag, state flags, or others, including them in your firefighter truck decals is often a nice touch.
• Logos: These are another common option for custom firefighter decals for trucks. If you have an existing logo, a vinyl graphic can be made with this design. Alternatively, you can work with our graphics design team to create a new logo. 

It’s important for fire trucks to be highly visible. While you often see them in the traditional bright red color, neon yellow/green is an increasingly popular option. It’s important to choose decals that contrast with the color of the vehicle. This helps the information on the decals stand out, while also creating a more streamlined and uniform look. In addition to the use of bright paint colors, reflective materials also help with visibility.

Your Next Steps

We’ve covered a lot up to this point. From your options for choosing firefighter truck decals to visibility requirements and more, you have a lot to think about. But like we said before, we are here to help. Our team has worked with every kind of emergency vehicle you can think of. And we’re ready to work our magic on your own fleet! 

Curious to see some of our work? Head to this link to see some of our fire rescue kit photos to give you more inspiration for your own fleet. 

Or, if you want to receive a quote, use this link to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!

The post Select Firefighter Truck Decals for Your Fleet appeared first on GDI Graphics.

How to Determine If Police Car Cover or Custom Graphics Design Is Better For My Vehicles

When it comes to emergency vehicle graphics, there are always a million and one things to keep in mind. Not only do you want the design to look great, but it needs to be functional and efficient at the same time. 

For most police departments, longevity, style, and safety are top priorities for police vehicle wraps. They want their vehicles to include all of the necessary information, while also using reflective material in the right places to help keep officers and civilians safe at the same time.

With all of that in mind, it’s no wonder so many police departments are curious about the best options for designing their fleet. Is it better to go with a full police vehicle wrap or opt for custom graphics design instead? 

Police Vehicle Wrap versus Custom Graphics Design

A vehicle wrap involves a large sheet, the “wrap”, with the graphics on it. These wraps are applied directly to the car’s painted surface, creating a seamless and professional look. Vinyl graphics also create a seamless and professional look but work in a slightly different way. 

Rather than applying these graphics that are part of a sheet, vinyl graphics, decals, or lettering are stuck on individually. Think of it more like adding a large sticker to a surface rather than coating the entire surface with wallpaper. 

Additionally, vinyl graphics and lettering come in all shapes and sizes. Police car covers tend to be much larger and more of a uniform shape. 

Some of the other most important differences between police vehicle wrap and custom graphics design include:

• Although it depends on a number of factors, custom police car graphics are often less expensive than wraps
• Durable vinyl material can make wraps and graphics/lettering
• Custom graphics design can take less time to complete than a police car design

Although full vehicle wraps are becoming more popular in general, they might not be the best option for your fleet. Following are some of the challenges that we have seen in the industry over the last few years as wrapping cars has become more common:

• Horizontal surfaces crack and fade quickly, so they need to be replaced more often
• The high cost of a full vehicle wrap is difficult to justify considering fiscal budgets
• Bulbous surfaces will often lift over time allowing water to enter and damage the wrap from the inside out.

Whether you opt for custom graphics or a full or partial police car design, you’ll want to be sure it includes any necessary and helpful information. This includes emergency services phone numbers, the city or location the vehicle operates in, a badge/shield, and a vehicle ID number. 

(We talk all about the different police vehicle graphics designs and options in this post)

As you can see, each option poses certain advantages over the other. So, where does that leave us? Still wondering which one is right for your fleet! Next, we’ll look at both options and specific use cases to help you move forward with your decision.

Purpose of Police Car Design

A police car wrap can be done in what’s known as a partial or complete style. A partial police car wrap includes wrapping just a portion of the vehicle. On the other hand, the full wrap is the coverage on all four sides. With full wraps, you’ll need to be mindful of longevity as these are prone to more damage than partial wraps or custom police vehicle graphics. 

On larger vehicles, a police car wrap is a helpful option for covering more space. However, wraps aren’t the most effective option for smaller police vehicles, including cruisers. Certain areas of the vehicle, including door handles, mirrors, and textured bumpers shouldn’t be covered because it’s difficult to create a smooth, long-lasting result this way. 

Full or partial wraps for emergency vehicles are particularly useful on larger vehicles, including vans, ambulances, and fire trucks. These vehicles have more flat surface area, with fewer curves and contouring than a sedan, for example. That means the application and design process is less complicated, and you can add a lot more to the vehicle in less time with a full or partial wrap. 

Purpose of Police Car Custom Graphics Design

Now let’s move on to police car custom graphics design and when this is the best option. For regular fleet vehicles, including sedans used for patrol, police car graphics tend to be the way to go. Because there isn’t as much surface area on the vehicle, it can be much faster (and less expensive) to adhere to individual graphics or lettering versus a full or partial wrap. This option is also longer lasting.

It’s also an option to opt for a non-reflective graphics kit for police cars. This is a great way to keep costs down while still getting the style and design you’re hoping for. 

Want to learn even more about designing your fleet with custom police car graphics? Visit this post next: The Ultimate Guide to Police Car Graphics.

Conclusion

Here are some handy takeaways before we close this post:

Police car wraps: Emergency responder wraps are often made with ultra-reflective patterned material (either diamond-grade or Reflexite) which is only good for flat surfaces because it’s non-conformable. Curves and contours aren’t best suited for full wraps to police sedans. But it’s a great option for ambulances, fire trucks, and other flat surfaces!

Custom police car graphics: This option saves time and money for police departments looking to update their fleet and provides an effective, long-lasting solution. This option is particularly suitable for smaller vehicles like sedans, SUVs, and vans. 

It’s also worth mentioning the importance of being careful with placing any graphics face-up on a vehicle. This includes the hood of the car, the top of the trunk, and the roof of the car. Graphics will fade quickly when they will place in these spots.

Do you want to learn more about designing your own emergency vehicle fleet? From police to ambulance, fire departments, and much more, we have seen and done it all. Give Graphics Design International a call today so we can get started! 

The post Is Police Car Wrap or Custom Graphics Design Better For My Vehicles? appeared first on GDI Graphics.

After all, choosing fire truck graphics is no small feat! For starters, you need to be sure you end up with a look you like. But at the same time, you also need to be sure your graphics are high-quality, built to last, and display all of the important information you want them to. Not to mention, you need to be sure your graphics meet NFPA visibility requirements.

(We talk more about fire truck lettering, NFPA visibility requirements and much more in this post: How is Fire Truck Lettering Applied to a Fire Truck? Don’t miss it!)

Removal of Old Firefighter Vehicle Graphics

Before adding new firefighter vehicle graphics, the old ones need to be removed. The process for removing previous graphics depends on the material used for the graphics. 

Over time, vinyl graphics can begin to wear down from general wear and tear and even UV damage. High-quality graphics installed by professionals will give you the best chance of long-term effectiveness with your graphics. You will get a greater return on your investment on your vehicle graphics if you opt for professional services and high-quality materials from the get-go. 

Exercise caution if you plan on removing firefighter vehicle graphics on your own! Removing vinyl decals without damaging the vehicle ore requiring a paint touch up is done best by professionals. Otherwise, you risk causing further damage to your fleet that calls for touch ups and more work.

Removal of old graphics and installation of fresh graphics can be coordinated if a department needs to refresh or fix damaged graphics to eliminate extended downtimes for vital vehicles.

2 Types of Graphics Available to Fire Departments

If you’re purchasing large rigs for your fleet, they likely already have graphics. However, you will almost always want to customize these graphics so they are up to date and include accurate information for your fire department. To create a uniform fleet, Fire Departments can require the companies they get their large vehicles from to buy the vehicle graphics from their preferred graphics company. 

When you are choosing firefighter vehicle graphics, you will have two primary options to consider: decorative graphics materials and reflective graphics materials. 

Decorative Graphics Materials

There are all kinds of decorative graphics you might want displayed on your fleet, including shields, badges, patches, city or state, emergency numbers, and more. 

We have utilized many of these decorative graphics materials:

• Non-reflective vinyl: Most traditional non-reflective vehicle graphics are made of vinyl, including vinyl vehicle wraps. Non-reflective vinyl is a cost-effective option with a long active life.
• Gold Leaf: Traditional gold leaf lettering is still utilized on modern fleets, and it adds a striking visual element to any fleet. Many departments like to utilize turn gold to add to their fleet and customize it to their tastes.
• Printed Gold Leaf Effect: This is a more cost-effective option for creating the look of real gold leaf lettering. Printed onto Scotchlite reflective or non-reflective material then created using design software.
• Sign Gold: This machine produced material is a common alternative to gold leaf and printed golf leaf effect.
• Chevrons: Chevrons are a great way to increase visibility and identify your vehicles as emergency responder vehicles. Many local municipalities and even states are beginning to require chevrons on the backs and sides or police vehicles, sheriff vehicles, and fire rescue vehicles.

Reflective Graphics Materials

Reflective graphics materials help elevate your firefighter engine graphics in a few ways. 

First, they are more eye-catching, but this is beneficial not only for style purposes but function as well. It’s important for emergency vehicles to have as much visibility as possible. This helps keep their occupants safe while also protecting other drivers and pedestrians.

If you opt for reflective graphics materials for your fleet, it could include:

• 3M Scotchlite: This material boasts a number of benefits, including enhancing visibility while still remaining flat. Additionally, no edge sealing is necessary, and application is straightforward.
• 3M Diamond Grade: This material does call for edge sealing. However, it also offers more reflective qualities than other materials used for firefighter engine graphics. 
• ORALITE: Another flat reflective material that does not need edge sealing.

Firefighter Truck Graphic Selection and Application Process

Once you’ve decided on the firefighter engine graphics materials that are right for your fleet, it’s time to move forward with the selection and application process.

This begins with a color rendering layout. This gives you the ability to visualize the graphics for your fleet and make any change requests before moving further into the process. 

Then, you can move on to final graphic approval. This is when you sign off on the final elements of the design. Now the graphics company can move forward with fabricating your graphics.

Once the designers receive your renderings, they will start fabricating and creating your designs. Once complete, they can be applied to your fleet and your vehicles will be refreshed, up to date, and ready for use! 

(Are you looking for more design inspiration for your own fleet? Take a look at this post next where we share the top 10 emergency vehicle graphics ideas you might not have considered!)

Trust Graphics Design International for Your Firefighter Trucks Graphics

Ready to upgrade your existing firefighter truck graphics? Or are you starting fresh with a brand new fleet? Either way, Graphics Design International has the graphics solution you are looking for. Proudly dedicated to Police, Sheriff, Fire Rescue, Security, and the Public Safety Community, our company the only nationwide fleet graphics to do that. As a result, this also means our services are designed with the unique needs of emergency services industries in mind. 

During every step of the process, from design to installation, you will have the full support of our dedicated team. We have seen and done it all, and we make sure to go above and beyond for all our clients. We have covered all of your community’s fleet graphics!

Would you like to see some examples of our work? Click here to browse our fire rescue kit photo gallery.

Call us today for a quote! To started on your own fleet.

The post How Firefighter Truck Graphics Are Designed appeared first on GDI Graphics.

The Importance of Police Car Ghost Decals

For decades, there have been a number of reasons why we are using undercover police vehicles. From serving undercover missions to stopping traffic violations while they’re happening, they are a common presence on roads across the United States. Police car ghost decals are very similar. However, instead of having no identifying information, the graphics are almost identical in color to the vehicle. If a civilian is close enough and in the correct lighting, they will know it is a police vehicle. But for people driving by, the car will look more like a civilian vehicle than anything else.

These are particularly useful for highway patrol officers who are trying to reduce dangerous speeding and other dangerous driving practices. Often, if a driver sees a police car ahead, they will slow down until they pass. Then, once the police vehicle is out of sight, they continue speeding. This puts not only that driver but other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

When law enforcement fleets utilize police car ghost decals, the vehicles themselves are easily identifiable. However, it is not immediately clear that it is a police vehicle. This is important because it’s easier for law enforcement to spot and stop dangerous drivers before they hurt themselves.

(By the way, if you are interested in learning more about police car graphics and the different options available to your department, view this article next: The Ultimate Guide to Police Car Graphics)

In addition to the functional benefits of police car ghost graphics, it also provides a sleek, stylish look many departments are after. If you’re considering updating your fleet, this is one option you don’t want to overlook!

What Design Elements Should Police Vehicle Ghost Graphics Have?

What’s most interesting about police vehicle ghost graphics is that they are built to blend in with the color of the vehicle, rather than to contrast and stand out. However, they tend to include most, if not all, of the same information that is usually displayed on other police vehicles.

Here are some of the specific design elements police vehicle ghost graphics should include

• Identifying information including the word “Police,” as well as the city or county they serve
• The unit number of the vehicle
• A symbol such as a police badge, star, or shield. This is optional but preferred by most departments.
• The vehicle should also include “911” or other emergency contact phone numbers
• Additional graphics on the roof of the vehicle that identifies it as a police vehicle
• The mission statement of the police department or precinct. This is also optional but if your other vehicles include it, it often makes sense to put it on ghost cars as well.

Reflective Or Non-Reflective Ghost Graphic Design: Which is Better?

Now you know the purpose of police vehicle ghost graphics and the different design elements to choose from. Next, it’s time to talk about reflective versus non-reflective designs. Both can be a great choice for police vehicles, but there are certain considerations to keep in mind to help you make this choice.

The two primary considerations are this: whether increased vehicle visibility is preferred or if an unmarked look is best.

Increased vehicle visibility: There are many reasons police departments want their ghost cars to still have some visibility. With reflective designs, it is easier for other drivers to spot these vehicles in the dark. This doesn’t mean they will know it’s a police vehicle. What it does mean, however, is that it’s more likely to catch their eye which can reduce collisions. If a police officer in a vehicle with ghost car graphics pulls someone over and they are standing on the road, reflective graphics can also make the vehicle more identifiable to keep the officer and the person they have pulled over safer.

Unmarked: There are also times when a more unmarked look is requested. In that case, police departments opt for non-reflective decals. These provide less visibility, meaning the officer can operate more undercover and draw less attention to the vehicle. With ghost graphics, we typically suggest that at least some portion of the police and sheriff’s car graphics are reflective to increase safety at night.

As you can see, these considerations tend to come down to balancing visibility and safety. At Graphic Designs International, we are here to help you do just that.

(Are you also interested in getting additional inspiration for your fleet? Try this post next: The Top 10 Emergency Vehicle Graphic Design Ideas)

Trust Graphic Designs International for Your Ghost Police Graphics

The majority of the ghost kits are cut pigmented vinyl. This means they will have extended life without fading. Additionally, it means you get a better return on your investment in police vehicle graphics.

With our experienced and expert team designing your police car ghost decals, you can be sure to strike a balance between your vehicle being somewhat undercover, while also visible enough to protect your officers and the public. This balance is especially helpful during evening hours with their ability to remain incognito for speed enforcement zones and not be too distracting for vehicles around officers during regular operations.

Would you like more guidance on selecting the best police vehicle graphics for your fleet? Whether you’re interested in traditional graphics, police car ghost graphics, or graphics for other emergency vehicles, we are here to help. As the only nationwide fleet graphics company dedicated to police, sheriff, fire rescue, security, and the public safety community, you can be sure you are entrusting your fleet graphics to a trusted source when you work with us.

Ready to learn more? Click here to contact us or get a quote.

The post Why Ghost Police Car Graphics Are Becoming So Popular appeared first on GDI Graphics.

It’s also important to remember there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to fire truck lettering and graphics. There are a number of important things to keep in mind when you select graphics for your fleet. In today’s post, we’re going to cover these considerations, your fire truck lettering options, and how the application process works. 

Selecting The Right Graphics For Your Fire Truck Lettering

As for there not being a one-size-fits-all approach for fire truck graphics, it often comes down to the information you want to include on your fleet, as well as your aesthetic preferences for the graphics. The information displayed on your emergency vehicles is not only an aesthetic choice, but it’s also important for displaying helpful information to the public, including emergency numbers. At the same time, it also makes your vehicles identifiable and recognizable, helping to keep your team safe. Not to mention, reflective graphics help other drivers spot your vehicles. Even in less than ideal conditions, keeping the public and your team safer at the same time. 

In addition to your preferences, there are also certain requirements outlined by the NFPA that need to be considered.

For example, in the most recent NFPA 1901 Standards for Automotive Fire Apparatus, some of the requirements include:

• 25% of the front of the automotive fire apparatus must be covered with reflective striping that is at least four inches tall
• 50% of the cab and body length of the apparatus must be covered with reflective striping that is at least four inches tall

Reflective striping is only part of the graphics process for fire trucks though. You will also choose what information is displayed and the style you choose to display it. 

Fire Truck Lettering Options

The letters on your fire truck identify the unit, the department, and provide plenty of other important information. 

Some of the information that might be displayed on your fire trucks include: 

• Fire department name: Most fire trucks include the name of the fire department at a minimum. 
• Logo: Does your department have a logo you’re proud to show off? Why not add it to your fire trucks? 
• Unit number: This helps track and identify fire fighting vehicles, and it also provides a reference point for a number of other important purposes. 
• City, town, or village: The city, town, or village where your fire department operates is another important piece of information most fire trucks include. It quickly signifies to the public the area you serve and also makes you more identifiable to the public. 
• Quotes or sayings: If your department has a motto, quote, or saying your group lives by, it’s probably a point of pride. That’s why many fire departments choose to display it on their vehicle. It also signifies their commitment to the public. 
• Flags: Whether it’s an American or state flag, you may choose to have it applied to your fire truck alongside the lettering and other graphics. 

Turn Gold Offers

You may also choose to include turn gold additions in your design. We offer traditional, authentic turn gold, as well as less expensive alternatives. Whichever you choose, you can be sure you will have a design that looks great and is built to last. (Did you know graphics can actually protect your vehicles from dings, scratches, and other damage?) 

Click here to see our classic turn gold offers. Or visit this link to see the printed turn gold options we offer.

Once you have decided on the fire truck lettering you want on your fleet, it’s time to consider the graphic selection and application process. 

Fire Truck Lettering Graphic Selection and Application Process

Depending on the graphic design company you work with, the fire truck lettering process can vary slightly. However, there are some basic steps most companies follow throughout this process.

Color Rendering Layout

This first step involves discussing each department’s vision for the fire truck. Based on the discussion of vehicle type and usage, design, color pallet, and material needs and graphic requests, the sales representative works with the graphic design team to create a color layout of the truck base color and lays out digital renderings of striping, logos, imagery, and any other required graphics. This color rendering includes the NFPA required striping and graphics.

Final Graphic Approval

Next, the client gets the chance to carefully review the color rendering layout. It’s important that you get a comprehensive preview of how your fire truck will look when the process is done. Once you’re happy with this preview, your approval means we can move onto the next step of the process!

Final Renderings are Sent to the Designers

With your plans finalized, it’s time for them to be sent to the graphic design team. They bring your vision to life, creating the graphics that will ultimately be applied to your apparatus. 

Once the sales representative translates the approved design into a work order, it is sent to the various different printing and processing departments to be produced and processed – this is where we bring the vision to life.

Fire Truck Graphics are Installed

After the production team creates the graphics and fire truck lettering, it’s time to apply them to the fire apparatus. This step includes adhering the graphics onto the fire trucks, rescues, and support vehicles. This step can be coordinated with removal of old graphics if a department needs to refresh or fix damaged graphics to eliminate extended down times for vital vehicles.

Of course, adherence to NFPA guidelines is also taken into account at all times. We know you’ll love the finished product!

(Are you looking for more graphic design inspiration for emergency vehicles? We have a great post with the top 10 designs right here)

The post How Does Fire Truck Lettering Get Applied To A Fire Truck? appeared first on GDI Graphics.

With the help of police vehicle graphics, your law enforcement fleet is easily identifiable. Not only does this help direct the public to the help they are looking for, but it will also keep your officers safer. 

At the same time, police vehicle graphics denote helpful information, including the vehicle number, 911, and other contact information. When you work with a graphic design company that has experience working with police vehicles, you can be sure you are getting a design that is not only aesthetically sound, but that also displays important information.

Today, we are going to tell you about the top police vehicle graphics designs, as well as more specific information about their importance. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the options available to you for your own fleet. 

Let’s begin!

Primary Police Vehicle Graphics Designs 

There are some pieces of information that must be displayed on a police vehicle, while other graphic elements are optional or for aesthetic purposes. 

Here are the six top designs you see on most police vehicles in the United States. 

Black and white

When most people see a black and white vehicle, they automatically assume it’s a police vehicle. These colors are an important tool for identifying police vehicles. When you are having police vehicle graphics designed for your fleet, the black and white elements will be an important part of the design. Black and white provide a stark contrast and this helps make these vehicles more visible, even in poor conditions. This helps keep police safe in many ways, particularly when they are pulled over on the side of the road and vehicles are quickly passing by.

Black and white aren’t the only color options for police vehicles, however. It isn’t uncommon to see single color vehicles in black, white, blue, or brown as well. 

Authority name

Perhaps the most important piece of information on a police vehicle is the word “Police.” With this word clearly displayed, community police presence is increased and vehicles are more easily identifiable by the public. 

Jurisdiction name

Marked police vehicles also need to include their jurisdiction name. This could be a town, city, or county, and it is often displayed above, below, or alongside the word “police.” 

Authority symbol

An authority symbol, typically a badge, star, or shield, is another important type of police car graphics. People around the world recognize these symbols as denoting the presence of a particular authority. In this case, that is the police. 

Vehicle ID number

Another critical police car graphic design is the vehicle identification number. This number is important for many reasons. Police vehicles are responsible for storing, collecting, and sharing a lot of data in conjunction with the associated radio identification number. Without proper identification, this information can get lost in the shuffle.

It’s also important for the public to have a record of the police vehicle number after an interaction with the police. This number is often listed on the front, top, or sides of the vehicle. 

Motto, values, etc.

It isn’t uncommon to see police vehicle graphics for a police force’s motto or their values. This can be an aesthetic option, but also a point of pride. In the United States, every police department is its own entity, and this means it can have its own motto or values.

Mottos and values are not a requirement, however. But if a department does have them, they often want to display them on their police vehicles. In addition to mottos and values, police vehicle graphics display other pieces of information, including non-emergency contact information and 911. 

Looking for more inspiration for your own emergency vehicles? Take a look at this post next: THE TOP 10 EMERGENCY VEHICLE GRAPHIC IDEAS.

What Is the Purpose of Police Vehicle Graphics?

There are no federal guidelines for the requirements for marked and unmarked vehicles, so each state sets its own. Depending on where you live, police vehicles may be required to display certain pieces of information. 

In addition to complying with state laws, there are several other important reasons to use police vehicle graphics for displaying certain information. 

• It’s important for a marked police vehicle to be attention-grabbing. That way, people know where to look for help. At the same time, it keeps officers safer on the road. When an officer pulls over, their vehicle needs to grab the attention of other drivers to prevent accidents. The visible presence of police vehicles is also helpful for creating a sense of calm and security. 
• At the same time, police vehicles can include emergency numbers for the public to call. And this isn’t just 911. It can also include non-emergency information that’s helpful for the public. 
• It’s also important for police vehicles to display identifying information. Police vehicle graphics happen to be the best way to do that! This information can be displayed in any size, and in a variety of styles so there’s something for everyone to choose from. 
• Finally, police vehicle graphics also serve another important purpose: they protect your vehicle! With vinyl graphics wrapped on your vehicle, they are more resistant to scratches and dents. Not only does this keep your fleet looking good, but it also extends the lifespan of these vehicles. Depending on the material your graphics are made of, they can even withstand a number of extreme conditions. 

Police Vehicle Graphics from Graphic Designs International

If you are you interested in exploring police vehicle graphics options for your fleet, you’re in the right place. Graphic Designs International is the only nationwide fleet graphics company with a dedication to police, sheriff, fire rescue, security, and the public safety community. We help your department get the look you want that fits your budget. From chevron bumpers to police decals and more, we have everything you need. 

We are proud to serve those who protect us, and we look forward to helping you keep your fleet beautiful for many years to come! Contact us today for a quote. 

The post Police Vehicle Graphics: Types, Designs, and Purpose appeared first on GDI Graphics.