Truck Lettering Start to Finish

Hedgemaster · #1 05-14-2012, 10:28 PM

I've been meaning to get my truck lettered since last season, but every time I get caught up financially, another crisis comes along and puts the vinyl on the back burner.

Well, I've grown weary of looking like "some guy with a truck and a mower", so I'm going to move forward with the lettering.

I had an estimate done at a local (chain) sign place and was unimpressed with their customer service. I went there with the intention of buying if I could get a vinyl color to match my truck color (I'm lettering on the truck cap windows) and found what I thought (hard to tell from that tiny sliver of color) was a good match from the sample book. He kept pushing another color that was "close", but when I pressed the issue, he admitted he didn't have the color I wanted in stock. Long story short, he'd have to special order the color I wanted and charge me more to do so.

I then requested an actual sample of said color from Tony at 696Signs (forum member) and it arrived today. The match isn't perfect, but is probably as close as I'm going to get. I appreciate his willingness to send me the sample and provided his pricing is within reason, will be ordering from him as a result and installing the lettering myself.

Here are some pics of the sample...

I'm going to start with the back window and maybe the front across the windshield (my wife isn't wild about that part), and then do the sides of the truck cap after.

I'll need to finalize my design soon and will post more as I go.

Steve · #2 05-15-2012, 11:57 AM

Lawn care business tips

This is a moment I have been looking forwards to for quite a while now! YEA!

Quote:

get a vinyl color to match my truck color (I'm lettering on the truck cap windows)

Have you played with that on a photoshop program to see how a similarly colored tape would look on your windows? Would it stand out enough for you?

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lawnman3fl · #3 05-15-2012, 06:11 PM

that color is not even close to your truck or topper ... does it need to be a metallic vinyl or could it just be a single color like white ... you still get the bang but alot less out of pocket .... great idea of doing the topper windows only for now just in case you dont really like the looks of it .. just peel off and spray a little windex scrape with a razor blade and it is gone...

Hedgemaster · #4 05-15-2012, 09:09 PM

Well, it's likely as close as I'll find. It's not as though anyone is going to carry vinyl in "2001 Chevrolet Light Pewter Metallic".
The color looks "off" from one angle, but from another, it looks amazingly similar. It's not going to be right against the paint at any point anyway, so I think I can pull it off.

55 MPH down the road nobody will notice the difference anyway.

White lettering? Meh. Everyone uses it - it's inexpensive and it's a good contrast on dark windows, but I wanted something different. My initial concern was that the "Champagne Mist" would be too dark for use on the dark tinted windows, but it should be fine.

Since this truck is still my "daily driver", I'm not ready to go all out with vinyl on the paint, but the cap windows provide excellent placement for this sort of thing.

My apologies to all who thought they would be seeing a finished product in this thread right off the bat.
All in good time.

I'll be sure to post install pics as well since I'll be applying myself.

w0283767 · #5 05-15-2012, 09:34 PM

I'm looking forward to seeing the final product as well. I'm sure it will look awesome!

Steve · #6 05-16-2012, 12:23 PM

Also, what about using another color underneath this color to provide a border for each letter? Would that be helpful?

Hedgemaster · #7 07-10-2012, 10:22 PM

I think the great wall of China took less time to build.

I've narrowed down my designs, so hopefully I can get this ordered soon!

ETA: Awww crap. I have to save the file in another format - I'll post up some of the ideas later...

Hedgemaster · #8 07-11-2012, 12:02 AM

OK, here's some of the variations, as well as a photo of the back window...

Note that these are not the correct color...

This is the one I plan on using...

It may get a few tweaks, and I need to check with Tony at 696 Signs to see if there are any parts of the design that could pose a problem, but I'm 99% sure this is the one.

I wanted to get really creative and use a HUGE oak leaf that covered half of the window, but I really need to keep the visibility out the back as good as possible. Even this design is a bit "more" than I had intended, but I'm hopeful it will still allow me to see my trailer when backing up.

On the image above with the six versions, the one in the upper right is my actual logo. I'm going to use that when I do the layout for the side windows of the truck cap. I have one design worked up for the sides that lists services provided. (In case someone was going to suggest that for the back)

Questions, comments, suggestions are welcome.

Godslapper · #9 07-11-2012, 07:05 AM

Heres a little someting to think about. Here in good ol NY, you must have your name and a DOT # on your truck. It's the law. If DOT stops you and your not up to date you will get a fine.

If you have your name on your truck and your insurance co. finds out, they will dubble or tripple your insurance cost. They seem to think that if your name is on your truck it will some how cause more damage if you have an accident. If you have an accident and you are working while it happens and the insurance guy figures it out they will not cover you if you don't have your name on your truck and your not paying the proper insurance.

Godslapper · #10 07-11-2012, 07:11 AM

By the way. Nice sign, good color I think it looks great. Is that the truck you use to pull your equipment around with ?

Truck Lettering Start to Finish

Truck & Trailer Sign Design, silk screened apparel & uniform discussion