An essential component of advertising through car wraps is the text, but it is often overlooked in favor of graphics, imagery, and finishes. It’s not just the words used, but also how they are presented that holds equal importance. Typography is the one element that transforms a simple car wrap into an eye-catching statement. Effectively delivering a message through this novel platform requires an understanding of fonts, their placement, and their legibility to passersby. In this blog, we have presented an in-depth guide on how to make the fonts speak and make a deep impact.
The Art of Choosing the Right Font for a Car Wrap
To make sure your message isn't just a scream into the void, picking the right font is paramount. It is both an art and a strategic decision. Since vehicles are constantly in motion, the typeface must be legible at a glance and from a distance. Bold, clean fonts with strong lines tend to perform well, as they maintain clarity even when the vehicle is speeding by. However, readability shouldn't come at the expense of personality.
The font that you are planning to use should also reflect the brand’s identity. Consider a modern and minimal look for tech companies, playful for family services, or aggressive for motorsport-related and performance-driven businesses. Pairing it with the vehicle’s color scheme and the comprehensive design also improves impact. Here are a few pointers to help you make the right font choice.
Consider Your Message
Keep in mind what you are trying to convey and how noticeable you want your statement to be. If you prefer a subtle accent, a simple or intricate font printed on the vinyl wrap might do the trick. On the other hand, if you are using typography for advertising, make sure your font is bold and large without being too stylistic. Take the example of the FedEx advertisement on their delivery trucks. It involves bold lettering, clear branding, and high visibility.
The tone, purpose, and setting of your design should all guide your choice of typeface. A font that works well for branding a high-end product might not be appropriate for a playful one-time event. Think about how the typography supports your basic message and the emotion you want to evoke or convey.
Take Into Account the Size of Your Vehicle
Where will you apply the vehicle wrap with printed text? Placement of the font is important to consider as well because smaller vehicles need a strategic approach. If your message printed on the wrap applies unevenly over the windows or curves, it will be disrupted due to misalignment. If you are wrapping a large truck or van, the placement needs to be in an area of high visibility and one that is large enough to be noticed without looking out of place.
The sides of the vehicle provide the most surface area and are typically the best location for primary messaging, as they are highly visible in traffic and while parked. Consider Uber or Lyft ads. They use bold, branded typography across the sides with clean slogans like ‘Drive with Uber’. Another example is of Domino’s pizza delivery cars.
The rear of the vehicle is also a valuable spot, especially in stop-and-go traffic, offering an opportunity to communicate with drivers behind. It is best to align text with the natural lines and panels of the vehicle to avoid distortion and maintain a polished appearance.
Readability of the Text
Due to the fact that cars are in constant motion, your text will be read at different speeds and distances. This can make reading the message difficult, which is why legible fonts are the way to go. Skip out on decorative or thin fonts and opt for clear ones that can be easily cut or printed on vinyl. The font size should also be quite large without being overpowering, so that it can be read from a distance yet still look visually appealing.
Avoid overly decorative or condensed typefaces that can become muddled, especially at smaller sizes. Be mindful of the spacing between letters and words as well, since cramped text can hinder quick comprehension. A well-balanced, easily readable design makes sure your message reaches viewers efficiently and effectively. For example, the SERVPRO truck ad. The word ‘SERVPRO’ in all capital letters is set within an orange house-shaped emblem. The typography is a bold, sans-serif typeface with condensed lines, contributing to a modern and professional appearance.
The Right Color Contrast Matters
High contrast between text and background, such as dark lettering on a light surface or vice versa, greatly improves visibility. Your message should stand out and hold the gaze of the onlooker, consequently leaving a lasting impression on their mind. Black on white, white on black, or vibrant colors against a neutral background are ideal. Consider the Walmart advertisement on its trucks that is easily legible against a white background. The blue text with the yellow spark logo is sharply distinctive on the road.
Avoid texts that blend into the background, as well as busy graphics or patterns behind text. Avoid colors that blend into the vehicle’s paint or into surrounding graphics, as this can cause the text to disappear visually. It's also important to consider the lighting conditions. What looks good in daylight should remain readable at night or in low-light situations. A carefully chosen contrast ensures your typography remains clear and eye-catching in any setting.
Consider Font Pairings
It is best to use two or three fonts for visual interest, especially for branding. The different fonts should complement each other, so always aim for clear contrast in style or size when pairing them. It is better to avoid those that are too similar to prevent a mismatched look. The chosen fonts should not clash in style, like you can pair a strong sans-serif for headlines with a readable serif for supporting text. To keep your advertisement’s look cohesive and without too much design noise, you should ideally opt for a maximum of two, or just one, versatile font family. The best example is the Hello Fresh wrap advertisement.
Organizing Information Impressively
Establishing a clear visual hierarchy is important for organizing information in a way that directs the viewer’s attention naturally. Details such as the company name, slogan, or contact number should be noticeable immediately. These elements should be larger, bolder, or differently colored to distinguish them from the rest of the content. Secondary information, such as a tagline or a website, can be smaller or placed in a less prominent area, but should still remain readable. This layered approach prevents clutter and allows the eye to absorb information in order of importance.
Focus on Consistency
Pick a font that would look good in any print form and is consistent across all your marketing materials, reinforcing your brand identity. This is especially important for building trust and recognition with customers. The shift from traditional billboards to mobile car wrap adverts has posed a challenge as brands figure out how to convey their identity, values, or products in a short message. It is necessary to leverage typography to build your brand so it quickly becomes well-known.
Top Fonts for Car Wraps
As readability and a neat look are prioritized in car wrap texts, the sans-serif fonts are overwhelmingly preferred due to these qualities. Common examples include:
- Helvetica: This classic font is known for its neutrality, versatility, and exceptional readability. It is clean, professional, and scales well. Swissport ground service vehicles at airports use Helvetica-style text on their wraps to ensure clear, universal readability.
- Futura: A geometric sans-serif that offers a modern and clean look. Its simplicity makes it highly legible.
- Arial: A widely used sans-serif, known for its straightforward design and excellent legibility across many applications.
- Proxima Nova: This font has a rounded shape with even strokes and good kerning. It is not overly stylized and has a captivating contemporary look.
- Gotham: It also has a geometric look with consistent height and structure. It is clear, readable, and a favorite in corporate branding. Interstate Power Systems is a notable example of a company that uses the Gotham typeface in its branding through vehicle wraps.
- Open Sans: It strikes a balance between professionalism and approachability, making it suitable for both corporate and casual use. It is highly readable with a neutral, friendly appearance.
Bold Typography, Lasting Car Wrap Impressions
Typography on car wraps is more than just selecting pretty fonts; it is about communication. By prioritizing readability and keeping in mind your message and brand identity, you can create car wraps that deliver powerful statements and truly speak to people. Lastly, and most importantly, use premium-quality Digital Print Media for your advertisements to get long-lasting performance. Visit TeckWrap and take advantage of their worldwide accessibility to get the vehicle vinyl delivered to your doorstep.
