Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: robert meldrum on February 26, 2012, 09:49:16 pm

Title: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: robert meldrum on February 26, 2012, 09:49:16 pm
Just found this by accident on e'bay....... " Large Van Sign Writing Kit " .............£36.00 +  £4.85 postage.

Seems like excellent value.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Colin Day on February 26, 2012, 09:53:56 pm
Got a link Mr M?

Ta!
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 26, 2012, 09:54:46 pm
Got a link Mr M?

Ta!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Van-Sign-Writing-Kit-Decals-Lettering-Stickers-/120853194336?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c23696660#ht_1617wt_1163
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Colin Day on February 26, 2012, 09:55:39 pm
Got a link Mr M?

Ta!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Van-Sign-Writing-Kit-Decals-Lettering-Stickers-/120853194336?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c23696660#ht_1617wt_1163

Thank you..... :)
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Paul Moss on February 26, 2012, 10:05:50 pm
Now that is a good deal
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Carpet Dawg on February 26, 2012, 10:55:29 pm
Good find Roberto!

Just need to remove some rust first ;D
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: peter maybury on February 26, 2012, 11:15:36 pm
at the end of the day it is a very basic signwriting job. A lot of people will never realise that most things in business are an investment rather than a cost. A good sign writing job will pay dividends.

Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: robert meldrum on February 26, 2012, 11:20:01 pm
AHHHHHHHHH Pedantic Pete strikes again.............................

You really need to lighten up Pete and get off that enormously high horse.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Steve Chapman on February 26, 2012, 11:37:27 pm
Excellent value  :)

There is an art to putting it on tho  :P

Steve
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Billy Russell on February 26, 2012, 11:45:42 pm
Pedantic Pete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That name is going to stick!!!!!!!!!!!

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: clinton on February 27, 2012, 08:14:32 am
Its a good deal but as steve posted its an art itself putting the signs on the van.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: AshWhite on February 27, 2012, 12:41:48 pm
I'm with Peter on this one.

It certainly is a very good price - but plain text sign writing doesn't really capture the imagination.

Your van might be on the road for 10 years or more, the price difference between a cheap signwriting job and something that really catches your eye over that time period pales into insignificance. I can't speak for anyone else, but I often get comments on the pictures/design on my van - even though it's far from over the top.

If you disagree, think about it this way: Would you put out 10,000 leaflets containing no images, no graphics, just single colour text? I know I wouldn't waste my money.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Dennis on February 27, 2012, 01:17:39 pm
Good find Roberto!

Just need to remove some rust first ;D

Why? Just stick it over the top.  ;D
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: peter maybury on February 27, 2012, 05:54:17 pm
I was in partnership with a sign company for quite a long time. Again talking from experience from somebody who has quite a lot of experience of what works in the market place and how important a well signed van is.
Wise words to those that know better!!!
How many succesfull carpet cleaners have their vans written in plain text with no logo's or art work.
I have sign written 100's of vans myself but still make mistakes. For a novice to put this on without messing up some of the text then find that you are going to spend a large percentage of the cost you have already paid out getting replacement letters.
Even for me I can earn far better money carpet cleaning but there are always going to be people on here that will be as good a sign writer as they are a carpet cleaners.

Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Kev Loomes on February 27, 2012, 06:01:21 pm
I tend to agree with both sides of the coin. Yes, great graphics are amazing and can pay dividends, but maybe this type of thing is good for people who just want a quick stop gap before going on to something better - or maybe they have a van and only intend to keep it for 6 months? It doesnt make sense to spend large amounts in this instance.

I actually had a chap come up to me today and said 'if you keep your van that nice looking - then I know your going to do a good job'. He's booked in  ;D

Cheers

Kev
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 27, 2012, 06:14:12 pm
Chap near me got a completely pooe signed van, he gets lots of work.

It's just plastered with cheap prices and offers.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: AshWhite on February 27, 2012, 06:15:51 pm
Chap near me got a completely pooe signed van, he gets lots of work.

It's just plastered with cheap prices and offers.

Well if that's his target market..
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 27, 2012, 06:23:15 pm
Along with 'Dry in 30 mins' of course.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: robert meldrum on February 27, 2012, 10:35:33 pm
I've had many sign written vans over the years and a few blank ones. If I'm looking for a particular trade or service and spot a van with the service I'm looking for ALL I WANT IS THEIR PHONE NUMBER and if that's prominently displayed without the distraction of garish logos or unrealistic claims the owner has a good chance of it being noted.

KEEP IT STUPIDLY SIMPLE .......................One of the basic rules of marketing.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: AshWhite on February 27, 2012, 10:47:47 pm
So the marketing folk who design billboards, television adverts, radio ads, magazine ads, leaflets etc at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds are all wrong - and they should just use plain text in one colour, nothing flashy, just simple text or audio - the simpler the better? is that what you're saying?

I understand if you're LOOKING for a service it may be different, but that's not marketing or sales, its just 'order taking'.

For example, there is a van parked a 100 yards from me who offers concrete stenciling. His van is a white Transit, with black signwriting. It is the most boring, uninspirational things I have ever seen. If it was showing an example of what they do (a pic of a nicely designed patio for example) or some sort of offers or something it would be so much more eye catching and attractive.
And before anyone pipes up, I've seen this van almost every day for the past few months, but never really thought about it today til I started reading this thread.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 28, 2012, 01:33:01 pm
So the marketing folk who design billboards, television adverts, radio ads, magazine ads, leaflets etc at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds are all wrong

I think they are in the main.

An advertising agency bills clients not on results but on air time and advertising space. Most advertising like this has no mechanism to attribute their advertising to sales.

However if you want a flashy van you will be proud of and take pride in keeping it looking good, then that's reason enough.
 
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: peter maybury on February 28, 2012, 09:25:44 pm
Marketing and peoples buying descisions are quite complex.
Yes you do want certain things prominent. When I was in the sign business I did not know it all so we paid for the expertise that we did not have, spent a lot of money employing graduate graphic desighers etc.  I have seen first hand what an effect a professional image given to somebody who only has the abilities in their own field.
Obviously you will always get people who think that they cannot afford to look professional but to my mind I do not thing you can afford not to. The cost of sign writying a van is just a small percentage of what many bussinesses will spen on marketing but If done properely it will probably give you the best returns £ for £.
People on here go on about cowboys and price shoppers etc and then consider themselve masters of everything else.
Fine if all you can afford this is better than nothing but it is just a bex bissel in the sign writing industry.
It will take the producers of this to set up and cut just a few messed up letters of vinyl, as it will have to set up the whole of the original job so do not expect it done for nothing.
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 28, 2012, 11:03:54 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1330470005_alltecforsale.png)

I'd like to see any research that shows fancy designs and logos out pull something like this response wise. Just because something does not look good is not an indication of effectiveness.

(This van and TM is up for sale BTW)
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: The Carpet Cleaning Pro on February 28, 2012, 11:18:41 pm
I use these... http://www.thesignbuilder.co.uk/ It's great. You can simply design the van yourself and they check it for you and even design it for you if you want. It lets you save your designs for future reference. When you are happy with the desigh it is checked and ammended accordingly then before you order a proof is sent to your email address for you to double check. it takes about 2 days for the signs to arrive and comes with full simple instructions how to put them on. I stuck them on a renault master van in under 2 hours. Not a single bubble, and with the simple use of a tape measure and some masking tape easy to line everything up.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: AshWhite on February 28, 2012, 11:23:54 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1330470005_alltecforsale.png)

I'd like to see any research that shows fancy designs and logos out pull something like this response wise. Just because something does not look good is not an indication of effectiveness.

(This van and TM is up for sale BTW)


Two points:
i)The signwriting on this van is nothing like the package available on eBay
ii)I'm pretty sure this van has been up for sale for a LONG time. Doesn't really reinforce your POV.

I think we're maybe getting our wires crossed - I'm not saying sign writing has to be garish, or in your face, but plain single colour plain text can not be as effective as something more colourful - just look at Mike Hallidays van as a great example, you can't tell me you wouldn't look twice at that van (whether or not you were looking for a carpet cleaner), and it would certainly stick in your mind for when you WERE looking for a carpet cleaner.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 28, 2012, 11:31:36 pm
I agree Ash on a number of points. If you don't get attention in the first place then whatever you are trying to say is a waste of time.

If someone does a poor job of putting up lettering then yes it probably will reflect badly on them and could put people off

On the other hand I see lots of vans that people can feel very proud of but then totally miss the point which is to get the phone to ring or ask for a quote.

The van in question looks awful, that's my point, and probably detracts to some degree in it's attractiveness to a new owner. But I bet it got lots of work.  
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: derek west on February 28, 2012, 11:32:23 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1330470005_alltecforsale.png)

I'd like to see any research that shows fancy designs and logos out pull something like this response wise. Just because something does not look good is not an indication of effectiveness.

(This van and TM is up for sale BTW)


you got the link for the sale wynne?
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 28, 2012, 11:34:14 pm
It's on the Alltec site Derek.
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: robert meldrum on February 28, 2012, 11:59:48 pm
The van displayed above has the essential and meaningful message in red along the top.

As such it's achieving it's objective of grabbing ATTENTION most of the additional " script " is a waste of effort as having got the prospects attention all that's required is a contact phone number in LARGE letters.


Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: wynne jones on February 29, 2012, 12:09:28 am
The van displayed above has the essential and meaningful message in red along the top.

As such it's achieving it's objective of grabbing ATTENTION most of the additional " script " is a waste of effort as having got the prospects attention all that's required is a contact phone number in LARGE letters.




 :o

Cue Garry's long copy lecture.  ;D
Title: Re: VAN SIGNAGE
Post by: Mike Halliday on February 29, 2012, 08:08:35 am
I think the important point with sign written van is it is part of a whole branding/marketing strategy

Some say my van is a Bit OTT but it's picture is on every piece of marketing I use, every body in Beverley knows my van and my name, people trust what they are familiar with, when people receive my leaflet I'm not a nameless face, 90% of the leaflet is a picture of my van.... they see the leaflet and remember constantly seeing the van