Vans are the workhorses of fleet branding: tall, slab-sided panels with few curves but plenty of rivets, body seams and sliding-door tracks. Whether the client wants a solid color change or printed fleet graphics, the same panel discipline applies.
Where the film goes and what to watch for on each section of a van.
Standard car-like panels; mirror caps and grille trims removed.
Cut film at the track edge so the door still seals and slides cleanly.
Long, flat runs - use overlapped seams and a second installer to keep tension even.
Hinge gaps and lock barrels are relief-cut and post-heated to lock the edges.
A solid color change uses cast color-change vinyl (3M 2080, Avery SW900). Fleet branding uses a printable cast film plus an over-laminate for UV and abrasion protection. Printed wraps need extra footage for bleed and registration, so quote 10-20% more film than a plain color change.
A mid-roof cargo van runs 75-130 linear feet of 60-inch film (roughly 300-500 sq ft) depending on wheelbase and roof height. High-roof Sprinters and extended bodies sit at the top of that range - measure the actual panel height, since tall sides exceed the 60-inch film width and require horizontal seams.
Riveted and corrugated van panels are the classic failure point. Lay the film loose, tack the flat field, then use a rivet brush or pin-and-heat technique to conform film into each rivet before it can tent and lift. Post-heat to 90-110°C to set the memory.
Jump straight into the library, pre-filtered to the finishes that suit this build.
Search the most-requested colors for this vehicle type.
Cost scales with size and whether it is a color change or printed graphics. Estimate from material first: 75-130 linear feet of film plus 24-45 labor hours for a full cargo van, then add print and laminate cost for fleet branding.
Use cast print media with a matched over-laminate for branded fleets, or cast color-change vinyl for solid colors. Avoid calendered film on long panels - it shrinks and lifts over time.
Yes. Tack the flat areas first, then conform film into rivets with a rivet brush and heat, and post-heat the whole panel to lock the memory so edges do not tent.
