Activity Feed Forums Sign Making Discussions Vinyl Are you still doing the same amount of vehicle graphics as before?

  • Are you still doing the same amount of vehicle graphics as before?

    Posted by Mark Johnston on October 2, 2022 at 10:01 pm

    just wondering what the bulk of everyone’s work is at the moment. we are ticking over not bad but we feel like the volume of vans getting writing on them is not the same. i have spoken to a few sign makers online and they have said similar. just wondering if the type of business is changing for you or if vans are not as popular as they normally are.

    Mark Johnston replied 2 years, 2 months ago 7 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Hugh Potter

    Member
    October 3, 2022 at 7:43 am

    I’ve been thinking the same of late, vans seem to have dropped off quite significantly, from perhaps two to three a week, to one a week. I’m talking £500-£1k vehicles generally, with a smattering of full or part wraps and larger jobs in there. Other signage is ticking along as per but it’s defo got quieter.

    I know we’re fairly expensive compared to a number of our local competitors, but it’s not so much the conversion rate of enquiries to jobs, just the enquiries themselves.

    A little concerning, I don’t mind admitting, but we’ll muddle through, it’s been worse!

  • Peter Cassidy

    Member
    October 3, 2022 at 9:43 am

    it is not something that i have given much thought to. but reading this has me thinking the same, that general enquires for vans has dropped.
    i have heard that sourcing vehicles have become much more difficult due to covid.

  • Kevin Mahoney

    Member
    October 3, 2022 at 12:10 pm

    Definitely a supply issue here now on new vehicles (largely due to the chip shortage blamed on the Russian invasion of Ukraine where most of the chips are manufactured) & the knock on effect to second hand vans has seen a 40% price increase. Also, a lot of customers are now terrified of buying diesel vans due to rising fuel costs. The last 2 vans done here last week were ordered over a year ago. Although we’re still really busy, I’m not doing many appointments after working hours which is almost unheard of here. But as Hugh said, I don’t think it’s time to panic yet, it’s been worse

  • David Hammond

    Member
    October 3, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    We primarily work on vehicle graphics.

    I agree, we’re not doing as many as usual, supply is an issue, even second hand.

    The upside being, that customers seem happier to pay more for their branding.

    On the other hand, material prices increasing regulalry, and the supply of materials makes it interesting, there seems to have been a surge in ‘pop up’ companies doing cheap vehicle signage, and DIY kits.

    We’re surviving by charging a fair price, but are far from ‘busy’.

  • Chris Wilson

    Member
    October 3, 2022 at 10:11 pm

    Vans we are ok on. Our lead time is to long for most new customers at the moment.

    Big signage though is few and far between. Plenty sitting in the quote stage. Just waiting for the button to be pushed, but most of the summer I’ve not quoted out a big sign job that’s made me smile at the total.

    Garments is busy.

  • RobertLambie

    Administrator
    October 5, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    There is a noticeable difference in the availability of vehicles, but we still do a good amount.
    As has been said, there are loads of delays on vehicle arrivals, many are over-priced, colour availability low and more.

    we had 6 vans booked in. all white vans with company branding. (a good existing customer)
    However, due to availability the following arrived:

    3 white.
    1 medium grey
    1 red
    1 blue

    the graphics had all been cut and ready for two weeks, so the customer said “just fit them as they are”.
    The black graphics on the grey and blue vans looked crap, the red van was at least acceptable, but what can you do?!
    he said he will come back in and get us to change the black to white. but still! 🤨

  • Mark Johnston

    Member
    October 6, 2022 at 7:15 am

    thanks guys!

    this gives me a bit of reassurance it is not just us!
    i have heard about van shortages but you know what it is like these days. as soon as something goes wrong, covid is blamed.

    we thought, surely if things are tough then more people would try and promote their company more with van graphics. even on old vans because you start looking at any way to get your name out there or maybe thats just me. 🤔

Log in to reply.