Great Lettering Blog

What I mean by “mobile advertising” is advertising on your vehicle, not a cell phone. The info here can be used in conjunction with an earlier post about the benefits of using your vehicle to advertise.

Here are just a few simple tips to keep in mind when designing lettering and graphics for your mobile-marketing-machine:

1) Your website address

• Use only top level domain URL’s
  • The shorter the URL the better because it’s much easier for other drivers to remember since most people wont write down what they see while driving (this is also why it’s good to have your URL on the sides and back of your vehicle - so don’t get mad if you find more people are tailgating you now … they’re just trying to read your website address!).
• Eliminate “http://” and sometimes “www”
  • Typing “http://” is not required to enter in browsers and is just a waste of space. In most cases, adding the “www” before the domain name is also not necessary (ie. www.greatlettering.com is the same as greatlettering.com). Make sure to test your domain name without the “www” before using it in any advertising ‘cuz you never know.
• Capitalize where appropriate
  • Use both upper and lower case letters in your URL to help the reader identify and remember your site (ie. GreatLettering.com is more appealing and memorable than greatlettering.com).
• Use color
  • Use bright colors to attract driver’s attention (if your vehicle is dark, use a lighter/brighter color - do the opposite for a light color vehicle).

2) Don’t go overboard

We’ve all seen the vehicles that have WAY TO MUCH going on to even read what they do. The basic rule-of-thumb is just like any other type of advertising, KEEP IT SIMPLE & TO THE POINT.

• Your Name (and/or Logo)
• What you do (one line in as few words as possible)
• Means to contact you (web URL, phone number or both)
• THAT’S IT!!!

3) Don’t use cheesy clipart graphics

Remember, you’re driving your vehicle everywhere - you want to present a sense of professionalism not “Hey look! My 8 year old son found me this clipart graphic of a guy with a hammer running and I put it on my van”. COME ON! No one will hire a contractor with grade school art on their truck. If you don’t have a logo, find a good designer to create one for you. It’s all about Image and don’t forget it … because “they” wont!

Stick to these simple steps and you’re on your way to getting more business.

We’ll keep this post open and may add more steps as they come in. If you’re got something to add, please post a comment.

Filed under: Vehicle Letternig, Tips by Great Lettering
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‘Tis the season for boat lettering and registration numbers that is (actually it’s been since March). We’re busy creating a lot of boat names and hull identification numbers for our customers … so I thought it might be a good idea to post some pertinent information regarding the details of these names and numbers here.

Remember each State is different, but for the most part the following holds true of most:

Hull Identification Numbers (otherwise known as ‘boat registration numbers)

No person shall operate on the waters of this state (your state) a vessel, unless the vessel displays the assigned hull identification number. A hull identification number is unique to the vessel and allows its positive identification.

The hull identification number must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed or otherwise permanently affixed (we prefer adhesive vinyl) to the outboard side of the transom or, if there is no transom, to the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull that bears the rudder or other steering mechanism, above the waterline of the vessel in such a way that alteration, removal or replacement would be obvious and evident.

The characters of the hull identification number must be of not less than 12 in number and no less than one-fourth inch in height (every state differs so check with your local Fish and Wildlife website for correct dimensions). Vessels for which the manufacturer has provided no hull identification number and homemade vessels constructed or assembled by the owner shall be assigned a hull identification number by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Any questions regarding the hull identification number on a vessel should be directed to the nearest Fish and Wildlife Office or to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Customer Service Center which can be found by doing a quick search online with your state name included.

Check out this site for some good Boat Education information.

Hope this info helps.

Filed under: Boat Lettering by Great Lettering
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