After many weeks of rain, wind and even snow, spring is finally on its way, meaning the days are getting longer, the weather is slightly warmer and (dare we say it?) there is a tad more sunshine. In this new light you may start to notice that your van’s livery is starting to look a bit worn out, so it may be time to give it a spring clean. Here, we look at four ways to approach this feat, helping you save money and time in the long run:
Assess your Livery
When it comes to sprucing up your livery the first thing you need to do is asses its current state, otherwise you’ll end up paying for more than you need. In order to do this properly, the first thing you will need to do is give your van, or any other commercial vehicle, a proper clean. Over the winter dirt tends to build up on commercial vehicles, as most owners feel that cleaning them would be a waste of time as they will just get dirty again five minutes later! After giving your commercial vehicle a proper clean (inside and out!) you will not only be able to get a better idea of the state of your livery, but also your tyres, alloys and general paintwork.
If everything is starting to look a bit tired, and you’ve owned the vehicle for a substantial amount of time, it may be better to think about investing in a new one, rather than doing up the one you have.
Look at your Company’s Successes over the Past Year
Most companies that rely on commercial vehicles to complete their day to day tasks usually offer a number of services to their clients in order to gain business. For example, if you run a delivery or logistics company you would have probably delivered a range of different products for companies in various sectors over the past twelve months. You may have found during this time that you have made more connections with one type of business than any other, so you can take advantage of this fact and have your livery advertise that you are a specialist in this industry.
Other successes you should consider including on your livery is fast turnarounds, low costs, or any other unique selling point that distinguishes you from your competitors.
Design your Livery
Once you have decided what information you want to include in your livery, it’s time to get out your pens and paper and start coming up with some eye-catching designs. Unfortunately, not everyone is gifted with great art skills, so if you think that designing your own livery isn’t for you try asking others in your company for their ideas. You can also look at similar companies’ livery for inspiration, however try not to let them influence you too much as you want your livery to stand out compared to your competitors.
If worst comes to worst you can always hire a professional graphic designer to come up with your new livery designs, however this is usually only a good idea if you are planning a complete overhaul as it can be rather costly.
Livery Application and Care
After the time and money you will spend on your new livery, the last thing you should do is try to apply it yourself unless you have all the required tools and skills. Most companies that print livery will also offer to apply it to your vehicle, and many even do this at your premises meaning you won’t have to worry about travel costs. Before you hire anyone to apply your livery, double check that they have substantial experience and are covered by motor trader or fleet insurance, as any accidental damages may not be covered by your van insurance.
Don’t forget to also compare van insurance quotes before your have your livery applied, as you will want to make sure that your policy will pay out should it become damaged. To keep your livery in top condition you should also take great care when washing it – most manufacturers advise to hand wash all livery with cold or warm water using only soft brushes or cloths. The more you care for your livery the longer it will last, ultimately saving you and your business money!