Print Design
Van and Vehicle Graphics Design in Glasgow: Artwork, Costs and What Works
A branded van is advertising you already pay to drive around Glasgow. What the artwork costs, what to put on it and how to work with the company that fits it.
Published 17 October 2026Updated 23 October 20264 min read
What vehicle graphics artwork costs
Vehicle graphics artwork starts from £350. That covers designing the layout and preparing print-ready files for your sign-maker or wrap installer. The vinyl, printing and fitting are supplied by them and quoted separately.
Magnetic van signs: the low-cost option
If a wrap or fitted vinyl is more than you need, magnetic signs stick to a steel van or car door and come off when you want them to. They're printed on 0.85mm gloss white magnetic vinyl and ordered from my print shop, with UK delivery included: a pair of A2 signs, one for each door, costs £73, and a pair of A1 signs costs £112. They need a flat steel panel to hold on to, so test a fridge magnet on the door first. Magnetic van signs lists every size and price.
| Size | One sign | A pair |
|---|---|---|
| A3 (297 × 420mm) | £46 | £56 |
| A2 (420 × 594mm) | £55 | £73 |
| A1 (594 × 841mm) | £73 | £112 |
Design for a moving vehicle
People see a van for a few seconds, often at an angle or in traffic. The design needs your business name, what you do in a few words, and a phone number or web address that can be read from a distance. That is usually enough. Long service lists and small text simply disappear.
Work with the shape of the vehicle
Doors, handles, windows, wheel arches and panel joins all cut through artwork. Good vehicle graphics are designed around them, not over them. Your sign-maker can supply an accurate template for your make and model, and the artwork should be designed to that template rather than a generic outline.
Full wrap, part wrap or decals
A full wrap gives the most impact but costs the most to fit. A part wrap or well-placed decals on a coloured van often look just as professional for a fraction of the cost. The right choice depends on your budget, how long you will keep the vehicle and how strong your brand colours are.
Keep it consistent with your brand
Your van should look like the same business as your website, uniforms and printed material. If your logo files are low quality, fix that first, because vehicle graphics need vector logo files that scale cleanly to several metres. My background in automotive campaign design for dealers including Belmont Motor Group means I am used to designing for vehicles and the people who buy them.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does van graphics design cost in Glasgow?
- From a senior freelance designer, vehicle graphics artwork starts from around £350. Printing and fitting are quoted separately by your sign-maker.
- Do you fit the graphics?
- No. I design the artwork and prepare print-ready files for your sign-maker or wrap installer, who prints and fits it.
- What do I need to provide?
- Your logo files (ideally vector), the make and model of the vehicle, and the template from your sign-maker if you have one.
Written by Ross Boag
Need help with design, websites or branding?
Ross Boag is a senior freelance graphic designer in Glasgow with 12+ years of agency and in-house experience, for brands including Hilton, Volvo and Jim Beam. He also designs logos and brand identities and websites, and prints the work through his online print shop, for businesses across Glasgow, Scotland and the UK.