Food truck wraps

Design for the open hatch, not the parked truck

Most trucks spend their working life with a serving flap raised, which hides or flips whatever is on it. Sketch the truck in trading mode first. The underside of the flap faces your queue, so it is a useful place for a logo. Keep your name high on the body, above people's heads, as customers will block the lower half. Your trailer's shape varies from a converted horsebox to a box van, so any graphic design work needs real measurements and photos.

Heat, grease and cleaning products

Food truck wraps have a harder life than film on a delivery van. Extraction outlets vent warm, oily air, so film nearby can stain or lift unless the area is left clear. Regular degreasers and pressure washing can also attack edges. Ask us which film and laminate suit your setup, and follow the cleaning advice for the material. Cut around vents, gas lockers and fridge grilles, as these need to stay accessible, and your gas engineer or food safety adviser may have views as well.

Keep the wrap fixed and the menu flexible

Prices and specials change far more often than your brand does, so resist printing them into the wrap. A better approach:

• Wrap the truck with your name, cuisine and social handle
• Add a removable menu board in foamex or a chalkboard panel
• Use small vinyl stickers for items such as allergen notices or event dates

That way a price rise costs you a board rather than a wrap. See vehicle graphics for other types of film.

Related topics

• Car door graphics
• Car dealership graphics
• Van lettering