The possibilities are endless when it comes to picking out decorative elements for your vehicle.
For some drivers, interior designs like bobbleheads, colorful seat covers, and cushions are the way to go. However, for others, exterior design elements are more preferable.
You might come across vehicles with customized highlights and accents that are intended to make them stand out. Some of them might have decals.
What’s the Deal with Car Decals?
Car decals are basically stickers with enhanced durability because of their layers. Most decals have two layers of paper with one design layer sandwiched between them.
A car decal is usually placed outside of the vehicle, particularly in places like the hood, roof, windows, and bumper.
What Are Car Decals For?
For many drivers, decals aren’t considered useless elements plastered on their vehicle’s paint job. Decals generally serve three purposes:
For Decorating the Vehicle
Putting up decals is one way of making your vehicle stand out. There are thousands of designs you can choose from, and you have the creative freedom to put up decals anywhere you like.
Unlike design elements that are more permanent like paint, decals are considered temporary, so you can remove them anytime and put up new ones.
For Advertising a Product or Service
Many companies use decals to advertise their products and services. A lot of fleet cars, trucks, and other vehicles will have decals attached to them as a way to catch the attention of pedestrians.
Because these vehicles are always on the go, the business can reach a broader audience when promoting their product or service. Vehicles used for advertising usually have big and bold decals paired with a catchy message, as well as phone numbers and links to their website.
For Expressing One’s Personality
Custom decals for cars are great design elements that let drivers express themselves more creatively and freely.
Features of Car Decals
Car decals are a popular design element because of the following:
They’re Durable
Car decals are typically made from vinyl or polyester, making them more durable than regular stickers.
Because of the material they’re made of, decals are suitable for outdoor display. They can also withstand tough weather conditions and temperature changes due to rain, snow, and extreme heat.
The Options Are Endless
The sky’s the limit when it comes to browsing decal designs. Aside from popular images and quotes, you can also come up with your own design and have it printed out as a decal sticker.
They’re Cost-Effective
Car decals don’t have to cost much. They’re affordable design elements that can definitely spruce up your ride.
There are, however, some instances where the price of decals, especially customized ones, can vary. It depends on where you’re planning to get them done.
Still, shelling out a few bucks for a high-quality decal sticker can be worth it in the long run because it’s made to be more durable.
How Are Car Decals Made?
Car decals are typically produced using a clear base or white base vinyl.
The adhesive can be applied to the inside of a surface so the design can be seen from the outside. It can also be applied to the back if the decal is intended to be placed outside.
Decal designs are often cut-to-shape, but they can also be contoured for cutting. Decals will usually have a translucent transfer tape over the design for easy application.
Removing decals is generally easy and doesn’t leave any residue from the adhesive. However, a removed decal can’t be reused.
Car Decals vs. Regular Stickers
While decals can be referred to as stickers, stickers can’t be considered as decals for many reasons.
First, stickers are made from thinner materials than the ones used for decals. In most cases, stickers are made from paper, so they’re only intended for indoor applications.
When exposed to the elements, sticker designs are quick to fade and break down.
Another reason why stickers can’t be decals is because they’re only meant to last for a short period of time. Unlike decals, stickers don’t come with transfer tapes.
Lastly, removing stickers can be quite troublesome. In some cases, you won’t be able to peel off the entire material in one go, and you might need to use an adhesive remover or a combination of soap and water.
Factors to Consider When Putting Up Decals
Before you get crazy with car decals, there are a couple of important things you should keep in mind.
Car Decal Size and Dimensions
The decal size will depend on your vehicle’s size. You wouldn’t want to get a large decal that overshadows your vehicle’s natural design elements or covers some important features. On the other hand, a small decal might not even stand out if you have a large vehicle.
Common size recommendations for car decals include:
- Hood decals: 12-24 inches wide
- Roof decals: 24-36 inches wide
- Window decals: 4-12 inches wide
- Bumper decals: 4-8 inches wide
Design
There are thousands of available designs when it comes to decal stickers. You can pick out the most popular ones, or you can have one custom made.
If you’re aiming for your decal sticker to become a statement piece for your vehicle, it’s also a good idea to consider the complexity of the design.
A complicated design might be hard to understand, so you might want to go for a simpler one.
Placement
Also, consider where you want to place the decal. It’s important to place it in a location where your vision won’t be obstructed while you’re driving.
Local Regulations
If you’re planning to put up decals on your windshield, be sure to check state regulations first. Some states have laws that limit the size of decals on vehicles.
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
