The best Places to Find Custom Car Decals
So, you just bought a hot new sports car or 4-wheeler, and you're cruising down the interstate with your temporary plate flapping in the breeze. Uh oh! You've just spotted three vehicles that look just like yours, one of them even had the same rims! Wasn't the whole point of buying this particular car was to stand out from the usual crowd? Now your day has been ruined by the realization that your new wheels aren't so unique after all. Maybe it's time to personalize your hot new ride with custom graphics.
If that new ride is costing you a big chunk of change, you can update your look with a vinyl window decal on the top edge of the windshield, advertising your vehicle's make or model. This may set you back $30 - $50. Give up double cheeseburgers for a week, and that should cover it. Its costs about the same for a similar decal for the rear bumper area. Check out bobwhitedecals.com and decalcenter.com for stock car name decals such as these. If you are restoring a classic car, check out phoenixgraphix.com for authentic classic car decals.
If however, you are looking for a way to spend that rebate check, you can go all out and get some real head-turning custom race car style graphics. There are many dealers on the internet who sell stock and custom vinyl graphics made for application on the car's quarter panel and hood. One such site is eDecals.com.
Suddenly you shudder when you realize that the other guy who was driving the car just like yours, may be getting the same idea... and what if the unthinkable happens... he buys the same decal that you buy. Maybe its time to get creative and design your own unique graphics. If you are artistic and know how to create awesome graphics with CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator, go for it! But if you know what you want, but need artistic help, that's no problem either. Comb through your yellow pages under sign companies, and find those who specialize in vinyl signs and vehicle graphics. These companies apply lettering to commercial trucks. Commercial jobs are their bread and butter, but they love working on more creative jobs, like your car.
Get quotes from two or three of these local sign companies. give each of these companies, the same size and color specifications to get a fair comparison. Also, let them know if you need them to create it from your sketch or you if have already designed it. If they don't have to draw your design, you should save on the creative fee. Ask them what kind of file output they need, and whether they can receive it by email, or if you need to bring it on a CD or memory key. Other things that determine price is over all dimensions, the number of colors in the design, and whether you are using expensive vinyls, such as rainbow blends, prism effects, etc. If their price is too high, cut back on size or number of colors (each color is a new piece of vinyl, they need to cut). Ask the sign maker the best way to reduce your cost. He or she probably has some creative ways to handle this.
Once you decide on the company, visit them and ask to see their portfolio of work. They lovev showing off the cool stuff. Bring your car with you, so that you show the sign maker your vehicle, and pick out just the right colors to work with your car's paint color. Most companies can have your decals ready in 24-48 hours, depending on how busy they are. Allow more time if they need to order vinyl for your job. In a few days, the sign company will apply your cool new graphics to your car, often in your own driveway or garage, while you watch.
Now, you can get back on that highway and turn some heads, especially the head of that other guy who only bought the window decal. Enjoy the ride!
