Custom vehicle wraps and signs are a big investment, so it’s important to pay close attention to the details before production begins. After all, even minor mistakes can be costly and time-consuming! To ensure your project is a success, we’ve compiled a list of items you should thoroughly inspect when you receive your proof.

We created this proof for Hyundai of Cool Springs. It's a great representation of how the van would look after the vinyl wrap installation.

We send proofs like the one above to all of our vehicle wrap customers. We also create proofs for most custom signage projects. Most of our customers carefully review their proofs, however, we still occasionally have to reprint jobs even after a proof has been signed.

To help avoid mistakes, here’s a list of the items you should very closely examine.

1. Copy

Misspellings, missed punctuation and other grammatical errors can potentially damage your brand. We do our best to catch these, however, sometimes misspelled names can get by us. So thoroughly read all text (many times) and ask others within your company to read it as well. Also pay attention to phone numbers, registration numbers, social media icons, etc.

2. Fonts

Fonts are especially important if your company requires consistency in branding. Most larger companies have a style guide that should give our designers information about fonts, colors, logo usage, etc. If you’re a small business or just getting started and are working with a marketing agency to develop your brand, be sure to request a summary of fonts, vector art and PMS colors.

Fonts should also be easily legible from a distance. Are they large enough? If more than one font is used, do they work well together? When it comes to signs and vehicle wraps, it’s important to get your point across quickly.

3. Colors

Colors are also extremely important in all types of signage, so pay attention to the colors in your proof. Bold colors with nice contrast are recommended, especially for vehicle wraps. But be careful not to go overboard. Too many colors can detract from your message.

If a company's Pantone colors aren't available, we do our best to color match other branded items with a Pantone color swatch. 

We will also ask for your company’s brand colors (if available). This will allow us to match your colors precisely. We use the Pantone system to match colors when possible. We often print and provide vinyl color samples for vehicle wraps and larger branding jobs, like wall murals. If you’re new to proofing and brand recognition, we can provide PMS colors which you can give to other vendors for consistency.

4. Overall Design

This proof for Lancaster Christian Academy's logo sign shows not only the front of the sign, but also the thickness of the sign and how it will look from the side.

Look at the design as a whole. Is the design pleasing to the eye? Does the artwork have good balance and spacing between elements? Ask others within your company for their opinion as well. Remember that you only get one chance to make a great first impression, so make sure your design will be noticed!

5. Small Details in the Artwork

The images above show two areas close up on a wrap for 3-D Technology. Notice the small details that provide nice dimension on this custom wrap!

When reviewing the design, be sure to also look very closely to ensure you don’t miss important details. We often incorporate interesting patterns, stock artwork and other unique items into our designs. To see all of those details, be sure to zoom in on every part of the proof. These elements will be much larger on the final product.

Proofing a Vehicle Wrap? Also Pay Attention to:

There are just a couple of additional items you should look for if you’re reviewing a proof for a vehicle wrap.

• Be sure the vehicle in the proof is the correct year, make, model & package. (This is very important!)
• Look at all sides of the design. Do they contain your logo and contact information for your company? Does the overall design look balanced and aligned properly?

There are a lot of important details to consider when reviewing a proof. Only authorize a proof when you’re 100% sure it’s ready for production. Also, be certain that everyone on your team is given the opportunity to review the design (many times) before you sign off.

Interested in learning more about our proofing process or custom projects? Give us a call at (615) 595-6564 or click on the button below.

We specialize in vehicle advertising wraps, environmental branding, custom signage, architectural displays, window graphics, wall murals, and custom projects. We’re located in Franklin, TN, but we serve Nashville, Hendersonville, Mt. Juliet, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Brentwood, and Spring Hill. We also ship our custom work all over the United States and Canada. We look forward to working with you!