Vehicle Wrap/ Banner Design Process

[ishfaqbaijoo]

Hello,

I'm about to design a wrap for a vehicle. I am NEW to all this.

Here's what the printing company told me:

"As for production, I would need the native files (Illustrator preferred).

We don’t provide any template. We normally take dimensions on vehicle and resize where needed.

If vehicle is not available for measurements, we take a blueprint of same vehicle on the internet."

So where do I start?

Do I go and measure the vehicle?

What size to create artboard?

Please help! Thanks.

[Lishman_97]

Hello,

If you know the make/model of the vehicle (you will also need things such as roof detail i.e. high, medium or low roof along with the wheel base) then you can find templates on the internet

I suggest using a website called 'Sign Elements' although you do have to pay for templates at a subscription per month cost (other websites are available, this is just the best one to my knowledge)

These sort of websites should have practically all vehicle outlines where you can start to draw your graphics up

Also, depending on the software they use in-house and if they are using self-coloured vinyl or printed graphics for the van, the files should be supplied in either an Illustrator 3 format (as it is compatible with older plotter software) or as an Illustrator file

Hope this helps

[ishfaqbaijoo]

Ok, now tell me the process in steps! PLZ

[Monika Gause]

Please ask at which point exactly you experience issues.

If you don't have any clue on how to start a project in Illustrator, you might want to read the documentation on how to set up a file.

Set up a new document |

If you don't know how to create any artwork in Illustrator, you might want to either ask an expert to do it for you or take a lesson. ACEs will happily provide you with either (paid service).

Find an expert in your area: Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) Finder | Adobe Training & Certification

Maybe you prefer learning by video (paid service):

Illustrator Tutorials and Training • lynda.com

[ishfaqbaijoo]

Im good at Illustrator. I;m having issues setting up the document artboard and other technical aspects

[Monika Gause]

What exactly are your issues. Please describe.

[ishfaqbaijoo]

Ok,

1. I do not know any dimensions.

2. I am unsure, do i take the blueprint/template and start mocking up the parts of the vehicle?

3. Do I create different artboards for each sides of the vehicle? (once i get the dimensions)

4. HOW to deliver the files, without the template or, the design on the template?

Or the set of artboards as mentionned in point 3 above.

Thanks

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

When you start with this, you will have to know dimensions. Period.

You will need to search for them, demand them from the client, whatever.

Contact the car manufacturer for a data sheet, search clip art companies (there are companies specialized in providing exactly this and you might need to bite the bullet and pay for it)

Place the blueprint in Illustrator and draw your design on it. You have made a layout or scribble already?

It makes sense to put this on different artboards. Maybe even different files. Depending on the size of the car you might need to work in scale.

Ask the printing company about #4. We can't read their mind unfortunately. Most probably they will need the template as well. But they will also have the car and will take additional measure directly from the vehicle and then compare with your file and maybe make adjustments. What they told you sounds like they don't want to talk to you. Unfortunately you need to cooperate with them. I don't know who is at fault for this communication failure, but you will need to fix it. You need their knowledge and experience. This forum cannot replace it.

[ishfaqbaijoo]

Ok, after getting the dimensions, say for the side of the vehicle, now i create an artboard and start designing at 10% scale?

And could you pls clarify here: Place the blueprint in Illustrator and draw your design on it. You have made a layout or scribble already? is it absolutely necessary to do this blueprint thing?

Thanks

[Monika Gause]

You will need to put everything on an artboard in order to be able to export it.

A scribble is not necessary, but it helps a lot.

Have you ever done design before?

[Ray Yorkshire]

I would be interesting to learn how to do it too.

Have just  started watching this video on YouTube,

How To Design A Vehicle Wrap in Illustrator - YouTube

How To Set Up A Vehicle Wrap Design File - YouTube

kind of slow delivery, but seems to know what he is doing (I hope...)

Appears you can buy blueprints here:

The-Blueprints.com - The largest free blueprint collection on the Internet

[Guest]

Hey, this thread was extremely helpful for me. Actually I was also seeking help regarding the [link removed by moderator] design process for my new car. There are many services but I want to make my own design. Thanks a lot for your replies!

[Expotube3143651629oq]

Hello,

I'm about to design a wrap for a vehicle. I am NEW to all this.

Here's what the printing company told me:

"As for production, I would need the native files (Illustrator preferred).

We don’t provide any template. We normally take dimensions on vehicle and resize where needed.

If vehicle is not available for measurements, we take a blueprint of same vehicle on the internet."

So where do I start?

Do I go and measure the vehicle?

What size to create artboard?

Please help! Thanks.

By ishfaqbaijoo

Hey there,

Yes, the first step is usually to measure the vehicle if it's available. If not, you can find the blueprint online of the same model. Once you have the dimensions, you create the design in Illustrator to those specifications.

Artboard size should correspond to the actual dimensions of the vehicle, but keep in mind that Illustrator works in vector graphics, so scaling up or down won't lose quality. The most important thing is to maintain the same aspect ratio as the vehicle to ensure your design fits properly.

Good luck with your project!

[Kathleene25084578im4v]

"The most important thing is to maintain the same aspect ratio as the vehicle to ensure your design fits properly.

Good luck with your project!"

I really didn't understand the aspect ratio. Can you please elaborate? I'm really having a hard time. 

[Monika Gause]

A design made for the shape of a Ferrari probably will not scale so well to the shape of an SUV.

[Bobby Henderson]

At my workplace we don't trust any stock templates. In my experience they're never on the money in terms of measurements. They can be off a little bit or a lot. Some vehicles have many different models too. Clients who want vehicles wrapped must bring the vehicle to us so we can measure it and take photos.

There is a lot of different things to do and NOT do when designing vehicle wraps. For instance, don't design a lot of things that are expected to line up from the vehicle's hood over into the side panels. Most wrap designers leave that transition area alone so they don't give the installers a massive headache. The same applies to the transition area from back of the vehicle to the rear side panels. Generally we try to include at least a few inches or more of bleed in the printed sheets of vinyl (but not too much because wrap quality vinyl is fairly expensive). Some graphical items may be printed and contour cut separately as items to overlay over a printed background. This is a good way to overcome issues where things like logos or other elements have to be placed precisely on doors, the vehicle hood, etc. Look at lots of other vehicle wrap designs and how specific zones of the vehicle were handled, especially those transition areas.