Curious about their potential? Take inspiration from the way these Signs.com customers used their car decals, and learn ways you can give it a spin.

 1. Create several that each serve a purpose

Take Angler’s 3D Outpost’s decals as an example. They’ve created multiple car decals featuring their logo, website, and a list of services. They also have decals of QR codes that link to their social media pages. 

With these relevant details on your car or vehicle decals, you turn it into a marketing tool that effectively introduces your business to potential customers at a glance – like a blown-up business card on wheels!

 

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2. Create a memorable, interactive brand experience

Look at how Mamas Play did it. In the reel, the owner invites viewers to honk their horns whenever they spot her driving by. This helps Mamas Play create a memorable and interactive brand experience with their community and cast a wider net to attract new clients. This non-intrusive and subtle approach allows your brand to strengthen brand engagement without being pushy or annoying but still stand out as a brand that cares.

 

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3. Turn it into a mobile advertisement

For The Real Amigos, whose RV lifestyle means their vehicle is their office, car decals are helpful in promoting their brand even when they’re on the move. With car decals, they can reach a wider audience wherever they go and enjoy 24/7 brand exposure at every stop they make. 

The Real Amigos’ decal features their logo and imagery related to fitness. The warm, energetic colors also complement their tagline, “Chasing Sunsets [since 2021],” creating a visually appealing and memorable representation of their brand.

 

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Car decals offer a dynamic and impactful way to reach your target audience. By putting car decals on your vehicles, your brand message is always on display, increasing your chances of connecting with potential customers at diverse times and places.

More than just printed adhesives, car decals are powerful marketing tools that can engage both new and existing customers, boost brand awareness, and leave a lasting impression. Get started with your own car decals today. Visit Signs.com and get help from professional designers or use our free car decals design templates.

Driving Your Business Forward: 3 Car Decal Strategies from Signs.com Customers

Granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a USDOT number is a unique identifier that’s placed on your company vehicles. The number allows for the monitoring and collecting of information for compliance reviews, inspections, crash investigations, and more.

Do you need a USDOT number? And, if so, how do you install one on your company vehicle(s)? Read on for more information.

Do You Need a USDOT Number?

The easiest and most sure way to determine if you require a USDOT number is to take the interactive quiz found on the FMCSA’s website. By answering and progressing through the questions, you’ll be able to quickly determine if you must have a USDOT number.

You’ll likely require a USDOT number if your company operates in interstate commerce and:

• You have vehicles that haul more than 10,000 pounds of cargo;
• You transport between nine and 15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation, whether direct or indirect;
• You transport 16 or more passengers;
• You haul hazardous materials.

A USDOT number may also be required if you deliver within one state, but cross through another state during delivery; and if you ship between two destinations in the same state, but the products originate outside of the state.

Beyond federal regulations, most states require companies operating intrastate commercial motor vehicles to obtain a USDOT Number. Check with your state’s intrastate commerce regulations for specific requirements.

Size, Color, Placement, More

So, you’ve determined that you do indeed need a USDOT number, and you have now secured that number from the FMCSA.

Here, then, is what you need to know regarding how that number must appear on your vehicle, and other specifics when it comes to installing a USDOT number:

• Placement: The USDOT number must be applied to the vehicle itself (not the trailer or some removable part of your vehicle), and it must be displayed on both sides of the coach or motor area (usually the driver’s cab). Typically, the numbers are applied to the cab doors or adjacent to the doors.
• Permanency: According to the FMCSA, the number must be permanently attached – that is, not taped or simply attached by magnets, etc.
• Size: The only stipulation the FMCSA makes when it comes to size is that the number must be visible from 50 feet during daylight hours. The minimum height we would suggest is 2 inches. Also: Some individual states do indicate a specific number height of 3-4 inches (check with your state’s guidelines for any restrictions).
• Color: To ensure visibility, the USDOT number should be printed in colors that contrast with the background – black on white, white on black, light color on a dark background, dark color on a light background, etc.
• Font/typeface: The FMCSA states that USDOT numbers should be printed with fonts that are easily read. Avoid ornate or other fancy fonts – clear and legible are what you need here.
• Other: Your USDOT number should include “USDOT” prior to your assigned number. In addition, some states require that your state abbreviation follows the USDOT number (check your state regulations).

Your USDOT Number Options

Here at Signs.com, we offer two options when it comes to USDOT numbers for your vehicle:

We can produce your USDOT number, along with lettering and/or graphics of your choice, using cut vinyl. Our vehicle lettering comes pre-spaced and pre-masked onto 2-mil, self-adhesive durable vinyl, so you can install it on your vehicle in minutes. The vinyl is durable and long-lasting (up to 8-10 years, depending on climate and usage), and is available in 35 different colors.

Another option is to have your USDOT number printed as a vehicle decal. We print our vehicle decals with UV inks onto either transparent or opaque adhesive vinyl. The vinyl and the inks are resistant to weather, fading, and abrasion.

In both cases, you can design online using our easy-to-use Design Tool (we have design templates available), or you can upload your own custom design. And, of course, if you need any help with files, uploading, or design in general, our free Design Services are there for you.

The Basics of USDOT Numbers: Signage 101

In this new installment of our Small Business Success Stories series, we sat down virtually with Matt Barklage of Chatty Treasures, a company that is printing custom messages onto the petals of roses. He has found success not only through his unique product, but also by not being hesitant to try some rather novel marketing approaches. Matt’s delivery vehicle sports a perforated vehicle decal and custom car lettering from Signs.com. 

Tell us about yourself
My name is Matt Barklage, and I live in Allentown, Pennsylvania. My wife (Maria) and I have owned and operated Chatty Treasures for two years.

What does your company do?
Chatty Treasures combines a beautiful live rose and a greeting card into a new, unique way of expression: We are able to print logos, pictures, and custom messages onto the petals of live roses and sell these online. Plus, we also print logos and custom messages onto fruit and sugar cookies. We deliver to the six-county Lehigh Valley here in Pennsylvania, and we ship all over the USA.

Where did the idea of your company come from?
We bought the rights to the floral-printing technology for the northeastern U.S. from Speaking Roses in Utah. We later added cookie printing into our business, as well as printing onto buns – I felt that it would be cool to offer cookies and buns as an added income opportunity.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am very much into restoring classic cars.

‘Just to See You Smile’

What sets you apart from your competition?
We purchase our roses at an amazing price, and we then pass the savings along to our customers. I can work with other florists and we also are able to work on-site – if it’s a wedding venue, for instance, I will be on site at the wedding to print the roses from the florists.

How do you market your business?
We utilize social media (Facebook and LinkedIn). Plus, we’re involved with Business Owners Trade Alliance (BOTA), a large barter exchange that serves our region – I’ve been able to share my business with 350 other business owners I was not previously familiar with, and I’ve received multiple orders from them. I also advertise and do wedding shows and trade shows to get the word out about our business. And, our delivery vehicle carries our marketing message (with lettering from Signs.com).

How do you ‘wow’ your customers?
I think that treating every customer like family is tremendously important, as is our attention to detail. We also make sure each step in the process is conveyed to the buyer – so that they feel like a part of it.

What are one or two strategies for gaining customers that you have been successful with?
We have been very successful using Facebook as a means to offer special promotions. I will order a few dozen roses, print “Just to see you Smile” on them, then go on Facebook and give them away. But, to receive a free rose, they must share a picture of the rose on their Facebook page prior to receiving it, therefore doubling or tripling our presence on Facebook.

How do you compete with competitors that are bigger than you?
I try to show local florists what we can do on a rose petal and offer them discounted pricing so that they can offer our printed roses to their customers. So I’m not necessarily competing with them – instead, I’m using their know-how and customer base to grow the Chatty Treasures brand.

The Importance of Listening

What’s one of the biggest challenges you have had with your business? How were you able to overcome this?
When we started out, getting our product to the marketplace was very difficult. So I bought a large quantity of roses, printed “Just To See You Smile” on them, and then drove around town and gave them away to a ton of women and men. In the beginning it was very random, but I then switched to the Facebook strategy I outlined earlier. I’m going to try something a bit different in the near future: I am going to go to the state police, as well as our local police, and hand out some printed roses with “Thank You for All You Do” messages on them.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have opened a retail space. When we bought the license, we also bought a package that allowed us to open a brick-and-mortar store. But we must grow much larger before that will happen.

What is one thing you would do over and over – and recommend that everyone else do as well?
I think that businesses need to listen more to their customers (as well as suppliers like myself). If businesses listened more to what their customers want, they would be much better off – see my next note.

Is there a book that you would recommend our community should read?
The Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness, by Jeffrey Gitomer. Many sales people don’t know when to stop talking and start listening. You can sell anything to a customer if you just listen – they will tell you what they want to buy.

A New Way to Express

Can you speak to your growth to this point – and why you think it will continue?
Chatty Treasures is so unique, offering customers a new way to express their feelings. Our growth has occurred because we make the person receiving the roses feel special. And I think this growth will continue because we’re totally different – and affordable.

Where can you be found on the internet?

Our website: www.chattytreasures.com, and on Facebook and Linkedin.

Small Business Success Story: Chatty Treasures

If you’re asking what’s the difference between decals and stickers, you’re probably looking to buy one. The trick is figuring out which one is right for you. Decals and stickers are very similar. Oftentimes, they are used interchangeably. Decals, stickers, and labels are all comprised of two layers: a paper backing and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is placed on the paper backing (usually some form of wax paper or something equivalent) and the design is printed on the front of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer can be made of a number of materials including vinyl, paper, and aluminum.

When it comes to buying decals, stickers, or something else like labels, there are a number of things to consider: intended use, size/quantity, application surface/location, and lifespan. Check out the table at the bottom of this post for a comprehensive guide to figure out which sticker/decal is right for you.

Intended Use

Decals, labels, and stickers share many of the same qualities, but the key differences lie in their intended use. Typically stickers are used for logos and illustrations. Labels are used for more informative purposes such as product packaging. And decals are used for decoration or advertising purposes on floors, windows, walls, vehicles, etc..

Size/Quantity

Stickers and labels are usually smaller in nature and applied to smaller products such as laptops, water bottles, and other product packaging. Decals, on the other hand, are usually larger and applied to things such as walls, windows, floors, and vehicles.

Because of their size, decals are usually ordered in smaller quantities. A business might order one wall decal for their wall and/or one window decal for their window. Stickers are ordered in quantities of one to many. Businesses may want to buy stickers with their company’s logo to hand out to employees or customers. Because of their intended use, labels are sold in rolls and come in large quantities. Check out our Roll Labels for more information.

Application Surface/Location

As mentioned above, decals are great for walls, windows, and floors. With that said, there are a number of different types of decals. A decal that goes on the floor is different than a decal that would go on a wall and both of those are different than a decal that would go on a window. If you’re looking for a decal/sticker that can be used outdoors and is more permanent, check out our permanent decals.

Stickers are typically used for small format advertising. They are typically applied to smooth surfaces and can be easily removed. If you’re looking for something that’s easy to install, stickers are perfect. People like to decorate their laptops, notebooks, and water bottles in stickers.

Labels are primarily used on product packaging: jars, cans, bags, bottles, etc. They come in rolls making them quick and easy to install on numerous items.

Lifespan

Another important factor to consider is lifespan. Decals last the longest, followed by stickers, and then labels. If you are looking for something that will last over a year, you will want to go with some type of decal. If you’re looking for something that is small and quick and easy to install, you’ll want to go with a sticker or label.

Decals, Stickers, and Labels

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