Mobile grooming trucks are some of the most colorful and visible on the road today, thanks to the creativity and sense of fun of their owners. Mobile grooming truck signs can range anywhere from the minimal and conservative to the full-image, full-wrap graphics reminiscent of roadside billboards. However, mobile groomers have one big advantage, their billboards go everywhere they go.
Should Reflect Groomer’s Personality
Before the digital age, truck signage was hand-painted, which limited what owners could put on their vehicles. But today, thanks to digital printing and some space-age substrates and adhesives, truck signage is only limited by the imagination of the owner. Truck signs should reflect the name of the business, as well as, personality of the owner. Lighter, more whimsical business names, such as “Rub-a-Dub, Three-Dogs-In-A-Tub”** may deserve a (or set of) brand character(s) of its own, while more serious business names, such as “Marty & Betty’s Grooms”** may include actual pet photos. The choices are plentiful and this will be one of the first decisions that you will have to make in your new mobile grooming business.
** These names are made-up by me and used for example only. I have no knowledge whether they actually exist and any similarity to an existing business is purely coincidental.
Should Fit The Area That You Are Working In
Truck signage is often the first contact that a potential customer will have with a grooming business. It must immediately convey a positive “first impression” or the mobile business owner will lose out. Truck graphics need to reflect the nature of the areas and regions that the groomer is working in. Owners need to be aware of how this impacts their business. Go too upscale and you will be perceived as “too expensive” in middle-class or rural communities. Not upscale enough, you will be perceived too “low class” to be considered in upscale neighborhoods. And in business, perception is everything.
Is It Worth The Expense?
Face it, at a time when you are putting out money to start a business, truck signage can seem a heavy burden for a new business owner. Depending on the size, and placement of the graphics and the price charged by the company doing the work, modern digital graphics can run to several thousands of dollars.
But looked at from a business perspective, the benefits out weigh the cost.
1. You will get many new customers who will approach you simply from seeing your van parked in a neighbors driveway during a grooming, or say at a shopping mall while you’re running a few errands.
2. You will be perceived as more “professional.” And professionals are able to ask for and receive higher fees for their services.
3. Truck graphics, today, are made from tough, sun-fade resistant materials, and will generally last the lifetime of the vehicle.
4. The cost of applying graphics is considered a business expense, and can be deducted from taxes owed. Make sure to include this expense when you’re working with your CPA.
Lastly, many companies that do the vehicle conversion, will also include the graphics in their package price, allowing you to finance the truck signage, same as the vehicle, over whatever period you choose to finance your vehicle. So when planning your new business, you will need to give some thought to your truck graphics.
