When compared to the crucial process of building a fire engine, designing and picking fire truck graphics may appear to be a little effort. Visual components of the equipment, on the other hand, must be carefully considered in the early phases of fire engine design.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)1901 Section 4.21, fire truck graphics provide a crucial safety component while also providing fire agencies with possibilities for distinction and personalization.
Fire truck logos and pictures are frequently a powerful reflection of a fire department’s pride and dedication to the local community.
We will give you insights on what to consider when selecting fire truck graphics selection.
Revise and Customize
- Logo
Insignias have deep meanings and are of the most sacred values. It can mean a lot of things, and it can engrave in everyone’s minds and hearts.
Most people might overlook this matter. When designing a fire truck, a logo or symbol plays a significant role in trust and identification. It is also of great importance when highlighting this area.
- Unit Number
It is common in all vehicles of all public departments. The unit number is functioned to identify the fire protection district or station to which the truck belongs.
Having this part customized and placed on the right side of the vehicle gives people the information on where to find or contact the nearest department. It is a significant number that one must select carefully, color, design, and size.
- City Name
Aside from representing the city, it also gives pride. Having a decal that presents your community with a quality and clean design is a feature that is a must.
- Quotes
There are many decals in the fire departments that all districts are proud of their unique customized graphic designs and the best appeal that describes them.
Using quotes may sound a bit immature, but aside from symbols or logos, a saying is a feature that will be embedded in a person’s mind for a long time and contributes to personal identification.
- Flags
Who are the most patriotic if not our government officers? Your fire trucks can also have a decal of a flag that represents your country proudly. It may also give life and a bright upbringing to everyone that sees you roaming in the community in that fire truck.
Customize and Don’t Compromise
Aside from fire truck decorative design ideas, you also need to understand and learn the different types of materials used for graphic designing your truck.
Decorative Graphic Materials
- Fire Truck Vinyl Graphics – a non-reflective material that is used for signages in fire trucks.
- Scotchlite – a high-visibility, long-lasting reflective material that meets NFPA standards.
- Gold Leaf – The usage of gold leaf lettering on fire apparatus dates back decades ago, and many departments have a long history with the application. A hand-burled 23-carat gold leaf is used in this one-of-a-kind application.
- Printed Gold Leaf Effect – this is created using design software. The hue and pattern resemble a burled gold leaf pattern. We make a design and then print it on Scotchlite reflective material. It is a low-cost method of replicating the appearance of substantial gold leaf writing.
- Sign Gold – Many fire stations choose Sign Gold to gold leaf and printed golf leaf effects because it is a gold-colored graphic choice. Sign gold is a machine-made material that cuts into sheets and manually cuts into the desired form and size on a printer.
Reflective Graphics Materials
- 3M Scotchlite -Because of its high reflectivity and ability to lie flat, 3M Scotchlite is a flexible reflective material. As a result, it requires no edge sealing and maybe cut and placed right away.
- 3M Diamond Grades – compared to other materials, 3M Diamond Grade has the most reflective qualities. Its one-of-a-kind design provides a thicker honeycomb effect than other reflective material alternatives. As a result, throughout the application procedure, the edges must be sealed.
- Oralite – is a flat, reflective material that can be cut and applied right away without the need for edge sealing.
Fire departments are only authorized three reflective colors on the rear of the vehicle according to NFPA standards. Although, the sides and front of the vehicle are permitted to use any reflective color the department desires.
Don’t Get Stuck Designing Your Fire Truck
It may be a little bit complex to choose and follow the instructions for designing your fire truck. The best way for you to know and get assistance is to contact professionals in the field of fire truck graphics and optimize the look and safety features of your fire truck.