Van Sign Writing Ideas: What to Put on Your Van (UK)

Your van is parked outside a job all day. People walk past it. Cars sit behind it at the lights.

But it's a plain van. Nobody knows who you are or what you do. So no one calls.

One customer asked me for "my phone num in bigger diggits so i can stick it at the back of my van". He was right. If people can't read your number, you lose jobs you never even hear about. Here are simple van sign writing ideas: what to put on your van, where it goes, and how to keep it easy to read.

What to put on your van signs: the 4 must-haves

Most vans only need four things. Get these right first.

• Your business name. Big and clear. This is what people remember.
• What you do. 3 to 5 words. "Plumbing & Heating". "Electrician". "Driveways & Patios". Don't make people guess.
• One phone number. Just one. A mobile is fine. Make it the biggest thing after your name.
• Your website or Facebook page. People check you out before they ring. Give them somewhere to look.

Nice extras if you have room:

• Your logo.
• The areas you cover, like "Serving Stockton & Teesside".
• Trade badges, like Gas Safe or NICEIC. Only if you really are registered.
• A QR code on the back doors that opens your website or reviews.

Van sign ideas: what goes where on your van

The sides

This is your big billboard. Put your name, what you do, your number and your website here. People see the sides when you're parked up at a job.

The back doors

This is where people sit behind you in traffic. They have time to read. So make the phone number the biggest thing on the back. Add your name and what you do above it.

Keep the back door window clear if you need it to see out. You can put signs around it.

The bonnet

Keep it simple. Just your name or logo. Drivers in front of you see it in their mirror, so less is more.

Van sign writing ideas by trade

Here's what to say for each trade. Swap in your own name and number.

• Plumbers & heating engineers: name, "Plumbing & Heating", "Boiler Repairs", phone. Add your Gas Safe number if you're registered.
• Electricians: name, "Electrician", "Rewires · Fuse Boards · EV Chargers", phone. Add NICEIC or NAPIT if you're a member.
• Builders: name, "Extensions · Brickwork · Renovations", phone, website.
• Roofers: name, "Roofing & Repairs", "Flat Roofs · Guttering", phone.
• Window cleaners: name, "Window Cleaning", "Homes & Businesses", phone. Short and bold works best.
• Gardeners & landscapers: name, "Garden Care & Landscaping", "Fencing · Patios · Turfing", phone.
• Painters & decorators: name, "Painter & Decorator", "Inside & Out", phone.
• Plasterers: name, "Plastering & Rendering", phone, website.
• Handyman: name, "Handyman & Property Maintenance", "No job too small", phone.
• Tree surgeons: name, "Tree Surgeon", "Felling · Pruning · Stump Removal", phone.

Want to see real layouts for your van? See Basic DIY van signs for your van model →

Van signage ideas for white, black and silver vans

• White van: most vans look like this. Dark letters stand out. Navy, black, red or a bold green all work.
• Black or dark grey van: use white, yellow, orange or lime. Dark letters on a dark van just vanish.
• Silver van: silver is tricky. Use a strong dark colour, like black or navy. Light colours get lost.

Rule of thumb: dark on light, or light on dark. If it's hard to read on your screen, it's harder to read on the road.

Make it easy to read

• Keep it short. People only get a few seconds. Fewer words get read.
• Go big. Your name and phone number should be readable from a car behind you.
• Use plain, chunky letters for the number. Fancy fonts are hard to read.
• Use 1 or 2 colours. Too many colours look busy.
• Leave space. Don't fill every gap. Empty space makes the words stand out.

One customer said our stickers "take the plainess off" without "going overboard". That's the goal. Look professional. Don't shout.

5 van sign mistakes that lose you jobs

1. Too many words. A list of 15 services. Nobody reads it.
2. A fancy font for the phone number. If they can't read it, they can't call.
3. Four ways to contact you. Landline, mobile, email, website, Facebook. Pick one number and one website.
4. Tiny text. It looks fine up close. From a car behind you, it's a blur.
5. Badges you don't have. Never use a trade badge unless you're really a member. It's not honest, and it can get you in trouble.

Rules to know before you sign your van

• Don't cover your number plates or lights.
• Don't cover any window you need to see out of when driving.
• If your van is on lease or finance, check with them first.
• Tell your insurer that you've added signs.
• If you wrap the whole van in a new colour, tell the DVLA. Normal signs don't change the colour of your van.

This is plain advice, not legal advice. If you're not sure, ask your insurer or lease company.

Fit them yourself with a DIY van sign kit

One customer told me: "I just started the business and my budget is limited." Sound familiar? With a DIY kit, you fit the signs yourself.

1. Pick your van. Choose your exact van when you order, so the kit fits.
2. Check your proof. I send you a proof first. Nothing is cut until you say yes.
3. Stick it on. Every piece comes cut out, taped up and labelled with the part of the van it goes on. A tool to smooth the stickers on is in the box.

Worried about fitting it? Read my how to apply decals guide. Customers say they were "very easy to fit".

Next step: a website that matches your van

Your van gets people interested. Then they look you up. If they find nothing, they ring someone else. I made a free website for tradesmen that matches your van signs.

Van sign writing ideas: quick questions

What should I put on my van signs?

Your business name, what you do, one phone number and your website. Add your logo and the areas you cover if you have room.

What goes on the back doors of a van?

Your phone number, nice and big. Then your name and what you do. People behind you in traffic have time to read it.

Can I put van signs on myself?

Yes. A DIY van sign kit comes cut out, taped up and labelled. You peel, stick and smooth it down.

Can I design my own van signs?

Yes. You can use free tools like Canva. See my Canva van sign guide. Or let me design them for you.

Do I need to tell my insurer about van signs?

It's best to tell them. If your van is leased, check with the lease company first too.

More answers on my van signs FAQ page.