If you are booking vehicle printing in Chatham, the first decision is usually the same one: a full van wrap or simple van signwriting? Both put your name on the road, but they differ a lot in cost, impact and how long the van is off the road.

Print More designs, prints and fits vehicle graphics from 39 Luton High Street, Chatham, for trades, delivery firms and small businesses across Medway and Kent. This guide answers the wrap-or-signwriting question first, then covers cost, lifespan, leased vans and the areas we cover, from Blue Bell Hill and Burham to Bredhurst, Westfield Sole and Higham.

Quick answer: Signwriting = cut vinyl lettering, cheapest, [VERIFY: same day]. Partial wrap = printed panels + lettering, the most popular choice. Full wrap = full colour change, maximum impact, [VERIFY: 2–3 days]. All are removable. Print More, 39 Luton High Street, Chatham, 01634 840202.

What Is the Difference Between a Van Wrap and Van Signwriting?

A van wrap covers most or all of the bodywork in printed vinyl film, changing the van's colour and carrying full-colour graphics and photos. Van signwriting applies cut vinyl lettering and logos to the existing paintwork, usually your name, services, phone number and website. Wraps give maximum impact; signwriting is quicker and costs less.

"Signwriting" once meant hand-painted lettering. Today, almost all van signwriting is computer-cut vinyl: each letter is cut from a sheet of coloured film and applied by hand, with no background. A wrap is printed, laminated and stretched over panels, curves and recesses.

There is a middle option too. A partial wrap covers part of the van, often the rear half or the lower panels, with printed graphics, and uses signwriting on the rest. In our experience, this is the choice most Medway trades vans end up with, because it looks like a full wrap from a distance for a lower price. 

Which Should You Choose: Full Wrap, Partial Wrap or Signwriting?

Choose signwriting if you need your name and number on the van quickly and cheaply. Choose a partial wrap if you want colour and images without paying for full coverage. Choose a full wrap if the van is a moving billboard for your brand, you want to change its colour, or you are branding a matching fleet.

Here is how we usually advise customers who come into the shop:

• New sole trader or first van: signwriting with a clear logo, your trade, phone number and website. Readable at a junction, affordable and easy to update later.

• Established trade or local service business: a partial wrap with signwriting. Bold enough to stand out in a supermarket car park or on a driveway in Walderslade.

• Fleets and delivery firms: full or partial wraps from one master design, so every van, car and Luton box van matches. This is where consistent vehicle graphics across Kent pay off most, as the same livery is seen on every route.

• Leased vans: wraps or signwriting are both suitable because vinyl can be removed at the end of the lease. Check your lease agreement first.

• Short-term promotion: a rear-door or side-panel graphic you can swap out after the campaign.

Whichever you choose, the design matters more than the coverage. A van is read in a few seconds, so we keep lettering large, limit the message to what you do and how to reach you, and test the layout on a scale drawing of your exact van before printing. See the full range on our vehicle printing service page.

How Much Does Vehicle Printing in Chatham Cost?

Vehicle printing in Chatham at Print More prices depend on Vehicle Size for basic van signwriting or partial wrap and a full wrap, medium panel van. The final price depends on vehicle size, coverage, design work and vinyl type. Every quote is free and itemised.

The main factors that change the price of van graphics in Chatham are:

1. Vehicle size and shape: a small car-derived van needs far less material than a long-wheelbase, high-roof van or a Luton box van.

2. Coverage: lettering only, rear doors, partial wrap or full wrap.

3. Design: using your existing print-ready logo costs less than a new design from scratch.

4. Material: wraps over deep curves need premium cast vinyl; flat panels can use calendered vinyl.

5. Condition of the paintwork: dents, rust or poor resprays need attention, as vinyl shows every flaw beneath it.

A wrap is usually cheaper than a full professional respray in a new colour, and unlike paint, it can be removed. Ask for one quote covering your van and your other branding, such as vehicle graphics in Chatham alongside shop signs or workwear, as one design file serves both.

How Long Do Van Graphics Last, and Will They Damage the Paintwork?

Good-quality van graphics typically last 5 to 7 years with normal care, and printed wraps last longer when laminated against sunlight and scratches. Applied to sound, factory-finished paintwork, quality vinyl can usually be removed cleanly with gentle heat, leaving the paint underneath protected rather than damaged.

How long your vehicle graphics in Kent last depends on three things we control and one you control:

• Lamination: a clear protective layer over printed wraps reduces fading and minor scuffs.

• Fitting: clean, degreased panels and properly sealed edges stop lifting at door seams and wheel arches.

• Your aftercare: hand-wash where you can, keep pressure washers away from edges and avoid harsh solvents.

Problems usually come from fitting vinyl over repaired or resprayed panels, where the paint itself can lift when the vinyl comes off. We check your paintwork before quoting and tell you if any panel is a risk.

Can You Get Van Graphics Near Blue Bell Hill, Burham, Bredhurst, Westfield Sole and Higham?

Yes. Print More fits vans and cars for businesses across Medway and the villages around it, including Blue Bell Hill, Burham, Bredhurst, Westfield Sole and Higham. Our shop on Luton High Street, Chatham, is a short drive from each, and you can drop your vehicle off in the morning and collect it the same working day.

We also regularly brand vehicles for businesses in Gillingham, Rainham, Strood and Walderslade, and van signwriting in Rochester is one of our most common jobs, just a few minutes from our Luton High Street shop. If you are further out, our Maidstone service area page explains how we work with customers across mid Kent. 

What Happens When You Order Vehicle Graphics From Print More?

Ordering vehicle graphics from Print More takes five steps: send us your van's make, model and photos; we design and send a proof; you approve it; we print and laminate in-house; then we fit the graphics at our Chatham premises. You can request a vehicle graphics quote to start. Most jobs take [VERIFY: X working days] from artwork approval.

1. Brief: tell us the make, model, year and roof height, plus photos of each side. These change the template and the price.

2. Design and proof: we lay your design on an accurate template of your vehicle, so you see exactly where handles, windows and seams fall.

3. Approval: nothing is printed until you sign off spelling, phone numbers and colours.

4. Print and laminate: printed in-house at Luton High Street, so we control colour and quality.

5. Fitting: panels are cleaned and degreased, then the vinyl is applied, trimmed and edge-sealed.

Our customers often match their vans to their uniforms and signage, so their brand looks the same everywhere. See our premium workwear embroidery service and our guide to business banner printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tell anyone if I wrap my van a different colour? 

Yes. If a full wrap changes your vehicle's main colour, update the colour recorded on the vehicle's logbook and tell your insurer, as it changes how the vehicle is described. Signwriting and partial wraps that leave the main colour unchanged do not usually need this. Number plates and lights must never be covered by vinyl.

Can you put signwriting on a leased or company van?

Yes. Vinyl signwriting and wraps are popular on leased vans because they can be removed before the vehicle is returned, protecting the paintwork underneath. Check your lease or company agreement allows graphics first, and let us know the return date so we choose a suitable vinyl. 

Is it cheaper to wrap or paint a van?

Wrapping is usually cheaper than a quality respray in a new colour, and it adds your branding in the same job. It is also reversible, which helps resale value. A respray may suit a van with damaged paint, as vinyl cannot hide rust or dents.

Can you design my van graphics if I do not have a logo?

Yes. We can create a simple logo and layout for your van, then supply the same files for your workwear, cards and signs. If you already have a logo, send it as a vector file (PDF, AI or EPS) for the sharpest result.

Conclusion

Van signwriting is the quick, affordable way to get your name on the road; a wrap gives maximum impact and protects the paintwork. For honest advice and vehicle printing in Chatham, from Rochester and Higham to Blue Bell Hill, Burham, Bredhurst and Westfield Sole, talk to the team who design, print and fit it under one roof.

Ready to brand your van?

Call 01634 840202, WhatsApp 07592 798549 with your van's make, model and photos, or get a free vehicle printing quote.