Security vehicle graphics do more than display a company’s name—they increase visibility, establish authority, and create a sense of safety. Avoid common design mistakes to ensure clarity, compliance, and professional branding.
Security vehicle graphics do more than display a company’s name—they create visibility, establish authority, and reinforce a sense of safety. Among them, they establish the presence of these vehicles, show authority, and make people feel safe in the areas they serve.
A well-designed security vehicle stands out, clarifies what it’s for, and bolsters trust. However, poor design choices can make things less clear, lead to misunderstanding, and even cause legal compliance concerns.
8 Security Vehicle Design Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
Poor design choices can make graphics tough to read, less recognizable, or even non-compliant with local regulations.
Fortunately, security companies can make professional, high-visibility vehicles that do their job skillfully if they avoid the mistakes we will discuss today.
1. Poor Contrast That Reduces Visibility
It should be easy to spot a security vehicle at a glance. Meaningful details like company names, brands, and contact information get lost when the colors used don’t stand out.
Reading dark lettering on a dark-colored vehicle or light lettering on a silver or white surface in low light can be tricky. This is a problem at night or in places where it’s crucial to identify someone quickly.
The lettering can be seen from far away if you choose colors that stand out against the vehicle’s background. Messages in black or bold type look better on lighter vehicles, while messages in white or light colors look better on darker ones.
Reflective materials help drivers see at night by letting street lights or headlights shine on the vehicle.
2. Fonts that are Hard to Read
Security vehicles must convey significant details in a format that’s easy to understand—and quickly! Extremely decorative, thin, or close-spaced fonts create unnecessary barriers.
For instance, script fonts may look nice, but they can be hard to read at first glance, especially when a vehicle moves.
Large, bold, and sans-serif texts are popular choices. You can read Arial, Helvetica, and Impact from far away, so they are good picks.
To prevent word overlap, letters should be spread properly with enough room between them. Contact information should be put up somewhere people can easily see on foot and by car.
3. Off-Limits Colors
Security vehicles must be distinguishable without being confused with law enforcement.
You can’t use certain colors or designs in some places to avoid looking like emergency services. Black and white design, red and blue highlights, or specific striping patterns may be reserved for police and fire vehicles.
Use colors that help people find what they’re looking for while also cutting confusion.
Many security companies set themselves apart by using dark blues, grays, or color schemes that are their brand. Check the local laws to ensure the vehicle meets all the legal requirements before committing to a design.
4. Lack of Night Visibility
Visibility is a major issue because security operations frequently occur late at night and in poor lighting. A vehicle that cannot be seen clearly at night loses a lot of its benefit.
Some designs rely too heavily on regular vinyl lettering without considering how it would show in low-light circumstances. Under low lighting, non-reflective materials can fade, rendering the vehicle nearly undetectable.
Strategically adding reflective vinyl (such as writing, logos, and boundary markers) increases visibility. These materials reflect light from street lamps and headlights, helping people spot the vehicles at all hours.
5. Overcrowded Designs That Look Unprofessional
Too much information in a security vehicle makes it hard to focus on the most important details. Some designs may have too much text, phone numbers, or visuals, which can be too much for a person to comprehend.
It’s easier to read when the graphic design is clean and draws attention to important details. The main things that should be considered are the business name, logo, and contact information.
Additional details, like a tagline or website, should be put in a smaller font or a less prominent position on the vehicle to avoid interfering with the main message.
Simple vehicles that look like they belong on the job site are easier to spot and make a better impact.
6. Inconsistent Branding
Brand consistency improves recognition throughout a fleet of vehicles. Multiple security vehicles utilize different colors, fonts, or logo placements, resulting in a fragmented appearance.
A standardized design approach makes a security company more identifiable.
Using a precise color palette, similar fonts, and consistent logo placement, all serve to strengthen brand identification. Vehicles that appear unified increase familiarity with the public and clients.
7. Incorrect Placement of Graphics That Affects Readability
Both design and positioning are critical. The graphics are less useful when important details are put in places that are hard to see.
It’s hard to read when logos are too low on doors, text goes around the vehicle’s curves, or contact information is blocked by hardware.
Flat, high-visibility areas of the vehicle should have information put there. Key details look great on side doors and rear panels. Letters should not be blocked; place them at eye level so they can be seen clearly from far away.
8. Using Low-Quality Materials That Fade or Peel Over Time
Security vehicles are subjected to elements that can wear down graphics if not constructed of resilient materials.
Poor-quality vinyl will fracture, peel, or fade when exposed to ultraviolet light. This makes you look unprofessional and decreases your visibility.
The longevity of your graphics depends on your investment in high-quality, weather-resistant vinyl.
Additionally, expert installation prevents vents from bubbling, creasing, or peeling too soon. Vehicle graphics can last longer with proper upkeep, such as routine cleaning and avoiding harsh chemicals.
Get Started on Professional Security Vehicle Graphics
A well-designed security vehicle makes seeing, trusting, and recognizing their presence and authority easier.
While these graphic design mistakes are easy to make (and relatively common), there are also many things you can do to fix them and make your images stand out, stay readable, and meet legal requirements.
With high-contrast colors, easy-to-read fonts, and reflective materials, security vehicles are always easy to spot.
Working with a skilled graphics company can give you a design that looks great and functions as intended. A strong, uniform design makes it easier to recognize security vehicles, but it also makes security services seem more trustworthy and authoritative.
No matter what kind of message you want your security vehicles to convey, the experts at Graphic Designs International can help. With decades of experience working on emergency vehicle designs, their team of graphic designers are the ones to call.