Top 7 Must-Have Food Truck Signs and Banners

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Food truck signs and banners play an essential role in the success of your business. Since you operate in a fiercely competitive industry, your print advertising strategies should attract your customers and deliver the right message based on your visual brand identity.

In this article, we list the top seven signage that can help you take your food truck business to the next level. We carefully selected these custom printed materials for their versatility, eye-catching features, and affordability.

1. Advertising Flags

You may be wondering if printed advertising materials are still effective in today’s highly digitalized world. According to the 2022-2023 RAMetrics data published by Newsworks, print ads generate higher levels of brand recall than digital (78% vs. 30%).

If brand recall and customer attraction are your primary goals, consider using advertising flags that offer excellent visibility thanks to their size. Moreover, they come in different dimensions and shapes, including feather, rectangle, and teardrop.

Benefits of Flags:

Highly portable and easy to store
Easy to assemble and disassemble
Can withstand any weather condition
Available in different types of base attachments
Ideal for indoor and outdoor use

Tips to Maximize Your Flags:

One way to optimize this promotional tool is to print on both sides. In this way, your audience will notice your message whatever direction they are coming from.

Furthermore, use vibrant colors to capture people’s attention. This is why it’s important to work with a print specialist who uses dye sublimation when printing flags.

Dye sublimation is a printing process that delivers high-quality and fade-resistant colors. As a result, the flag’s design remains vibrant even after multiple washes and years of exposure to harsh elements.

2. A-Frame Signs

Also called sandwich boards, A-Frame signs are temporary freestanding signs that can help you draw pedestrian traffic into your food truck.
These promotional tools are so versatile that you can use them to display your pop-up menus, promos, and general information.

Benefits of A-Frame Signs:

Highly visible sidewalk advertising
Available in different design frames and materials (plastic, metal, and wood)
The graphics are replaceable.
Portable and easy to set up

Tips to Maximize Your A-Frame Signs:

As a general rule, place these signs away from walls and in open spaces with high foot traffic to get the most exposure to both sides.

Additionally, choose a frame made from durable materials, like weather-resistant corrugated plastic boards or powder coated metal rods.

If you offer seasonal products or your menu is constantly changing, you may want to invest in A-Frames with a dry erase board or chalkboard.

Chalkboard A-Frame signs are particularly ideal if you have elegant calligraphy or whimsical illustrations.

3. Car Decals

Car Decals, also known as car stickers or car graphics, are an affordable promotional item that can take your brand to the next level. According to a 2014 study published in ResearchGate, there is a positive correlation between customer attention and recall to vehicle advertising.

You can put decals on any part of the vehicle exterior, including the windshield, as long as they don’t obstruct your view.

Also, you may want to ask your printing specialist to add a protective laminate to your car decals to ensure that your design will remain vibrant for many years to come.

Benefits of Car Decals:

Excellent long-term promotional tool
Durable and waterproof
UV-resistant

Tips to Maximize Your Car Decals:

Although many food trucks use car decals to display their logos, why not include your contact information as well, or perhaps a catchy phrase that encourages people to take specific actions?

Make sure to use simple and easy-to-read fonts to ensure better legibility. A good rule of thumb is to choose big, bold letters that your audience can read even when your vehicle is moving.

4. Window Clings

Although window clings, are more common in brick-and-mortar stores, you can place them on your food truck’s windshield.

You don’t need adhesive tape or any type of glue for your window clings because their stickiness comes from the static electricity generated when they come in contact with glass or any material with a similar surface.

Benefits of Windows Clings:

Easy to install
Removable and reusable
Extremely affordable

Tips to Maximize Your Window Clings:

You want the most important details of your window clings to be positioned at eye level for easy reading and immediate impact. In addition, make sure your design elements and text are proportionate to the size of your truck’s windows.

If you want to mount your window clings onto the inside of the glass and protected from harsh elements, you can choose the design option in which the printed side clings to the window’s surface.

5. Car Magnets

Car Magnets can help you give your brand more exposure without the hefty marketing cost. You can think of them as a business card on the road.
However, not all car magnets are created equal. Here at UPrinting, we use durable and UV-resistant magnet stock that can stick seamlessly onto any vehicle.

Benefits of Car Magnet:

Easy to install and remove
Weather-proof
Easy to clean
Extremely affordable

Tips to Maximize Your Car Magnets:

You don’t have to limit yourself to traditional shapes like square and rectangle. If you want to convey unity and warmth as part of your branding, consider using round or oval car magnets instead.

On the other hand, use square and rectangular logos if you want to convey strength, professionalism, and reliability.

Another critical design tip you must keep in mind is the color contrast. There should be a stark contrast between the letters and the background to make your message stand out at a glance.

You may also want to include a call-to-action phrase like “Like us on FB” or “Visit our website” to your car magnets.

6. Custom Vinyl Banners

Vinyl Banners, are versatile promotional items that are ideal for indoor and outdoor settings. Furthermore, they are highly customizable to ensure that your message reaches your target audience.

Meanwhile, the location of your banners will determine the ideal hanging options, such as hemming, grommets, and pole pockets.

Benefits of Custom Vinyl Banners:

Available in standard and custom sizes
Cost-effective promotional items
Can endure harsh weather conditions
Versatile hanging options
Portable and easy to store

Tips to Maximize Your Vinyl Banners:

Opt for double-sided printing to maximize exposure. To further promote visibility and readability under different lighting conditions, choose a no-glare, matte finish for your custom vinyl banners.

One important consideration when creating your banner is to keep the message simple and concise, as your audience may not have time for a lengthy or complicated message.

7. Printed Tablecloths

Use printed tablecloths at food bazaars, trade shows, fairs, exhibitions, and other marketing events. Make sure you customize them based on your logo, color, and design elements to boost brand recall and recognition.

Benefis of Printed Tablecloths:

Versatile branding and promotional tools
Highly visible
Easy to set up and store
Machine washable

Tips to Maximize Custom Tablecloths:

Most printed tablecloths fit 6- and 8-feet tables. Consequently, you can use letters as big as 3.5 inches, which is readable even from a distance of 6-7 feet.

As with any printed promotional materials, choose simple and "easy on the eyes“ fonts so your logo and message are readable even from a distance.

Also, your printed tablecloth should have the same color scheme as your other branded signs and marketing displays.

The food industry is one of the most competitive and dynamic sectors in the US economy. Consequently, you need custom signs and banners to draw customers, strengthen your brand identity, and improve brand recognition.

If you’re looking for a printing specialist who offers a wide variety of branding and promotional materials with color accurate designs, visit UPrinting today.

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At UPrinting, we bring your brilliant ideas to life through exceptional printing services. With seven printing facilities across the US, each staffed by a team of seasoned printing experts using state-of-the-art printing technologies and a comprehensive 33-point print check process, UPrinting is a printing company you can definitely trust.