Trailer Decals

What it is

Trailer Decals are large-format, full-color graphics printed on cast vinyl for enclosed trailer sides, doors and cargo van panels — logos, branding, phone numbers or a full graphic package sized to whatever panel you are covering. Because trailer panels vary so much in size from one setup to the next, this product is built around custom sizing as much as the standard presets, with price scaling directly with the area you order.

Popular sizes and where they go

These presets cover common panel sections, but most trailer jobs use a custom width and height entered directly.

Size	Typically used for	Price
24 x 12 in	a door panel or a small logo placement	from $40.76
24 x 18 in	a mid-size panel section or a rear door	from $54.34
36 x 24 in	a large trailer side panel or a full graphic package section	from $95.10

Need a size that is not on this list? Enter your own width and height at checkout or in the Design Studio — pricing scales with the area, and every custom size still gets a free proof before it prints.

Getting the size right for your trailer

Before ordering, measure the actual panel — width and height — rather than estimating from a standard trailer length, since panel dimensions vary by manufacturer, door configuration and whether the decal needs to clear a hinge, latch or corner post. Enter that exact width and height as a custom size; pricing scales with the area, so there is no premium for using a non-standard size. If you are covering rivets or corrugated panel ribbing, keep in mind the decal will follow the surface contour rather than bridge over it perfectly flat.

Why it holds up

Printed in full color on cast vinyl rated for 5+ years outdoors, trailer decals are built for exactly this kind of exposure — parked in a yard through summer heat and winter cold, road spray on the lower panels, and repeated washing. The film conforms to mild panel curves better than cheaper vinyl and removes later without residue if the trailer is repainted, sold or rebranded.

Uses by trailer and vehicle type

• Enclosed cargo trailers — full-side branding for landscaping, contracting or moving businesses.
• Box trucks — large panel graphics that turn delivery routes into moving advertising.
• Reefer and dry van trailers — carrier branding and DOT-adjacent lettering combinations across a fleet.
• Enclosed race and cargo trailers — sponsor logos and event graphics for personal and small business use.

How to apply

Large panels are easier with two people — one to hold tension on the backing paper while the other squeegees — and a longer, wider squeegee speeds up bigger sections considerably.

1. Wash the panel with soap and water, then wipe it with rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely — any wax, dust or grease under the vinyl will shorten how long it holds.
2. Work in a shaded spot between about 60 and 90 degrees F. Direct sun makes the adhesive grab too fast; cold makes it grab too slowly.
3. Peel back a corner of the backing paper and tack the decal in place to confirm the position before committing.
4. Use a strip of painter's tape as a hinge at the top so the decal stays aligned while you peel away the rest of the backing paper.
5. Squeegee from the center outward in overlapping passes to push air out toward the edges, not trap it in the middle.
6. If the order includes transfer tape, squeegee firmly over it, then peel the transfer tape back slowly at a low angle, checking that every letter released onto the surface.
7. Press down any edges or corners that did not fully bond, working from the center out.
8. If a small air bubble remains, prick it with a pin and press it flat — do not try to squeegee a large bubble out through the edge.
9. Give the adhesive time to cure — avoid washing the vehicle for at least 48 hours after installation.

Removal and care

Warm the film with a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting, then peel it back slowly at a low angle rather than straight up — heat keeps the vinyl from tearing into small pieces. Any adhesive left behind comes off with an adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol, then a regular wash. Because it is rated for 5+ years outdoors, you can leave it on through winters and regular washing and remove it later without stripping paint, as long as the clear coat underneath is in normal condition. On heavily riveted or ribbed panels, work in smaller sections and take extra time at each seam, since the vinyl needs to release from more surface contours than a flat door panel.

Readability for trailer lettering

Letter height	Rule-of-thumb readable distance
2 in	about 20 ft
4 in	about 40 ft
6 in	about 60 ft
8 in	about 80 ft

If your trailer graphic includes lettering meant to be read from the road, size it using roughly 1 inch of height per 10 feet of intended reading distance, as a general rule of thumb rather than a guarantee.