Tips for Designing Rear Window Decals

Full-size rear window decals are a great product for car advertising because they provide the custom look of car graphics for a fraction of the price. These perforated, see-through graphics are easy to install but can be a bit challenging to design. Here are some tips that hopefully will prevent any problems and help you order the perfect rear window graphic for your specific vehicle.

Measure your window-This is probably the most-important part of ordering a rear window decal, and it's where most people tend to go wrong. Every vehicle's rear window is different, so there is no "standard size" rear window graphic, unless you're just ordering a small piece to center in the middle of your window. Measure the inner and outer height of your rear window decals, as well as the top and bottom width, to provide to your sign company. If you have any accessories on your rear window, such as a windshield wiper or handle, you'll want to measure where those are located as well so you can design around them. These measurements will help ensure that your graphic is printed on a large-enough piece of material to fit your window, and once trimmed, it will fit the actual shape of the window.

Design accordingly-Once you have your measurements, you can start to create your design. Keep in mind the shape of your window-you'll be designing in the shape of a rectangle, but odds are your window looks different. Many are trapezoid-shaped, meaning that the top is narrower than the bottom. As a general rule, don't put text or images at the edges of the design as they will likely be trimmed off during installation.

Use an editing eye-Car decals are easy to "overdesign" because they offer such a large space for advertising. After designing your piece, consider removing 10-20% of it, as this is probably not necessary. Passing motorists won't have a lot of time to view your graphic, and you don't want them to be overwhelmed by too much information. Unless it's absolutely-relevant and necessary, it shouldn't be included it your design. By reading this article you're already one stop ahead of the game. Many rear window decal customers don't measure their vehicle and don't design accordingly, and this can be a costly mistake, because not all car sign companies actually review the measurements to make sure they'll fit the specific vehicle's window. Rather than rush through a design and then receive a decal that you can't use because it won't fit your window, take your time with the measurements and the design-you'll thank yourself later.

Robert Kinder works as a Production Manager for a local sign company in Dallas, Texas. He has worked in the sign printing industry for over 15 years providing printing and installation for local small businesses and large corporate customers. Robert enjoys passing along his trade secrets and knowledge to help others better understand their signage and their needs. His extensive knowledge about the sign industry and hands-on experience make him an expert on everything signs. As a veteran sign expert, Robert has extensive knowledge in car signs and retail signs. In his articles he covers tips for sign design, techniques for proper sign installation, common signage questions, and the different material choices for rear decals, car window decals, and magnetic signs for businesses.