Vinyl Car and Truck Lettering
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Custom Vehicle Lettering Just How You Need It
Choose from over 35 different colors of self-adhesive vinyl and have your lettering, numbering, or business logo cut to the exact shape you need.
OR

- Vector Artwork Required (ai, eps, svg, pdf)
- Most fonts and designs acceptable
- Need help with files, uploading or design? Check out our Free Design Services!
(Text effects such as gradients, shadows, borders, slants, etc. are not possible with vinyl lettering. For these effects please use our custom vehicle decals.)
Why Signs.com?

What is Vehicle Lettering?
Vehicle lettering (also known as car lettering or truck lettering) includes lettering, numbering, or graphics that are individually cut out from a sheet of solid colored, 2-mil vinyl and then pre-spaced and placed onto masking transfer tape (the number of transfer tape sheets used will depend on the size of your vehicle lettering and amount of colors used). This allows the self-adhesive lettering to be easily installed on your car, truck, or van as one piece, creating a clean and professional look.
Vehicle lettering works great on cars, trucks, vans, jeeps, buses, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, race cars, off-road vehicles, RVs, tractors, and even lawn mowers. It works well on windows as well as painted surfaces and other areas of these vehicles.
Vehicle Lettering Features

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Easy to Install:
All vinyl car lettering is pre-spaced and pre-masked, allowing you to apply it to your vehicle in a matter of minutes.
See Installation Instructions -
No Damage to Paint or Window:
This lettering uses an adhesive that is safe for use on the windows and paint of your car or truck and will not cause damage when properly removed.
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Made to Last:
Cut from a sheet of durable 2-mil vinyl, your vehicle lettering will last 8+ years of outdoor use with no fading or cracking.
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UV Resistant and Waterproof:
Come rain or shine, your vinyl car and truck lettering has been designed to withstand the elements while maintaining its vibrant color and quality.
Additional Specs
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Thickness:
.002" (2-mil or 50 microns; about the thickness of half of a sheet of copy paper)
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UV Resistance:
UV protectants in the material for 8+ years of outdoor vibrancy with proper car and maintenance
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Estimated Lifespan:
8 years depending on climate and use
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Temperature Range:
-40F to 225F
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Installation Method:
Transfer tape; all-at-once installation
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Print Method:
Cut, not printed, from vinyl sheet
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Uses:
Outdoor. Used on windows and painted surfaces on cars, trucks, vans, buses, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs race cars, off-road vehicles, RVs, tractors, and lawn mowers.
Popular Templates
How to Install Vinyl Car and Truck Lettering
All of our vehicle lettering comes pre-spaced and pre-masked with transfer tape, making installation a simple, all-at-once process. Follow the step by step instructions below to help you get it installed exactly as you want it.

Thoroughly clean and dry the surface of your car or truck where the decal will be installed.

Apply a horizontal strip of masking tape to the top of the graphic with the top half of the tape on the intended surface, creating a hinge.
Note: Designs with three or more colors will require you to place individually colored layers on your vehicle. Two vinyl dots (one in the upper left corner and one in the bottom right corner of each layer) will be used to help align individual layers.

Hold the bottom edge of the hinged graphic away from the intended surface and remove the back liner, revealing the sticky backing of your lettering. Be careful not to allow the exposed adhesive to touch the surface.

Using a squeegee*, press down on the premask, placing the lettering or graphic onto the intended surface. If creases develop, carefully lift the graphic and place it again. Work from top to bottom and left to right.
*Available for purchase with vehicle lettering.

Remove any air by dragging the squeegee from the center of your graphic outward.

Gently remove the premask, starting at a top corner. If any vinyl begins to come off the surface, use your squeegee to firmly adhere it back to the surface and continue peeling away the premask. This should remove the masking tape hinge as well.

Laying the liner over the graphic with the shiny side facing you, apply hard pressure with the squeegee, removing any remaining air bubbles.
As noted above, for vinyl lettering with three or more colors your order will have one layer per color. Repeat steps 2-7 and use the registration marks in the in the upper left and bottom right corners to ensure proper alignment and installation. The video below shows the installation process for 1 and 2 color vinyl lettering.
Download or Print Vehicle Lettering Installation Instructions

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Frequently Asked Questions
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Product Specs
What is cut vinyl or vinyl lettering? Is it made up of individual letters or one continuous piece?
Will all of my individual letters/design elements be placed on the same sheet of transfer tape?
Is there any difference between vehicle, car, and truck lettering?
Is car and truck lettering printed or cut?
What is weeding or picking?
Weeding (or picking) is the process in which the internal spaces of a letter, shape or object are cut out. For example, whenever a "D" or a "B" is a part of an order for vinyl lettering, the external shape of the letter is first cut from a sheet of vinyl with the internal spaces still intact. It is then through the process of weeding that the inside part of the "D" or "B" is cut out, giving it the shape of the actual letter. Without this process, letters would not be able to be cut to exact shape. Because of the intricate detail required with weeding, it is all done by hand and can become a very extensive process for complicated designs. This is why pricing is slightly affected by the complexity of the requested design.
How does vinyl car and truck lettering differ from your other vehicle decals?
Are car lettering and car decals the same thing?
What material is your vehicle lettering made from?
What is the default color of the material used for your car and truck lettering?
How thick is the vinyl vehicle lettering?
The thickness of the vinyl material used is .002" (2-mil or 50 microns; about the thickness of half of a sheet of copy paper). This allows the lettering to not protrude from the surface of the vehicle yet still maintain its quality and durability.
Is your car and truck lettering visible in the dark? Do you offer alternative types of vinyl lettering like premium, reflective, or marine vinyl?
Our vehicle lettering is not visible in the dark. As for premium vinyl, our standard vinyl has exceptional quality and has a durability and lifespan similar to what other providers offer with their "premium" vinyl material. Currently we do not offer reflective or marine vinyl types. However, if you are interested in creating lettering out of one of these vinyl types please contact us to see what options you may have.
How big should my lettering be?
Your car and truck lettering is available in a wide range of sizes to fit whatever needs you may have. To determine what size your lettering should be, start by measuring the size of the surface where you would like to apply the lettering. Most users apply lettering to the rear window, back, or sides of their vehicle. Our standard size of 36" x 18" fits most rear windows well but because rear windows are unique in size and shape we highly recommend measuring before ordering your lettering. The general rule of thumb of 1" of height for 10' of viewability is also a good guide for how big your lettering needs to be to be seen by others.
How is the height and width of my vinyl car and truck lettering measured?
The height of your vehicle lettering is measured from the highest point of the tallest letter to the lowest point of the lowest-hanging letter. For example, if you were ordering vinyl lettering that said "Signs" the height of your lettering would be measured from the top of the "S" to the bottom of the "g". Likewise, the width of your lettering is measured from the beginning of the letter on the left-most end of the design to the end of the letter on the right-most end of the design. The total size of your lettering is determined by multiplying the height by the width of your full design.
What are the maximum and minimum dimensions for my vehicle lettering?
The minimum size your lettering must be is 1" x 1". Due to our panelling technique, there is no definite maximum size for your vinyl lettering, allowing you to go as large as you like. This allows you to create some very large graphics that can be used on large vehicles, such as buses or semi trucks. Do keep in mind, however, that if both width and height exceed 24" then you will need to have either your width or height comprised of multiple sheets/panels of vinyl, creating a small seam in the design. If you wish to have no seams in your lettering then you must keep the dimensions below 24" (2 feet) in one direction (width or height) and 600" (50 feet) in the other direction. When ordering large dimensions we recommend either professional installation or help from several people to ensure proper installation.
What is stroke width and why should I care?
Do you offer vinyl car wraps?
Do you offer car and truck stripes or striping?
We do not have an official truck stripes or striping product. However, our vinyl lettering can go up to 600" (50 feet) long, making striping using vinyl lettering a possibility. If you choose to do this and order striping that is over 3' long we strongly recommend professional installation or help from several others when installing.
How many fonts do you have for use? What can I do if I want to use a font that you do not have?
How many colors are available? Do you offer colors beyond what is provided on the site?
Can I order lettering that has multiple colors?
My design has several different color variations and I want to display it as is on my vehicle. What can I do?
If you have a design that uses many colors or if you are wanting exact colors from your design then we recommend using one of our vehicle decals. Our vehicle decals are printed instead of cut, allowing you to use an unlimited number of colors and color variations/effects.
Will the colors on your website match exactly what I want?
Is the cost of my car and truck vinyl lettering affected by my color choice?
Can you do graphics or non-letter designs?
How do I make my business logo out of vinyl lettering?
How do I upload my own custom design?
Once you have entered our online design tool, you will see an icon on the far left menu that says "Upload". Click on that icon. Be sure to then read through the uploading requirements. We require all vinyl lettering uploads to be vector artwork and in the file format of ai, eps, svg, or pdf. You will then select the file from your computer or mobile phone and have it uploaded into our design tool. If you have a custom design that you would like to use but it is not vector artwork or the appropriate format, please fill out a request form on our free design services page to have your artwork be converted into an acceptable format. We will be sure to contact you within 24 hours from the time you submit your request.
What is a vector file?
A vector is a type of graphic that uses mathematical equations to produce an image made from lines and shapes that can be scaled to any size without the loss of quality or fidelity. Vectors are created in illustration software programs, such as Adobe Illustrator. Vector images are the ideal image type for vehicle lettering because they can be made with a transparent background and are able to be scaled to any size without losing quality or becoming "pixelated".
Why won't my uploaded file work?
If you are having difficulty uploading your desired file, it is most likely because it is either not vector artwork (not an ai, eps, svg, or pdf file), or is over 25MB in size. If you are having difficulty uploading your file please contact us or fill out our free design services request form.
Does my design impact pricing for my vinyl car and truck lettering?
Do I have to use one of your templates for my vinyl lettering?
What is the estimated lifespan of vinyl lettering for cars and trucks?
Will exposure to sun or the elements affect the vehicle lettering?
Will the lettering withstand frost/snow and freezing temperatures?
Our vinyl car and truck lettering is designed to withstand temperatures as low as -40F. Being waterproof, it will also withstand snow, ice and frost. One common issue users face with vehicle lettering is damaging the lettering when scraping frost off of the window. We recommend carefully scraping around the lettering when doing so, being sure not to scrape over it. You are also able to order your vehicle lettering with front-facing adhesive (called "Inside Glass" on our design tool), allowing you to place your lettering on the inside of your vehicle's window. However, we typically do not recommend inside glass installations because the tinting and reflection of your windows can significantly decrease the visibility of your lettering.
Is there any toxicity from the adhesive portion of the car and truck lettering?
Does the vinyl lettering have a matte or glossy finish?
Do you offer custom vehicle lettering with a protective laminate?
Are there any laws regarding vinyl lettering for cars and trucks?
Laws pertaining to vinyl lettering, decals, and stickers on vehicles differ from state to state. However, the general consensus among states is that decals and stickers used on the windows of a vehicle must not obstruct the driver's view in any way. Please keep this in mind when creating your custom vehicle lettering. Vehicles used for commercial purposes may have additional laws pertaining to identification and use.
What are USDOT numbers? Can I use vehicle lettering for USDOT numbering?
USDOT numbers are used to identify and register vehicles that are used for commercial purposes, including transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce. USDOT numbers are required in over 30 states and must be applied to a vehicle after the vehicle has gone through the registration process. Our vehicle lettering may be used to create USDOT numbers, as long as they maintain a height of at least 2".
What are height requirements for USDOT numbering? Are there any other regulations to be aware of?
USDOT numbering must be at least 2" in height, with some local governments requiring 3". The color of the lettering may vary but must contrast the colors of your vehicle, making it clearly visible. Alternate fonts may be used as long as they are clear and legible.
Where is the best place on my vehicle to display a USDOT number?
USDOT numbers must be clearly visible. Common areas of placement include the bottom of the driver's door, the bottom of the passenger's door, and the rear of the vehicle. Some local governments may require specific placement, so please confirm with local authorities or agencies before installing.
Usage
What are the typical uses of vinyl lettering for cars and trucks?
Is this lettering reusable?
Can I apply this lettering on areas of my vehicle other than windows?
Will it ruin or damage the paint on my car?
Are there restrictions on types of paint I can apply it to? Can I apply it to new paint?
Our vehicle lettering is generally safe to use on your vehicle's paint as long as it is installed and removed properly. However, do not apply lettering to wet or uncured paint, as it may damage the paint or affect the adhesive properties of the lettering. Materials that may not be suitable for lettering application include ones that are flexible, scratch resistant or anti-reflection.