Flatbed truckers invest a lot of money in vinyl tarps. It is a necessary part of the job given the fact that the driver is responsible for the cargo he or she is carrying from the moment the load is signed off for. Vinyl tarps offer protection against all of the dangers of the open road including debris, weather, and truck exhaust. In that case, why not go a step further? Why not use tarps to advertise your services?
Dry vans and reefers are adorned with all sorts of advertisements letting the whole world know the company behind the trailer. Owner-operators put identifying markers on their tractors for the same purpose. Nevertheless, the flatbed trailer offers nothing by way of marketing or promotion. The trucker can take advantage of this by marking his/her tarps using a stenciling kit that includes vinyl ink.
Professionalism and Protection
A well-marked tarp that has been carefully marked with a stenciling kit demonstrates the professionalism of the driver behind the wheel. Not only does it bear the company name and telephone number, it demonstrates to shippers that a driver has taken the time to do a good job. Straight, neat, stenciled letters helps to promote a professional image.
As for protection, marking the vinyl tarps with your company name and phone number makes it less likely they will be stolen. Believe it or not, this is something construction contractors do all the time. They use stencils and spray paint to mark everything from ladders to scaffolding to their own vinyl or canvas tarps.
Tips for Marking Your Tarps
Applying your name and telephone number to the vinyl truck tarps is not difficult in principle. However, it is not as easy as buying a run-of-the-mill can of spray paint and going to town. In fact, using spray paint is a bad idea.
Regular spray paint does not adhere well to vinyl materials. A thin coat can wear off quickly just by being exposed to weather conditions. A thick coat may withstand the weather somewhat better, but it can be peeled off with very little effort. The solution is to use a vinyl ink that is specifically designed for use with things such as vinyl and poly truck tarps.
Mytee carries a stenciling kit that includes lettered stencils and a can of vinyl ink from Marsh Shipping Supply Company. Marsh is a leading name in all sorts of marketing materials and equipment, so you can depend on their vinyl ink to work as advertised.
Before you mark your tarps, be sure that they are clean and dry wherever you plan to apply the ink. It is also good idea to apply it indoors if possible. If you do not have an indoor space large enough, be sure to choose a warm and relatively wind-free day for marking.
Spread your tarp flat on the ground and pull it as tightly as possible. It is especially important to get the area you plan to mark as tight and flat as you can. You may have to weigh down the perimeter of the area to be marked using bricks or other heavy objects. Once the vinyl ink is applied, you will need to allow for plenty of drying time. The label on your ink can should tell you how long drying takes.
If you are a flatbed truck operator, you might want to consider marking your vinyl tarps for the purposes of marketing and protection. Identifying your tarps with your company name and phone number is a great way to promote your business while also reducing the chances of theft.
