You ain't seen nothing yet

Developments in the commercial vehicle livery business since the introduction of digital technology are described, focusing on the advances made by UK company VgL. Digital printing has replaced screen printing as the method of choice for a large proportion of vehicle graphics work. Digital printing is faster and cheaper. Most of the curtain graphics supplied by VgL in association with the curtain manufacturer Stronghold are ink-jetted directly onto the curtains of curtain-sider vehicles. VgL uses the Israeli-made NUR Bluboard printer. With digital technology it is possible to use vehicle graphics for short promotional campaigns. Campaigns on vehicles typically run for at least a year, but this duration is expected to get shorter. Vinyl films are much easier to apply now than in the past so skilled professional applicators are no longer needed. The market for retro-reflective vehicle graphics has been slow, but consipicuity marking tape may become compulsory for trucks, minibuses, coaches and buses as costs fall.