It's a little odd that a company that specializes in vehicle graphics is telling you this. After all, our job is to sell as many vehicle graphics as we can. But it's exactly that experience that tells us there are cases where you probably shouldn't have them.

Some people, like contractors and other tradesmen who carry expensive tools around from job to job, may not necessarily want to advertise what they're keeping inside their trucks. After all, a building contractor is bound to have a lot of expensive tools on board, and they don't want the hassle of taking all of them out every day, especially if they don't have a garage or workshop to park in each night. If the tools get stolen, the insurance may not cover everything. Even if it does, your rates will certainly go up.

One alternative is to keep the vehicle graphics off the truck, and instead use yard signs to promote the work that's being done. This way, you're advertising your work, even when your truck is not in front of the house. Or, just make sure you have an excellent security system on your truck.

Traveling salespeople who carry expensive tools and samples may be wise to drive an unmarked car to carry their wares. If you're driving into a rough neighborhood, the vehicle graphics may give opportunistic thieves an idea of what they'll find in your vehicle, so it's better to stay unnoticed.

Bands and musicians may also want to skip vehicle graphics to advertise themselves. While they increase their reputation in the music world, the bands may have to play in less-than-desirable locations. So keep expensive gear in an unmarked trailer before and after performances. The more the vehicle can blend in, the better.

We know, there are plenty of band buses and trailers out there with vehicle graphics galore. But there are also plenty of bands with horror stories about how their gear was stolen after a show.

Another option is to use vehicle magnets as a way to promote the band. Keep the magnets on the car or van while driving, but take them off during gigs and overnight. That way people don't see the well-marked van outside the club or hotel that night and get the wrong ideas.

We really do believe in the power of vehicle graphics and everything they can do to promote a company or band. But there will be a few instances where they may not be such a good idea. If you're not sure, talk to your local Signarama staff to see what they recommend. And make sure your insurance, and vehicle security, is up to date and the best it can be.

For more information on vehicle graphics, please visit the Signarama website. You can also use our online store locator to find the Signarama store nearest you.

Photo credit: Stephen Coles (Flickr, Creative Commons)