Fleet Rebranding in Colorado Springs
New name, new logo, new owner, or a merger: we take the old graphics off, check the paint, and put the new brand on every vehicle in stages, so trucks keep running while the fleet changes over.
Fleet rebranding in Colorado Springs means removing old graphics from every company vehicle and installing the new brand, usually in stages so most of the fleet keeps working. APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics handles fleet rebrands for service companies, contractors, and regional businesses, including removal, paint inspection, new design across mixed vehicle types, and staged installation in a heated indoor bay, one or two vehicles at a time. Removal time depends on the age and type of the old film: newer cast vinyl usually releases cleanly, while old or economy film can take far longer. A rebrand is also the time to update any required commercial markings, such as a company name or USDOT number, so they match current registration information.
A rebrand is not finished when the new logo is approved. It is finished when the last truck on the road stops showing the old one.
Companies rebrand for good reasons: a new name, an acquisition, a merger, a franchise conversion, a refreshed logo. The website and business cards can change in a week. The fleet is usually the slowest and most visible part, because every vehicle still carrying the old brand tells customers the change is not finished.
This page covers how we plan a fleet rebrand from first count to last vehicle: removing old graphics without damaging paint, what to expect on paint that was covered for years, how to stage the work so routes keep running, and how to keep new graphics consistent across different vehicle types. For a fleet getting graphics for the first time, see our fleet wraps page.
- Provider
- APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics, Colorado Springs, CO
- What it includes
- Fleet inventory, new design across vehicle types, old graphics removal, paint inspection, staged installation
- Scheduling
- Staged one or two vehicles at a time so most of the fleet stays in service
- Removal
- Time depends on film age and type; newer cast vinyl usually releases cleanly, old or economy film takes longer
- Installation
- Cast vinyl with laminate, installed indoors in a heated bay
- Markings
- Required company name and USDOT markings updated to match current information
- Records
- Templates and artwork kept on file for future vehicles
- Service area
- Colorado Springs and El Paso County
Planning a fleet rebrand
A good fleet rebrand starts with a count, not a design. Before anything else, we put together a simple inventory:
- Every vehicle by year, make, model, and configuration, so each one gets a template and the design can be adapted across vans, pickups, box trucks, and trailers.
- What is on each vehicle now: full wrap, partial, lettering, or magnets, and roughly how old it is.
- Condition of each vehicle, including any body damage or repaint that will affect removal or new graphics.
- Which vehicles are leaving the fleet soon, since some may only need old graphics removed rather than new ones installed.
That inventory drives the schedule, the estimate, and the order in which vehicles come in. It also catches vehicles that cannot take the new design as planned, before production starts.
Removing old graphics without damaging paint
Removal is where rushed fleet rebrands go wrong. How old graphics come off depends on what they are:
| Old graphics | How removal usually goes |
|---|---|
| Cast vinyl wrap, a few years old | Releases in large pieces with heat, little adhesive left behind |
| Cast vinyl past its service life | Slower; the film can be brittle and the adhesive harder to release |
| Economy or calendered film | Often cracks into small pieces and leaves more adhesive, which takes much longer |
| Cut vinyl lettering | Usually quick, though older lettering can leave adhesive and outlines |
We remove graphics with heat and hand tools, then clean remaining adhesive with products made for automotive paint. Our cast vs calendered vinyl guide explains why film type makes such a difference at removal time.
What the paint looks like underneath
Paint that has been covered by vinyl for years is protected from UV, while exposed paint around it keeps weathering. At Colorado Springs' altitude, the difference can be noticeable. After removal, it is common to see:
- Ghosting or shadowing, where the outline of old lettering shows because the paint around it faded more than the paint under it.
- Adhesive haze that needs additional cleaning.
- Existing damage that was hidden under the old graphics, such as chips, scratches, or repaired panels.
We inspect each vehicle after removal and before new graphics go on. In most rebrands the new design covers the old outlines, which is one reason partial and full wraps are popular for this work. A professionally installed wrap generally does not damage sound factory paint and can help protect it from UV exposure and normal road wear. However, repainted panels, failing clear coat, rust, and existing paint damage may be affected during installation or removal. We inspect the vehicle and discuss any concerns before production.
Staging the work so the fleet keeps working
Taking a whole fleet off the road at once is rarely an option. We stage rebrands so you are usually short no more than one or two vehicles at a time:
- Production first. Graphics for a group of vehicles are printed and laminated before the first vehicle arrives, so each vehicle's time in the bay covers only removal, inspection, and installation.
- Rolling schedule. Vehicles come in one or two at a time, often swapped at the start or end of the day so crews lose as little time as possible.
- Highest visibility first. The most-seen vehicles, such as those parked at the office or running the busiest routes, usually go first so the new brand shows up quickly.
Vinyl applied in the cold does not conform and does not adhere correctly, so every installation happens indoors in a heated bay regardless of the season.
One brand across different vehicles
Most fleets are mixed: a few cargo vans, some pickups, a box truck, a trailer. A rebrand should look like one company on all of them, which means the design is adapted to each vehicle rather than stretched to fit.
- The logo, company name, and phone number keep the same relationship to each other on every vehicle.
- Colors are matched across print runs so a truck wrapped in the last stage matches one wrapped in the first.
- Templates and artwork for every vehicle type are kept on file, so the next vehicle added to the fleet matches with little new design work.
For the vehicle types themselves, see our pages on Sprinter and cargo van wraps, pickup truck wraps, and box truck and trailer wraps.
Updating required markings during a rebrand
A new company name or a change of ownership can affect the markings some commercial vehicles are required to display. If your vehicle is required to display a company name, USDOT number, or other commercial markings, we can include those items in the layout based on the information you provide. Make sure the name and number you give us match your current registration information before the new graphics are produced.
Our guides to USDOT number rules for Colorado work trucks and Colorado intrastate DOT marking rules explain who the rules cover.
How a fleet rebrand runs
- Fleet inventoryWe list every vehicle, its current graphics, and its condition, and note any vehicles leaving the fleet.
- Estimate and depositYou receive a written estimate covering removal, design, and installation by vehicle type. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
- Design across vehicle typesThe new brand is laid out on templates for each vehicle type and approved as a set.
- Staged removal and installationVehicles come in one or two at a time for removal, paint inspection, and installation in a heated indoor bay.
- Closeout and recordsEach vehicle is reviewed with you at handoff, and templates and artwork are kept on file for future vehicles.
Is now the right time to rebrand the fleet?
A fleet rebrand is a bigger project than a single wrap, and timing matters.
A good fit when
- Your company name, logo, or ownership has changed
- Your fleet carries a mix of old designs that no longer match
- Old graphics are faded, cracked, or peeling
- You want the fleet to match new signage and uniforms
Look elsewhere when
- Your new logo is not final yet; wait until it is approved
- Most of the fleet is being replaced within months; brand the new vehicles instead
- Vehicles have widespread body damage that needs repair first
The Short Version
- Fleet rebranding removes old graphics and installs the new brand on every vehicle, usually in stages.
- Removal time depends on film age and type; old or economy film takes much longer than newer cast vinyl.
- Ghosting from old lettering is common after removal and is usually covered by the new design.
- Staging one or two vehicles at a time keeps most of the fleet in service.
- Designs are adapted to each vehicle type and kept on file for future vehicles.
- Required company name and USDOT markings should match current registration information.
Where this information comes from
- APG fleet project records, Colorado Springs office.
- Federal motor carrier marking rules, 49 CFR 390.21: eCFR.
- Vinyl film manufacturer guidance on removability by film type and age.
Common questions
Fleet Rebranding FAQ
How do you rebrand a company fleet?
A fleet rebrand starts with an inventory of every vehicle and its current graphics, then a new design adapted to each vehicle type, followed by staged removal of old graphics, paint inspection, and installation of the new graphics one or two vehicles at a time.
How long does it take to remove old vehicle graphics?
Removal time for old vehicle graphics depends on the film. Newer cast vinyl usually releases cleanly with heat, while old or economy calendered film can crack into small pieces and take much longer. APG assesses each vehicle during the inventory.
Will removing old graphics damage the paint?
Graphics removal done with heat and the right tools generally does not damage sound factory paint. Repainted panels, failing clear coat, and existing damage can be affected. APG inspects each vehicle and discusses concerns before production.
What is ghosting after graphics removal?
Ghosting is a faint outline of old lettering left because the paint around it faded more than the protected paint underneath. It is common on vehicles that carried graphics for years, and the new design usually covers it.
How many vehicles are off the road at once?
During a fleet rebrand, APG usually stages the work one or two vehicles at a time, with graphics produced in advance so each vehicle's time in the bay covers only removal, inspection, and installation.
Do we need to update DOT markings when we rebrand?
If a vehicle is required to display a company name, USDOT number, or other commercial markings, the new graphics should match current registration information. APG can include those items in the layout based on the information you provide.
Can new vehicles we buy later match the rebrand?
Yes. After a fleet rebrand, APG keeps templates and artwork for every vehicle type on file so vehicles added later match the rest of the fleet.
Can you rebrand a fleet with different vehicle types?
Yes. Most fleets are mixed, so the rebrand design is adapted to vans, pickups, box trucks, and trailers, and every vehicle carries the same brand in the right proportions.
Send your fleet list
Retire the old brand on every vehicle.
Send a list of your vehicles by year, make, and model, photos of the current graphics, and your new brand files. Our team will plan the stages and send a written estimate. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
From the guide library