Shuttle Bus & Passenger Van Wraps in Colorado Springs
Wraps and lettering for cutaway shuttle buses and 12 to 15 passenger vans, with perforated film on passenger windows and every emergency exit marking left clear and readable.
APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics provides shuttle bus wraps in Colorado Springs for hotels, churches, senior living communities, schools, airport parking, and event shuttles, on cutaway buses and 12 to 15 passenger vans. Full and partial wraps use cast vinyl with laminate on the body and perforated window film on passenger windows so riders can still see out. Emergency exit labels, release instructions, and other required markings stay visible and are never covered. Most shuttles take two to three weeks from approved estimate and deposit, with one to three days in the install bay depending on size and coverage.
- Shuttles and passenger vans we wrap
- Perforated film on passenger windows
- Emergency exits and required markings stay visible
- Designing large shuttle surfaces
- Keeping a shuttle fleet consistent
- Installation and care in Colorado
- How a shuttle wrap project runs
- Is a shuttle wrap right for your organization?
A shuttle is the first thing many guests see of your hotel, church, or community. It should look like it belongs to you, and every safety label on it should still be readable.
Shuttle buses and passenger vans carry people, not cargo, and that changes how they are wrapped. Passenger windows take up much of the side, emergency exits are spread around the body, and the vehicle often has required labels that must stay in place. At the same time, a shuttle running between the airport, downtown, and a hotel on Garden of the Gods Road or a senior community in Briargate is seen by a lot of people every day.
This page covers passenger window film, emergency exits and required markings, how large shuttle surfaces are designed, and how to keep a shuttle fleet consistent. For general wrap information, see our vehicle wraps page.
- Provider
- APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics, Colorado Springs, CO
- Vehicles
- Cutaway shuttle buses, 12 and 15 passenger vans, high-roof passenger vans, and small transit-style buses
- Customers
- Hotels, churches, senior living, schools and activity programs, airport parking, event and tour shuttles
- Body material
- Cast vinyl with protective laminate
- Window material
- Perforated window film on passenger windows where allowed
- Safety
- Emergency exit labels, release instructions, and required markings are left uncovered
- Typical timeline
- Two to three weeks from approved estimate and deposit; one to three days in the install bay
- Service area
- Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Falcon, and El Paso County
Shuttles and passenger vans we wrap
Passenger vehicles come in a few common body styles, and each one wraps differently.
| Vehicle | Typical users | What shapes the design |
|---|---|---|
| Cutaway shuttle bus | Hotels, airport parking, senior living, churches | Large flat body sides, a row of passenger windows, a rear emergency exit, and a van cab up front |
| 12 and 15 passenger vans | Churches, schools, youth and sports programs | Windows along most of the side, so graphics rely on perforated film or the lower body |
| High-roof passenger vans | Tour operators, senior transport, corporate shuttles | Tall upper panels above the windows that read from a distance |
| Small transit-style buses | Campus and event shuttles | Large windows, multiple doors, and roof equipment |
We design each vehicle on a template for its exact make, model, and body so graphics clear doors, windows, exits, and lights.
Perforated film on passenger windows
Perforated window film carries the graphic across the glass while riders can still see out. From outside, the eye reads the printed image. From inside, the dark side of the film and the open holes let passengers see the view.
- Visibility from inside. Perforated film reduces light and view compared with clear glass. Riders look out through a fine dot pattern, which works for most people but feels darker on cloudy days and at night.
- Image from outside. Fine details and small text lose sharpness on perforated film. Big shapes and colors carry across windows better than small type.
- Rain and washing. Water can sit in the holes and reduce the view until it dries. A clear laminate over the perforated film can help.
- Life span. Perforated film has a shorter life than body vinyl and is usually replaced sooner.
Colorado's window statute, C.R.S. 42-4-227, sets light transmittance limits for vehicle windows, and the driver's windows and windshield have the strictest rules. Film is never placed on the windshield or the front side windows. We review each layout against current window rules before production, and some customers choose to keep passenger windows clear and put the full message on the body.
Emergency exits and required markings stay visible
Buses carry emergency exits and labels that riders and first responders need to find quickly. A wrap must never cover them or make them harder to read.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217 governs bus emergency exits. It requires emergency doors and exits to be labeled, and requires concise operating instructions near the release mechanism. School buses have additional marking requirements. The exact rules depend on the bus type and size, so we work from the vehicle as it was built.
On a wrap, that means:
- Labels stay uncovered. "Emergency Exit" and "Emergency Door" labels, release instructions, and arrows are cut around, not printed over or covered.
- Exit outlines stay readable. Graphics are designed so the emergency door or window still looks like an exit, not part of a continuous image.
- Handles and releases are clear. Film is trimmed around handles, hinges, and release mechanisms so they move freely.
- Other required items stay in place. Reflectors, lights, capacity labels, fleet numbers, and any required operator markings are kept visible.
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. Our guide to USDOT number rules for Colorado covers federal markings in more detail.
Designing large shuttle surfaces
A cutaway shuttle has more flat area than most vans, but windows, doors, and exits break it into pieces. The design has to work on each piece.
- Name above or below the windows. The organization name sits on the solid band above or below the window line where it reads clearly at any distance.
- The rear is a billboard. The back of a shuttle sits in front of other drivers at every stop. A large logo and web address there get read again and again.
- Door side matters most. Guests see the door side at pickup. Hotel and community shuttles often put the welcome message or a photo there.
- Simple over busy. A strong color field with a clear logo reads better than a photo collage cut up by windows.
Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process. Proofs are laid out on the template for your exact vehicle with windows and exits shown. Our vehicle wrap design page covers layout in more detail.
Keeping a shuttle fleet consistent
Hotels, senior communities, and churches often run a mix of vehicles: a cutaway bus, a couple of passenger vans, and a car for errands. They should all look like the same organization.
- One design system. The same colors, logo placement, and type across every vehicle, adapted to each body.
- Fleet numbers. Matching vehicle numbers in the same position make dispatch and guest instructions easier.
- Files on record. We keep templates and print files for every APG install, so a new vehicle or a damaged panel can be matched later.
- Staged installs. Vehicles come in one at a time so service continues.
Our fleet wraps page covers mixed fleets and volume planning.
Installation and care in Colorado
Vinyl applied in the cold does not conform and does not adhere correctly. We install indoors in a heated bay, with the vehicle washed and dried before film goes on. Larger shuttles with full coverage may need two or three days in the bay.
At 6,035 feet, UV is stronger than at sea level, and shuttles that sit at curbs and in hotel lots all day take the full sun. For vehicles expected to stay branded for several years, APG recommends cast vinyl with laminate. Hand washing, skipping brush car washes, and rinsing off winter road film keep a wrap looking right. Our guide to how long wraps last in Colorado Springs covers care in detail.
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.
How a shuttle wrap project runs
- Vehicle detailsSend the year, make, model, body builder for cutaways, and photos of all four sides including windows and exits.
- Estimate and depositYou receive a written estimate for full, partial, or lettering options. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
- Design on your vehicle's templateThe design is laid out with windows, doors, exits, and required labels shown so you can approve placement.
- Print and laminateBody graphics are printed on cast vinyl and laminated; window graphics are printed on perforated film.
- Indoor installation and walkthroughThe vehicle is washed and wrapped in a heated bay, every exit label is checked, and the vehicle is reviewed with you at pickup.
Is a shuttle wrap right for your organization?
Wraps work well for most shuttle and passenger van fleets. A few situations call for a lighter approach.
A good fit when
- Your shuttle carries guests, residents, or members who should recognize it at pickup
- Your vehicles run visible routes around Colorado Springs every day
- You run several passenger vehicles that should look like one organization
- You keep shuttles several years
Look elsewhere when
- The vehicle is leased short term and the lease does not allow graphics
- The body has rust or peeling clear coat that needs repair first
- A school bus is governed by district or state color and marking rules that do not allow a wrap
The Short Version
- APG wraps cutaway shuttle buses and 12 to 15 passenger vans for hotels, churches, senior living, schools, and airport shuttles in Colorado Springs.
- Perforated film carries graphics across passenger windows while riders can still see out; film never goes on the windshield or front side windows.
- Emergency exit labels, release instructions, and required markings are cut around and left visible.
- Names go above or below the window line, and the rear of the shuttle is one of the most-read surfaces.
- Templates and files are kept for every APG install so fleets stay consistent and panels can be matched.
- Most shuttles take two to three weeks from approved estimate and deposit and one to three days to install.
Where this information comes from
- Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, Bus emergency exits and window retention and release, 49 CFR 571.217: eCFR.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-227, windows unobstructed: colorado.public.law.
- Federal motor carrier marking rules, 49 CFR 390.21: eCFR.
- APG installation records for shuttle and passenger van wraps, Colorado Springs office.
Common questions
Shuttle Bus & Passenger Van Wraps FAQ
Who wraps shuttle buses in Colorado Springs?
APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics wraps shuttle buses in Colorado Springs, including cutaway buses and 12 to 15 passenger vans for hotels, churches, senior living communities, schools, and airport shuttles.
Can you put graphics on shuttle bus windows?
Yes, on passenger windows. They can carry perforated window film, which shows the graphic from outside while riders can still see out. Film is never placed on the windshield or the driver's front side windows.
Can a wrap cover the emergency exits?
No. Emergency exit labels, release instructions, handles, and the outline of each exit are left uncovered and readable. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217 requires bus emergency exits to be labeled with operating instructions near the release.
Can passengers see out through perforated film?
Yes. Perforated film has small holes and a dark inner side, so passengers see out through a fine dot pattern. The view is darker than clear glass, especially on cloudy days and at night.
Do you wrap 15 passenger church vans?
Yes. APG wraps 12 and 15 passenger vans for churches, schools, and youth programs, with the name on the body and perforated film on passenger windows where allowed.
How long does it take to wrap a shuttle bus?
Most shuttles take two to three weeks from approved estimate and deposit, then one to three days in the install bay depending on size and coverage.
How long does a shuttle wrap last in Colorado?
Cast vinyl with laminate typically lasts five to seven years on a hand-washed vehicle in Colorado Springs and longer if garaged. Perforated window film usually needs replacing sooner than body graphics.
Can school buses be wrapped?
It depends on the bus. Yellow school buses that carry students follow state and district rules on color and markings. Activity buses and passenger vans used by schools often have more flexibility, which we confirm before design.
Can new shuttles be matched to our existing ones later?
Yes, for APG installs. We keep templates and print files on record, so a new vehicle can be matched to the rest of the fleet.
Send photos of your shuttle
Make your shuttle easy to find at pickup.
Send the year, make, model, and photos of all four sides, including windows and exits. Our team will send back full wrap, partial, and lettering estimates. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.