Vehicle wraps are a powerful tool for advertising your business year-round – but only if they comply with local by-laws.

Here in Erin Mills (and throughout Mississauga), signage is governed by a number of different laws; failure to comply with those laws can create all kinds of problems. In this article, we’re going to break down how to keep your vehicle wrap compliant, how our team can keep your wrap compliant while boosting its effectiveness, and how, together, we can balance compliance and clarity.

Understanding What “Compliant” Vehicle Branding Means

Compliant vehicle branding is advertising on a vehicle that complies with local by-laws, provincial laws, and federal laws. In Erin Mills, you are allowed to drive a vehicle with a branded vehicle wrap; in New York, conversely, you are not. 

Vehicle branding compliance changes from region to region; if you’re leaving Mississauga, check local laws before driving your branded vehicle in the area.

In Mississauga – and throughout Ontario and Canada – branded vehicle wraps are legal, but with caveats. Your wrap must, however, comply with:

• Federal and provincial advertising laws
• Provincial traffic laws
• Provincial signage laws
• Local signage by-laws

Want to get deep in the weeds about vehicle wraps and signage? We recommend you read:

• The Mississauga Sign By-law
• Ontario’s Sign Permit Regulations
• Lexpert’s Breakdown on Advertising Laws in Ontario

Don’t want to get bogged down in research? Don’t worry – our team knows the signage and advertising laws in Mississauga like the back of our hands. Here’s a brief summary of some of the things you should know:

• You should avoid parking a vehicle for the sole purpose of being used as signage, which is technically disallowed by the Mississauga Sign By-law (though you may be able to get a permit for a parked vehicle sign).
• Your vehicle wrap cannot obstruct your view while driving.
• Your wrap should not distract other drivers.
• Don’t put misleading information on your vehicle wrap.
• Do not advertise restricted substances like cannabis, as children could see your vehicle wrap, and driving through school zones or other restricted areas could lead to penalties.

How Professional Wrap Design Improves Readability

You don’t want your vehicle wrap to distract other drivers, but you do want it to catch their attention for long enough to get your message across. Our professional vinyl wraps come with high-converting copy and vehicle graphics that are attention-grabbing without endangering drivers. Here’s how we do it:

The 3-Second Rule

We ensure that all of our vehicle wraps get your message across in 3 seconds. Simple calls-to-action (CTAs), your company’s name, and a website or phone number, along with powerful images that convey a message at a glance. 

Better Colour Contrast

Our car wraps take advantage of colour contrast to make it easy for people to read and absorb CTAs at a glance. The contrast is attention-grabbing, so lots of people will take notice of your brand; great for boosting brand awareness! 

Simple Messaging

Our high-quality vehicle wraps typically feature just a few words on any given side; even if your custom vehicle wrap covers your entire vehicle, any angle will offer a simple, short, actionable message.

Correct Font Sizes

The font size you use has a big impact on visibility. Our fonts are designed to be readable at highway speeds, even at a bit of a distance; if you’re in traffic, it will be easy for other drivers to read your mobile billboard. 

What To Check Before You Approve A Wrap

The high-quality vinyl wraps we produce at SpeedPro are impeccable – but it’s still worth knowing how to check the work that we’ve done. Here are a few things to consider before submitting a design to us, and to check for once we’ve installed your custom wrap:

• Is the messaging easy to read?
• Does the messaging comply with Mississauga’s advertising laws?
• Will the vehicle be on the road more often than it’s parked?
• Is the wrap too distracting? (Wraps that are too shiny are a good example)
• Does the design feature high contrast and an easy-to-read message?
• Is the wrap visually compelling, with high-quality images?
• Are there any wrinkles or tears on the wrap?
• Does the wrap look too stretched out?
• Are the letters too hard to read from a distance?

Checking all of the above can help ensure that your company vehicles have wraps that will stand the test of time and generate revenue. 

Full Wrap Vs. Partial Wrap For Compliance And Clarity

Both our full vinyl car wraps and our partial wraps offer advertising clarity and comply with the laws in Mississauga; it’s mostly a matter of preference! 

Some people prefer full vinyl wraps for the added paint protection (though it’s not as powerful as paint protection film); others prefer full wraps because there’s more room to advertise. 

Other business owners prefer partial wraps or decals because they enable them to advertise on a lower budget. All of these styles can work for your business; it’s all about your budget and goals!

Get A Professional Wrap That Looks Great And Stays Compliant

Looking for the perfect vehicle wrap for your business in Mississauga? Come to SpeedPro Mississauga – Erin Mills; we’ll create a beautiful wrap that grows your brand and brings leads to your business, all while complying with the laws here in the city!