Removable Vehicle Branding That Works When You Need It
Magnetic signs are printed or cut panels with a flexible magnetic backing that grips to clean steel vehicle bodywork. They are used for temporary branding, seasonal campaigns, event work and vehicles that carry different jobs during the week. If you need your logo on the road one day and off the vehicle the next, this is a sensible option.
We manufacture magnetic signs for cars, bakkies, panel vans and light commercial vehicles used by retailers, service teams, municipalities and promotional crews. The finish can be simple with text and a logo, or more detailed with colour blocks, contact details and service messaging. In Hartbeespoort, Pretoria and the wider Gauteng area, many clients use magnets for multi-use fleet vehicles where permanent graphics are not practical.
- Suitable for temporary or changeable branding
- Easy to remove for cleaning, maintenance or after-hours use
- Can be replaced when campaign details change
- Useful for lease vehicles and shared fleet vehicles
Sizes, Shapes and Panel Options
Magnetic signs are made to suit the vehicle body panel, door size and the amount of information you need to show. Common sizes include small door magnets for compact branding, medium panels for side doors and larger panels for bakkie doors or rear side sections. We can also shape corners to reduce lifting and make the panel sit neatly on curved surfaces, where the vehicle design allows it.
Typical material thickness is 0.85 mm to 0.95 mm for general vehicle use, with printed and laminated faces available for outdoor exposure. For many jobs, a 600 mm x 300 mm or 700 mm x 500 mm panel is a practical starting point, but we always recommend measuring the exact area first. If the vehicle has heavy contouring, ribbing or plastic cladding, a magnetic panel may need a smaller footprint or a different approach.
- Custom sizes cut to suit vehicle doors and tailgates
- Square, rectangular or rounded corner finishes
- Printed full colour or simple text and logo layouts
- Optional UV protective overlaminate for longer outdoor life
Where Magnetic Signs Suit Best
Magnetic signs are best suited to smooth steel panels on vehicles that are regularly cleaned and not parked in dusty or high-corrosion conditions for long periods. They work well on delivery vans, call-out vehicles, service bakkies, support cars and temporary project fleets. They are also useful for event teams that need branding for a limited campaign, then need the vehicle plain again.
They are not the best choice for every vehicle. Aluminium panels, plastic body sections and heavily curved surfaces will not hold a magnetic sign properly. Coastal humidity and dust can also affect the surface if the panel is left on for too long without removing and cleaning underneath. For this reason, magnetic signs suit operators who can follow a simple maintenance routine and remove them when they are not required.
- Ideal for temporary campaigns and seasonal promotions
- Good for shared-use fleet vehicles
- Useful for leased vehicles where permanent vinyl is not allowed
- Less suitable for non-ferrous panels or rough bodywork
Fitting, Power Needs and What the Vehicle Must Provide
Magnetic signs do not require power, wiring or gas, which makes them straightforward to use on site. Once the panel is made, fitting is a manual process and can be done in our workshop or on site depending on the project. The important part is surface preparation. The panel must sit on a clean, dry steel area with no wax build-up, dust, loose grit or water trapped behind it.
For best results, we check the vehicle first and confirm that the intended panel area is suitable. The sign should not be placed over body filler, rust, sharp curves or damaged paint. If the vehicle is washed with a pressure hose, the panel must be removed first, then wiped dry before being re-applied. This keeps the magnetic grip strong and helps prevent marks on the paint.
- No electricity or gas required
- Manual fitting only, no drilling needed
- Surface must be clean, dry and flat enough for magnetic contact
- Panel should be removed before washing or waxing
Care, Storage and Service Life
Magnetic signs last longer when they are cared for properly. On a daily-use vehicle, they should be removed regularly, cleaned on both sides and allowed to dry before being fitted again. Dirt trapped under the sign can mark paintwork over time, especially in hot weather or where the vehicle is used on gravel roads. If the panel starts to lift at the edges, it should be checked before it is driven at speed.
For vehicles working in Pretoria, Centurion, Brits and Tshwane, we often recommend that clients store the magnets flat when not in use. Do not roll them tightly or leave them stuck to a metal surface in direct sun for long periods. In many cases, a magnetic sign will serve well for a short campaign or an interim branding period, but it should be inspected often if used every day.
- Remove and clean both the vehicle and the magnet regularly
- Store flat in a dry place away from direct sun
- Check edges for lifting before highway travel
- Do not fit over dust, moisture or wax residue
Ordering the Right Magnetic Sign
When you order magnetic signs, the best results come from clear vehicle details and a good brief. We need the vehicle make and model, door measurements, preferred panel placement and the artwork you want displayed. If the vehicle has different sides or is used by more than one team, tell us how the sign will be shared so we can advise on the right sizing and layout. A short campaign might only need a logo and website line, while a service vehicle may need larger contact details and a stronger brand block.
We also check whether the vehicle has steel panels, where the sign will be parked, and how often it will be removed. For municipalities, retailers and field teams, permit rules or fleet standards may also shape the final layout. If the vehicle runs in wet or coastal conditions, we can suggest a finish that is easier to keep clean. That small bit of planning saves money later and avoids a sign that looks good in the workshop but fails on the road.
- Bring vehicle measurements or send photos of the side panels
- Confirm whether the vehicle has steel or non-steel body sections
- Tell us how often the sign will be removed and refitted
- Check artwork, spelling, contact details and logo placement before production
Gauteng Signage Design Manufacture And Installation
HM Graphics & Signs handles design, manufacture and installation in-house from Hartbeespoort, with Hendrik Mokoena leading a local team working across Pretoria, Centurion, Brits and Tshwane. Our operations team, production crew and installation staff work on vehicle branding, retail signage and campaign rollouts across Hartbeespoort, Pretoria, Centurion, Brits and the greater Tshwane area. Magnetic signs are one of the most useful tools for clients who need flexibility without losing visibility.
Whether you are branding one bakkie or a small fleet, we can help with measurement, artwork prep, print, fabrication and fitting. We also support maintenance and refurbishment if a panel needs replacing after long use. For practical temporary vehicle branding, magnetic signs remain a simple option that does the job without turning the vehicle into a permanent advert.
Key facts
| Material | Flexible magnetic sheet with printed or cut graphic face |
|---|---|
| Typical thickness | 0.85 mm to 0.95 mm |
| Common sizes | 600 mm x 300 mm, 700 mm x 500 mm, custom cut to order |
| Finish options | Full colour print, text and logo, rounded corners, UV laminate |
| Best vehicle surfaces | Clean, flat steel panels on cars, bakkies and vans |
| Power / gas requirement | None |
