What’s the Difference Between Vehicle Livery, Decals, and Wrapping?

If you're a business owner in Castleford, Wakefield, or Pontefract, you've probably seen branded vehicles zipping around town—maybe you've even considered branding your own. But when it comes to turning your van, car, or fleet into a mobile advertisement, the jargon can get a bit confusing. Vehicle livery, decals, and wrapping—what's the difference, and which one is right for your business?

At Project Group, we specialise in vehicle graphics and wrapping across West Yorkshire, helping local businesses boost their visibility while out on the road. In this blog, we’ll break down the differences between these common terms and help you choose the best option for your brand and budget.

Vehicle Livery: The Umbrella Term

Vehicle livery is a general term used to describe any branding applied to a vehicle. That includes everything from a small logo on a door to a full wrap that covers the entire surface. It can involve decals, cut vinyl text, and even partial or full wraps.

Think of vehicle livery as the complete visual identity of your business vehicle—similar to how an airline or delivery company has a consistent design across its entire fleet.

Project Group Advice: If you're looking for a professional and consistent look across multiple vehicles, livery is the way to go.

Vehicle Decals: Small but Mighty

Vehicle decals are individual graphics or logos that are printed and cut from vinyl and then applied to a specific area of your vehicle. They’re great for adding your business name, phone number, or website without covering the entire vehicle.

Ideal for:

• Small businesses just starting out

• Taxis, tradesmen, or couriers

• Adding contact details to a rear window or side panel

Benefits: 

- Low cost

- Quick to install

- Easy to update or remove

Project Group Advice: Decals are ideal if you're after a clean, minimal look—or if you’re not quite ready to commit to a full wrap.

Vehicle Wrapping: The Big Impact Option

Wrapping involves covering part or all of your vehicle with a printed or coloured vinyl film. It allows for full-colour graphics, stunning imagery, and bold branding—basically, it's a billboard on wheels!

There are two types:

• Partial Wrap – Covers just part of the vehicle (e.g. bonnet, sides, rear)

• Full Wrap – Covers the entire surface, including curves and contours

  
  

Ideal for:

• Larger businesses with a focus on brand recognition

• Retailers, gyms, restaurants, or mobile service providers

• Anyone wanting to make a serious impression on the road

Benefits: 

- Eye-catching and memorable

- Protects the original paintwork

- Easily removable and replaceable

Project Group Advice: Vinyl wraps also come in a huge range of finishes—from matte to gloss, metallics to carbon fibre.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Feature	Decals	Vehicle Livery	Full Wrap
Cost	Low	Medium	Higher
Coverage	Small areas	Varies	Full
Visual Impact	Moderate	Strong	Maximum
Installation Time	Quick	Moderate	Longer
Durability	Good	Very Good	Excellent

Still not sure what’s right for you? Don’t worry—that’s where we come in.

Project Group: Your Local Experts in Vehicle Branding

Based in Castleford, near Glasshoughton, we work with businesses across Wakefield, Pontefract, and beyond to deliver high-quality vehicle branding solutions.

Whether you need a simple logo on your van or a full-wrap transformation, our team can help you design, print, and install stunning vehicle graphics that work hard for your business—day in, day out.

Want to make your vehicle stand out? Get in touch with Project Group for a no-obligation quote and expert advice tailored to your business.