Measuring for a van magnet: find the flat steel first, then pick the size

The right size for a van or car door magnet is the biggest rectangle that sits completely flat on steel, with a small gap all round to the nearest crease, handle, trim or panel edge. Measure that flat area first, then pick a sign size that fits inside it. Most people do it the other way round, choose a size they like and then find it bridges a swage line and lifts at the corner at 50 mph. Ten minutes with a tape measure and a fridge magnet saves that.

What you need #

• A tape measure, ideally a soft dressmaker’s tape for curved doors.
• A fridge magnet, to check the panel really is steel.
• Masking tape, which comes off cleanly and lets you mark out the sign on the paint.
• Your phone, to photograph the door with the tape marked out.

Step 1: check the panel is steel #

Try the fridge magnet all over the area you have in mind, on both sides of the vehicle. Many modern vans and cars have aluminium, plastic or composite panels in places, especially doors, bonnets, tailgates and wheel arch trims. A magnet will not hold on those, however good the sign. If your first choice of panel fails, try the sliding door or the rear doors.

Step 2: find the flat area #

Run your hand across the door with your eyes closed. You will feel the swage lines (the pressed creases along the side), bulges around handles and the curve towards the edges far better than you can see them. A magnetic sign needs full contact: anywhere it bridges a dip, air gets underneath and the wind starts to lift it.

Mark the flat area with masking tape, keeping clear of:

• creases and swage lines;
• door handles, locks, badges and side repeater lights;
• rubber seals and the shut line where the door meets the body, so the sign does not catch when the door opens;
• fuel filler flaps and sliding door rails.

Step 3: measure and leave a margin #

Measure the width and height inside your tape. Take a little off each side, so the finished sign sits clear of the edges rather than right up against them. Write the size down for each side of the vehicle, because the driver’s side and the passenger side are not always the same, especially with a sliding door on one side only.

Step 4: match it to a sign size #

Our standard magnetic signs come in three sizes:

• A4, 210 × 297 mm: small car doors and tight panels.
• A3, 297 × 420 mm: most car front doors, taxi doors and small van doors.
• A2, 420 × 594 mm: van side panels and large car doors.

Each works landscape or portrait. Pick the largest that fits inside your measured area with the margin. If your flat area is bigger than A2, or an odd shape, send the measurements and photos through get a quote for a made-to-measure panel.

Step 5: check it reads #

A van is read from across the road and in traffic, so keep it to a name, what you do and one way to call you. Letter height matters more than you think; our guide to sign letter height shows how big text needs to be. Keep text and logos well inside the edge; our guide to bleed and safe area gives the margins.

Order and fit #

• Magnetic van signs
• Car door magnetic signs
• Vehicle magnets in A4, A3 and A2
• Taxi magnetic signs

All can be designed online for free. When they arrive, read magnetic car sign fitting and care before the first drive: clean paint, a clean back and a weekly lift-off keep both the sign and the paintwork in good shape.

Questions people ask #