Questions & answers
Straight answers about graphics and wraps
The questions business owners ask us most. Don’t see yours? Call (804) 887-3190 and ask.
Working with Hawkeye
Who does fleet graphics and vehicle wraps in Richmond, VA?
Hawkeye Graphics, at 1100 Athens Ave., Suite E (opens in a new tab) in Richmond, designs, prints and installs fleet graphics, vehicle wraps, decals, banners and window and wall graphics for businesses across Central Virginia. The shop was founded in 2011 by Richmond natives Hayden and Corrine Townsend.
What areas do you serve?
We're based in Richmond and work with businesses throughout the metro area and Central Virginia, including Henrico, Chesterfield, Mechanicsville and Powhatan. Ask us about projects farther out.
Do you only work with businesses?
Most of our work is for businesses: contractors, distributors, service companies, retailers and fleets of every size. We also take on selected custom wraps and color changes for individual vehicles.
Can you work around our schedule so our trucks stay on the road?
Yes. We know your vehicles are working, so we plan installs around your schedule, and we can letter trucks at your job site when it isn't practical to pull them out of the field.
What do you need from me to give a quote?
Photos of each side of the vehicle (or the wall, window or space), the year, make and model, how many vehicles or pieces, your logo or artwork, and when you need it. With those we can usually come back with a layout and a price rather than a list of questions.
Do you design the graphics, or do I need my own artwork?
Either works. Our designers can build a layout from your logo, or from scratch, and we can also print and install artwork your own designer supplies. Send whatever you have with your quote request.
How do I pay an invoice?
Use the Pay an Invoice link at the top of any page. It opens our secure online payment portal.
Fleet graphics
Are fleet graphics worth it for a small business with only a few vehicles?
Yes. A branded work vehicle advertises everywhere it goes and every time it's parked at a job, with no monthly cost. Whether you run two vehicles or 20, matching graphics also make your crew easier to recognize and trust in a customer's driveway.
Can you match new vehicles to the graphics already on our fleet?
Yes. When you add a truck or trailer, we bring it up to the same branding standard as the rest of your fleet, so new and existing vehicles match side by side.
What's the difference between fleet lettering, a partial wrap and a full wrap?
Lettering and logos are cut or printed vinyl on the vehicle's factory paint, and they're the most affordable option. A partial wrap covers part of the vehicle, often the rear half or two-thirds. A full wrap covers the whole painted surface. Many fleets mix them, wrapping a lead truck and lettering the rest.
Can you repair graphics when a vehicle gets damaged?
Yes. If a ladder scrapes a van or a panel gets replaced, we can patch or reprint the affected section, usually quickly, so the vehicle can get back to work.
Do you do box trucks, trailers and heavy equipment?
Yes. We brand everything from pickups and cargo vans to box trucks, dump trucks, semi trailers and utility bodies, and we can match graphics to existing painted surfaces.
Vehicle wraps
How long does a vehicle wrap last in Virginia?
Surfaces that sit in direct sun, like the roof, hood and trunk, typically get three to four really good years in Virginia's climate before they need attention. Vertical panels on the sides last longer. Keeping up with touch-ups and replacing the wrap on time also makes removal much easier.
Will a wrap damage my vehicle's paint?
On factory paint in good condition, a professionally installed wrap that's removed within its service life comes off cleanly. A wrap that's left on until it cracks and fades can take days to remove, and repainted or damaged surfaces carry more risk. We'll look at the vehicle before quoting.
Is a partial wrap a good option?
Often, yes. A two-thirds or partial wrap puts the design where people actually see it, along the sides and rear, for less than a full wrap, and it reads like a full wrap from the side of the road.
Can you do a full color change?
Yes, including on work trucks. We recently flipped a Kenworth from pale yellow to 3M Gloss Anthracite to match the rest of a fleet. One thing to know: if a panel needs replacing years later, the film maker may have adjusted the color formula, so an exact match isn't always possible.
How do you prepare a vehicle before wrapping it?
Our installers meticulously clean every area that will be wrapped, install the film, then post-heat it so the vinyl holds its shape around curves and edges for the long term.
What wrap films do you use?
We work with professional films from manufacturers including 3M, Avery Dennison and Oracal, chosen to suit the job and the surface.
Promotional graphics
What kinds of promotional graphics do you make?
Printed and cut vinyl decals, banners for buildings, trade shows and roadsides, storefront window graphics, and office and interior graphics on glass, walls and floors, including murals.
Can window graphics give us privacy without blocking light?
Yes. Frosted and dusted films give glass offices and conference rooms privacy at eye level while letting daylight through, and they can carry your logo or a brand stripe.
How durable are vinyl decals?
Our decals are printed on our own equipment and are suitable for almost any smooth surface, from storefront windows to laptops and equipment. Decals for outdoor use are laminated to stand up to sun and weather.
Can banners be reused?
Yes. Banners are easy to put up and take down, so they travel well between trade shows and events and can come back out season after season.