The History of Van Signs in London

In the busy London streets...

In the busy London streets, where history meets modernity, an interesting story gets printed all over vehicles that roll across the city. London has a rich evolutionary history of advertising in general; from horse-drawn carriages in the 19th century to today's ubiquitous white vans, a dynamic scene that seems very much indicative of this fast-developing city and its resilient inhabitants. London's streets were a mass of horse-drawn carriages in the early days, each proudly decorated with livery signs. Many of these liveries were elaborate and colourful, serving as a mobile advertising for business or displaying the wealth status of the carriage owner. As the city and traffic increased, the horse-drawn carriage gave way to cars that consumed fossil fuels- becoming much more dangerous for locals.

The concepts of van signing began in the London around the 20th century where initial motorized vans started to drive the advertising space. Painted on the side of vehicles, these signs permitted this form of outdoor marketing because businesses could get their goods seen by a broader audience as these vans drove around town. The double-decker bus will always be one of the most well-known instances of vehicle signage in london. Buses, which have been a decades-old feature in London's public transport system are also covered with advertising. London's double-decker bus sides have long been a sought-after advertising spot for companies from around the world, to local businesses keen to make their mark. It was the 1960s and the invention of vinyl wraps completely changed vehicle livery. Using this new technique both more detailed and eye catching designs could be reproduced, the advertisement on a vehicle was now changeable.

This revolutionary new idea also allowed businesses to update their van signs more regularly, which ensured the highest level of interest from its audience. Nowadays, van signs in London are still developing further and with the help of technology have made more room for signwriting designs. One minute you're staring at an advert for a restaurant in Wapping 5, the next some baffling branding exercise that looks like graffiti but isn't quite (to make sure it goes viral, probably), then another for Coca Cola. From your traditional painted sign to the digital displays mounted on top of those vans speeding around London - they offer up advertising space and with it come some excellent examples of what Level Two people think will stop us from strolling off to their main competitors. Van signs in London is something that will no doubt continue long into the future, looking at new vans and advances within the car wrapping industry. Advertising anything from local business to global brand, these signs showcase the city's eclectic past and ever-changing character. So the next time you see one of those colorful, creative van signs rolling around the streets of London, give it a second glance – it's all part of the city that was and is yet to come.