Creative bus wraps have always been a unique way to advertise to the general public and raise brand awareness. The popularity of bus wraps and other large promotional images has factored into wide-format graphics becoming one of the fastest-growing areas in the inkjet printing industry. However, not all wraps are created equal.
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Solvent inkjet inks deliver the best results for producing vinyl wraps or signage. Now more vinyl wraps and signage are produced with eco-solvent inks with reduced volatile organic compounds. Kao Collins produces a wide range of solvent inks for TIJ systems like Funai and HP or PIJ technology like Dimatix, Ricoh, SII Printek, and Xaar.
A smaller percentage of printers are using UV curable ink.
We’ve highlighted 16 of the most impressive designs from recent years that set themselves apart and left a lasting impression.
1. COA Youth & Family Centers
(Source: Cramer-Krasselt Agency)
This ad for the non-profit COA Youth & Family Centers was featured in Milwaukee to encourage parents to educate their children outside the classroom.
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2. Copenhagen Zoo
(Source: Copenhagen Zoo; Y&R Agency)
The Copenhagen Zoo ran this ad depicting a snake constricting a bus. The caption refers to the zoo as “the wildest place in town”.
3. Amnesty International
(Source: Amnesty International; School of Visual Arts)
This wrap for Amnesty International promoted awareness of children that are forced to become soldiers instead of going to school.
4. X-Games
(Source: X-Games; Kit Walker Associates)
To commemorate the X-Games being held in Munich, these designs were featured on buses and made clever use of the wheels to depict an oversized skateboard.
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5. Children’s Charity London 
(Source: Advertising Agency:Saatchi & Saatchi, UK)
This UK ad was used for children’s charity to promote their non-profit and shows a child’s hand “picking up” the bus as if it were a toy.
6. Valley Metro
(Source: Valley Metro; R&R Partners)
In light of the holiday season, this non-denominational gingerbread themed wrap was created to promote Valley Metro rail stops as safe places for homeless youth.
7. Community First Credit Union
(Source: Community First Credit Union; I.D.E.A.S.)
This ad was used in Australia to promote Community First Credit Union by describing their loans are “surprisingly flexible”.
8. Perth Zoo
(Source: Perth Zoo; The Brand Agency)
Another zoo that utilized a creative bus wrap, the Perth Zoo in Australia urged people to “come to the zoo before the zoo comes to you” with this unique design.
9. Wellington On A Plate Culinary Festival
(Source: Visa, Wellington On A Plate Culinary Festival; TBWA)
This ad in New Zealand was used for a contest at Wellington On a Plate that centered on customers using their Visa cards.
10. Visa
(Source: Visa; TBWA)
Visa used this wrap in the United States to encourage the public to explore the world and watch the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
11. Tabasco
(Source: Tabasco; Duval Guillaume Agency)
Tabasco ran this ad in Belgium to promote just how hot the sauce is. The design of the bus mimics that of a fire truck to clearly get the message across.
12. nzdating.com
(Source: nzdating.com)
Online dating site nzdating.com got creative by having two buses “matching” each other show that people can find their perfect match on their website.
13. Dr. Best
(Source: Dr. Best)
This European ad for toothbrushes by Dr. Best took advantage of the length of the bus by showing how flexible their new toothbrush is.
14. Axe Body Spray
(Source: Axe; Lowe Advertising)
This wrap was used to promote Axe Body Spray by making it look like there was a party on the bus, including one person spraying their product.
15. National Geographic
(Source: National Geographic)
National Geographic used this ad in 2005 that featured a great white shark that opened and closed its mouth whenever someone boarded.
16.The Economist
(Source: The Economist)
Not all unique wrap designs appear on the sides of the bus. This ad promotes the Economist’s news magazine using their iconic font and colors.
