Camper Van Graphics Project: Mercedes Sprinter
This Mercedes Sprinter is our own vehicle, a 10-year-old ex-NHS working van that we later converted into a camper and it became the starting point for the MVANS project.
By this point, we’d had enough of the direction camper van graphics had gone in. Everywhere we looked it was the same familiar visual language: compasses, trees, mountains and badge-style motifs, often little more than reworked clip-art, sold repeatedly in generic kits you can buy anywhere, including online marketplaces.
The irony is that inspiration itself isn’t the problem. Design has always evolved by responding to what already exists. But too often these ideas were being lifted wholesale, applied without thought, and dropped onto completely different vehicles with no regard for proportion, panel layout or use.
This project was our line in the sand. The Sprinter became a way to take inspiration from elsewhere, adapt it properly, and design something that was specific to the vehicle it was going on. Not decoration stuck on a van, but a considered graphic system developed around the vehicle itself.
Camper Van Graphics Design Brief
The aim of this project was to develop an alternative approach to camper van graphics, one that prioritised the vehicle’s shape, scale and function over trends or off-the-shelf design kits and clip art.
We wanted to create graphics that felt integrated rather than applied, using durable materials and finishes suited to real-world use. Because this was our own van, it also became an opportunity to slow the process down, question our own habits, and establish a clear direction for future MVANS projects.
The project was undertaken during the winter months, a period we often use for internal development, training and process refinement.
Vehicle Preparation and Wrap Process
Before any graphics were applied, the Sprinter was stripped back completely. Fixtures were removed, panels thoroughly cleaned, and trims restored or replaced where necessary. Working on our own vehicle allowed us to prepare everything to the standard we expect across all MOBAD vehicle wrap projects, without compromise.
The graphics were produced using 3M wrap film, combining gloss, high-gloss, matte and satin finishes in black and orange. The use of multiple finishes was a deliberate design decision, adding depth and contrast while remaining restrained and functional.
Camper Van Wrap Installation and Training
The wrap was installed in-house by the MOBAD team, with close attention paid to sequencing, panel transitions and consistency across the different film finishes.
As part of our winter training programme, the project also incorporated a dedicated training visit from Spandex, allowing the team to refine techniques, review material behaviour and reinforce best practice when working with mixed-finish vinyls.
Using an internal project for this training ensured that learning could be applied immediately and practically, rather than in isolation.
Finished Camper Van Wrap
The completed Sprinter is a working camper, used year-round rather than reserved as a show vehicle. The finished graphics are bold without being overpowering, with the different finishes revealing themselves gradually depending on light conditions and movement.
To document the project honestly, the van was filmed in real environments, including the recent winter snowfall!
Results and Project Outcome
This Sprinter became the foundation of the MVANS project and now acts as a long-term reference point for future camper and utility vehicle graphics.
The project reinforced several key principles that now underpin our approach:
Simple ideas, when properly designed and applied, can create a strong visual impact. Mixed finishes can be used subtly to add depth and durability. Most importantly, graphics designed around the vehicle consistently produce more considered and longer-lasting results.
The project also proved the value of using internal builds as structured training opportunities, strengthening both skills and processes within the team.
To see where the MVANS project goes next, visit the dedicated website or follow the channel as new designs are developed and installed.
