Magnetic signs are the small-business gateway product. Every contractor, realtor, mobile service, and side-hustle delivery business wants vehicle branding without the commitment or cost of a wrap — and car magnets are the answer they've already decided on before they call you. For resellers, magnets are a high-frequency, low-friction sale with excellent margins.
Stock: 20 mil vs. 30 mil
Magnetic sheet comes in two thicknesses, and the choice is about holding power at speed:
- 20 mil — lighter, more economical; fine for door panels on standard passenger vehicles at normal speeds
- 30 mil — stronger magnetic grip; the quote for trucks, vans, highway driving, and any client who'll forget to remove and clean their magnets (most of them)
The safe default for working vehicles is 30 mil — the cost difference is small and the callback risk drops. Full decision guide: 20 mil vs 30 mil Magnetic Signs: Which to Quote.
Sizes and Shapes
Magnets print at custom sizes up to 24"x36" and die cut to any shape — rounded-corner rectangles are the standard (sharp corners peel first at speed), but custom contours around logos carry premium pricing at nearly identical cost. Durable UV printing means the color survives sun, rain, and car washes without laminating.
The Client Conversation: Magnets vs. Decals
Clients often arrive asking for "vehicle graphics" without knowing the format options. The one-question sort: does the branding ever need to come off? Personal vehicles doing business duty, leased vehicles, and fleets that rotate need magnets. Permanent fleet branding does better as decals. Walk clients through it — and pick up the companion sale either way: Magnetic Signs vs. Vehicle Decals: Which to Order?.
Who Buys Vehicle Magnets
- Contractors and trades — the core market; plumbers, electricians, landscapers, cleaners branding personal trucks
- Real estate agents — door magnets for personal vehicles, often ordered alongside yard sign packages
- Fleets and franchises — multi-vehicle sets with consistent branding: Car Magnets for Fleets & Contractors
- Dealerships — magnetic dealer plates and demo vehicle branding, adjacent to the aluminum car tag market: Car Tags & Dealer Plates
Artwork and Care Notes
- Design for distance — vehicle signage is read in motion; company name, service, phone number, big and bold. Fine detail is wasted.
- Rounded corners — spec them by default; they resist lift at highway speed.
- Include care instructions with every order — magnets need removal and cleaning weekly (both magnet and vehicle surface) to prevent moisture etching. Passing this to clients prevents complaints that have nothing to do with print quality.
- Flat surfaces only — magnets need full flat contact; warn clients with heavily contoured door panels.
Pricing Magnets for Resale
A pair of custom door magnets retails at $60–150+ depending on size, against modest wholesale cost — magnets routinely support 100%+ markups. They also bundle naturally: every yard sign client with a vehicle is a magnet prospect, and every magnet client eventually needs signs. Pricing framework: How Sign Shops Price Outsourced Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can vehicle magnets ship? 94.6% of orders ship the next business day with free UPS Ground shipping — no rush fees.
Will magnetic signs damage vehicle paint? Not with proper care — regular removal and cleaning prevents moisture buildup. Include care instructions with every set you sell.
What's the largest magnetic sign available? Custom sizes up to 24"x36".
Do magnets stay on at highway speed? Quote 30 mil with rounded corners for highway use — properly applied to a clean, flat surface, they hold.
Add magnets to every vehicle-owning client's quote. Create your trade account or request a quote. Trade-only: What Is Trade-Only Printing?