The initial enquiry was for a complete tram wrap supporting a BBC Children in Need appearance.

There was one significant complication: we had just two days to print and apply the graphics.

We had not previously surveyed the tram. In fact, the first time our production and installation team saw it in person was when it arrived at our centre for fitting.

SpudBros needed the finished tram to create maximum impact on camera, represent the BBC Children in Need campaign clearly and be ready within a deadline that could not move.

It was ambitious, to put it mildly.

The tram hadn’t been wrapped since the original graphics were applied some time ago, and the previous company hadn’t anticipated it being wrapped in the way we were now planning.

As a result, the drawings available weren’t particularly detailed and the template we’d been supplied turned out to be completely wrong, something we only discovered after the full job had already been printed.

It was one of those projects that simply had to be completed, no matter what curveballs were thrown our way… and there were certainly a few!

Completing the Children in Need tram proved what could be achieved, even with a demanding deadline and an imperfect starting point.

It also built trust.

SpudBros returned to us for further campaigns, each bringing its own artwork, materials, timings and brand requirements. The tram has since been transformed for collaborations with: KFC, Sony, MrBeast’s Feastables, Preston North End, and BBC Children in Need.

For every version, we have had to preserve the character of the SpudBros tram while giving the partner brand enough presence to make the collaboration unmistakable.

That balance is important - A successful partnership wrap should not look as though one logo has simply been placed over another. 

For the Feastables campaign, for example, the tram was wrapped in a vivid blue design featuring large-format branding, promotional messaging, product references and interactive QR codes. The finished graphics gave the tram the bold, energetic appearance needed for public events while keeping the SpudBros identity visible throughout.

For KFC, the visual direction changed completely. Deep reds, black backgrounds and close-up food photography created a strong campaign look that still worked with the tram’s unusual dimensions and functional panels.

Our work with SpudBros soon moved beyond the tram.

We wrapped their new food container on Preston Flag Market, helping create a recognisable and professional trading space in the heart of the city.

We also produced the largest banner our centre had ever made for them. The circular graphic was laid across the pitch at Deepdale as part of a Preston North End half-time activity.

Seeing it in place was one of those moments that makes the hard work worthwhile. What began with Tony spotting our sign inside the stadium had come full circle, with graphics produced by our team becoming part of the matchday experience.

Every project has been different, but our approach has remained consistent.

We begin by understanding the event, campaign and practical purpose of the graphics. We then review the supplied artwork, check the tram’s current condition and identify any areas requiring special treatment.

Our production team prepares and prints the graphics, while the installation team plans the application around the doors, shutters, trims, lights and other working features of the unit.

The fitting itself is completed panel by panel. Larger areas establish the visual impact, while the finishing work around edges, fixtures and joins ensures the wrap looks considered up close.

This combination of design support, production knowledge and careful installation is essential on a vehicle as distinctive as the SpudBros tram. Signs Express communications place the emphasis on clear advice, appropriate materials and professional installation rather than making exaggerated claims - an approach we have followed throughout this partnership.