Two positions on an HGV carry a graphic better than anywhere else on the cab: the windscreen itself, and the smooth face of the external sun visor above the cab roof. PolyWard makes HGV windscreen graphics that work in both positions, cut from Oracal outdoor-rated vinyl in 13 colours and nine designs across three themes. All are sized to order and built for year-round conditions on a working lorry.
Windscreen glass or external sun visor: what is the difference?
These are two different surfaces on the same cab, and knowing which one you are fitting changes the sizing decision.
The windscreen bar is the strip of glass at the very top of the windscreen, above where the wipers sweep. It is the most common position for banner graphics and the most visible from the front and from behind. Graphics fitted here sit entirely outside the driver’s sightline, above the wiper arc, so there is no visibility concern. The size range covers everything from 7x60cm at the compact end up to 21x180cm for full-width windscreen banners, covering large van cabs through to full-size articulated lorry windscreens.
The external sun visor is a different thing altogether. It is the roof-mounted plastic or fibreglass component that overhangs the windscreen on many European HGV units, including certain Scania R and S series, Volvo FH and FM, Mercedes Actros, MAN TGX, and DAF XF cabs. It sits above the roofline, facing forward. The smooth face of the visor takes a vinyl graphic well and is in a highly visible position: anyone approaching from the front sees the graphic directly. The application method is the same as for glass.
Which HGV makes do these graphics fit?
Any cab with a flat or lightly curved windscreen or a smooth external sun visor face. That covers the main makes in the UK working fleet without restriction: Scania R and S series, Volvo FH and FM, Mercedes Actros, MAN TGX and TGS, DAF XF and CF, Renault T and C series, and Iveco S-Way and Stralis units.
For cabs with deep-ribbed or heavily corrugated body panels, stick to the glass or the visor face rather than fitting to the bodywork; vinyl does not bond reliably to deeply textured surfaces.
Choosing the right size for your windscreen or visor
Width is the main variable. A full-size artic windscreen typically runs 1,500mm to 1,800mm across. The larger sizes in the range go up to 180cm wide to cover this. For smaller van-derived cabs, the 60–80cm sizes suit the narrower glass. Cab side windows take the smaller sizes too, typically 60–80cm depending on the cab.
Height is the other consideration. Windscreen bar graphics need to clear the wiper arc, and lorry wipers cover a substantial portion of the glass. Check the highest point your wipers reach before ordering and choose a height that sits comfortably above it. The range runs from 7cm up to around 25cm tall, giving enough steps to find the right fit for most HGV windscreen configurations.
For the external sun visor, check the depth of the visor face from the front edge to where it meets the roofline. Most UK tractor unit visors take graphics in the 13–21cm height range without issue.
The designs: slogans, national identity and show truck graphics
Nine windscreen-format HGV graphics are available across three themes.
On the slogan side: the King of the Road Crown Logo – an original PolyWard design pairing the lettering with a crown and road icon, and the King of the Road Text version for lettering alone. Living The Dream and Mind Over Miles complete the slogan range.
On the national and regional identity side: England Tudor Rose, Wales Welsh Dragon, Cymru Dragons, Scotland Thistle, and Yorkshire Banner.
For show truck builds: Skull and Flames.
All nine come in 13 colours, sized to order. For more on design types, placement options, and how to choose a colour that works on your specific cab, see the lorry cab graphics UK buyer’s guide.
Windscreen decals
Wide format designs, slogans and images for HGV and van windscreens or sun visors.
Matching mudflaps for the same design
Most windscreen graphic designs have a matching HGV mudflap pair so the cab exterior reads as a considered build rather than a mix of unrelated parts. Matching front and rear 4mm PVC mudflap pairs are available for King of the Road, Living The Dream, Skull and Flames, England, Wales, Cymru, and Scotland. See the full HGV mudflaps range for the complete list.
How to fit an HGV windscreen graphic
Fitting a windscreen graphic on an HGV is different from fitting a car decal in two practical ways: the glass is considerably wider, and you are working at height. Both are straightforward with the right approach.
Use a ladder or stable platform to reach the glass safely before starting. For graphics over 60cm wide, the anchor point method is the cleanest way to get the alignment right. Fold the graphic in half widthways, peel the backing from one half only, position and stick that half to the glass, then peel and apply the other. For the largest sizes, a second pair of hands makes alignment easier before any vinyl touches the glass.
Surface preparation on a working HGV needs more attention than on a car. Diesel residue, road grime, and any wax left on the glass will all prevent a clean bond. Wipe the surface down with isopropyl alcohol immediately before fitting. Once the graphic is down, run a squeegee from the centre outward to remove air, then seal the edges with a heat gun. Edge sealing matters more on a vehicle that is pressure-washed regularly than on anything that just sees rain.
The full step-by-step process, covering surface prep for working vehicles, wet versus dry application, ladder safety for elevated cab positions, and edge sealing technique, is in the HGV and lorry graphics fitting guide.
If you are building a show truck or want sizing advice for a specific cab make before ordering, get in touch. These are made in-house in the UK, and we can advise on the right size for your windscreen before the order goes in.
Browse the full HGV windscreen graphics and lorry cab decals range to find your design, colour, and size.
