Customer
For customers, color creates visibility.
Beyond the Color Card: Why Color Consistency Matters in Truck Tarpaulins
Color is more than a design choice. It is a key element of fleet branding. Discover why achieving consistent colors in truck tarpaulins requires more than selecting a shade from a sample card, and how advanced color management, objective LAB measurements, and a broad color portfolio help fleet operators maintain a strong, recognizable brand presence on the road. Learn how sidecurtain 900, available in more than 40 standard colors, combines visual appeal with proven performance and durability.
September 15, 2026
Beyond the Color Card: Why Color Consistency Matters in Truck Tarpaulins
In the transport industry, tarpaulins serve a variety of purposes beyond merely protecting cargo. As they are often one of the largest visual elements of a fleet, they are an essential part of a company's brand identity.
When fleet operators invest in vehicle graphics and branding, they expect a consistent appearance across their entire fleet, on every route and throughout the year. However, achieving this standard is more complex than simply selecting a color from a sample card.
The Challenge Behind Technical Textile Colors
Unlike many rigid materials, truck tarpaulins and side curtains must withstand:
- Intensive UV exposure
- Temperature fluctuations
- Mechanical stress
- Cleaning processes
- Long service lifetimes
Maintaining color consistency under these conditions requires carefully controlled raw materials, coating technologies and production processes.
Looking Beyond Visual Assessment
Colors can be objectively measured using the internationally recognized CIE L*a*b* color space.
The LAB system describes colors through three dimensions:
- L = Lightness
- a = Green to red
- b = Blue to yellow
The visualization below shows how truck tarpaulin colors can be mapped in a three-dimensional color space. This enables an objective evaluation of color diversity and accuracy. It highlights the broad spectrum of colors available in the truck tarpaulin market and shows how a comprehensive color portfolio can cover a large portion of the relevant color space.
Why Color Variety Matters
A wide color portfolio creates real business value for converters and fabricators.
- Better matching of customer corporate identities
- Faster project realization
- Reduced need for custom color development
- Consistent fleet appearance across different vehicle generations
sidecurtain 900: Built for Color and Performance
sidecurtain 900 combines excellent mechanical properties with an extensive stock color range. Available in more than 40 standard colors, this material provides outstanding dimensional stability, excellent weldability, and a high-gloss appearance.
The increasingly popular color Silver (8556 5290) is additionally available. It combines a premium appearance with excellent processing characteristics and long-term durability.
Fabricator
For fabricators, color creates opportunities.
Fleet Operator
For fleet operators, color transforms every vehicle into a moving brand ambassador.