Frazer Graphics Process

This page is your guide to how we take your ideas and turn them into final, production-ready graphics. Whether you have a full design in mind or you’re starting with just a logo, our process is built to keep things clear, efficient, and collaborative. You’ll find a simple breakdown of the three main steps — from kickoff to final approval — plus helpful tools, tips, and standards to make sure your design not only looks great, but checks all the right boxes. Let’s get into it.

At Frazer, we design hundreds of custom units every year — and that experience has helped us build a design process that’s not only fast and efficient, but also accurate and high quality. Our three-step approach keeps the conversation flowing, decisions timely, and your design on track.

Three Steps to Artwork Approval

Step 1 – Creative Intake
About 30 days before your artwork is due, your assigned designer will reach out to get things started. The more details you can share early on, the better we can tailor the design to fit your vision. During this stage, we’ll ask you to send over a few key items:

Logo files
Design inspirations
Special requests or compliance needs

Step 2 – Review & Refine
Next, you’ll receive a digital proof to review. We’ll work together to refine the design based on your feedback. To keep things moving smoothly, it’s super helpful if you can group your feedback into batches — that way we can focus and make meaningful updates quickly.

Step 3 – Final Approval
Once everything looks just right, we’ll send you a final approval PDF for each unit. Please take a close look at the details. Your signature confirms that the artwork is approved and ready for production. Any changes after this point will require a formal change order and may cause delays.

Visual Compliance for EMS Vehicles

EMS vehicles are governed under a few different national standards. Depending on the certification tied to your unit, it is expected to meet those standards to ensure visibility, safety, and regulatory compliance. This page provides a focused reference for the graphics-related requirements in the three major ambulance design standards; Commonly referred to as Triple-K, NFPA, and CAAS.

While these standards differ in scope and enforcement, they share common expectations for color contrast, retro-reflectivity, lettering, and labeling that directly impact how EMS vehicles are marked. Use this guide to review your design against each set of criteria and ensure your unit is field-ready and inspection-ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I expected to adhere to all three of these standards?

Not necessarily. Which standard(s) you need to follow depends on your agency’s funding source, contractual requirements, and accreditation goals. Some municipalities or grant programs (like those under GSA or state contracts) may require adherence to KKK-A-1822F. Others may mandate NFPA 1900 or CAAS GVS v3.0—especially if you are pursuing CAAS accreditation or specific state-level certifications. If you’re unsure where you fall, your sales person will be able to guide you through your specific situation and the graphics team checks all units for compliance as a standard.

What if I don’t want to follow part of the standard?

If you’re not contractually required to follow a specific standard, you can make exceptions—but they come with trade-offs. Deviations, even minor ones, may result in a unit that isn’t fully certified. This can affect grant eligibility, delay inspections, or create safety and resale concerns. Always document your reasoning and check with your purchasing or compliance team before making changes, especially if you’re pursuing NFPA or CAAS certification.

How do I ensure my vehicle will meet certification?

Start by confirming which standard—NFPA 1900, CAAS GVS v3.0, or KKK-A-1822F—applies to your vehicle based on funding or accreditation needs. Review the graphics sections of that standard and work closely with your graphics provider or vehicle builder to align your design from the start. If you’re pursuing CAAS accreditation, consult their manual and consider a pre-review. Frazer customers also receive a graphics check as standard procedure before final inspection to ensure everything is in place.

What are the must haves for my unit?

All three standards require clear agency identification, unit numbers, and proper use of the Star of Life. Reflective graphics are a must for visibility, and text must be large and high-contrast for readability. Most also call for rear chevrons or warning patterns. When in doubt, follow the strictest version to ensure compliance across the board and always dig deeper as there are often state and municipal requirements that dictate certain colors and features. As always, the graphics department is here to guide you through the process and will be able to help answer your specific needs.

Can I use custom graphics or designs and still meet compliance?

Absolutely. Custom graphics are a great way to showcase your agency’s identity, and most standards allow creative design—as long as key compliance elements remain clear and visible. Just be sure that things like unit numbers, the Star of Life, and reflective striping aren’t obscured or difficult to read. A well-designed layout can balance personality with safety. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help review your design for compliance before it goes to print.

Need to Ask Something Specific?

We’re eager to help and cultivate a design process that meets your mission. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our design team with any questions about materials, design, compliance, and custom services. We’re here to set you off on the right foot, so give us a shout!

Frazer Graphics
[email protected]
713-772-5511

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