One Arc or Two Arcs per Tire?
One Arc or Two Arcs per Tire?
One arc places lettering in a single section of the visible sidewall. Two arcs add a second section, commonly arranged on the opposite side of the wheel in the design proof. The choice changes both the visual layout and the number of pieces you need. Decide those separately before ordering.
Count arcs rather than relying on the word “set”
For planning purposes, multiply the number of outward-facing sidewalls receiving artwork by the number of arcs on each. Four sidewalls with one arc each require four arcs. Four sidewalls with two arcs each require eight. This is an artwork count, not a guarantee of how a supplier packages a particular product.
| Planned layout | Sidewalls | Arcs per sidewall | Total arcs |
|---|---|---|---|
| One word on each visible tire | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Two words on each visible tire | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| One arc on two selected tires | 2 | 1 | 2 |
If your layout mixes these arrangements, list each position instead of using one multiplier. Keep logos, flags and spare pieces identified so that an arc count is not confused with a count of individual components.
Evaluate the full wheel layout
A single arc leaves more empty space around the main message. Two arcs can accommodate a separate slogan or graphic, but the second arc needs its own usable placement area. Do not assume that the lower design should have the same finished width as the upper one when the wording differs.
Compare both options at the intended size. View the complete wheel from the distance at which you expect the design to be seen, then inspect the placement areas closely. A layout can look balanced in a mockup while still conflicting with raised features on the physical tire.
Understand what “upper” and “lower” mean
Those labels describe the arrangement in the proof or installation reference. They are not fixed positions while the vehicle moves: the tire rotates. Do not base a design on a particular word always remaining at the top when the vehicle is parked. Instead, approve the relationship between the two arcs.
Make the order unambiguous
Write “four upper wordmarks and four lower slogans” if that is what you need, then specify the exact wording and dimensions of each. For a one-arc design, explicitly state that no second arc is required. Ask the supplier to confirm the finished piece count before production.
When reviewing a top-and-bottom custom lettering configuration, compare the listing and proof with your count rather than assuming every four-tire product uses the same arrangement.