A set of bed stripes is one of the quickest ways to give a pickup a sharper, more finished look. Done well, stripes follow the shape of the truck, pick up a color that already exists on it, and make the bed sides look longer and lower. Done poorly, they fight the body lines and look like an afterthought. The difference is almost entirely in the choosing.
This guide walks through how to choose a bed stripe kit: reading your truck's body lines, matching the stripe style to the truck's character, choosing a color that works with your paint, getting the size right, and caring for stripes so they stay sharp.
Read your truck's body lines first
Stand back about twenty feet from the side of your truck and look at the bed. Most pickups have one strong horizontal crease running along the bed side, often lined up with the door handles or the top of the wheel arch. Some have a pronounced fender flare. Others are almost flat. The best stripe designs either run parallel to the main crease or sweep upward from the wheel arch toward the tailgate.
Take a photo of the side of the truck. It is much easier to imagine stripes on a picture than on the truck itself, and you can hold product images next to it when comparing kits.
Match the stripe style to the truck
Bed stripe kits come in several broad styles. Straight pinstripes and twin lines look clean and classic and suit work trucks and older pickups. Swooshes and fades add motion and look at home on sport trims. Tribal and flame-inspired shapes are bold and suit lifted trucks and show builds. Splash and mud-style graphics lean rugged and off-road. There is no wrong style, but there is usually one that matches the truck's personality better than the others.
If you are unsure, start with the simplest style that appeals to you. A clean stripe rarely looks dated, while very busy graphics can tire quickly.
Choosing a color that works with your paint
Contrast decides how loud the stripes are. Black or charcoal on a white, silver or red truck is crisp and understated. White or silver on a black, blue or dark gray truck is bright and noticeable. A color picked from the truck itself, such as the red of the tail lights or the gray of the wheels, ties the whole look together.
Avoid colors that are almost but not quite the same as your paint. A stripe two shades off from the body color tends to look like a mismatch rather than a deliberate accent. Either match closely or contrast clearly.
Getting the size right
Measure the bed side from just behind the cab to the back of the bed, and measure the height from the top rail to the bottom of the bed side. Note where the wheel arch begins and ends. Short-bed and long-bed trucks need different lengths, and a kit sized for a long bed will look cramped on a short one. Product pages list the dimensions of each kit. Compare those numbers with your own measurements, and leave clearance around the fuel door, bed rail caps and any badges you want to keep visible.
Think about both sides and the tailgate
Most kits come as a mirrored pair for both bed sides. Some add a matching tailgate piece. If your tailgate has a large badge or a step, check that a tailgate graphic will not cover something you use. A truck looks most balanced when the stripe on each side ends at a natural point, such as just before the taillight or at a body seam, rather than running awkwardly into a light or handle.
Pair stripes with other graphics
Bed stripes often look best as part of a small, coordinated set. A perforated rear window graphic in a complementary color can tie the back of the truck together, and a few well-chosen car stickers and decals can add personality. The key is restraint. Pick one main feature and let the rest support it.
Keeping stripes looking sharp
Wash stripes along with the rest of the truck using a soft mitt and mild car soap. Wipe along the length of a stripe rather than across its edges. Keep pressure washer nozzles at a distance and never point them straight at a stripe edge. Wax is fine over most vinyl, but wipe residue off the edges so it does not build up into a visible line.
Mud and road salt are the biggest enemies of lower bed graphics. Rinse them off regularly in winter and after off-road trips, and inspect the ends of each stripe now and then. Catching grime early keeps the lines crisp for longer.
Quick checklist before ordering
- Photograph the side of the truck and note the main body crease.
- Pick a style that suits the truck's character.
- Choose a clearly matching or clearly contrasting color.
- Measure bed length and height and compare with kit dimensions.
- Check clearance around the fuel door, badges and taillights.
- Plan how the stripes work with any other graphics.
Browse bed stripe kits
When you have your measurements and a style in mind, browse our pickup bed stripe kits. Compare a few options against your photo and checklist, check the dimensions on each product page, and choose the kit that fits both your truck and your taste.
Frequently asked questions
Do bed stripes work on older trucks?
Yes. Stripes are a popular way to freshen up an older pickup. Simple pinstripes and twin lines in particular suit classic and older body styles, and a stripe in a contrasting color can make faded paint look more deliberate.
Should stripes match the wheels or the trim?
Either can work. Matching the wheels or trim color ties the truck together, while matching the tail lights adds a subtle accent. The important thing is to pick one reference color and stick with it.
Can I mix stripe styles on one truck?
It is usually best to keep one stripe style per vehicle. Mixing a straight pinstripe on the bed with a flame on the hood tends to look unplanned. If you want variety, vary the color intensity rather than the shape.