The Rise of Empire Sticker and Its Impact on Truck Culture

The Rise of Empire Sticker and Its Impact on Truck Culture

In recent years, a new trend has emerged in the truck community - empire sticker. This refers to vinyl decals and stickers from Elevated Empire, a company that specializes in custom designs for trucks. Their eye-catching graphics featuring phrases like "Chrome Won't Get You Home" have become symbolic of a brash, unapologetic truck culture.

So how did this niche branding become so popular? And what does it say about the people who proudly display these stickers on their rides?

The Story Behind Elevated Empire

Elevated Empire was founded in 2011 by Blake Fitzgerald, a truck enthusiast who started creating decals for his own F-250 pickup truck. When other drivers began requesting custom designs from Blake, he recognized there was an opportunity to build a brand around edgy phrases and sayings that resonated with truck drivers.

Based out of South Carolina, Elevated Empire's early stickers featured provocative taglines like "Prius Repellent" and "This Ain't No Damn Soccer Mom Van." They tapped into the rebellious, confrontational attitude often associated with pickup drivers. As their reputation grew on social media, the company expanded into apparel, hats, novelties, and more.

Why Empire Stickers Caught On

There are a few key reasons why Elevated Empire's eye-grabbing stickers took off within the truck community:

• They were visually striking, making use of bold fonts, colors, and graphics.
• The funny, brash messaging spoke to a sense of tribal identity among pickup drivers.
• Putting the stickers on trucks was an easy, inexpensive way to make a statement.
• The controversial sayings sparked reactions and attention on the road.

For many truck owners, Elevated Empire stickers became a way to reinforce their lifestyle and attitude. The provocative designs created an "us vs. them" dynamic, differentiating truck drivers from ordinary motorists. This resonated strongly with a demographic seeking ways to showcase their personality.

Empire Sticker Controversies

Of course, not everyone appreciates the in-your-face messaging promoted by Elevated Empire. Their stickers have sometimes stirred controversies and complaints from other drivers who find the sayings offensive or aggressive. A few notable dust-ups include:

• In 2012, Blake Fitzgerald got threats for slapping an "Eat Sleep Drift, That's For Punks" sticker on his truck, targeting illegal street racing culture.
• An Oregon school board urged parents not to use Empire stickers after complaints about phrases like "Teach Your Girl to Hunt and Grow a Pair."
• A Maryland man's SUV was vandalized in 2013 in response to his "This Truck Got Balls Bigger Than Your Prius" decal.

While some critics condemn the stickers as forms of hate speech or promoting toxic masculinity, Elevated Empire maintains they're meant as tongue-in-cheek humor. However, the outspoken graphics certainly aren't for everyone.

The Rise of an Entire Brand

Despite occasional controversies, Elevated Empire has capitalized on their early success with stickers by expanding into a lifestyle brand representing the truck community. They now offer:

• Hitch covers
• LED lights
• Floor mats
• Seat covers
• Flags
• Hoodies and t-shirts
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Phone cases

This wider selection of merchandise means truck owners can show their Elevated Empire affinity in more ways. But for many loyalists, the iconic original stickers remain a badge of honor within truck culture.

Empire Stickers Go Mainstream

Today, spotting an Elevated Empire decal in a crowded parking lot is a telltale sign you've crossed paths with a fellow truck enthusiast. The provocative, in-your-face branding has struck a chord within the truck community. In fact, Elevated Empire's appeal has grown so broad that their stickers are no longer a niche product.

You can now find parody versions, like "This Ain't No Damn Rice Burner" for imports or "My Other Ride Has Horsepower" for horse trailers. Competing brands have emerged offering their own take on edgy, truck-themed graphics. Even major retailers like Target and Walmart stock Elevated Empire stickers and apparel.

While Elevated Empire isn't everyone's cup of tea, there's no denying they've made a major impact in how truck drivers customize their rides. Spotting one of their distinctive stickers in the wild marks you as part of an anti-establishment tribe that does things their own way.

The Future of Truck Culture

Looking ahead, Elevated Empire and similar brands seem poised to keep gaining traction within the truck community. As long as there's a desire for drivers to differentiate themselves from ordinary motorists, the appeal of edgy, in-your-face stickers will persist.

Of course, even subcultures like truck culture evolve over time. Today's provocative graphics could eventually give way to newer fads and trends. But the underlying desire to customized vehicles as expressions of identity and lifestyle remains constant. So while specific brands may come and go, trucks decked out with attitude are here to stay.

The next time you find yourself shuffling in line behind a pickup with an Empire sticker, remember - that's not just a truck. That's a symbol of freedom, attitude, and life on the open road.

FAQs

Who founded Elevated Empire?

Elevated Empire was founded in 2011 by Blake Fitzgerald, a truck enthusiast who started creating edgy decals for his own pickup truck.

What are some controversial empire stickers?

Some stickers that have stirred controversy include "Eat Sleep Drift, That's For Punks" targeting illegal street racing, "Teach Your Girl to Hunt and Grow a Pair", and "This Truck Got Balls Bigger Than Your Prius."

Where can you buy Elevated Empire merchandise?

Originally sold only through their website, Elevated Empire stickers and merchandise are now available through major retailers like Target and Walmart as the brand has gone mainstream.