Car Wrap Cost Guide
If you’re looking to change the appearance or label a vehicle without permanently changing the auto body, then car wrapping is your best option. Most people get car wraps for commercial reasons, but some want to apply a custom design so that their personal vehicle doesn’t look like everyone else’s.
So how much does it cost to wrap a car to give a vehicle a new look or turn it into a business card on wheels? Let’s get into it.
What is a Car Wrap?
An auto wrap is made up of vinyl decals that are attached to one or more body panels of the vehicle which changes the vehicle’s appearance or gives it identification. Vehicle owners can choose from a standard glossy color, gradient color, matte finish, chrome metallic color, or full-scale graphics treatment. Sometimes the decals are only some lettering on one panel.
One of the key benefits of wraps for cars is that while the decals stay put, they can still be removed. So if you want to rebrand your business, sell the vehicle, or repurpose the vehicle you can take it to a shop and have all the decals removed. The paint job underneath will be exactly as before the car wrap installation.
3 Car Wrap Price Factors
When a professional vinyl wrap installation shop gives you a quote, what do they base car wrap prices on? Car wrapping takes time and the right supplies to do it well. Three major car wrap cost factors are the application process, what colors or finishes are used, and the vehicle’s condition.
Application Process
The time it takes to prep the surface and to apply the decals properly takes time and these hours of labor contribute greatly to installation which is the main factor with car wrap cost.
First, the technician needs to go about making the automotive body surface clean and smooth as possible. This involves washing, power washing, detailing, and solutions that dissolve any stubborn substances that remain on the surface. This process can take several days.
It’s a car wrap best practice to remove any protruding parts, like bumpers, lights, door handles, manufacturer letters or emblems, etc. Anything that is in the path of where the decals will go needs to be cleared out of the way.
Strategic stretching and heat guns are used to accurately attach each decal. This may take several passes to remove all the bubbles or wrinkles. Some designs may have more than one layer.
Professional car wrap installations should never be rushed and should always be done precisely and methodically. This ensures that the wrap has a longer lifespan.
Colors and Finishes
As previously mentioned, car wraps come in standard glossy color, gradient color, matte finish, chrome metallic color, and can be printed with virtually any graphics imaginable. The quality of materials and the layering involved causes varied costs.
To make sure custom graphics are done properly, these must be carefully planned for dimensions so they cover the space accurately. Car wrap colors and ratios can be tricky, so Accurate Signs helps you perfect the design digitally at no extra cost.
Vehicle Condition
The better the condition the vehicle’s surface is in, the better. Scratches, gouges, dents, rust, and dings will create bumps and flaws on the vinyl wrap surface. This creates a risk for damage to the car wrap as it weakens the vinyl decal’s integrity. Some professional car wrap installers will not do wraps on vehicles if the paint is peeling or when oxidation or rust is present.
While car wraps are the alternative to a paint job, with auto body damage you will likely need to consult with an automotive body shop to fix the paint job before you can proceed with the car wrap. Body shop repairs will increase the car wrap cost as a whole.
While this surprise expense makes the vehicle wrap project cost more than you expected, this step cannot be skipped. For the car wrap’s maximum lifespan and for the vehicle to look its best, the body surface should have a flawless paint job and finish.
Average Cost to Wrap a Car, Truck, or Other Vehicle
In this section, we explain that while there are many factors that go into the price of a car wrap, there are ranges and averages to help you get an idea of what to expect to pay.
Cost for Wrapping a Car
If you have a stylish coupe you want to give a little flair to or a branded compact work vehicle to zip around town in, you can expect to pay $2,000 or more to wrap it. For a sedan, the car wrap cost would be around $3,000.
Cost for Wrapping a Truck
Accurate Signs is based in Mesquite, TX where trucks are quite popular here in the Lone Star State. Whether you have a utility pickup or a light-duty truck that promotes your business, you can expect to spend between $1,500 and $5,000 for truck wraps.
Cost for Wrapping Other Auto Vehicles
Because vans are used for commercial purposes like for care facilities and on-site services (HVAC, plumbing, contractors, etc) vans are one of the most commonly wrapped vehicles. For a full van wrap, you can expect to pay $3,500 to $5,000. For a partial wrap, it is between $1,500 to $2,500.
Other cars you might be considering doing a wrap for are:
- Crossover: $3,500 or more.
- Full-size SUV: $4,000 or more.
- Luxury sports car: Starting at $5,000 to over $10,000
Final Thoughts on Car Wrapping Costs
Car wraps are a notable expense, but compared to other types of outdoor advertising, this marketing method is much more economical. For example, the estimated cost to rent a billboard is between $1,500 – $30,000 per location for just one month.
When you pay to wrap a car, this mobile advertising lasts up to eight years. This ad spend comes out to about $.35 to $.77 per impression, depending on how often your branded vehicle gets around or if it’s parked near a busy street. You literally get more mileage for your investment.
The time, material, and prep it takes to do a quality car wrap does add up. We estimate costs between $1,200 and $2,000 for a partial wrap and over $4000 for a full wrap. But when it’s done properly and treated with care, a car wrap looks great and lasts a long time. This is why vehicle wrapping is an unbeatable value when promoting your business.
Whether your business is here in the Dallas area or anywhere between the coasts, Accurate Signs is here to provide businesses the best quality in custom vinyl wrap. Contact us today for a vehicle wrap quote today!