Vehicle Wraps & Graphics – Your Questions Answered
A lot of people have the misconception that Vehicle Wraps and Graphics are just for big companies with large fleets of vehicles. The truth is, vehicle wraps are a tremendously cost effective marketing solution for most businesses. We’ve compiled some of our most commonly asked questions and answers to help you get a better idea of what vehicle wraps are, the installation process, and what kind of return on investment you can expect.
What is a vehicle wrap?
A wrap is a large vinyl graphic or decal. It is applied directly over the original paint of the vehicle. The application of the wrap allows you to change the vehicle’s appearance in a very short period of time and in turn allows you to remove the wrap, returning the vehicle back to its original condition if necessary. Wraps can be applied to cars, vans, trucks, buses, trailers, etc.
What is involved in a vehicle wrap?
Vehicle wraps are comprised of three phases:
1. The Design Phase includes getting accurate measurements for the vehicle and actual design of the graphics to be applied.
2. The Production Phase is where the graphic is printed and then laminated to protect the vinyl from abrasions and UV rays that can cause graphics to fade over time.
3. The Installation Phase is where the vinyl is actually applied to your vehicle.
In some cases there may even be a fourth phase, the removal of graphics if requested.
How long does a vehicle wrap take to install?
In general, we can wrap a van or car in one day. An appointment will be set up with the Installer after production of the graphics.
What is the difference between a full and a partial wrap?
Anything less than a full wrap is normally called a “partial wrap”. A half partial wrap normally includes the entire rear of the vehicle and halfway up the vehicle, and includes a hood logo. A three-quarters partial wrap normally includes the entire rear of the vehicle and most of the way up the vehicle, and includes a hood logo. Typically, a full wrap includes the entire surface of the vehicle except for the roof. Roof wrapping is an additional fee.
How do you justify the cost of a vehicle wrap?
If you are using your vehicle wrap as signage, there is no more cost-effective advertising method available. It has been proven that the cost per impression (CPI) of vehicles wraps is less than other forms of advertising such as billboards, television, radio, and yellow pages. The average vehicle wrap is able to generate thousands of memorable impressions each day.
If you are using your vehicle wrap to improve the appearance of your vehicle, digitally printed vehicle wraps simply cannot be duplicated by more traditional methods like paint or airbrushing.
How long will a wrap last on my vehicle?
Wrap life span really depends on how well the film is cared for, how much day to day stress the wrap gets from road driving, and what quality of film was used to do the installation. Some films last longer than others, and the thicker they are the more damage they can take. We’ve wrapped vehicles that see plenty of road & track time, and their films have survived more than 5 years without needing parts re-installed or failing entirely.
Can you wrap unpainted or primed vehicles or body components?
No. With primed and unpainted vehicles or body kits, the surface texture does not allow for proper adhesion of air egress vinyls, and makes the wrap prone to failure & lifting.
Does my vehicle need to be clean before I can have it wrapped?
Yes. Dirt and contaminants on your exterior would be trapped under the film, posing greater harm to your paint and eventually causing the wrap to fail if they were not cleaned off before installation. Thus, a full 24 hours prior to the warp, wash with NO wax before the application.
How do I care for my vinyl wrap?
Proper wrap care starts with the basics. Keeping your vehicle’s surface clean is the primary concern, so frequent hand washing to eliminate surface contaminates is necessary if you want to keep your wrap from getting stained or damaged from road grime.
For those of you with a gloss free exterior, we offer wrap waxing services for matte & satin films to help
keep them protected as well as maintain a nice soft, flat finish.
What happens if my vehicle/wrap gets damaged?
There are a few courses of action depending on how your wrap gets damaged, where the damage occurred, and how extensive it is.
Worst case scenario, the wrap must be removed entirely, but more than likely we will be able to pull a section of the wrap and replace it with a new piece of film that was left over from your installation. Depending on the design or layout of your wrap and where the damage is located, we may also need to reprint graphics or simply patch a spot in.
Do you have more questions about vehicle wraps? Leave them in the comments below or message us directly and we’ll be sure to get back to you!
Ready to learn more or start talking about transforming your vehicle(s)? Contact us today.
