Vinyl car wraps have become extremely popular in the last few years. They are a great solution for companies who want to promote their brand, but they can also be a form of expression. On top of that, a car wrap can provide some protection to the paint.
A lot of owners want to know how much does it cost to wrap a car before installation. Although this is a large expense, it is much cheaper than painting the car and doing some other custom jobs.
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What affects the price of car wrapping?
Although a proficient car enthusiast can apply the wrap himself, it is much better to hire professionals. A few things can ruin the cover during installation, and most people will not get it right on the first try.
Before hiring a company, there are a few things you need to consider:
- What kind of car do you have? Logically, bigger cars will always be more expensive to cover, but you should also consider their design. Intricate vehicles require more work raising the end price.
- When you go to a body shop, you can choose between three finishes: matte, satin, and gloss, each with a specific price tag.
- A car owner will have to pay extra if there is any type of body kit on the vehicle. Custom parts and colors add to the complexity of the projects. A car wrap expert will have to account for all these creases and angles.
- Do you want to wrap the whole car or just a part of it? Often, companies decide to cover just a part of the vehicle. They might put their logo and brand name, but that’s about that. The more surface you want to cover, the higher the price tag.
Before you start the process, a team of professionals will check the car. It is especially important to check for damage as this will affect how the wrap adheres to the surface. Some cars have such extensive damage that it’s simply impossible to put a full-body wrap on them.
These professionals will clean the vehicle prior to application. Dirt, insects, stains can also interfere with the process and provide inferior results.
How to save money on car wraps?
Whether you choose to wrap the car yourself or you hire a company, there are lots of things you can do to save money. Perhaps the best way to reduce the overall price is by handling certain parts of the project yourself. However, if you don’t have any experience with cars or wrapping, we strongly suggest against it.
Here are some amazing tips that will help you save money:
1. Partial wraps are a great option
If you’re a company, you probably don’t even need a full-body wrap. Instead, you can do a lot of branding by installing partial covers. They are a great way to save money while still managing to spread your message around.
A customer can choose between several types of partial wraps, including ½, ¾, and ¼ wrap.
2. Spot graphics are easy to install and versatile
This type of graphics can be placed on your car’s hoods, bumpers, doors, and windows. A car owner can choose between various decals, including clear decals, opaque decals, perforated, etc. In addition, wrap manufacturers can utilize different printing methods and materials to create awesome effects.
Another great thing about the graphics is that you can mix it with vinyl letters to get that unique look.
3. Vinyl letters
Speaking of letters, vinyl logos and motifs are great for the budget. The material is really cheap, and you can make these letters in a very small size. This makes them ideal for things such as slogans, website addresses, phone numbers, and everything else that would take a lot of space on the car.
Although some companies are against letters, there isn’t any better way to share company information and message. Vinyl graphics mesh well with any type of cover, and they are visible even during the night.
4. Think about the material
Many car owners make a mistake by going with expensive wrap material thinking that it’s better. You can choose between various vinyl substances, some of which are better for flat surfaces, while others will last longer.
Before starting a project, we suggest that you consult with a graphic designer and ask about the prices and features. Wraps with short longevity are usually easier to remove, and they cost less. However, getting a long-term cover will actually save you money.
5. Make sure to choose the right color
If you have a white vehicle, you will have much more options. You can put various graphic solutions on a white car and still be certain that they will be visible. With just a few decals, an owner can achieve good results without spending too much money.
If you have a colored vehicle, you can add a cover that will complement it. Matching colors the right way will also allow you to achieve maximum results with minimal investment. Car wrap designers have design experts who can help you make the right decision.
6. Go with custom design
Going to a car shop and ordering their own artwork will always cost extra. So, if you know how to, it is much cheaper to create the vinyl wrap yourself.
There are numerous websites that specialize in this kind of design, and you can easily get inspiration by just browsing the web. If you have the expertise but are uncertain what would fit well on a car, you can consult a wrap design expert. You will have to pay for consultation, but it will still be cheaper than ordering the whole thing.
How much does it cost to wrap a car?
Wrapping a car is an extensive procedure. First off, a company needs to have a team of designers who will create covers for the clients. They also need to hire a crew that will place the wrap. If you consider the other expenses, it quickly becomes obvious why this procedure is so expensive.
Car wrapping requires a lot of precision. The smallest mistakes can totally ruin the wrap. This is why good companies usually have a high price tag. Still, car wrapping is almost always cheaper than painting a car.
Here is how much it costs to wrap a car based on the car you have:
| Type of a car | Price |
| Coupe or compact | $2,000 |
| Sedan | $3,000 |
| Compact crossover | $3,500 |
| Full-size SUV | $4,000 |
| Luxury car | $6,000 |
Keep in mind that this is just a rough categorization. Every project is different, and some car owners have such creative ideas and desires driving the price way above the average.
Can you wrap a car yourself?
Wrapping a car yourself, or at least handling some parts of the process, is the best way to save money. However, this is something we advise against. Not only does the process require a lot of precision and patience, but it will also quickly eat away your time.
Car wrapping lasts 2 to 3 days when done by professionals so, if you decide to do it yourself, it will take much more than that. In some cases, it won’t even be worth your time. Among others, you might lose lots of money by destroying several wraps during installation.
Nevertheless, wrapping the car yourself will save you a lot of money. This is especially true if you can create the cover design, and you don’t have to invest in tools. If you need to buy a vinyl wrap, it will cost you anywhere from $35 for 10 square feet to $400 for 200 feet of material.
A well-versed car enthusiast will need about 250 sq. feet for the whole vehicle. When you multiply this with the average price of a wrap, you get to the total cost of $500 to $800.
You will need a shed or a garage to perform the wrapping. After wrapping, the car should be isolated for another day before you can drive it. The whole area should be clean, without any dust or insects. It also should have an appropriate temperature.
In order to do this, you will need various tools such as a blade, heat gun, squeegee, tweezers, cutting tape, cloth, masking tape, snitty blade, etc. When wrapping a car, you need an additional set of hands. Make sure to call a friend or neighbor to help you out. Otherwise, you might easily tear the wrap or place it improperly.
Last thoughts
The price of car wrapping can go from $2,000 to $10,000 for luxurious models. There are various things that affect the price, such as material, the size, and design of a car, location, and reputation of a car company.
You can reduce these costs by participating in the project or doing it yourself. A car owner can also choose cheaper materials and avoid covering the whole car. Still, if you decide to install vinyl wrap yourself, there is a good chance you will lose much more time and money than initially anticipated.