For many people, their vehicle is an expression of themselves. Whether you’re an individual looking to share your passions and visions with your car as the canvas or a business seeking a unique marketing and advertising opportunity, a custom car wrap might be a great choice to help you accomplish your goals.
In order to make the right choice about your custom wrap, you’ll need to understand what goes into making and applying a wrap, as well as how these factors influence the total cost of the wrap itself. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Custom Car Wrap?
When people think about custom car wraps, they sometimes assume that any design or logo that covers a large portion of the car-or wraps around from one side to the other-is a car wrap. However, this is not the case, and you should be sure that a car wrap aligns with your goals.
Specifically, a car wrap is a type of vinyl application that adheres to the car and is printed with a custom logo, paint job or image. It is not the same thing as paint. It is applied differently and has a different lifespan. Vinyl is robust and stands up well to water, and as an added benefit, it protects the paint underneath.
Determine How Much a Custom Car Wrap Costs
A lot of factors go into just how expensive a custom car wrap will be. You’ll need to think about the following factors:
- The complexity of the car’s exterior: The shape of the car itself will play a big role in the amount of time it takes for the vinyl to be applied, as well as how much vinyl is required. Sharp, angular shapes and a lot of exterior detail make a vinyl wrap more complicated to install, increasing the price due to both materials and labor. Any custom parts that need to be covered will also add to the price, as special preparation will be needed to ensure that the vinyl fits and is sized properly.
- The finish of the vinyl: Vinyl comes in more than one finish, and the type you choose will impact the cost. Matte, stain and glossy vinyl are all located at different price points, with matte tending to be at the top of the list. However, chrome vinyl is one of the most expensive options you can choose and is intricate when it comes to installation.
- How much of the car to wrap: As you may expect, wrapping an entire car costs more than installing only a small vinyl section. You can opt for a full-body design or stick with something more affordable, like just changing the hood design.
- The overall size of the car: Bigger vehicles take more materials and time for installation, so factor this into your costs. Compact cars usually start around $2,000, ranging up to $4,000 for full-size SUVs. The less surface area to cover, the less expensive overall.
- The detail in the wrap’s custom design: The exact design you choose will have a small impact on the cost as well. If you choose an intricate image with many small details that all have to line up across seams, the technicians installing the vinyl will need to be extra careful and take more time. These patterns are more difficult to install than a single color wrap.
- Any relevant prep work: Don’t forget the time it takes to prepare the car for the wrap! Cleaning the surface-and especially removing any previous wraps-will impact how much you can expect to pay in labor.
Can You Wrap a Car Yourself?
In short: you shouldn’t DIY your car wrap. Custom car wraps can be tricky to install, leaving bubbles or uneven surfaces if you don’t have the tools or experience necessary. In addition, choosing DIY materials instead of professionally created vinyl wraps can lead to damage to the underlying paint and a less than ideal visual result.
To adequately protect your car and ensure that the custom wrap looks and functions as it should, it is best to trust the experts with installing a car wrap-even if it doesn’t go all the way around the car.
Trust the Pros to Help You Achieve a Smooth, Perfect Finish for Your Custom Wrap
Deciding on the type and design for your wrap can be a big decision, but understanding what contributes to the overall cost can keep you informed and help you make the right choice. The experts at Robs Customs & Restorations would be happy to help you achieve your vision for your vehicle and install a high-quality wrap that stands the test of time. Reach out to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.