What are Commercial Vehicle Wraps?
If you’re new to the world of vehicle wraps, you’re in for a treat because vinyl wraps open up a new world of ways to make a vehicle look cool—at a far lower price than a custom paint job. If you’re a marketer, you’re in for an even bigger treat because commercial vehicle wraps provide a lower cost per brand impression than any other form of advertising. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. In this article, we’ll answer the most common questions: what are vehicle wraps, how do they work, how long do they last, and are they worth the money? So, let’s jump in and find out what are commercial vehicle wraps and how can they benefit your small to large business?
What are the Types of Commercial Vehicle Wraps?
Vinyl can be applied to an entire vehicle, including bumpers and windows (a perforated film that shows a design on the outside but looks transparent from the inside). Full coverage gives the most striking effect, but you can cover any amount of the vehicle with vinyl. Here’s the basic breakdown:
- Full vehicle wrap: The sides, rear, and hood are covered with vinyl. May also include windows, mirrors, bumpers, other hardware, and interior components.
- Partial wrap: As you might guess, a partial wrap doesn’t cover the entire vehicle. Common configurations include wrapping the sides, hood, and tailgate. This option costs less than a full wrap, and allows you to use the existing vehicle paint as a design element.
- Spot graphics: You don’t have to cover large spaces to make a strong brand impression. Spot graphics are individual vinyl emblems adhered to the car or truck that can include your logo, web address, phone number, tagline, and other graphics. This is a very solid option if you have a low budget, and well-designed spot graphics can look great on any vehicle.
Are Vehicle Wraps Worth It?
Vehicle advertising is one of the most underrated media available, and it’s very affordable. A single vehicle can be seen by as many as 80,000 people per day, putting the cost per brand impression at a fraction-of-a-fraction of a cent. Wraps last years, so you’ll invest in each vehicle only once or twice per decade. Wraps work 24 hours a day, even if the vehicle is parked in front of your home or office. And if you’re doing business with local customers, your vehicle advertising will be perfectly targeted as your fleet moves around in the community.
How Do Vehicle Wraps Work?
A 3D wrap design is translated into strategically shaped sections of flat vinyl that can be stretched over the vehicle and joined at the edges. Before taking the design to print, you’ll be able to see computer-generated 3D mockups of the vehicle and make any needed changes.
Images are then applied/ printed to the vinyl with our mammoth-sized printer, and the design is ready to adhere to the vehicle.
Technicians clean the vehicle thoroughly to provide a clean surface for adhesion, and they may remove bumpers or other hardware to attach edges of the vinyl. Sections of the design are applied with the help of heat guns that make the film pliable, and edges are trimmed clean. The installation itself usually takes a day, but plan on a turnaround time of a week or so, depending on how busy our shop is.
How Long do Vehicle Wraps Last?
An average wrap lasts from 5 to 8 years, but it really depends on your driving conditions. Vinyl protects the underlying paint from dust and debris, but over time, dust can take a toll on the wrap—especially if it becomes worn into the surface over time. The best thing you can do is wash the vehicle regularly with a soft cloth and non-abrasive soap.
A good installation is the best way to assure maximum longevity for your wrap. US Logo uses only the highest quality vinyl products, and our installation process is meticulous.
Who Does Car Wraps in My Area?
If you’re in the Wichita, Kansas, area, Mighty Wraps (a US Logo company) is the place to go. The shop is a spacious warehouse that gives us plenty of room to wrap anything from motorcycles to big-rigs. If you’re located elsewhere, we can design and print your wrap for you, then ship it for third-party installation. Give us a call! (316) 264-1321.
