Car wrapping means creating a unique appearance of your vehicle while protecting its original paint. However, car wrap qualities are different according to their warranties and materials. Car wrap prices depend on vehicle size, design, and the wrap you use. Although the cost of professional car wrapping is high, it pays off in the long run.
Vinyl wrap costs per square foot range from $5 to $15, whereas installation costs range from $3 to $4. However, it depends on different factors. The labor cost depends on your vehicle type, expertise, and
installer’s experience. Here is the breakdown of automotive wrap costs.
Breakdown of Automotive wrap cost
Vehicle wrapping is a cost-effective protective option for car owners. But the question is how much to wrap a car? The vehicle wrapping doesn’t depend on one factor. There are several factors involved in
determining car wrap cost, including:
Quality of the vinyl wrap
Vinyl wrap quality is the primary factor in determining automotive wrap cost. A high-quality car wrap is significant for visually appealing and durable results. The material cost also varies depending on the
wrap’s brand, type, and color.
Brand: Different vinyl wrap brands, such as 3M, Vivid, or other well-known vinyl wraps, come at different prices. High-quality branded car wrap prices are more than other brand car wrap costs. Branded car wraps usually come with warranties and longevity.
Vinyl type
There are two types of vinyl wrap depending on thickness. Calendared vinyl wrap is thicker than cast vinyl.
Cast vinyl: It is a thin but high-quality wrap. Cast vinyl wrap cost is higher because of its flexibility and quality. Although the cost to wrap a car with cast vinyl is higher, it pays you well in the long run.
Calendared Vinyl wrap: It is a thick vinyl wrap film. A thicker vinyl wrap is better than a thin one. However, this is not true. Calendared vinyl wrap bubbles or shrinks from the edges after some time. Auto boss experts don’t suggest using calendared vinyl wraps for your vehicle.
Vinyl wrap color and finishes
Some vinyl wrap finishes are more expensive. Monotone car wraps are also inexpensive compared to others. Different finishes include glittery, glossy, matte, chrome, and metallic. The car wrap prices also differ depending on these finishes.
Gloss: Glossy vinyl wrap is one of the common and inexpensive wraps that costs less than others.
Matte: It is also a pocket-friendly vinyl wrap. Matte car wrap gives your vehicle a beautiful look without adding much luster.
Satin car wrap: It is neither shimmery or matte. It is slightly silky and shiny while providing a sophisticated look.
Metallic: a highly shimmery car wrap gives your vehicle a metallic-like finish. Its cost is higher than simple glossy or matte car wrap.
Carbon fiber: A textured, slightly glossy car wrap gives your vehicle a carbon fiber-like appearance. It
is also a more costly wrap than matte or gloss.
Auto Boss experts recommend not to settle on a color because of the price. Regardless of the wrap qualities, the vinyl wraps with red pigment fade earlier.
Labor cost
The labor cost of car wrapping also depends on multiple factors, such as
The complexity of vehicle design: The design complexity requires a higher level of the installer’s skill and time. A luxury vehicle like Tesla y requires specialized labor.
Vehicle size: Larger vehicle requires more labor, and quantity of vinyl wrap. Large vehicles like SUVs, commercial trucks, and vans require more labor than an average car.
Installer’s location: Car wrap installers in metro Politan or large cities have more operational costs and will charge you more. However, a wrap installer located in small cities charges less.
Experience of the installer: A professional certified installer costs much more than an inexperienced one. However, a well-known installer offers the best value for your money. An experienced installer ensures seamless finishes of your vehicle.
Related Article: How do you calculate a car wrap cost?
Climatic factors
The climate has a significant role in the cost of car wrapping. For example, the car wrap cost is higher in cold weather. Because, it is difficult to install car wrap in low-temperature because it requires more heat and curing time. However, the cost to wrap a car in hot weather is low because it is easier to install and cure the wrap in high temperatures.
Customized designs
Customization of the car wrap also increases depending on the complexity, number of colors, and graphic designer’s expertise. You must include printing costs in the cost of vinyl wrap installation. Besides the graphics, the printable costs are also more than regular ones. A highly detailed design can cost you as much as $2000.
Vehicle size
The size of your vehicle is also determined by vinyl wrap quantity and labor cost. The larger the size of the vehicle, it requires more quantity of the vinyl wrap and more labor. Hence, wrapping a larger vehicle
costs more than a small one.
At the same time, besides size, the model of the vehicle also affects the cost of car wrapping. Cars with complex bodies require the expertise of the installer. The more complex the body shapes the more will be
the cost of installation. However, vehicles with flat surfaces are easy to wrap and don’t require much expertise.
According to a rough estimate, a compact car requires around a maximum of 17 meters of vinyl; a mid-size vehicle requires up to 20 meters. However, a small SUV or van requires up to 23 meters.
Current condition of the vehicle
The current condition of your vehicle also affects the car wrap cost. An ideal car surface for wrapping should be scratch-free, dust-free, and smooth. For instance, if your vehicle has dirt, contaminants, or scratches on its surface, it affects car wrap finishes. Preparing the car surface may also require paint correction. The level of paint correction should be included in the overall car wrapping cost.
At the same time, car preparation also includes removing headlights, bumpers, taillights, trims, or accessories. It also affects the vinyl wrap cost.
Partial or full wrap cost
Some car owners choose partial wrapping, which is inexpensive compared to the full body car wrap cost. Partial wrapping includes wrapping the hood, roof or trunk, mirrors, door handles, and spoilers.
DIY vehicle wrapping cost
DIY wrapping costs are lower than professional car wrapping. DIY car wrapping kits are inexpensive but require expertise. Before deciding on DIY wrapping, you should ask yourself.
- Do I have enough patience?
- Do I have experience?
- Can I have someone to help you?
With enough patience, confidence, and a helping hand, you can save the cost of the professional car wrap.
Conclusion
Car wrapping can glamorize and customize your vehicle. Car wrap costs depend on the car model, vinyl wrap quantity, experience, and installer’s location. You should consider these factors before finalizing the cost of car wrap.
DIY car wrap installation is cheaper than professional installation. However, professional installation ensures the finest finishes.
FAQs
Is automotive wrap cheaper than car paint?
Applying a car wrap is far cheaper than car paint. It is especially good for those who want logos or other car customization.
How much does a vinyl wrap last?
Vinyl wrap can last for years, but it depends on its installation and maintenance.