I have a fun topic for today: anything and everything you need to know about car wraps!
Most people think of car wraps as something used for advertising a business, but in reality, there are many other uses for a car wrap.
Intro to car wraps
First, let’s talk basics. A wrap is a gigantic vinyl graphic that wraps around a vehicle, directly over the original paint job. This is a temporary change to the cars appearance that can last either a few days or many years.
Because the decal is potentially a short-term thing, many people use a car wrap to change the paint color of their car. This is great for people who don’t like committing to one color, and it can oftentimes be cheaper than getting a completely new paint job.
Another benefit of the car wrap is that it allows for a totally different look than the typical paint job: it can look extra shiny, iridescent or matte.
How it works
If you’re wondering how someone can basically wrap a giant sticker around your car and have it look good, here’s the low-down on the process: in the first step, the car is precisely measured and the wrap is designed to perfectly fit the car. Next, the design is printed and laminated so that the graphic doesn’t fade or chip. Lastly, the graphic is applied to the car.
The application process can be somewhat tedious, even for professionals. The car needs to be meticulously cleaned and free of scratches and rust. Next, the wrap is applied in several pieces by smoothing down the vinyl with a squeegee tool. The professionals use special techniques to reduce bubbles or wrinkles in the wrapping, but sometimes tiny bubbles are inevitable. This whole process can take more than 10 hours!
Types of wraps
The most common type of wrap is used for advertising something on your car. This is a highly effective and inexpensive way of advertising. But there are also personal vehicle wraps, used by car enthusiasts as a relatively inexpensive way to give their car a completely new look. Personal car wraps can be used to add a pattern to your car, add stripes or color blocking, add a carbon fiber look to a car, or add special effects like matte and metallic.
Is it worth it for you?
Now that you know the basics about car wraps, have I piqued your curiosity? If you’re debating getting a car wrap yourself, you may want to weigh out the options. Most car wraps cost somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500. On the flip side, a good quality paint job for your car can cost $2,500 to $10,000!
A car wrap might be right for you if you want to advertise something at a rate cheaper than billboards or commercials, or if you want to change the look of your car for 5-10 years.
No Comments