This is a question we get daily, with good reason. The best way to attack that question is knowing what factors go into your wrap. Generally, most shops including ours use templates and guides to determine square footage of a wrap. Is it full coverage? What kind of vehicle is it? Do you need graphic design? How long is it going to be on there for and what materials should we use? All these questions are determining factors in your wrap.
Nissan NV Wrap done for Driveway Rescue TV show for RTM productions, in Franklin, TN.
“Where can we save money?” We do too many van wraps a year here to count, and 90% don't have the roof done- instead, we install a 18"-24" piece of vinyl as a "header" over the windshield to give the illusion of roof coverage. This saves significantly as on many commercial vans and vehicles, the roof is one of the largest panels. If you're looking to wrap a van- Chevy, ford, dodge, or Mercedes- be it a econoline van or a sprinter-style van I'd budget anywhere from $2200-$4500 printing and installation depending on trim models, roof height, and design needed. The larger the vehicle, the greater the price. Most companies like ours charge by the square foot- If that seems to be slightly out of budget reach, I'd look into partial wraps, as you can achieve similar results as a full wrap with a more cost effective and budget-friendly price point.
Also, be mindful of materials being used- if a company is coming in significantly lower than other bids, find out if they are using premium 3M or Avery materials, and if so if they are using the best application for the job at hand. Someone quoting higher might be using a higher price-point material for quality reasons- so make sure quotes are apples-to-apples, respectively. I’d approach this the same way you would in your business- if someone called with a considerably less quote compared to yours, you’re immediately going to think “sure, but what are they getting for that, and where are they cutting corners” about your customer and their competing quote. If it’s close and the same cost of goods/materials/labor cost you may be willing to match it.
Some materials have an 18 month- 2 year lifespan, where more a more expensive option might be using a 5-7 year, premium cast 3M vinyl. Choosing the quote with better materials at a higher cost MAY be a better option if the lesser quality materials forces you have to have your wrap re-done every 2-3 years; that extra $500-1,000 for premium materials now may save you double or triple that over 4-5 years. Be mindful of quality- Ask about cast vs. calendared vinyl and laminate combos to make sure you’re not getting a cheaper price for a cheaper product. Wraps are a high ticket item for businesses, and you should be mindful of quality!
Food Truck Wrap for Tacos Aurora, Nashville, TN
Food trucks, boutique trucks, etc can be similar in price- with large, extended height and length food trucks getting into the $4000-$5500 range for printing and installation. These trucks may look flat, but they have a good amount of hardware and accessories on them that make design and installing properly more difficult than at first glance. Making sure your chosen company designs the wrap with proper installation in mind, making sure information is not running through vents, raised areas (where text MIGHT be distorted or lost) is just as important as quality printing and installation. Design often is a separate cost, but be mindful that a quality, well designed wrap will garner more attention and have a higher rate of effectiveness than just slapping a background and a logo on your vehicle. Make sure your wrap company checks off these boxes below before jumping into the least-cost option. It may save you money in the long run! Lets review the wrap checklist:
Are they using the right materials for the job, and did I do my research to make sure they are?
Have I checked their google/social reviews for positives/negatives?
do they have insurance in case my vehicle is damaged in their care?
Do they quality control their print production according to MFG requirements? (outgassing prints, matching base and laminated materials, right print profiling, etc)
Do they offer an installer warranty? Did they go over the ACTUAL material warranty and lifespan of the materials being used? (you should request a copy of said info bulletins)
Do their designers take time to offer insight on creative to IMPROVE brand exposure with quality design and functional placement of info? (managing these expectations is key)
Advertising and Commercial wraps are a serious marketing tool, and have very high ROI's, especially in local markets.
Contact us today and we can help you brand your fleet vehicles to be a 24/7 employee of your business!