Vehicle wraps in Pittsburgh can help your business get noticed, boost your advertising efforts, and help make a strong impression on customers. 3M found that wrapped vehicles can generate as many as 16 million impressions every year!
In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about vehicle and car wraps, including what they are, the types available, how to design them, and much more.
Commercial Vehicle Wraps 101
Think of vehicle graphics as large, personalized stickers for your vehicles. You can customize their design to your liking, including the size, shape, and graphics. Plus, you can install the graphics on almost any surface of the vehicle, such as the hood, roof, doors, quarter panels, and even the windows!
Businesses install fleet wraps because they:
- Brand the vehicle, creating a clear association with your business
- Instill confidence in your customers, especially if you are making deliveries to them
- Promote your brand and business widely across the city
- Advertise your business 24/7 without any recurring fees
- Protect the vehicle’s bodywork from minor scratches and scuffs
- Increase the vehicle’s resale value by keeping the original paintwork intact
How much does a vehicle wrap cost? The overall cost depends on the size of the wrap, the complexity of its design, and the materials required. Typically, business wraps start at approximately $350 and cap at $3,000. However, if you opt for specialized films or have a large vehicle, your vehicle wraps can cost more.
Types of Commercial Vehicle Wraps
Vehicle wraps near you are broadly classified into three categories:
- Full vehicle wraps: Cover all or much of the vehicle with full wraps, including the bumpers, hood, trunk, doors, and side panels. Some full vehicle wraps also cover the windshield and windows.
- Partial vehicle wraps: As the name suggests, this option covers a few panels of the vehicle. For instance, a partial vehicle wrap may just cover the vehicle’s hood or trunk or be applied exclusively to all the doors.
- Vehicle decals: Vehicle decals are like personalized stickers for your vehicle. They are typically applied to one panel, such as the tailgate of a pick-up truck or a single door panel.
Designing an Impactful Vehicle Wrap in Pittsburgh
Vehicle vinyl wraps are recognized as a powerful means of advertising but maximizing their impact means getting the design right. Here are a few things you should consider when designing a wrap.
- Use vibrant colors to make the wrap stand out
- Make fonts large and keep messages short so people can read them quickly
- Have a simple call-to-action, such as “Call (XXX) XXX-XXXX” or “visit www.yourwebsite.com”
- Avoid cluttered designs to boost readability
- Prominently display your business’s name and logo on vehicle wraps near you
Designing a wrap is very different from designing a stationery sign. Vehicles have curves and odd shapes, which can make understanding depth for designs challenging. This is why you should speak to a vehicle wrapping service. At Excel Signworks, we prepare digital templates that allow you to see how the wrap will look before finalizing the design.
Vehicle Wrap Materials and Print Technology
Companies like 3M, Oracal, and Avery provide a wide range of vehicle wrap materials. The option that is ideal for you depends on the type of visual appearance you want. Some common wrap finishes are:
- Glossy wraps
- Reflective wraps
- Mirror-finish wraps
- Matte wraps
Regardless of the material you choose, you can expect it to be UV-treated. That means the wrap will resist fading under prolonged sun exposure. High-quality fleet wraps are also better at resisting water damage, which increases their longevity and ROI.
Printing a Vehicle Wrap
Printing a vehicle wrap is like printing any other vinyl sign. The design is created on a computer and a large digital printer prints the design. The difference, however, lies in vehicle wrap colors. The inks used are latex- or solvent-based, designed specifically for vehicle use; these colors don’t fade easily under direct sunshine or rainfall.
Finding the Right Wrap Provider
The fit, finish, appeal, and durability of your vehicle and car wraps will depend on the vehicle wrapping service company you work with. To find the right partner for your business, here are a few questions you should ask:
- How much do you charge for your services?
- Do you handle all processes in-house to have my vehicles wrapped?
- Will you schedule the installation around my business’s timings?
- Where do you source your vinyl from?
- What if the vehicle graphics fail within the first few weeks or months?
- If I need to take the wrap off, will you remove it?
Also, checking business reviews on platforms such as Google and the Better Business Bureau will offer insight into how other people’s experiences have been.
The Wrap Installation Process
For a business that works with us for their wraps, here’s what the signage journey will look like:
- Book a free vehicle wrapping consultation to discuss your needs and get the show on the road
- Work with creative designers to create brand designs
- We’ll print the wraps and schedule the installation based on your availability
- Our team takes the trim off your vehicle, applies the vehicle, and puts the trim back
- The vehicle needs to stay in a stable environment for 24-48 hours to allow the wrap to cure adequately
Maintenance and Care
The best part about vehicle wrapping is that wraps need little to no additional care or maintenance. You can drive your vehicles around as you normally would. In fact, custom vehicle wrapping will protect your paintwork from general wear and tear you experience while driving, like scratches from salt and small chips from stones on the highway. That said, here are a few things you can do to maximize the lifespan of your wrap:
- Don’t leave your vehicle parked in hot conditions or under direct sunlight for too long
- Avoid taking the vehicle through car washes to prevent vehicle vinyl wraps from getting damaged
- Wipe off slushy water during winter to prevent road salt from discoloring the wrap
- Avoid scratching the custom vehicle wrapping during cleaning processes by using damp cloths
Legal and Compliance Considerations
There are a few legal considerations to keep in mind when you are wrapping your vehicle. These include:
- Ensuring the wrap doesn’t obscure the driver’s view, headlights, or mirrors
- The wrap must not interfere with the registration sticker
- If the wrap alters the vehicle’s appearance substantially, you may need to renew your registration
- Ensure any window graphics meet the vehicle window tint requirements
Work with Pittsburgh’s Top Signage Company
Want to learn more about wrapping your fleet? Looking for a quote for vehicle wraps? The best way to access the answers to all your questions is by geting in touch with our team. We’re happy to discuss your needs, provide estimates, and make getting vehicle wraps in Pittsburgh effortless.