How much does a car wrap cost?

Written By Andrew Banks

(2-3 minute read)

October 6, 2022

The most wanted answer in the car wrapping industry: HOW MUCH DOES A CAR WRAP COST?

Let’s break it down. With any vehicle wrap work- you get what you pay for.

If the quote seems too good to be true (for example a full vehicle wrap on a standard-size car for $1500), it’s because it most likely is from a hobbyist rather than a professional and it comes with some downsides that will cost you more money in the long run.

These downsides include:

  • the wrap failing (peeling or bubbling) within the first 6 months which will lead to the vinyl tearing and splitting within a year or two

  • knife marks /cuts on your vehicle’s paint

  • damage to the functionality of the vehicle itself (due to incorrect breakdown or too much breakdown)

  • having your vehicle down for over a week

  • the installer not having a brick-and-mortar shop meaning if you have a complaint - they can just dodge your calls and you most likely will not be able to get a hold of them

  • no warranty

  • no insurance if something does go wrong

All of this results in a bad taste in your mouth for vehicle wraps… But it’s not vehicle wraps that are “bad".” It all comes down to the level of skill and care the installer has for applying the vinyl wrap.

Remember: you get what you pay for.

A reputable, quality shop has more overhead expenses than a hobbyist who wraps meaning the price will be higher. Some of these expenses include:

  • Rent/Mortgage on their facility

  • HVAC/electrical costs (wraps have to be installed at about 70 degrees and in a very clean environment for the best result)

  • Professional tools

  • Vinyl Training/ Certification courses (as knowledge in the application process is always evolving)

  • Payroll for highly trained employees (it takes a minimum of 6 months-1 year of wrapping before you have a solid grasp on the art form)

  • Business Insurance

  • Quality Vinyl (there are a lot of bad vinyl brands on the market that cost less but will fade within a year or peel the car’s paint upon removal)

With that all being said- a shop that is covering all of these will most likely charge about $3000-5000 for a full, solid-colored vinyl wrap on a standard vehicle.

There are many factors that go into pricing vinyl car wraps such as:

  • the vinyl chosen

  • if there is a design and custom print vinyl aspect involved

  • the square footage being covered

  • intricacy of the surface’s curves

Pricing will most likely vary amongst the geographical region as well.

Due to this: it is extremely difficult to give a solid number for “What does a car wrap cost?” The best thing to do would be to find a reputable vinyl wrap shop and ask for a quote for your specific car wrap idea.

-Tanor Banks

Owner of Performance Wraps - Professional Vehicle Wrap Shop

5 years of experience in the Vinyl Wrap Industry

Andrew Banks