Informative Guide to Understanding the Cost to Wrap a Car

The wrapping gives your car a new look and protects it from potential damage. Wrapping is a cost-effective solution to completely change the color and design of your car’s body. But how much does it cost to wrap a car? To learn the answer to this question in detail, read this article. Here, you will learn about the wrapping cost for different cars and the factors affecting the cost.

Table of contents

• Overview of car wrapping
• Factors influencing the cost to wrap a car
• How much does it cost to wrap a car?
• Additional costs to vinyl wrap a car
• DIY vs professional wrapping
• Key considerations
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Overview of car wrapping

Car wrapping is the process of applying vinyl wrap to the exterior of a car. The main reasons for wrapping the car include body and paint protection, modifying color, and adding a new design. Wrapping is popular because it can be less expensive than a full paint job, and you can easily remove it to change the design.

Factors influencing the cost to wrap a car

Some of the common factors that help to determine the cost to wrap a car are described below:

Types of wrap material

The type of vinyl wrap you choose greatly affects the wrapping cost. Basic wraps come in simple colors, while more expensive options include special finishes like matte, gloss, or even chrome. For example, the price of a 5ft * 3.28ft glossy vinyl wrap is around $63, and the price of a 5ft * 3.28ft carbon fiber vinyl wrap sheet is around $84. This table shows the cost to vinyl wrap a car using different materials:

Wrap Types	Sizes and prices
Gloss wraps	Price of 5ft * 3.28ft film is around $63Price of 5ft * 16ft film is around $250Price of 5ft * 59ft film is around $600
Metallic wraps	Price of 5ft * 3.28ft film is around $65Price of 5ft * 16ft film is around $265Price of 5ft * 59ft film is around $615
Matte vinyl wrap	Price of 5ft * 3.28ft film is around $60Price of 5ft * 16ft film is around $264Price of 5ft * 59ft film is around $610
Chrome vinyl wrap	Price of 5ft * 3.28ft film is around $67Price of 5ft * 16ft film is around $266Price of 5ft * 59ft film is around $620
Carbon fiber vinyl wrap	Price of 5ft * 3.28ft film is around $84.66Price of 5ft * 16ft film is around $270Price of 5ft * 59ft film is around $650
Optimum paint protection film (PPF)	Price of 5ft * 3.28ft film is around $139Price of 5ft * 16ft film is around $590Price of 5ft * 59ft film is around $1233

These prices are collected from this Vinylfrog.

Vehicle size and type

The size and type of vehicle also highly influence the wrapping price. A smaller car uses less vinyl wrap film than a large van or truck, so it costs less for wrapping. Moreover, if the shape of the vehicle is complex, it will increase the labor work as well as the overall wrapping price. Calculating the vehicle size also helps to determine how long it takes to wrap a car.

Design complexity

Another prominent factor that affects the wrapping price is the complexity of the design. If you wrap the car with just one color of vinyl film, the cost will be less. In comparison, if you wrap the car using different colors and design patterns, the cost will be higher. This is because the more complex design pattern will take more time, which will increase the cost.

Installation quality and experience

The quality and experience of the wrap installer also affect the price. The skilled and experienced wrap installer usually charges more but ensures perfect installation. Before choosing the installer, get multiple quotes, compare the prices and services of each one, and choose the best one.

How much does it cost to wrap a car?

Have you understood the cost differences based on the type and quality of vinyl wrap? Let’s compare the cost of wrapping different sizes of cars. Knowing the dimensions of the vehicle also helps you determine how much wrap you need for your car.

Small cars

The average cost to vinyl wrap a small car is between $1500 and $2500. The overall cost depends on which material you choose and the expertise of the wrap installer.

Hatchback

A hatchback is slightly larger than a small car, which increases the cost of labor and materials. The average cost to vinyl wrap a hatchback is around $2500 to $3500.

Convertible

Convertibles are larger in size, but they have less surface area and require less vinyl wrap. However, wrapping it is a little bit tricky, and the cost to wrap the convertible car is between $2800 and $4000.

Coupe

The size of a coupe is almost similar to a convertible, and the only difference is that it has two doors. The wrapping cost is also similar to a convertible, which is between $2800 and $4000.

Sedan

A sedan is a car with 4 doors, and its size is almost similar or a little bit bigger than a coupe. The average cost to wrap a sedan car is between $2800 and $4500.

Small and large SUV

SUVs are bigger in size than the sedan or other cars. The cost to wrap a small SUV is between $3200 and $4500, whereas the cost to vinyl wrap a large SUV is between $3500 and $5,000.

Pickup truck

The length of a pickup truck is larger than that of an SUV, but the size of its roof is less than that of an SUV. The wrapping cost is between $3200 and $5000.

Small and large van

Wrapping the small van costs around $2800 to $4500, and the large van costs around $3200 to $4500. Moreover, if you are planning to wrap a large truck, it will cost around $5000 to $10000.

These details about the cost of wrapping vehicles of different sizes are gathered from metrorestyling. So, how much does it cost to vinyl wrap a car? Understanding the above-mentioned price comparisons will help you find the answer.

Moreover, the three main price-deciding factors are vehicle type, material selection, and labor cost. Measuring the vehicle size also helps you determine how much paint to paint a car.

Additional costs to vinyl wrap a car

There are some additional services or issues that can increase the wrapping cost. Here are some common additional costs:

Removal of existing wraps

If your car already has a wrap that needs to be removed, you will have to pay extra for wrap removal. Removing an old wrap is not very expensive and can cost around $500 in normal situations. However, if the wrap is too old or is difficult to remove, the labor cost might increase.

Maintenance and care

After wrapping, you will need to take care of the wrap to keep it looking good. Although it is a less frequent and less costly process, you should include its cost in the overall budget.

Warranty and protection plans

Some wrap installers offer warranties or protection plans. This can increase the overall cost of wrapping a car but protect you from loss in case of damage. We recommend you always buy the wrap material from those who offer a warranty and protection plan.

DIY vs professional wrapping

If you want to know how much it is to wrap a car, decide whether you will do it yourself or hire experts. DIY wrapping is cheaper, but it is only recommended if you have the necessary tools and skills. Otherwise, you should hire an expert to ensure perfect installation, which saves time.

Key considerations

When thinking about wrapping your car, consider the following:

• How much are you willing to spend?
• Do you want a high-quality wrap that lasts longer?
• Are you wrapping for protection, looks, or advertising?

Conclusion

Wrapping the car is a great way to customize the appearance without modifying the paint. However, you must be aware of the factors affecting the cost to wrap a car. Understanding the factors mentioned in this guide will help you figure out how much it costs to vinyl wrap a car. Hopefully, this guide will help you estimate the cost of wrapping the partial or full car body.