How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Car on Average?

If you’re a car enthusiast, you know that your car is an extension of you. 

That’s why young car lovers have admitted to spending over $7 billion every year on vehicle customizations. 

One way to make your car your own is to change up the exterior. While getting a new paint job is always an option, some motorheads are choosing to wrap their vehicles instead. 

So, what exactly is car wrapping and how much does it cost to wrap a car? You’ve come to the right place.

Keep reading this guide to learn everything you need to know

What Is Car Wrapping?

If you’re considering wrapping your car, it’s important to make sure you know what it is, so you can make an informed decision when deciding on if it’s the right choice for your car.

Vehicle wraps are made from large sheets of thin vinyl material. That vinyl is then applied to your car with an adhesive that helps it stick and mold to the specific shapes of your car. 

One of the many reasons people choose to wrap their car is because the vinyl material comes in a variety of styles, colors, and textures. This service gives you the opportunity to make your car uniquely yours. 

And, the benefits don’t stop there. More and more business owners are starting to use car wrapping to advertise their services on company vehicles. 

When it comes to wrapping your car, the only real limits are your imagination. 

How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Car?

The short answer is that it depends. The average costs of wrapping a car range between $2,000 and $5,000. 

However, there are several factors that influence car wrap prices. If you’re budgeting for your next car project, keep the following things in mind. 

Specifics of Your Car

Generally speaking, the larger your car, the higher the vehicle wrap cost. That’s because larger cars simply have more surface area that needs to be covered.

However, you might decide to have your car only partially wrapped, if you’re looking to save some money. 

The make and model of your car impact the car wrap cost as well. If your vehicle’s body has lots of curves or it has unique parts that are difficult to remove, the cost to wrap it will be higher than it would on larger, flatter surfaces. 

Labor

Just as you can expect for any work done on your car, the labor prices vary based on where you get the work done. 

Do some research on local car wrapping shops in your area and don’t hesitate to call and get quotes for your project. 

You might find that the labor fees vary based on experience, or the type of shop you choose. Doing a little research ahead of time can help you better budget for the process. 

The Complexity of the Design

As we mentioned above, the possibilities for wrapping your car are practically endless. If you can dream up a design, you can get your car wrapped in it. 

That being said, if you choose a complex custom design for your wrap, that will result in a higher cost. 

However, if customizing your car to your exact specifications is important to you, the added cost is probably worth it. 

Some car wrapping companies include custom design services, where you can work directly with their team to design the artwork for your car. If that’s important to you, make sure you look for that option when shopping around for vendors. 

On the other hand, you may just want a solid color for your car wrap. In that case, your project will be a good bit cheaper.

Brand

There are a variety of different car wrap brands on the market. It should come as no surprise that the cost of the wrap varies by brand. 

Before deciding which brand to choose for your car, do some research on the most popular brands and look through photo galleries to see what you like the most. 

When you choose a company to apply the car wrap, they can also give you brand recommendations, since they’re experts in the field. 

Finish

One of the many reasons car lovers choose to wrap their cars is because of all the possibilities. For the most part, when you get your car painted, it has a standard glossy finish. 

Wraps, on the other hand, have a variety of finish options available, including: 

  • Matte
  • Gloss
  • Satin
  • Brushed metal
  • Carbon fiber

The price varies based on the finish you choose, but the ability to customize the finish of your car is often worth the extra cost. 

Benefits of Wrapping Your Car

Are you still trying to decide if wrapping your car is the right choice for you? Consider some of the many benefits of a vehicle wrap. 

Flexibility

If, after you wrap your car, you decide you’re ready for a change, that’s ok. Car wraps are completely removable and they don’t damage your paint once removed.

Protection

In fact, wrapping your car actually protects your paint from the harsh elements. This can help add to the resale value of your car if you decide to sell it. 

Price

Generally speaking, it’s less expensive to wrap your car than it is to get it painted. Of course, the factors discussed above impact the final price, but often, it’s still cheaper than the cost of getting it painted. 

Customization

Perhaps the most attractive benefit of wrapping your car is that you can customize it exactly as you want. Now, you can let your car reflect your personality in a way that sets it apart from the other cars on the road. 

Upgrade Your Car Today

Now that you know the answer to the question, “How much does it cost to wrap a car?” you can decide if the upgrade is right for your vehicle. 

Fancy yourself a motorhead? Check out our other articles for all the latest car news. 

Author: Brandon Park