How long does the process of installing car wrapping take?
Do you want a mobile billboard for your business? Or do you want to get paid by putting brands in your car? Car wraps are one of the best marketing techniques to advertise a business in your area.
For example, a colourful graphic design on a vinyl wrap grabs attention while running on the road or in traffic. Parking in a strategic location such as a busy intersection saves gas and gains impressions. The idea of generating leads to boost sales through vehicle advertisement may appeal to you. But first, you must be familiar with car wrapping to understand how this cost-effective marketing strategy can benefit your business. You must also know what to expect before applying for a car wrap.
How does Car Wrapping work?
Car wrapping applies a large sheet of high-quality 3M and Avery cast vinyl wrap over the surface. Car owners customise car wraps to give their vehicles a new look, a protective cover, or a shot at business advertising. You may go for a full or partial car wrap. Eye-catching graphic design is excellent, but the expertise of professional installers and the quality of vinyl materials are equally vital elements to stretch the lifespan of a car wrap.
How is the car wrapping done?
Car wrapping is not a touch-and-go process. Big Colour treats the pre-installation process as vital as the installation itself. We want careful planning and coordination between the client and the design team. A clean vehicle before installation is our top requirement to ensure a svelte finish. It takes exceptional skill to manoeuvre a vinyl wrap around highly curved or uneven surfaces and edges.
Here is a step-by-step guide to the car wrapping process.
What do you need to do before wrapping a car?
Designing your vehicle wrap
Any designer who takes on the vehicle wrap project should at least have intermediate skills in graphic design programs.
- The designer should get an accurate template file of the car’s blueprint to create a design that fits to scale and is print-ready.
- Ensure that the printer file requirements match the template files.
- Ask the client for a photo of the vehicle with high resolution. Enquire about the car model and any surface irregularities that may not match the files.
- It is prudent to keep a car wrap design simple and the font large enough to meet eyeballs at a speed of 100 km/hr.
- Ask the client what design to put on the car wrap.
- Photoshop the design onto a photograph of the vehicle before applying it to the template files.
- Apply the design to the template files using Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop.
Vehicle wrap preparation
Your car should have deep surface cleaning to remove dirt and grime. Any impurities like dust or oil can obstruct firm adhesion to the surface. It makes the installation process difficult. So, give your car thorough detailing and quick drying at the car wash shop.
Removing the obstacles
We remove obstacles like door handles and lights before the car wrap installation. It enables the installer to tuck the vinyl for a seamless vinyl wrap finish. It is not prudent to cut vinyl around the edges of all handles and lights because it might leave cut marks on the car paint.
In-house cleaning
We give your car detailed cleaning to eliminate all impurities and Teflon contaminants from the car paint. A proper deep cleaning spells the difference between a long-lasting vinyl wrap and a short-term one.
Large format printing
We use a state-of-the-art, environment-friendly Latex HP 360 printer that can replicate millions of colours. The latex ink dries after printing and laminates immediately. When printing with solvent inks, leave the vinyl to out-gas for 24 hours before laminating.
Printed cast vinyl
Cast vinyl does an extraordinary job in car wrapping. It is durable and self-adhesive. We can make cast films thin to conform well to shapes. They are soft to handle. Shrinkage is minimal. Cast vinyl comes in a variety of colours. The solid colours look great in full commercial wraps or a full-colour change in vehicles.
Vinyl wrap installation
The installer uses a heat gun to soften and manipulate the vinyl material into position. Setting the heat gun at the correct temperature activates the adhesive on the vinyl. Next, use a squeegee to bond the vinyl wrap to the surface. A pin can help pop out bubbles that may appear at this stage.
A skilled installer knows how much stretch to give the vinyl. An overstretched vinyl will pop out of vehicle curves and recesses, and it may no longer conform into place.
What to expect from car wrapping
Here is why car wrapping is an excellent investment for your business:
Cheaper than a paint job
The average cost of car wrapping ranges from $1,200 to $3,000. It is cheaper than painting the entire car.
Longer lifespan than a paint job
The average lifespan of a vinyl wrap is between five to seven years. If you want to preserve your car wrap, hire the services of a reputable company with excellent craftsmanship.
Paint preservation
A car wrap protects the surface of your car from scratches, thus preserving the quality of paint underneath the vinyl wrap.
Customise car wraps
You may choose a graphic design that speaks volumes about your business. You can also select any colourful finish: matte, gloss, semi-gloss, or satin.
Minimal downtime
After the initial preparation, it takes only about two days to install a car wrap. However, a paint job can take several days or weeks because of priming and waiting for each coat to dry.
Create impressions and brand recall
Vehicle advertisement creates a lasting impression in just a few seconds and reaches thousands daily. It helps generate sales leads a brand recall.
Let the experts help with your car wrapping needs in Newcastle, Hunter, and Lake Macquarie.
An inexperienced car wrap installer may compromise the quality of your car wrap. It takes years of training and experience to perfect the craft.
Also, you must inform your car insurance company about the car wrapping work. The insurance company may render your policy invalid if you want to file for claims and damages.
Big Colour Signs and Vehicle Wraps is a timely solution for your car wrapping needs. We have advanced technology, equipment, and quality materials to customise car wraps. Our team of designers and highly skilled installers will be more than glad to vinyl-wrap your car beautifully!
You want to leave impressions. We create them for you. Fill up our Big Colour Quote Enquiry or email admin@bigcolour.com.au. You may also call (02) 4969 5700 during office hours.
FAQ
Q: What is car wrapping?
A: Car wrapping is the process of applying a large sheet of high-quality vinyl wrap to the surface of a car for the purpose of customizing the car’s appearance, protecting the car’s surface, or advertising a business.
Q: Can I get a full or partial car wrap?
A: Yes, you can choose between a full car wrap, which covers the entire car, or a partial wrap, which covers only certain parts of the car.
Q: How is the car wrapping process done?
A: The car wrapping process involves several steps, including designing the wrap, preparing the car for installation, removing any obstacles on the car, cleaning the car’s surface, printing the vinyl wrap, and installing the wrap on the car.
Q: What do I need to do before wrapping a car?
A: Before wrapping a car, you should design the wrap, prepare the car for installation by thoroughly cleaning it, and remove any obstacles on the car such as door handles or lights.
Q: How long does a car wrap typically last?
A: A car wrap typically lasts for about 3-5 years, depending on the quality of the wrap and how well it is maintained.
Q: Can a car wrap be removed?
A: Yes, a car wrap can be removed, although the process can be time-consuming and may damage the car’s paint if not done properly. It is recommended to have the wrap removed by a professional.