Car advertising companies have popped up all over the country recently. The influx has been in large part due to the advantages of an easily removable mobile billboard with you wherever you or your staff travel.
Vehicle-wrap companies can provide a high-quality advertising option for much less than a traditional billboard, with the bonus of mobility.
So how do you find companies that are reputable and won’t break the bank? You could spend hours researching car-wrap companies, or you can read this article.
What are the benefits to car-wrapping advertising?
With the world coming out of COVID-19 lockdowns and heading into summer, people are finally outside and socializing again.
The days of Netflix and sweatpants are winding down, more people are traveling, attending events, and just being out of their homes in general. This means that now is one of the best times to be focusing on out-of-home advertising.
One of the best ways to capitalize on this coming boom of outdoor activities is by going where the people are. Getting a car wrapped is a great way to bring your advertising message to the streets (literally).
Building brand recognition through professional car wrapping
In business (and all things) being known will take you far. If your prospective clients have never heard of your company, you’re not going to be top of mind when they need the services that you offer.
The old marketing adage is that it takes a potential customer seven instances of being exposed to a company’s brand before they’ll remember it.
That number has been debated over the years, but the underlying messaging is clear. You need to advertise so clients remember you.
Car-wrapping advertising companies are growing in popularity for that reason. Heightened competition in HVAC and field service industries has paved the way for an increase in marketing and advertising efforts to stay competitive.
Should I wrap my commercial vehicles, buses, trailers, and my entire fleet of trucks?
When potential clients see your cars, trucks, and vans driving through town and parked at their neighbor’s home during house calls, they are more likely to have your company in mind when they are considering their next project.
Building your brand presence within your community with a professional vinyl wrap on your fleet of vehicles can get you well on your way to becoming a household name.
Reputable car-wrap companies can provide you with a high-quality wrap typically for less than a custom paint job.
Many car-wrapping businesses will also give a discount for multiple vehicles. Ask what kind of bulk discounts they offer to get the most cost-effective commercial vehicle wraps for your company.
While car-wrapping services are growing in popularity, that growth also opens the door for scammers and people who produce less than quality work.
Always consult with your local Yelp, Angie’s List, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to make sure that you’re using the best car-wrap companies available. Legitimate companies should have plenty of positive online reviews. If you find a blank review page or reviews from accounts that seem fake, beware.
Keep an eye out for reviews that seem too good to be true, are written by recently created accounts, and accounts with no other past reviews. Often scammers will make fake accounts to build up their star rating.
What to expect when getting a car wrapped
Vinyl-wrap companies are definitely our recommended route. A cheap vehicle wrap that you try to install yourself could end up costing you more in the long run.
If the installation isn’t done properly on an auto wrap, it can look terrible. The last thing you want to do is spend the money buying the do-it-yourself version and then have to pay for a professional vinyl wrap too.
Car-wrap design software is also somewhat complex; if you misplace your logo on a crease or an uneven surface, you could find yourself in a pickle. Some other things to consider are how the design will look when things like sliding doors are opened vs. closed and other missteps that professional vinyl wrap installers know to look for.
Another bonus to working with a vinyl wrap business is receiving a warranty on their work. Most professional car-wrap companies offer a limited warranty on damage during a predetermined time frame. Be sure to ask about any warranties or guarantees on work prior to signing a contract with any vehicle advertising company.
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Where to get a car-wrap estimate
Once you’ve done your due diligence and found some local car-wrapping companies, you’ll want to get quotes from your top picks.
If you provide a wrap company with your vehicle make and model, they should be able to provide you an estimate and an example of what your full or partial vehicle wrap will look like.
You can even upload your vehicle-wrap design online to some companies and they’ll be able to provide you with an estimate for many different styles. Full wraps, partial wraps, van wraps, and truck wraps are just a few of the possibilities.
Since each region will have a variety of service providers for custom car wraps, it’s a good idea to see what is available in your area.
If your location doesn’t have any car-wrapping companies near you, opting to bring your fleet of vehicles to a major market to work with a nationwide car-wrapping business is always an option too.
Some nationwide providers of car-wrapping services that are recommended by pros are:
AP Graphics
AP Graphics is a nationwide car-wrap advertising company that has offices in Ohio and Maryland. The company also partners with providers throughout the country.
Their partner providers are all trained in the AP Graphics installation processes and work with the car-wrap business to provide custom graphics and support no matter where your company vehicles are located.
Sign Zoo
This vinyl-wrap company has been working with HVAC and field service providers for years and offers a variety of styles and designs to fit any business’s needs. Located in Florida, this professional service can complete your wrap within a few days in most cases.
They are certified in 3M installation practices, and some clients have boasted that their fleet wraps have lasted for 14 years! The industry standard is roughly around seven years.
The Graphics Dept
Major corporations such as Disney trust The Graphics Dept with their large-scale vehicle-wrap projects, so you can have confidence that these fleet-wrap pros can get the job done right.
Since 1993, this vehicle-wrap company has been helping businesses brand, design, print, and install full wrap, partial wrap, and logos/decals on commercial fleets.
The Graphics Dept also wraps buildings, installs floor graphics, and more.
Revolution Wraps
Revolutions Wraps is based in the Midwest and has installed over 4,000 vehicle wraps throughout the years. Their offerings are similar to most of the other wrap companies. They are certified by all of the major wrap and installation brands and have warranty programs to change portions of wraps in case you need to update a phone number, website name, etc.
Ads On Wheels
This mobile-advertising wrap company has a nationwide network of vehicle-wrapping options for almost any region. With 30-plus years of experience combined with a wide-reaching team of installers, Ads On Wheels is a good option for business owners who are in more remote markets.
Choosing the right vehicle graphics
As we mentioned previously, make sure you get the professional installer’s opinion on designs, fonts, graphics, etc. before you move forward with your car-wrap service. Buyer’s remorse will be high if you accidentally spell a funny or swear word on your service fleet. Just look up car- wrap fails if you need more inspiration.
Steps to take before getting a car wrapped
Once you’ve decided on a design for your vinyl car wrap, your design will be printed onto the vinyl sheets. Next, your vinyl installation company will likely either recommend that you get the car professionally detailed or they will offer that service themselves.
You want your car to have as little dirt and debris as possible when the vinyl wrap is applied. This helps to prevent peeling and bubbling and can increase the lifespan of the car wrap.
Your installer will let you know in advance what other steps you’ll need to take to get the best results. Many recommend not getting a clear coat or any other kind of grease or wax on your car prior to installation as well. Those substances reduce the film adhesion and could disrupt the lifespan of the wrap.
How much does a vehicle wrap cost?
Depending on whether you get a full, partial, or decal wrap, prices can vary widely. The general range for a full wrap is between $2,500 and $4,500, depending on the vehicle size, materials, regional cost fluctuations, etc.
A full wrap is the most expensive option, with the partial being less costly, and a decal/logo placement being the most cost-effective vehicle branding available.
Over time, the wrap will begin to fade, with visible wear and tear starting to appear typically around the fifth year.
With proper care and maintenance, a vehicle wrap can last for many years and provide your business with a turnkey, low-hassle advertising option. To find out more about how you can level up your marketing and advertising efforts to increase your ROI and boost conversion rates, contact the marketing pros at ServiceTitan today!
ServiceTitan Software
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive software solution built specifically to help service companies streamline their operations, boost revenue, and substantially elevate the trajectory of their business. Our comprehensive, cloud-based platform is used by thousands of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, garage door, and chimney sweep shops across the country—and has increased their revenue by an average of 25% in just their first year with us.
