When you’re ready to get your vehicle wrapped, there are plenty of installers to choose from. But once you’ve found some you like the look of, how can you tell which will provide a quality service, value for money, and give your vehicle the care it deserves? It all comes down to asking the right questions. Here are the 10 questions to ask before choosing a car wrapping company.
Questions to ask a car wrapping company
A reliable wrap team will provide honest answers, and they might have the info you need right on their website. If not, it’s a great way to screen the wrong companies out, so you can look elsewhere for better results.
1. Is a vehicle wrap right for my project?
A trusted vehicle wrapping company won’t just take your money – they’ll give it to you straight! They should also be happy to discuss your project in detail, so you’ll know for sure that a wrap is right for you. If you’re restoring a classic or vintage car, for example, they may recommend a respray instead. Our guide on wraps vs resprays explains this in more detail.
If there’s rust or damage, they’ll likely explain how it can affect the lifespan of the wrap. Unless you only need a short-term wrap, like for a brand activation, you can expect them to suggest you repair the damage before it gets worse.
2. How much experience do you have?
What you’re really asking is, ‘How good are you?’
Break this down by asking who they’ve worked with, what training their team goes through, and how they check for quality.
Track Record - An established vehicle wrapping company will have hundreds of projects under their belt, so they should be happy to showcase previous jobs that were similar to yours.
Training – Vehicle wrapping demands a high skill level. These skills don’t just happen overnight, so go ahead and ask about training methods. Be aware that some companies outsource the installation work, and that’s something you’ll want to know from the outset!
Operational vs Team Experience – Operational experience is the number of years the company’s been wrapping vehicles. Team experience is how long each installer’s been in the industry, added up. So, a vehicle wrap company boasting 20 years of experience might not have been founded 20 years ago – it could mean they have 5 installers, each with 4 years of experience.
Many years of team and operational experience means your project is in capable hands.
3. Can you help with the design elements?
For vehicle branding, bespoke wraps and liveries, design is an important part of the process. A vehicle template lets you place your design elements on a 2D representation of your car or van, but it’s not for amateur use. It takes a skilled graphic designer with experience in templates and Adobe Illustrator to ensure the design will look just right on your vehicle.
Before you settle on a car wrapping company, see if they can do this for you. If so, you won’t have to look for a separate designer, and everything will be kept in-house. While you’re at it, ask if they present 3D renders so you can see how your car or van will look when wrapped.
4. How will you protect my vehicle against loss or damage?
Always find out how your vehicle will be protected. After all, it’s your money and your potential risk! Smaller car wrapping companies are less likely to have security and insurance policies than more established ones.
If you need them to pick up or drop off your vehicle, check they have a motor trade licence and insurance. They might even deliver your vehicle using a transporter truck if you’re concerned about mileage.
Do you know where your car or van will be stored before the wrap? How do they stop thieves from getting on-site? Get answers to these questions for peace of mind and ask for a copy of their insurance policy. Most policies cover cars and vans up to a certain value, so it’s worth asking if it applies to your vehicle too.
5. How will you manage my project?
A good car wrap company will have quality checks in place for the design, approval and proofing stages. In fact, your vehicle should be checked and rechecked for the best results possible. This is important for fleet branding, as each van must be consistent with logos, text and other graphics. The team should be able to run through their quality control methods, and if not, try elsewhere.
This applies to the day of the wrap too. They’ll need to clean the vehicle before the installation, so it’s worth asking how far they’re willing to go with it. Most companies won’t be happy to clean weeks of dirt and mud, so prepare your car or van for wrapping to prevent delays.
Tip: If a car wrap company holds ISO 9001 certification, it means they’re audited every year. That’s a good sign they take quality control seriously.
6. What vinyl wrap brands do you use?
The material used matters. Look for established brands such as Oracal, 3M, Metamark, Arlon and Avery Dennison. These manufacturers create high-quality vinyls that are built last and come with their own product warranties. They stretch well, conform to the bodywork and remain secure for up to 5 years.
Any good car wrapping company will be proud to be affiliated with these suppliers. 3M Gold Partnership, for example, recognises companies through its authorised vehicle wrapping accreditation program.
If a vehicle wrap company uses cheaper vinyl, watch out! The results may look fine at first but rapidly start to degrade. Low-quality wraps typically peel, blister and fade, so you shouldn’t compromise on quality for the cheapest option. You might end up paying more overall!
If a car wrap company doesn’t use an established brand, we recommend you drop them.
7. Can an unpainted or primed vehicle be wrapped?
No. Vehicle wrap films like sticking to high-gloss surfaces, not porous or matte finishes, similar to primer and unpainted metal. They also don’t apply well to the moulded plastic bumpers and trims found on most vehicles. Vinyl can’t adhere properly to these surface textures, leading to peeling, bubbling and wrap failure.
If you want a vehicle wrapped, it’s important to treat any rust or flaking paint first, and if you have lots of matte, grey primer, paint these areas to create a smooth, gloss finish. Any reputable car wrapping company will give you the same advice.
8. How can I maximise the life of my vehicle wrap?
An experienced vinyl wrap company will keep your project’s details on file in case of damage or wrap failure. That way, they can easily reapply your wrap without issues.
Beyond repairs, they might offer the following tips:
Fuel – Don’t get petrol or diesel on your wrap. This is important when filling up, as fuel can dribble from the hose when it’s taken off the rack. If petrol lands on your wrap, its corrosive properties may cause discolouration.
Waxing – You don’t need to wax the wrap once it’s installed, and some wax formulas can be abrasive. Only use a specialised product from the likes of Swissvax or Avery Dennison, that’s been designed for use on vinyl.
Automatic car washes – You wouldn’t want your wrap to get scratched, so any good vehicle wrap company will recommend you clean your vehicle by hand.
Jet washing – A high pressure level could cause the vinyl to peel away. Keep the pressure below 2,000 psi and the temperature below 80 C. Avoid holding the nozzle too close to the wrap.
Shampoo – When washing a wrapped car or van, use a bucket of water with a low or neutral pH level. You can also try a waterless car wash product to lift the stains away.
Check out our guide on vehicle wrap aftercare for more on keeping your wrap looking great for longer.
9. Can you remove a vehicle wrap?
Any car wrapping company worth its salt will be able to remove your wrap with a little heat, time and care. However, if they haven’t used an established vinyl brand or lack the experience and patience needed, the underlying paint job may be damaged.
That’s why it’s so important to choose a team that uses high-quality films like 3M and Avery Dennison. These are designed for easy removal, and they won’t leave any adhesive or damage the paintwork.
10. What's your warranty policy?
When it comes to warranties, you’ll want to ask about the service and materials used. Established brands come with their own product warranties, and you can find out more in the ultimate guide to vehicle wrap warranties.
It’s not just about the product though – you also want the installers on your side. The right vehicle wrapping company will be happy to look after you in case of any mishaps.
Some companies repair or replace damaged wraps at no extra cost within a certain timeframe. Get the details of these guarantees beforehand, so you know what they’ll do free of charge, and under what conditions.
Bonus: How much will my wrap cost?
Once you’re satisfied with the answers you get, it’s time to take the next step and find out how much your wrap will cost. Unfortunately, not everyone’s clear with their pricing – and most expect you to hand over personal details before they’ll provide an estimate.
That’s not the case with us. Click below to find out how much you can expect to pay based on your vehicle’s size and the complexity of your project. After that, you can get a free online quote generated on screen using our easy-to-use pricing calculator!
