Wrapping a vehicle is not just about slapping vinyl onto a surface; it’s a meticulous process that involves careful planning, design, and execution. Each step is essential to ensure that the final product not only looks stunning but also serves its purpose as an effective advertising tool. A well-designed vehicle wrap can capture attention, promote brand awareness, and generate hundreds of thousands of impressions on the road. Here’s a look at the process from start to finish:
Step 1: Designing the Vehicle Wrap Graphics
The first and most important step in wrapping your vehicle is the design of the graphics. At Zero Gravity Marketing, we are experienced at creating successful car wrap designs that will generate hundreds of thousands of impressions for your business and successfully build brand awareness.
Car wrap designs are created at 1/20th scale on the computer. Although the scale is smaller than the actual car, the digital files are very large and take more time to create than a typical printed piece such as a brochure or postcard. When the design is approved by the client, the artwork then goes through a production proofing process where we review and approve the sizes, color, and any other technical specifications.
Step 2: Printing and Preparing the Car Wrap Vinyl
Once the production proofing is finalized, the digital files are printed on high-quality 3M vinyl and laminated. This type of vinyl has an adhesive backing and is carefully applied to the vehicle. The adhesive is pressure and heat sensitive which means the vinyl can be moved and adjusted until the proper pressure and heat is applied.
When the printed graphics are completed, the vinyl will be in rolls and in separate sections. In most cases, it is not possible to print the entire graphic on one piece of vinyl because of the limited printer sizes, plus it is much easier to apply in sections. If there are any logos or lettering, we recommend cutting those out individually in 3M vinyl and applying after the base wrap is complete. This helps the alignment of any phone numbers, websites, etc. that will be placed on the vehicle.
Step 3: Preparing the Vehicle Surfaces for Installation
If any windows are being covered, a perforated 3M vinyl is used and then laminated to help keep dirt out of the perforations. With perforated vinyl, you can see out of the vehicle from the inside although, you cannot see into the vehicle. By law, we can’t apply perforated vinyl to the windshield, driver, and passenger side windows.
On the day before the scheduled wrap, the vehicle will need a non-waxing car wash. It is critical that the vehicle is as clean as possible so the 3M vinyl will adhere properly. The vehicle will also need to be completely dry at the time of the installation, which is why we recommend having the car washed the day before and placed in an indoor environment so it dries thoroughly.
Step 4: Vehicle Wrap Installation
When the installation crew arrives, the first thing they do is prep the vehicle, which includes wiping down the surface of the vehicle to clean off any soap film or any other chemicals that may be on the car. All side mirrors, vehicle logos, and light covers are all removed before applying the vinyl.
A typical car wrap installation could take 7-9 hours, even longer for larger vehicles. Sometimes we will need two days to complete a full wrap. The installation needs to be completed indoors unless a guarantee of no rain is forecasted and there is a shaded work area. If the client has a vehicle bay the wrap can be installed on-site, or the car will need to be driven to our local installation facility to be applied.
Wrapping a car is a very exciting process that takes many talented people to successfully complete. From the design to the application, many talented hands will be involved in the process of transforming your vehicle into a visually stimulating representation of your business.
Last Step: Reach Out to Zero Gravity
Ready to turn your vehicle into a moving advertisement? Zero Gravity Marketing is here to guide you through every stage of the vehicle wrap process, from design to installation, ensuring your brand makes a lasting impression on the road. Reach out to our team today to get started on a custom wrap that speaks to your audience and drives your message forward. Let’s make your vehicle a powerful marketing tool together!
About the Author
Danni Reid
Danni Reid is a Senior SEO Strategist at Zero Gravity Marketing with nearly five years of experience in the SEO industry. She excels in on-page SEO, focusing on optimizing website elements to enhance search engine visibility and user experience. Her passion for data analysis, coupled with her agency background, enables her to create effective, data-driven SEO strategies.
