Impressions On The Go® Car Wrap FAQ

1. Just what exactly are vehicle wraps?
2. Why consider using vehicle wraps for advertising?
3. What to look for in a vehicle wrap & fleet wrap provider?
4. What are the file requirements for the artwork?
5. How do I install car wraps or auto wraps?
6. How long will the wrap last?
7. What is the turnaround time?
8. What locations do you serve?
9. How much does a vehicle wrap cost?
10. Which windows can have graphics, and will I still be able to see through the windows?
11. Is the roof included?
12. What if I want to change my logo or phone number on my wrap at a later time?
13. What types of vehicles can you wrap?
14. Can you wrap on plastic or fiberglass?
15. How do I get started?
16. Can I finance my wrap?

1. Just what exactly are vehicle wraps?

Vehicle wraps are color digital prints that are affixed to autos, vans, trucks or buses. They are more vivid and eye-catching than traditional cut vinyl letters. Color digital printing technology allows businesses to put virtually any image on vehicles including photos, logos, and text. The image is first designed using computer software, then the image is printed on an adhesive vinyl material and finally the prints are installed onto the vehicles. Usually car and trucks are wrapped but one unique example is the 4.2 mile long Las Vegas Monorail, the first fully automated rail in the country, which is completely covered with graphics for movies and casinos. On a smaller scale, many national companies have advertising on company cars and the trend is the latest in an effort for businesses to find new and exciting ways to promote their products.

Getting a business noticed in today's crowded advertising marketplace is becoming more and more difficult. So local businesses that want to stand out and take their advertising to the next level should look into putting vehicle wraps on their cars, vans, and trucks. Businesses with delivery or service vehicles are particularly well positioned to utilize vehicle wraps since their vehicles are always being driven around town and in front of new potential customers.

2. Why consider using vehicle wraps for advertising?

Some folks might be wondering - why should I consider a vehicle wrap? For the most part, the vast majority of vehicle graphics are purchased by businesses that are looking to get the biggest bang for the buck advertising their company/product/service. But don't take our word for it. See what the research shows: 

Arbitron Metro Commuter Profiler

3. What to look for in a vehicle wrap & fleet wrap provider?

Most people are new purchasers of vehicle wraps and fleet wraps, and they don't really know what to look for in a provider. We will attempt to outline some of the major items that you should look for in a company.

Are they specialists?

If they do more than vehicle wraps, then the answer must obviously be no.

Lately, there are an ever-increasing number of large-format printers around the country. And almost all of these printers will tell you that they are one-stop shop providers. In other words, they are willing to print almost anything. But is that the best type of provider for vehicle graphics? Our belief is no. As an analogy, where would you bring your vehicle to if you needed transmission work? Would you bring it to the transmission specialists who do nothing else day in and day out? Or would you bring it to a general mechanic shop that occasionally sees some transmission work? Vehicle and fleet graphics are a very specialized type of large-format printing. And just because a provider is willing to do it, doesn't necessarily mean that it is the best option for the customer.

Get your business cards and banners from whomever you like, but be sure to get your vehicle wraps from Impressions On The Go®.

Do they have full-time expert designers? Many local large-format print shops employ production people to create graphics. But many of these printers do not have even one full-time graphic design expert. Be sure to ask. Now if you're a customer that already has the exact graphics at the exact resolution and at the exact size that you need, then you don't really have to worry about it. But for the rest of you, you want to work with a firm that not only has at least a full-time expert designer, but you want to be confident that they can create top-quality graphics the way that you want them.

Please be sure to look at some images of previous work that they have done. And be specific to ask whether or not the provider's designer did the design or if the printer provider just printed what a customer had already designed.

What resolution do they print their graphics at? Avoid using a provider that prints in low resolution to skimp on costs. To maximize your satisfaction, you should ask for prints with a minimum resolution of 720dpi. Why pay money for a blurry wrap? Don't settle for lower resolutions. Be sure to ask!

Do they use top quality materials & inks? From our experience, this isn't really usually an issue. But you should always check to make sure what materials and inks will be used to make sure that you are getting quality. We personally prefer to use top-quality vinyl materials with OEM inks. Don't settle for poor-quality materials or 3rd-Party inks.

Do they use full-time expert installers? Along with design, materials, and inks - you also want to make sure that the prospective graphics provider uses top quality installers. What good does it do you to have wonderful graphics made - only to watch them get butchered when they are put on your vehicle? Some printers just use some of their hourly production people to go out back and throw on vehicle graphics when they occasionally get an order. We know that you can do better.

4. What are the file requirements for the artwork?

Often, vehicle wrap and fleet wrap customers have their own artwork that they would like to use for their wraps. And we are asked what our file requirements are in order to be able to use their file(s) for the results. Below we outline our recommendations:

File types we support (latest versions of the following applications):

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Acrobat
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe PageMaker
• Quark Xpress
• CorelDraw

File Requirements:

• As a general rule, we always suggest providing an image that is a minimum of 150dpi at actual size. If the image is smaller than actual size, then the dpi must be correspondingly higher.
• Graphic designers pretty much understand these requirements, but the average person may be a little confused. So if you ever have any questions, then we always recommend just contacting us via phone or email so that we can assist you.

5. How do I install car wraps or auto wraps?

At Impressions On The Go®, we highly recommend that you have a professional installer put your graphics on the vehicle. But if you really want to do it yourself, then we have provided some basic instructions to help you out.

Instructions for Installing your Vehicle Wrap

Tools and Materials Required:

• Plastic Squeegee, Sharp Razor Blades, Sharp Scissors and Rubbing Alcohol
  

Step 1: Surface Preparation

• For best results, application of your car wrap should be performed indoors (between 60 F and 90 F) and away from wind and dirt particles.
• Clean the surface by removing debris (i.e. mud, dust, etc.) with soap and water. Thoroughly wipe using a lint-free cloth and a 50/50 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water. This will remove any traces of wax, oil, or grease.
• NOTE: Test a small, inconspicuous area of painted surface to avoid any paint damage.

Step 2: Application

• Before removing the vinyl backing, measure and cut vinyl to fit the area to be covered. Be sure to cut oversize to allow for trimming at the surface edge.
• Remove backing from vinyl (if this is a large sheet being used only expose the area you are beginning with) being careful not to allow the material to stick to itself. For the best truck graphic results, carefully place vinyl on the vehicle surface avoiding any major wrinkles, particularly in the middle of the vinyl.
• For an ideal installation, take your time to remove all air bubbles by running your squeegee or your hand over the bubbles until smooth. Once correctly positioned, use the plastic squeegee by applying medium, to heavy pressure, working from the middle to the edges, to remove any trapped air bubbles as you go. Be careful not to run the squeegee over wrinkles as this can tear the vinyl.

Curved Surfaces:

• To avoid wrinkles in the vinyl over curved surfaces, make small 1/2 inch relief cuts to allow the vinyl to conform to the surface shape.

6. How long will the wrap last?

We have different materials which are specially designed to last for different durations. If you let us know what your needs are, then we can be sure to provide you with the best materials to match your needs.

7. What is the turnaround time?

Turnaround times will vary based on the complexity and size of the job. Please contact us for an estimate.

8. What locations do you serve?

We serve the entire United States.

9. How much does a vehicle wrap cost?

There are several factors than determine the cost of a wrap. Please contact us today for an accurate quote.

10. Which windows can have graphics, and will I still be able to see through the windows?

The window graphics are printed on a perforated material that allows the occupants to see out of the windows. The window perf only goes on the rear windows – not on the driver and passenger side windows.

11. Is the roof included?

The roof is included for most automobiles. We do not wrap roofs on SUVs, trucks or vans unless the customer requests it.

12. What if I want to change my logo or phone number on my wrap at a later time?

This is not a problem. We can produce overlays with the new logo or phone number to go over the previous ones.

13. What types of vehicles can you wrap?

We can wrap all types of vehicles: cars, vans, trucks, SUVs, trailers, and even boats. If you’re not sure about your vehicle, then please contact us today to find out if we can wrap it.

14. Can you wrap on plastic or fiberglass?

We strongly recommend against it. The wrap will lift up off of these types of surfaces.

15. How do I get started?

Please contact us today for a fast, friendly and free quote.

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