How to Get Started in Vehicle Wrapping

If you're looking for a way to boost your profits, vehicle graphics are a great option. They're effective, affordable, and easy to use.

Vehicle wrapping is a great way to personalize a car, promote a business, or simply protect the paint job. But if you're new to the world of vehicle wrapping, it can be a bit daunting to know where to start.

In this post, we'll walk you through the basics of vehicle wrapping, from choosing the right vinyl to getting your car ready for the wrap.

Versatility and Scalability

Vehicle graphics can be used to create a variety of looks, from simple logos to full-wrap designs. You can choose from a variety of colors, textures, and materials to create a design that perfectly suits your brand.

Vehicle graphics can be scaled to fit any budget or need. You can start with a simple logo or partial wrap and then add more elements as your budget allows. You can also change your graphics over time to reflect changes in your business or marketing strategy.

Vehicles are also the perfect canvas for local advertising. They're constantly moving, which means your ads are constantly seen by potential customers. And because vehicles are so large, you can pack a lot of information into your ad.

When a vehicle is moving by quickly, potential customers have only a few seconds to process your ad. That's why it's important to make sure your ad is quick, effective, and attractive.

The versatility and scalability of vehicle graphics make them a winning combination for businesses of all sizes. With vehicle graphics, you can create a custom design that perfectly suits your customer's brand and budget. And because vehicles are constantly moving, your customer's ads will be seen by potential customers everywhere you go.

The Essentials

A roll of vinyl and a squeegee are the most essential tools.

There are two main types of vinyl used for vehicle wrapping: cast vinyl and calendared vinyl.

• Cast vinyl is made of a thicker, more durable material that provides better UV protection and scratch resistance. It's also more expensive than calendared vinyl.
• Calendared vinyl is made of a thinner, more flexible material that's easier to work with. It's less expensive than cast vinyl, but it doesn't provide as much protection or durability.

The type of vinyl you choose will depend on your needs and budget. If you're looking for a durable wrap that will last for years, then cast vinyl is the best option. If you're on a budget, then calendared vinyl is a good choice.

A squeegee is used to smooth out the vinyl and remove any air bubbles. It's important to use a high-quality squeegee that won't scratch the vinyl.

Other tools that can help you get more professional results.

• A heat gun
• Magnets
• Wrap gloves
• Cleaning supplies

Heat Gun

A heat gun can be used to soften the vinyl and make it easier to work with. It's also useful for shaping the vinyl around curves.

Magnets

Magnets can be used to position the vinyl before you apply it. This can be helpful for complex designs or for getting the vinyl lined up perfectly.

Wrap Gloves

Wrap gloves are designed to protect your hands from the adhesive on the vinyl. They're also helpful for keeping the vinyl clean.

Cleaning Supplies

Your surface needs to be completely clean before you apply the vinyl. This will help the adhesive stick and ensure that the vehicle graphic lasts. Cleaning supplies include isopropyl alcohol, lint-free rags, adhesive remover, and glass cleaner.

Once you have the basic tools, you can start learning the basics of vehicle wrapping. 

First Application

It's a good idea to start with a single-color vinyl on your own vehicle. This will help you get familiar with handling the materials and applying the adhesive.

A good trick to remember is to always tack in the middle of any decal. This means pressing the squeegee lightly against the center of the object being wrapped and smoothing the vinyl from the middle to the sides. This will help eliminate air and get a smooth application.

As many car wrap experts will tell you, "The wrap never fails in the middle of the door. Always on the edges." This is because convex curves are more difficult to wrap than flat surfaces. With practice, you'll be able to get the hang of it, but it's important to start small and work your way up to more complex designs.

A heat gun is a great tool for both novice and advanced installers. Wrap materials are now becoming more advanced and easy to install due to air egress technology, but you'll still want to invest in a solid heat gun.

We recommend heat guns with temperature gages and/or basic safety features.

When heating vinyl, be careful not to apply too much heat. You can overdo it. You can always add more heat, but you can NEVER add less.

A basic rule is to apply heat to the area that needs to stretch (like a side mirror or the edge of a door) in a circular motion and pull the vinyl (careful not to overstretch as this will cause your wrap to fail) while applying pressure from the squeegee to keep the surface smooth.

To Knife or Not to Knife

Knives are a popular tool for cutting vinyl, but they can also be dangerous. If you're not careful, you can easily damage the paint on your vehicle. If you're a beginner, it's best to avoid using knives and opt for a safer alternative.

There are a few alternatives to knives that you can use for cutting vinyl. One option is to use a liner cutter. Liner cutters are designed to cut through vinyl without damaging the paint.

Another option is to use a back-slitter knife. Back-slitter knives are also designed to cut through vinyl without damaging the paint.

Serrated-edge scissors are another option for cutting vinyl. They're not as precise as a knife, but they're much safer.

As you improve your skills, you can move on to more advanced techniques. Some advanced techniques include removing vehicle logos, edge seal tape, color change vinyl, and metallic ink effects.

It's also a good idea to get a tool belt to store all your tools. This will make it easy to access your tools when you need them.

Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you learn about vehicle graphics. One resource is the Wrap Institute YouTube Channel. The Wrap Institute offers a variety of video tutorials on vehicle graphics. Another is our Wensco Wrap Classes. The Wensco Wrap Classes are a 2-Day hands-on car wrapping experience with our certified Wrap Specialists. Included is a Wrap Tool Kit and free lunch. You can join our waitlist here.

Once you can wrap a car, you can wrap anything! Appliances, furniture, buildings - the sky is the limit. It's all the same skill and it's all the same material.

Don't be afraid to take the first step and start wrapping. It's a great skill to have, and it's a lot of fun.

Check out our selection of Vinyl, Paint Protection Films, Window Tint Films, and Accessories, and start your Wrap Journey today!

That's a wrap!