Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

Whether you’re simply looking to wrap a new incoming fleet of vehicles, seeking to advertise your business in a new way, or ready to make your company fleet uniform, wrapping trucks, vans and cars presents endless possibilities. Let’s take a deeper look at vehicle wraps.

Not a new concept

While car wraps have become popular in the last decade or so, vehicle wraps have been around since the 1950s. In 1954, Newhouse Automotive Industries of Los Angeles, California began advertising what they called the “very latest automotive sensation.” That sensation was the vehicle vinyl wrap, which presented an appealing aftermarket product. The technology behind vinyl vehicle wraps has greatly evolved from the early iterations, offering customers a wider range of custom options.

What’s a wrap?

Vinyl vehicle wraps create a kind of second skin on a vehicle, allowing owners to change the color of their vehicle (color change wraps) without the expense of a new paint job. Better yet, now a days, we can print full color high resolution graphics on vinyl, laminate it and apply to your fleet of vehicles so they all look the same.

Vinyl wraps are created with an adhesive backing that is specially designed for vehicles. You can use the vinyl as a way to change your vehicle’s color and texture -- technology now allows for 3D textures -- or add images and graphics to advertise -- race cars are wrapped to include their sponsors. Essentially, vehicle wraps allow you to customize your fleetgraphics at a lower cost than a custom paint job.

How does it work?

If you’ve ever tried to place a screen protector film on your smartphone, you’re likely wondering how vehicle wraps are able to be applied without bubbles and wrinkles. Very carefully. In all seriousness, the makeup of the vinyl adhesive allows for a smooth application. Popular Mechanics describes it well:

 Modern adhesive reaches its most sticky state after 24 hours, making it repositionable. The vinyl itself, a highly formable "cast" vinyl, has channels to allow air to escape, eliminating bubbles. A factory laminate coating can make the vinyl wrap last up to 10 years. Finally, vinyl called supercast can stretch up to 40 percent, so it can be molded around curves and sharp bumper edges.

 Another appeal of the vinyl vehicle wrap? Car wraps can “protect paint from scratches, rock chips, and fading from the sun.” So when it’s time to time to trade in or sell your vehicle your paint job will be in pristine condition.

 Ready to make the switch? Contact us today to discuss your vinyl wrapping options with one of our talented team members!