There are plenty of reasons for wrapping your truck, such as aesthetic purposes or advertising your business. Whatever that reason is, it is best to have a budget in place because the cost varies drastically.
Typically, for a full professional wrap on your truck, you will spend roughly about $2,500 to $8,000. The price is subject to factors such as a full-wrap or partial wrap, truck’s size, shape of your vehicle, labor, and material to be used.
Things that determine the cost of wrapping
Various factors come into play when pricing a vehicle wrap installation. Also, every auto-shop has its different pricing guides. Here are some of the factors they consider to determine the cost of wrapping.
Design
The wrap design you choose is essential to the pricing. How intricate the design is will increase the price. Such factors as logos, single wraps, or custom wraps and artwork will determine the design’s complexity.
Production
Production costs include the price of materials used and labor involved in vehicle preparation, designing, printing, laminating, and cutting the wrap.
Vehicle preparation
Before the wrap installation, your vehicle has to go through preparation, which depends on its initial state. Dirty cars must be cleaned and disinfected. All badges, labels, and prints have to be removed, which will have additional charges. Also, a car with dents won’t have a long-lasting wrap.
The wrap coverage and vehicle’s size
The overall price will vary depending on the surface area you want to cover. The bigger the wrap, the more it will cost you. The total surface area you wish to wrap will determine the amount of wrap. Only covering your vehicle’s sides, decals, and logos will cost much less than a full wrap.
Type of wrap material
The type of wrapping is the most significant factor in cost differences. There are various wrapping materials to choose from in terms of colors, finishes, and materials. The difference is in the material’s quality, durability, and price.
Here is the cost of some popular vinyl wraps:
- Vinyl gloss is the most affordable wrap at $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.
- Vinyl matte costs about $2-$4 per square foot.
- Chrome wrapping will start at $8 and increase depending on quality.
- Carbon fiber costs about $3-$7 per square foot.
- Cast vinyl wraps look more like paint and last longer and cost $12-$15 per square foot.
There are also additional features such as; pricey waterproofing with a nano-ceramic gloss finish or a simple sealant and wax.
Shop cost
Like any other business, vehicle wrapping shops charge differently. There will undoubtedly be shops that charge cheaper than others for the same type of job. However, it would be best if you did not accept a full wrapping job below $1,500 because inexperienced labor is cheap, and so are low-quality materials.
Other things to consider are; a clean and spacious shop will deliver quality work, an insured and licensed shop will be able to cover any accidents that happen on your car while it’s in their shop. You can find a certified installer on the 3M website.
Car’s make and model
Not all vehicle types and models have the same wrapping costs. Some models have more intricate curves than others. For example, an SUV will take significantly cost less to wrap than a large box truck—the price increases with more angles, lines, and curves to cover.
The average cost of wrapping standard truck models in the US
The price guide below gives a rough estimate of what it would cost for some standard trucks. This price may vary depending on the design, type of wrap, and condition of your vehicle.
| Partial wrap | Full wrap | |
| SUV truck (small) | 1,800 | 2,500 |
| SUV truck (medium) | 2,000 | 2,700 |
| SUV truck
(large) |
2,100 | 2,900 |
| Pickup
(small) |
1,800 | 2,400 |
| Pickup (medium) | 2,000 | 2,700 |
| Pickup (large) |
2,300 | 3,000 |
| Box truck (small) | 2,700 | 3,500 |
| Box truck
(medium) |
2,900 | 3,700 |
| Box truck
(large) |
3,300 | 4,300 |
How much does it cost to have your truck wrapped professionally?
Getting your truck wrapped professionally will cost more than doing it yourself. A rough estimate of a full wrap on a truck is about $2,500 to $8,000, while partial wrapping may cost between $1,000 to $3,000. We advise you to go to an auto shop that specializes in wrapping for the best results.
How much does it cost to wrap a truck yourself?
If you choose to wrap your truck yourself, it may cost you a total of about $700 to $3,000. You will accrue the cost of the wrap and application tools. Keep in mind that it may also take longer wrapping it on your own. However, it may cost you more to buy additional supplies to reinstall the wrap unless you have done this before.
How long does a wrap last on a truck
With proper installation and maintenance, the wrap on your truck should last roughly up to five to seven years.
Is it cheaper to wrap or paint a truck?
A truck paint job’s price will vary with paint quality, application method, and the number of coats. A cheap paint job can cost you about $1,000-$3,000, while a full wrap will cost between $2,000 and $ 8,000.
Assuming you have chosen one solid color, painting a truck is cheaper than a full wrap, but an expensive paint job may cost as much as a wrap.
Check this too: Why Do Trucks Use Leaf Springs?
Does vinyl wrap look as good as paint?
A well-installed wrap with quality vinyl will look like an expensive paint job for a fraction of the cost. Vinyl wrapping offers more affordable options for shades of color and finishes like matte, glossy, semi-glossy, or a satin finish. The professionals can also customize your vinyl wrap to look like chrome, 3D effects, leather, carbon fiber, or stainless steel.
Does vinyl wrap hurt the truck’s paint?
If removed correctly, a vinyl wrap will not damage the original vehicle’s paint. It merely covers the surface and can also protect the truck’s paint from weather damage and mild abrasion.
A car wrap gives you the flexibility of change without permanently changing the original color of your truck. It is also great for commercial trucks and advertising. While several factors may determine the overall cost of wrapping, it is still an affordable option you should consider.