Car owners and car enthusiasts alike know that repainting their car is not only time consuming but can be quite pricey. With this knowledge, these same car owners and car enthusiasts will often opt to have their vehicle wrapped. Not only does this aesthetic choice provide a new breath of life to a car but a slew of pros to choosing to wrap rather than paint their car.
Wrapping your vehicle completely changes how it feels. Turn your plain commuter into a rolling billboard, something that flies under the radar, or a loud-and-proud ride. Wrapping is usually a far cheaper option than painting. However, before you reach that point, you’ll rightly wonder: what’s the cost to wrap a car, really?
On this page, we’ll explain exactly what you can expect to pay, no matter where you are in Canada.
Cost to Wrap Your Car
So, what does it cost to wrap your car in Canada? Of course, the rates vary depending on your car, where you live, and what sort of vinyl you need. However, here are some ballpark figures to help you get a rough idea.
Disclaimer: The costs shown below are based on research from industry and regional sources and should be used as rough averages only. Always get a custom quote from a professional. Almost all quotes should be free!
| Type of Wrap/Vehicle | Typical Price Range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Full Wrap (Small Car/Hatchback) | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Full Wrap (Medium Crossover/Sedan) | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| Full Wrap (SUV) | $3,000 to $5,500 |
| Full Wrap (Large SUV/Truck) | $3,800 to $6,500+ |
| Partial Wrap | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Hood/Roof/Trunk/Door/Mirror Sections | $300 to $700 each |
Car Wrap Price Factors
When determining the car wrap cost there are a few factors to consider. Car wrap prices differ, in light of the size of your vehicle, the intricacy of the wrap, and how much work is required. To apply the wrap material which it is typically 3m vinyl wrap a professional will need to remove your bumper and cover details of your car so as to not damage them. This is a part of the labour costs.
The simple answer when asking ‘how much to wrap a car?’ is for a small car: as low as $4000 CAD, whereas a full wrap for a mid-size car starts at $4500 CAD and can go higher depending on the design or customization requested by the customer. But when it comes down to it there is an array of factors to consider when determining the total price of wrapping your car.
Car Size
Depending on the size of your vehicle and the preparation time the car wrap prices may vary. In terms of size, vinyl car wrapping can begin as low as $4000 for a little two-door vehicle. Whereas a bigger car and little SUVs, trucks, and vans start at around $4500.
Material Options And How They Affect Pricing
Higher scale designs and materials, for example, a carbon-fiber-look vinyl which starts at about $6000 and goes up from that point.
There are several options for materials to be used in car wrapping and each is priced as such:
Carbon Fiber
This is the most common material used in car wrapping and goes for $3–$7 per square foot. The textured look adds a unique look to the car and is best used for the hood.
Vinyl Matte
This material can typically cost between $2.00 and $3.50 per square foot. A less popular choice, the flat look does not reflect sunlight.
Matte Black
Matte black is one of the more popular choices and can cost upwards of $4000 for a standard-sized sedan.
Vinyl Gloss
This glossy choice is best to reflect the sun and give real shine to the vehicle. Vinyl gloss typically costs between $1.50 and $3.50 per square foot.
Chrome
The price of chrome wrapping will depend on the quality of the wrap. Typically it is around $8.00 per square foot making it the most expensive option for car wrapping.
With wrapping, you are able to customize your design. The more intricate wraps (designs/custom looks) can go as high as $10,000 or more, contingent upon the labour, the materials, and again the size of the vehicle. Wrapping inside the doors or door jambs, for example, can take an extra two days or more, which includes a considerable amount of time and, along these lines, cost.
Car Wrap Lifespan
The lifespan of a vinyl car wrap is roughly two to five years so you are paying for the longevity of the job as well as the aesthetic of the design. This lifespan provides a good time for the reselling of a car too. Many choose to have car wrapping done to increase the value of their vehicle for resale. Although this is less than a paint job it is more cost-efficient in comparison.
Advantages of Car Wrap
Here are just some of the advantages of car wrap services – and why it might be the right choice for you.
- Cheaper than a respray – A quality wrap usually costs far less than a full professional paint job.
- Not permanent – Unlike paint, you can remove a wrap later, if you choose to.
- Huge range of finishes – Matte, satin, gloss, metallic, carbon fibre, colour-shift, and custom designs.
- Easy to update – Ideal for business advertisements or drivers who like switching styles.
- Customisable coverage – Wrap the entire vehicle or just specific sections like the hood or roof.
- Protects the original paint – Wraps act as a barrier against UV rays, light scratches, road grime, etc.
- Fast installation – Most full wraps are completed in a few days (whereas paint requires weeks).
How to Maintain Your Car Wrap
Once you’ve had your new car wrap installed, you’ll be wondering how to maintain it. You want to make the most of your investment by extending the life of the vinyl and reducing the risk of early replacement.
First, consider a vinyl-safe sealant. Your wrap installer can advise you on this. It comes with an upfront cost, but may make your wrap last longer. Wash your car by hand – regularly – using a mild, pH-neutral shampoo and soft microfibre cloths or mitts. You’ll find some good pH-neutral car wash shampoos at any good hardware store. Automatic car washes, on this other hand, as well as abrasive brushes, could damage the wrap.
And just like with paintwork, you also need to remove contaminants promptly. This includes things like bird droppings, tree sap, road grime, splattered bugs, and fuel or oil spills. Again, these wear down the vinyl and lead to spot repairs.
After washing, avoid using wax unless you find one specifically designed for vinyl wraps. Park indoors or in shaded areas to reduce UV fading. If you can make your car wrap last five years or longer with minimal spot maintenance, you’re doing well.
In Conclusion
Yes, the price of the car wrapping does depend on where one goes to have it done. Do the research and make the calls to find out more from Elite Tint. A car is an asset and not one to go uninformed into making choices about.
After taking into consideration the size of the vehicle, what sort of design is wanted, the location of the procedure of work, and the choice of material you can best determine the cost of wrapping a car.
A car wrap can be a good idea for building your business brand as well, contact us for more details about your car wrapping, and to get answers to any other wrapping inquiries that you may have.
FAQs
Is wrapping a car cheaper than painting it?
Yes. In most cases, the cost to wrap a car is significantly lower than a professional respray, especially for custom colours or specialty finishes.
How long does a car wrap last?
With proper care, most quality wraps last five to seven years – provided it’s well maintained. If you need something more durable, look at paint options.
Does the cost to wrap a car include design and installation?
Almost always, yes – but not always. In complex one-off cases (such as custom graphics and branding), the design and printing process may cost extra.
Do matte or specialty vinyl wrap finishes cost more?
Usually, yes. Matte, satin, colour-shift, and textured vinyls typically increase the cost to wrap your car. This is due to the higher costs associated with the material, which also requires more careful installation.
Is a partial wrap worth it if I’m on a budget?
Yes, but speak with your installer. Partial wraps – especially hoods, roofs, mirrors, or business branding – can still make certain vehicles look great. In some cases, you may get more value from waiting to do a full wrap all at once instead.
