Have you ever seen a car wrapped in an advertisement? If so, you may have wondered whether these advertisements — known as vehicle wraps — are a worthwhile investment get your small business off the ground or propell it forward.

Below, you’ll find a complete breakdown of what vehicle wraps are and whether you should consider as an investment.

What is a car wrap?

A vehicle wrap is a digitally-printed mobile billboard. Professionals will work with you to craft your advertisement and then print it on vinyl. Professionals print vinyl wraps in full color with eye-catching graphics. After using graphic design software to design your wrap, the individual will then apply the vinyl film to your car.

You can select either a full wrap, which covers the entire vehicle including the windows, or a partial wrap. Even if the wraps cover windows, you won’t have a problem looking through them. A high-quality vinyl wrap typically lasts three to five years.

Are vehicle wraps effective?

When you think of marketing techniques, the use of vehicle graphics may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, you may want to give car wrapping more consideration based on the following statistics:

  • “individual vehicle advertising generates between 30,000-70,000 daily vehicular impressions,” according to ARD Ventures.
  • “Mobile advertising generates 2.5 times more attention than a static billboard,” says Perception Research.
  • “Messages on outdoor mobile billboards have a 97% recall rate,” RYP & Becker Group indicates.

Based on these metrics, it’s easy to see why small business owners would want to consider choosing vehicle wraps over more traditional forms of advertising.

Aren’t wraps meant for large companies with vehicle fleets?

There is a common misconception that vinyl car wraps are only for companies with large vehicle fleets. However, this is not the case. Even if you don’t own company vehicles, you can still rent a truck or van to advertise your company’s information.

Taking advantage of these mobile advertisements could legitimize your small business and introduce your brand and logo to customers in your area. When small business owners use vehicle wraps, it puts them on the same investment playing field as companies large enough to maintain vehicle fleets.

How do vehicle wraps compare to other forms of advertising?

Wrap advertising isn’t quite as cost-efficient as online advertising, but it’s certainly more effective than some other forms of marketing.

Vinyl wraps tend to increase the outreach of a marketing campaign. When conducting traditional marketing campaigns, small business owners often limit themselves to a small demographic. However, if you engage in a mobile billboard advertising campaign, you’ll reach everyone from children to seniors.

A word of caution

Because printing technology is better than ever, wrap installations are more accessible than ever. However, there has also been a rise in inexperienced people setting up fleet wrap shops. It’s a good idea to check a wrap provider’s credentials and reviews before engaging in business.

Wraps shouldn’t damage a vehicle’s paint job. However, if an inexperienced individual applies the wrap film, there’s a chance that the image can bleed through the wrap onto the paint. There’s also a strong chance that the paint will be scratched or chipped in the process.

You’ll be better off investing in the services of a professional who you can trust. Make sure that you choose a company that is highly-rated and has years of experience. Additionally, you should always ask for a warranty in writing. If you’re working with high-end wrap designers, they should be more than willing to offer one.

Keep track of your marketing expenses

Vinyl wraps could be a valuable investment of your overall marketing strategy, especially if you live in a highly-populated area. Choosing vehicle wraps will allow you to reach a broad target audience for minimal costs.

Whether you choose vehicle wraps or some other form of small business advertising, make sure you integrate it into your overall business plan and keep track of your marketing expenses.