Why a Wrap isn’t JUST a Sticker

When people call us about putting together a wrap, they often have their own ideas about what a wrap is and what it can do for you.

“It’s essentially a big sticker, right?” 

In some ways, yes.  But in others, not at all.  A kid can stick a sticker on a wall in 30 seconds.  A vehicle wrap could take 30 hours!  

We could say “not exactly,” but that would understate the case.  When you think of a wrap, you should think of something that fundamentally transforms the look of whatever surface you are covering.  But before we talk about some of the details of wrapping, let’s start with WHY you would want to wrap something.

Materials

You have to keep in mind when you are looking at wraps, either on a wall or on a vehicle, there are different thicknesses and adhesion levels.  Depending on the surface that is being wrapped, there are different ways that a material might conform to it.  On top of that, for the almost dozen different types of materials we stock in-house, we often have both the glossy and matte look available.  No two wrap projects are done the exact same way.

Longevity

A wrap is made to last.  Depending on the materials you choose, a wrap can last anywhere from 6 months to 7 years.  While many liken a wrap to a billboard, the truth is that billboards have to be changed due to the effects of weather over time.  Wraps are made with much more durable material and are a cost that you pay once that endures for some years.

Protection

Something our clients rarely think about but are often pleasantly surprised about is the protection a wrap offers.  Wraps protect surfaces from UV rays, everyday scratches, and superficial nicks in a way that your otherwise unprotected standard paint job cannot. If and when you need to remove the wrap in the future, you’ve protected the look and value of that surface for other uses, having utilized the surface exactly the way you wanted to in the meantime.

So now that we’ve discussed the WHY, let’s get a little into the WHAT of a wrap, and what makes it so much better than a sticker.

Versatility

We have a lot of different options for designing a look for your wrap, but most of our clients don’t realize that if you can take a photo of something, we can almost certainly incorporate that into your wrap.  We’re serious: any color under the sun, any pattern, any photo, any illustration.  And the most well-known locations are vehicles and walls, but we can do windows, cabinets, boxes.  The options are literally endless!

Skills

Wrapping is a skill that is honed through experience. You can see just one aspect of a vehicle wrap in this short video we shared on our Instagram.  If you can do that sort of stuff on your own, you should come work for us!

As we noted above, a vehicle wrap can take as long as 30 hours to complete.  Wall wraps, on the other hand, can be done in 3 hours.  Obviously, there’s a big difference between the flat surface of a wall and the curves and nooks and crannies of a vehicle, but there’s also the question of different materials and applications.

Visibility

We all know the benefits of a good paint job or well-chosen art for a space in your home or office.  When done well, you can create the ambiance that makes the place perfect for your needs.  Wraps take this to the next level.

A wrapped vehicle, for example, is a statement about your business.  A statement that is always-on, creating impressions with potential customers.  It’s so much more than a sticker with a phone number and website (which, by the way, can be done in interesting and engaging ways!).

As you might know from seeing wrapped vehicles yourself, we often have to see ads more than once to really “see” them.  We call those “impressions.”  Then once we have truly “seen” that ad through multiple repetitions, that knowledge is filed away for when we might need that product or service.  You might not really care about Mike the Plumber’s well-wrapped truck...until your toilet’s stopped up and you remember that vehicle you see driving around all the time.  

That same sort of “impression” works in a home or work environment as well.  No matter what the weather is outside, your wrap sets a tone and mood that is always on.

Wraps are platforms that can completely transform your vehicle, your workspace, and your home, with all the excitement and benefits that come with that.  Bring your imagination and let’s get started!

We’d love to talk to you about your ideas for a wrap. Share your thoughts with us.