Car Wrap for the the Carma road pricing fleet by Iconography. This is the first of many full vehicle wraps on the fleet of Mazda cars for Carma.
Vehicle wraps are a great way to promote your products and services or to build brand awareness. This Mazda 5 has been turned into a rolling billboard for Carma with its eye-catching orange wrap.
Fleet graphics are easy to achieve for your fleet whether you manage just a few vehicles in your local city or several hundred vehicles nationwide. At Iconography, we can help manage your entire fleet graphics program from design through production and installation. We work with your leasing company, upfitters and insurance carriers to provide seamless services, reporting and invoicing, helping keep your vehicles at work and on the road!
Car Wraps & Fleet Management – A Balancing Act
For fleet managers considering car wraps, key factors include balancing the initial investment with long-term brand visibility and vehicle protection, selecting durable materials, creating an effective and readable design, planning for installation and maintenance, and vetting qualified installers. The decision requires weighing marketing goals against practical operational challenges.
Car Wrap Cost and Return on Investment:
- Budget and scale: Initial costs for wrapping a fleet can be substantial and depend on the number of vehicles, their size, and the quality of the materials. Wrapping multiple vehicles at once often qualifies for a volume discount.
- Marketing ROI: Wraps turn vehicles into mobile billboards, offering a low cost-per-impression compared to other forms of advertising like radio or billboards. Fleet managers should calculate the potential return on investment (ROI) by tracking inbound inquiries and factoring in lead generation.
- Resale value: A wrap protects a vehicle’s original paint from UV rays, minor scratches, and road debris, which helps preserve its condition and maintain resale value.
- Tax deductions: Vehicle wraps and graphics can often be claimed as a marketing expense, potentially offering tax benefits.
Car Wrap Materials and durability
- Material quality: Investing in high-quality vinyl, such as premium cast film from brands like 3M or Avery Dennison, ensures better performance and a longer lifespan (typically 5–7 years). Cheaper materials can lead to premature peeling, cracking, or fading, which makes the brand look unprofessional.
- Vehicle compatibility: Calendered vinyl is best for vehicles with flat, simple surfaces, like box trucks. More flexible cast vinyl is recommended for vehicles with complex curves and rivets.
- Climate considerations: Environmental factors like strong sunlight, snow, or de-icing chemicals can affect a wrap’s durability. Choosing a UV-resistant vinyl is essential in sunny areas.
Car Wrap Design and branding
- Visual impact: The design should be bold, simple, and legible. Overly cluttered designs can confuse potential customers. The graphics should be placed strategically to account for vehicle curves, seams, and handles.
- Consistent branding: Ensure the wrap design is consistent across the entire fleet, reflecting your brand’s established colors, fonts, and logo. This strengthens brand recognition and builds customer trust.
- Driver behavior: With increased brand visibility, there is a greater responsibility for drivers to maintain a positive public image. Poor or reckless driving can reflect negatively on the company.
Car Wrap Installation, Maintenance and Removal
- Professional installation: The quality of installation is crucial for the wrap’s longevity and appearance. A poor installation can result in wrinkles, bubbles, and peeling. It is best to choose a provider with experience in commercial fleets and certified installers.
- Vehicle preparation: Before wrapping, the vehicle’s paint should be in good condition, as wraps do not adhere well to rust, chips, or peeling paint. Any necessary body repairs should be completed first.
- Routine care: Wraps require regular hand washing with mild, non-abrasive detergents to prevent damage. Fleet managers should avoid automatic car washes with brushes, high-pressure washing, and harsh chemicals.
- Stain removal: Tree sap, bird droppings, and other stubborn stains should be cleaned promptly by soaking the area with warm, soapy water.
- Removal process: When it’s time to replace or remove a wrap, it must be done carefully by professionals to avoid damaging the underlying paint. Incorrect removal, especially for older or poor-quality wraps, can leave adhesive residue or pull up paint.
Are you a marketing manager looking to expand your branding opportunities by dating the graphics on your fleet of vehicles? Or perhaps you are a fleet manager looking for a graphics provider to provide a smooth and accurate process for keeping the latest graphics on your vehicles? Give the experts at Iconography Studios a call today at 562-424-4353!
