A wrap turns a van, car or truck into advertising that works every time it leaves the yard, and it protects the paint underneath. It is also one of the most searched-for costs in the sign trade. This guide brings together price ranges that wrap and sign companies publish in the UK and the US, explains what makes one quote higher than another, and sets out what to check before you sign off a fleet job. To find installers, see our vehicle wraps and fleet graphics page.
Typical prices for a full wrap
Prices depend on the size and shape of the vehicle, the film and the design. The UK figures below are from The Sign Company UK, which publishes ranges for commercial vans, and from Pioneer Signs in Birmingham. The US figures are from The Daily Automotive’s October 2026 comparison of several published price guides, and they cover colour-change wraps, which are usually cheaper than fully printed graphics.
| Van size | Full wrap | Partial wrap |
|---|---|---|
| Small (for example Berlingo, Transit Connect) | £1,000 to £2,000 | £500 to £1,200 |
| Medium (for example Transit Custom) | £1,600 to £2,600 | £800 to £1,400 |
| Large (for example Sprinter, Crafter) | £2,200 to £3,000 or more | £1,000 to £1,600 |
Pioneer Signs gives a similar range, £1,500 to £3,000 for a full printed van wrap in cast laminated film taking two to three days, and £250 to £600 for cut vinyl lettering showing a name, number and services. Both exclude VAT.
| Vehicle | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Compact car | $2,000 to $3,500 |
| Sedan | $2,000 to $4,500 |
| SUV or crossover | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Full-size truck | $3,000 to $5,500 |
| Van or commercial vehicle | $4,000 to $7,000 |
What makes one wrap cost more than another
Coverage
A full wrap covers the sides, doors, rear and sometimes the roof. A partial wrap covers selected panels and blends into the existing paint, which is why it costs roughly half as much. Cut vinyl lettering is the lowest-cost option and is often enough for trades that mainly need a name, phone number and web address on the van.
Film grade
This is the decision that most affects how long a wrap lasts. Calendered vinyl is stiffer and cheaper, suits flat panels and short-term graphics, and is more likely to shrink or lift on curves. Cast vinyl is thinner and more conformable and is the usual choice for full wraps. One US shop quoted in The Daily Automotive’s comparison prices calendered film at $3 to $6 per square foot with a life of two to three years, against $7 to $12 per square foot and five to seven years for standard cast film. Pioneer Signs warns that calendered vinyl on curves “shrinks off the curves in two winters”. Our vinyl and films page lists the manufacturers and distributors that supply wrap films to installers.
Printed design versus colour change
A plain colour change uses stock film. A printed fleet design needs artwork, printing and lamination, which adds cost: one US shop lists a custom printed wrap from $3,500 against $2,500 for a plain full colour change.
Vehicle shape and condition
Bigger vehicles and models with lots of curves or unusual shapes need more material and fitting time, so The Sign Company UK notes they cost more than smaller, simpler vans. Deep recesses, complex bumpers and roof details all add hours.
Location
Wrap shops in large cities tend to charge more because of rent and labour costs. A cheaper quote further away can cost more once travel and time off the road are added.
Fleet jobs
For a fleet, ask how the design cost is spread: artwork is done once, so it should not be charged in full on every vehicle. What matters most is consistency: colours that match across vehicles bought at different times, the same film batch where possible, and an installer who can work to your vehicle replacement cycle. Ask whether the supplier can fit at your depot, how many vehicles a day it can do, and how it will handle new vehicles added next year.
Several of the sign companies in our directory list fleet work alongside building signage, including MYC Graphics in the Greater Toronto Area, Andean Signs in Hampshire, Getwrapped in Oshawa and Surefire Signs in Sydney.
Wrap or repaint?
A quality respray in a custom colour usually costs more than a wrap and takes longer: one US shop quotes three to five days for a wrap against one to three weeks for a repaint. The Sign Company UK points out that a wrap can be removed or changed later while protecting the original paint. Removal is a cost of its own, though, so include it when comparing whole-life cost.
Budgeting for the life of the wrap
The Sign Company UK points out that removal, maintenance and warranty all affect the true long-term cost of a wrap, not just the fitting price. Three habits keep that cost down. First, ask for care instructions in writing at handover, including how the vehicle should be washed, and share them with drivers. Second, read the warranty conditions: film manufacturers and installers often set conditions on cleaning and on damage repair, and a warranty is only useful if you can meet them. Third, plan the exit. If vans are leased or sold on after a few years, agree the removal price at the same time as the fitting price so it does not come as a surprise.
For businesses that change livery often, partial wraps or cut vinyl graphics on a base colour can be cheaper to update than a full printed wrap, because only the changed panels need replacing.
Questions to ask before you order
- Is the quote for full, partial or lettering-only coverage, and which panels exactly?
- Which film brand and grade, cast or calendered, and which laminate?
- Is design included, and how many rounds of changes?
- What is the warranty on film and on installation, and what voids it?
- How long will the vehicle be off the road, and can the work be done at your site?
- What will removal cost when the time comes?
Get two or three quotes for the same specification. If one is far cheaper, check the film grade first.
Sources
- The Sign Company UK, How Much Do Van Wraps Cost.
- Pioneer Signs, What does a shop sign cost? (van graphics ranges, September 2026).
- The Daily Automotive, How Much Does It Cost to Wrap a Car? (October 2026; compares guides from TunedRides, Gilroy Blackout and UseCalcPro).
- Search demand: Signage Resource keyword research (Google Ads data via DataForSEO), October 2026.