Vehicle Wrap Pricing Guide: How to Quote Wrap Jobs

Quoting a vehicle wrap is one of the most important skills a wrap shop can learn. It affects profit, client trust, production flow, and long-term growth. Yet for many new wrap shops, quoting feels confusing and stressful. There are many variables, many opinions, and very little structure online. This guide is written to solve that problem.

If you are new to wraps—or if your quotes feel inconsistent—this article will show you how to quote a vehicle wrap in a professional, clear, and repeatable way. The goal is not only to give a number but also to give a vehicle wrap quote that clients understand and trust.

By the end, you will have a simple wrap pricing guide mindset, understand coverage clearly, and reduce revisions and pricing disputes.

Why Vehicle Wrap Quoting Matters More Than You Think

Many wrap shops fail not because of poor installs or bad design, but because of poor quoting.

A weak quote causes:

• Confusion about coverage

• Endless revisions

• Price objections

• Lost profit

• Unhappy clients
  

A professional quote does the opposite. It:

• Sets clear expectations

• Shows expertise

• Protects your time

• Builds trust

• Reduces revisions

Quoting is not just math. It is communication.

The Biggest Mistake New Wrap Shops Make

The most common mistake is quoting based on vehicle type only.

Examples:

• “Full wrap: $3,200”

• “Van wrap: $2,800”

• “Truck wrap: $3,500”

This approach is risky because vehicles are not equal, and coverage is not assumed.

A “full wrap” means different things to different people. One client expects roof and door jambs. Another expects sides only. Another expects full coverage except windows.

If you do not define coverage clearly, problems will follow.

Step 1: Understand What You Are Really Quoting

You are not quoting vinyl.

You are quoting:

• Design time

• Material

• Printing

• Lamination

• Installation

• Risk

• Warranty responsibility

This means your price must reflect scope, not just surface area.

The foundation of how to quote a vehicle wrap starts with coverage definition.

Step 2: Define Wrap Coverage (The Core of Every Quote)

Partial Wrap Coverage Design

Coverage is the heart of every vehicle wrap quote. If coverage is unclear, the quote is weak.

There are four main coverage levels used in professional wrap shops.

1. Spot Graphics

This includes:

• Logos

• Phone numbers

• Simple decals

Coverage is limited and fast to install.

Best for:

• Small budgets

• Basic branding

This is not a wrap and should never be priced like one.

2. Partial Wrap

A partial wrap includes:

• Printed vinyl on selected panels

• Solid color vinyl on others

Common examples:

• Printed sides, solid rear

• Printed rear, solid sides

This option saves money but still looks professional when designed correctly.

3. Full Wrap (Standard Coverage)

This is where confusion starts.

A professional “full wrap” usually includes:

• Full printed sides

• Full printed rear

• Partial front (bumper, hood, or both)
  

It does not automatically include:

• Roof

• Door jambs

• Inner panels

These must be listed separately.

4. Full Wrap Plus (Extended Coverage)

This includes:

• Roof

• Door jambs

• Extra difficult areas

This level requires more labor and experience and should be priced higher.

Step 3: Use Coverage Boards to Avoid Confusion

Coverage boards are visual layouts that show exactly what panels are wrapped.

They:

• Remove assumptions

• Make quotes visual

• Reduce revisions

• Build confidence

When a client sees a coverage board, they understand what they are paying for without long explanations.

Coverage boards turn your quote into a system, not a guess.

Sample of a Coverage Board - Available Here

Step 4: Break Your Quote Into Clear Line Items

A professional vehicle wrap quote is structured, not lumped together.

Instead of:

“Full wrap – $3,200”

Use clear sections:

• Design

• Print & materials

• Installation

• Optional add-ons

This does not mean itemizing every minute. It means clarity.

Clear structure increases trust and reduces price objections.

Step 5: Design Time Is Not Free

Many new shops undercharge or ignore design time.

Design includes:

• Layout

• Brand alignment

• Revisions

• Proofing

Even if design feels “quick,” it has value.

You can:

• Include design in the wrap price

• Or list it separately

Either way, it must be accounted for.

Step 6: Material Is Not Just Square Footage

Material cost includes:

• Vinyl

• Laminate

• Waste

• Test prints

• Reprints risk

Not all vehicles are efficient. Curves, deep channels, and complex shapes increase waste.

Your wrap pricing guide must allow margin for real-world installs, not perfect scenarios.

Step 7: Installation Is Where Profit Is Won or Lost

Installation pricing must consider:

• Vehicle complexity

• Experience level

• Panel removal

• Body condition

A cargo van installs faster than a riveted trailer. A box truck installs differently than a Sprinter van.

Never price installs blindly.

Step 8: Build Trust Through Visual Quotes

Clients trust what they can see.

When your vehicle wrap quote includes:

• Coverage boards

• Panel highlights

• Simple notes

You look professional—even if you are new.

Sample of a Professional Van Wrap Design/Mockup

This approach:

• Reduces questions

• Speeds approvals

• Prevents disputes
  

Step 9: Reduce Revisions With Clear Boundaries

Revisions cost time.

A strong quote sets limits:

• Number of design revisions

• What changes are included

• What counts as a new request

This protects your schedule and keeps projects moving.

Step 10: Use a Repeatable Quoting System

Professional wrap shops do not reinvent quotes every time.

They use:

• Coverage standards

• Templates

• Pricing ranges

This makes quoting faster and more consistent.

Consistency builds confidence—for you and your clients.

Why Structured Quoting Wins More Jobs

Clients are not only buying a wrap. They are buying confidence.

A structured quote:

• Shows experience

• Reduces risk

• Feels organized

Even if your price is not the lowest, clarity often wins.

Common Pricing Objections (And How Structure Helps)

“Why is this more than the last quote I got?”→ Show coverage differences.

“I thought the roof was included.”→ Point to the coverage board.

“Can you add this real quick?”→ Refer to scope and revision limits.

Structure turns emotional conversations into factual ones.

The Role of Education in Selling Wraps

Many clients have never bought a wrap before.

Your quote educates them.

When you explain coverage clearly, clients feel guided—not sold.

This increases approval rates and long-term trust.

How New Wrap Shops Can Look Established

You do not need 10 years of installs to look professional.

You need:

• Clear coverage

• Visual quotes

• Structured pricing

Systems create authority.

A Tool That Helps You Quote With Confidence

Many wrap shops struggle because they lack a quoting framework.

The Profitable Wrap Shop Guide by Simplify Graphics was created to solve this exact problem.

It helps wrap shops:

• Understand coverage standards

• Use coverage boards

• Create structured quotes

• Reduce revisions

• Build repeatable systems
  

You can learn more here: https://www.simplifygraphics.com/wrapshopguide

This guide is especially helpful if you want a proven system instead of guessing.

Final Thoughts: Quoting Is a Skill You Can Learn

You do not need to fear quoting vehicle wraps.

When you:

• Define coverage

• Use visuals

• Structure pricing

• Set boundaries

You quote professionally—even if you are new.

A strong vehicle wrap quote protects your profit, your time, and your reputation.

Master this, and everything else becomes easier.