Why a Fleet Vehicle Wrap Belongs in Your 2027 Budget


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With so many needs for a business and finite resources, planning your 2027 budget takes some serious prioritization on what is going to give you the most out of your investment.

Adding fleet vehicle wraps to your 2027 budget is a great way to ensure you get your return on investment. It also gives you the flexibility to plan and schedule your installations around a time that works for you.

The best part? With the new Revolution Upfitting division, you can get your wrap and upfitting done at the same time.

Row of Marick Mechanical fleet vans with matching orange and gray wraps by Revolution Wraps

Why budget for a vehicle wrap now instead of waiting?

Budgeting now for your fleet's vehicle wraps gives you time to make an informed decision. It allows the wrap to be a planned, budgeted expense rather than an up-front cost down the line.

Starting now also gives you a head start and more flexibility with scheduling the installations at a time that works best for you.

Changing routes, adjusting schedules, etc. to accommodate install time can take some coordination – you want to give yourself enough time to plan accordingly.

How long does a fleet vehicle wrap last?

The lifespan of a wrap can vary depending on good care practices, whether the vehicle is stored or exposed to the elements, and whether the vinyl was installed on a vertical or horizontal surface.

Typically, with good care practices, you can expect:

Surface Examples Typical Lifespan
Horizontal Hood, roof, trunk About 3 years
Vertical Doors, sides Closer to 5-6 years

Again – this varies with many factors. But beware: leaving graphics on too long can result in the adhesive being baked on and the graphics cracking. This makes removal significantly more difficult and costly, and it's more likely to result in damage to the vehicle's paint during removal.

Can any vehicle in my fleet be wrapped?

Most vehicles can be wrapped, but rust, damaged paint, and ceramic coatings need to be addressed first.

You'll want to consider potential costs associated with repairing body damage on a vehicle, if present, prior to the wrap being installed.

If new paint is applied, you'll need to wait a period of time before wrapping over it to prevent outgassing that causes vinyl failure.

Vinyl will not adhere over a ceramic coating or vehicle wax. The vehicle will need to arrive at the wrap appointment in clean condition, with any ceramic coating addressed beforehand, for the best lasting results.

Can I wrap a leased fleet vehicle?

Fleet leases work differently than standard leases, and oftentimes they allow you to wrap a leased fleet vehicle.

When vinyl is applied to a good surface with no paint damage or rusted areas, it can be heated and removed with little to no damage to the vehicle's body. Some dealerships will even assist you with the graphics removal process at the end of your lease.

However, it's always best to consult your lease agreement and confirm prior to installing graphics on a leased vehicle.

Partial wrap graphics on an AKRS Equipment service truck built by Revolution Wraps

What cost factors should I consider for a vehicle wrap?

It can be hard to give a general price on a vehicle wrap, as there are so many customizable factors. Discounts may be available for quoting and scheduling multiple vehicles at a time.

Here are some things you'll want to consider:

  • Condition of the vehicle: Any costs associated with repairing body damage, if applicable, prior to wrapping.
  • Material costs: The amount of material used, and the type of material (standard versus specialty vinyl like reflective or metallic), can impact material costs for the wrap.
  • Design costs: You'll want to consider costs for designing the vehicle wrap and setting the files up for print. Multiple packages are available to help fit your budget.
  • Installation: Your quote will reflect the installation time and labor to install the wrap. Always make sure you're looking for a certified installer with fleet experience for the best results. The cheapest option isn't always the best option here.
  • Maintenance cost: To make your investment last, you'll want to make sure the vehicle is cleaned often with wrap-safe practices. If any cracking, lifting, or damage happens to the wrap down the road, address it as soon as possible to prevent more costly repairs from waiting.

Is a vehicle wrap an effective way to market my business?

Adding vehicle graphics to your fleet can be a great way to improve brand awareness while your vehicles are on the move. You get the marketing benefit without the continued expense of paid ads through other channels.

According to 3M (via the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Inc.), fleet graphics can cost as little as $0.15 per thousand impressions (CPM).

A Nielsen Out-of-Home Online Activation Survey found that out-of-home advertising like vehicle graphics generated almost 4 times the online activations per ad dollar compared to TV, radio, and print.

What wrap coverage options do I have for my fleet?

The standard categories vehicle wraps fall into are full wraps, partial wraps, and decals.

The larger the coverage, the more installation time and materials are needed. That being said, contour-cut decals with exposed edges can have a shorter lifespan compared to a full wrap where the vinyl can be tucked into the seams of the panels.

Option Coverage Cost
Full Wrap Covers all painted surfaces of the vehicle's body $$$
Partial Wrap Covers about 50% of the surface of the vehicle's body $$
Decals Smaller coverage – usually contour-cut and installed on the sides or rear of the vehicle $

Not sure which way to go? Our full vs. partial wrap comparison walks through how to choose.

What are my next steps for getting vehicle graphics in the 2027 budget for my fleet?

We understand there are a lot of factors at play when considering your budget for the next year – and we're here to help.

Our team can walk you through all the options available for your fleet, and what makes the most sense for your business's goals and budget. Reach out today, and let's get a free quote started for you – no strings attached.

FAQs

What coverage option is best for my fleet?

This depends on your goals and budget. As a good rule of thumb, decals can be a more cost-effective way to brand your fleet, while full coverage options are more expensive but allow more room for creative design and incorporating more brand elements.

How long does installation take?

Typically, we recommend that you plan for the vehicle to be with our team for 1-2 days – sometimes a little longer if installing during the colder months to allow graphics additional time to set before being exposed to the cold. However, installation time can vary by project scope. Your project manager will communicate anticipated timelines with you during the scheduling process.

Can the vehicle be wrapped and upfit during the same appointment?

Yes! With our new Revolution Upfitting division, we can provide a variety of both wrap and upfitting options, all installed during the same appointment. One stop shop.

Ready to Start? Let's Talk

Family-Owned.
Nebraska-Based.
Installed Nationally.

We locally-serve Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri, but we install high-quality graphics all across the country, no matter where.

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Omaha

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We locally-serve Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri, but we install high-quality graphics all across the country, no matter where. We locally-serve Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri, but we install high-quality graphics all across the country, no matter where.

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