Have you been searching for pricing for vehicle wraps online only to find yourself frustrated? You can scour the Internet for hours only to unearth ambiguous price ranges, a devious “contact us for a quote” button, or even no pricing plans at all!! This can be maddening to business owners looking to compare pricing for vehicle wraps and guarantee themselves the best value. Despite your irritations, online pricing quotes are more common than not—but there is a good explanation for this and we intend to share that with you today…

The Challenges of Accurate Estimates

The fact of the matter is that all sign shops and graphic depots, especially locally-owned small-business retailers, deal with the same things that electricians, tree-cutting services, and even doctors deal with when it comes to estimating the cost of services. It’s challenging to offer “precise” pricing until the contractor evaluates the scope of the project.

The Grounds Guys (Photo by: Ian Earl)

For example, if a groundskeeper or landscaping service offered the same flat rate to all its customers for lawn maintenance, it would be impossible for the company to make money. Sure they would make money on small jobs, but the fact of the matter is that people would take advantage of them. Apartment complexes, businesses, etc. seeking a low cost would seek out the flat rate and surely at that point the company would be losing money instead of making it. The same is true for other contractors. How can a chef know how many people to cook for at a wedding without visiting with the clients? How can a computer repair professional offer a flat fee to fix your “Blue screen of death” for every single customer without knowing how complex the issue is or how much doctoring will be necessary to get your computer back to A+ status?

The same is true for vehicle wraps. However, there still remain companies that offer flat rates for wrapping services. Are you getting what you are really intending to pay for or not? We put our money on the latter…

Vehicle Wrap Pricing Ranges

The best sign companies will offer a range of pricing such as “$1299 to $3799 and up” depending on vehicle model and alterations such as spoilers. The vehicle design templates used by our in-house graphic designers do not account for vehicle modifications and there is no way for any sign company to determine the cost to wrap these elements until they see the vehicle in question—usually via photos or an onsite inspection.

In addition, it all depends on how much of the vehicle you want wrapped. There are partial wraps, full body wraps, and combo packages. In the end, the pricing for vehicle wraps hangs inevitably on the client’s desires and budget. Many sign companies offer estimates to make pricing flexible offering those with lower budgets different options to make utilizing a vehicle wrap a reality for everyone. Also, let’s say a local furniture store wants to wrap their entire fleet of transport trucks. Well, simply put, the “more that are wrapped, the less they are cash-strapped!”

Mynians: Experts in Computer Repair (Photo by: Ian Earl)

Tips to Consider

Before you’re enticed by cheap, flat rate vehicle wrap pricing, consider these factors:

1.) Does the company’s graphic design team cultivate sincerely distinctive concepts that will make your automotive fleet stand out among the crowd?

2.) Does the sign company have access to a huge inventory of vinyl wrap films in both type and colors to ensure needed film is in stock?

3.) Is the sign company operating first-class, long-lasting adhesive wrap film from manufacturers like 3M and Avery? The fact of the matter is that crappy materials often have substandard results.

4.) Will the sign company agree to keep you well informed of each level of the undertaking from conception to completion?

5.) If wrapping a fleet, does the sign company have a clear time management plan to ensure your vehicles are wrapped in a way to keep your fleet up and running without delay?

6.) Does the sign company utilize quality wide-format printers specifically designed for the industry—or do they outsource the printing and to whom?

7.) Does the company have a facility they are proud to show you around or do they hide work areas from clients? Are they consistently working in a store that just “feels” busy?

8.) Can they offer a photo gallery online of prior projects?

Elite Signs & Graphics offers everyone a complete initial consultation with all buyers before the job commences and a quote is offered based on the end result. You will pay what we quote—end of story. The best part is that we never hide fees. We also guarantee our vehicle wraps.

Still, like anything else in life, there are those who seek vehicle wraps pricing hoping to find that low, low Wal-Mart price. Use grandma’s logic on this one folks: “If it sounds too good to be true sweetie, it’s probably just that.”

Instead of seeking the lowest vehicle wraps pricing you can find on the Internet, seek out companies that know it’s impossible to offer one-price for all their wraps. The best people to do business with are the ones who run and operate successful businesses.

Aaah…the luck of the Irish!! Ireland is a nation rich in superstitions and many of these are still practiced. Urban legends and the cultures and religions of Ireland’s former inhabitants from foreign lands influenced folk traditions and superstitions.

Credit: “Leprechaun” by Kevin Middleton (click image to buy)

The Celts, an early eastern European civilization that migrated to the British Isles, started many of its traditions, including the festival now recognized as Halloween. The English, who came to establish a colony in the 11^th century, following the Celts, the Normans, and the Vikings, were the bridge to another superstition—that of the four-leaf clover or shamrock—which was initiated by their ancestors, the Druids. The legend of the goddess, Macha, known for her red hair, gave rise to a string of beliefs as to why red-haired people (particularly women) can be dangerous. Other superstitions deal with leprechauns, and the blarney stone.

The Shamrock

In ancient Ireland, the shamrock was a sacred symbol. The three leaves on the shamrock made it really special because people at the time believed that three was a magic number. Good things supposedly happened in threes. If one good thing happened, a person could expect two more. Historians discovered that the Celts also used the shamrock to help them grow crops. The shamrock’s three leaves represented three goddesses. By burning the leaves and spreading the ashes over their fields, farmers expected to grow many crops. In addition to the number of leaves on the shamrock, it also served as a sign of the coming spring.

According to legend, St. Patrick, after whom the holiday was named, used shamrocks as a symbol of Christianity. St. Patrick converted many Irish people to the Christian religion around 432 A.D. Depending on what legend you believe, St. Patrick may have used the shamrock’s three leaves to explain the concept of the Trinity to the Irish. He pointed out that although the shamrock has three leaves, it is still one plant. Similarly, the Christian god is made up of three persons (The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).

The shamrock is still a popular talisman today and a charm for good luck. It is believed that anyone who possesses it will be blessed with luck in anything, even in gambling, and will be saved from the evil effects of witchcraft and sorcery. There are certain conditions, though, for its power to remain effective: the owner of the shamrock must keep it handy and away from the public eye and never give it to someone else. Graves often have carvings of the clover image to serve as protection.

The Irish also developed the custom of “drowning the shamrock.” Families with servants put shamrocks in a bowl and covered them with Irish whiskey. When the family finished drinking, the remainder of the whiskey was given to the servants. Believe it or not, despite the custom of “drowning the shamrock,” St. Patrick’s Day is not dedicated primarily to drinking in Ireland. Instead, people spend the day visiting family and attending church services.

Red-Haired Women

Red hair is gorgeous, and it’s comparatively rare, too – except in the Emerald Isle, which features the world’s second largest population of natural redheads (Scotland is number one). Reminiscent of the beauty of bonfire flames at night, or the turning leaves in autumn, red hair is sometimes accompanied by a dusting of freckles. Often, redheads also have lighter eye colors, such as blue, green, amber, and hazel. Although it is true there is a larger percentage of redheads in Ireland than anywhere else in the world, barring maybe Scotland, it is still only about 4%-10% of the population.

A lot of Irish find the stereotype of Irish red hair offensive, like they find leprechauns, thatched cottages, and an Irish jig offensive. Red hair was often looked down upon by the Irish and English, partly because it was associated with the Danes and Vikings who invaded both countries around the 10th century. The myth of the fiery red temper was also exploited by the British, as they worked to subjugate the Irish and keep them tame. Any propaganda and sentiment that might help with this was used.

Leprechauns

According to legend, the leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden somewhere, and he must give up his treasure to the one who catches him. You’ll have to step lively and think quickly to capture a leprechaun’s gold though, because this sly little fellow will fool you into looking away an instant while he escapes into the forest.

A story is told of the man who compelled a leprechaun to take him to the very bush where the gold was buried. The man tied a red handkerchief to the bush in order to recognize the spot again and ran home for spade. He was gone only three minutes, but when he returned to dig, there was a red handkerchief on every bush in the field. As long as there are Irishmen to believe in the “little folk,” there will be leprechauns to reflect the wonderful Irish sense of fun, and many a new story of leprechaun shenanigans will be added to Irish folklore each year.

The Blarney Stone

“Kiss me, I’m Irish” is closely related to the legend of the Blarney Stone. This world-famous attraction is found at the Blarney Castle, located near the Irish village of Blarney and the city of Cork. According to legend, one who kisses the stone will receive the gift of eloquent speech, or the “gift of gab”. More than a quarter-million people come to kiss the Blarney Stone each year, likely making it the world’s most unhygienic landmark!

We hope you have enjoyed learning about the myths and legends of Ireland! Be safe and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day! Need some green to liven up your storefront or home for the holiday? Be sure to think like a leprechaun and visit our Winter Park, Florida store! We have all your signage needs!

What do we love here at Elite Signs & Graphics? Well, simply put…it’s vehicle wraps! We have scoured the interwebs to find you a collection of some of our favorite vehicle wraps that feature the themes so popular on this lover’s holiday!! So kick back and enjoy this fun post. Let your mouse scroll through these images and maybe…just maybe you’ll find it in your heart to show your car, van, or business fleet some love this Valentine’s Day!! Be sure to head over to our Facebook page and post your favorite Valentine’s graphics to share with the world!

Courtesy: Signs Now! of Fort Myers, FL

It’s all about hearts on February 14th! Whether they are the cute edible hearts or actual beating hearts that thump as you sip a glass of red at your favorite restaurant. There is no doubt that hearts exemplify the Valentine spirit! Check out a few of our favorite heart-themed wraps!

Courtesy: BusGraphics.com

Courtesy: Sign Update (UK)

FLOWERS! Nothing says “I love you” (or “I’m sorry”) like a beautiful bouquet. The flower with the most bang in February has got to be the rose! Here’s a beautiful wrap featuring the coveted Valentine flowers…

Courtesy: Capital Wraps

Billy Joel taught us that a bottle of red and a bottle of white can work magic. He was right! Check it out when you take your date out on Valentine’s Day! Look around at the tables. Couples around the country will be snuggling over raised glasses of vino and talking of the wonderful times they have shared. It’s a time honored tradition on Valentine’s Day and one you should not forget to celebrate! Here’s an awesome wrap from an awesome wine company:

Courtesy: Skinz Wraps

Well, we hope you have enjoyed our selection of the finest Valentine’s Wraps in the country! If you have any inclinations to give your honey something special consider helping them succeed in their endeavors with a vehicle wrap! We can custom design a wrap for you with you by our side. We love what we do here. We want you to love us! Thanks to all of our loyal customers for making this blog and the work we do on a daily basis something special!

Courtesy: http://autos.sympatico.ca/

Providing our customers with marketing and advertising strategies is part of what we do everyday for our customers at Elite Signs & Graphics. We provide monthly blog posts on how to advertise using various large format printing techniques and in the end, we are happy to report, we help them gain customers and increase their revenue. We want to take a moment this new year to emphasize why vinyl wraps and vehicle graphics should be in your advertising budget. For our start-ups and those of you considering moving forward with your business plans or expansions, we also wanted to offer some advice from industry experts on how to set an effective advertising budget.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is a member-based organization where business owners can find all sorts of free resources on starting, managing and advertising a business. An excellent article on the NFIB site not only lists the most popular methods to set an advertising budget, it also offers the pros and cons of each method. Look around on the site and become a sponge…soak it up!! Also, we have found a great resource for business-related spreadsheets and documents from Entrepreneur.com on ways to set up an advertising budget and all forms are downloadable for you to use!

We are confident that vehicle wraps are a tremendous advertising benefit and wanted to share some statistics with you to back up our beliefs:

Vinyl Wraps Are Affordable

Have you heard of a “fixed percentage of sales” when it comes to your business marketing strategy? With this technique, you simply determine total gross sales and then allocate a percentage of that number and dedicate it to advertising. Even small business owners can allocate two to five percent of their budget on advertising and it is highly recommended that companies do this to remain competitive. If you’re NOT doing it, rest assured that your competitors ARE doing it!

Let’s take an example. Say your company has an annual gross income of $500,000. Using the method above that means that your business should be spending $10,000 – $25,000 on advertising. Now…let’s think about those numbers for a moment. A small business can afford vinyl wrap advertising—there are both partial and full vehicle wraps and Elite Signs and Graphics can work with your budget to help your company vehicles get noticed and turn them into 24/7 moving billboard advertisements. Think of it like your business is getting it’s first tattoo and you can gradually begin to complete the canvas!

Our vehicle graphics start at $500, partial vinyl wraps start at $1,000 and full vehicle vinyl wraps start at $1,800. Of course there are certain variables based on the vehicle at hand but if you compare utilizing vehicle graphics and wraps to other advertising methods, you’ll quickly see how much more you’ll get for your advertising dollar. All of our wraps are custom and tailored to your budget. You come to us with what you can spend and we make you more visible. It’s really that easy!

Vehicle Graphics Work

It doesn’t matter if you have just one single vehicle or a battalion of highway-bound buses or trucks…VEHICLE GRAPHICS WORK. It’s even recommended by the NFIB. We simply can’t agree with all of the so-called “marketing experts” saying you can’t truly measure the cost of advertising. You can with vehicle vinyl wraps because there are statistics to back up their affordable cost. Numbers don’t lie:

** 3M, a vinyl film manufacturer, says a company would have to spend $130,000 in advertising dollars to achieve the same effect as one $3,500 vehicle wrap!

** The American Trucking Association reported 91 percent of people surveyed do notice vehicle graphics.

** The Traffic Audit Bureau of Media Measurement states that a single vehicle wrap can gain up to 70,000 visual views in ONLY ONE DAY! 

** Vinyl wraps are “evergreen” meaning once placed, your ad campaign to build your brand and drive sales keeps working—not like one-time newspaper or magazine ads.

Make the Switch to Vinyl Wraps Advertising!

Entrepreneur.com offers a 100 percent free small business advertising budget template you can download today to start the budgeting process for the new year.

Elite Signs and Graphics cares about your company. We care about the owners of the company. We are about building long-lasting business relationships and growing alongside of you! Our tips are offered wholeheartedly to help you achieve success and we hope that you enjoy visiting our blog and consuming these resources each month!

For many small business owners each year is a “guessing” game on what ad strategy will work. And, many end up overspending by high-pressure ad reps.  Don’t be that entrepreneur in the new year and instead, find out how vinyl vehicle wraps and graphics will turn your business around!

It’s highly possible that you hardly even notice them as they hang high from every building, marker, and tall object a city will tolerate. Banners are everywhere now. When sizeable numbers of people gather for festivals, concerts, or events, it is a sure shot that you will find a banner plastered somewhere. No matter where you spend your day, banners are one of the most common signage elements that you are going to encounter. Advertising the latest event or reinforcing a brand image, banners have worked for decades and are only gaining momentum. Although you may not put much thought into what those banners are made of the staff at Elite Signs and Graphics sure does. We think that YOU, as a business owner and customer, should know as well. There are several materials that banners are made of and many decisions that you need to make before purchasing one. This article aims to discuss some of the ongoing trends in banner design that we expect to continue through 2013.

 FABRIC FOR OUTDOOR BANNERS

 Using fabric, rather than vinyl or even paper for that matter, for an outdoor banner is attractive. Flexibility makes it an option for wrapping around curved and contoured sceneries. Want a unique banner that wraps around corners? Fabric is the answer. These banners are becoming highly popular for use in oth restaurants and retail shops. Backlit translucent fabric banners can add a touch of elegance or mystique so one may want to consider installing some floodlights before purchasing a banner to produce this appealing effect. With many businesses opting for the “better quality work” rather than going to a local sign shop, using fabric will significantly reduce the cost of shipping.

 CONTINUED MINIMALISM

 Lately there has been a trend in graphic design focusing on minimalism. As competition gets fierce for small businesses and corporations the significance of standing out remains critical. The “less is more” philosophy focuses on getting information to the consumer quickly, completely, and accurately. There is a general consensus that filling an entire banner with text is distracting. It contends that it is more legible and will have a greater impact if one designs it simplistically. The fact behind this trend is that the more text that is placed on a banner, the more each word is mitigated. Stick with putting the minimum information on the banner with your contact details such as a web or email address or phone number. Remember to be concise, but do not leave out any vital info, as this can be just as damaging to the value of the banner.

 USING SEASONAL COLOR PALETTES

 Many new websites have popped up giving consumers more power to choose precise color palettes that appeal to their business in a seasonal matter. Tying in the trendy colors of the season will inevitably drive new business to your storefronts simply because your design will reside in the current mindset of potential customers. Several businesses forget to coordinate seasons with their graphic design and immediately make their advertisements irrelevant. According to Pantone Color Institute’s Executive Director Leatrice “Lee” Eiseman, “Skillfully balanced color palettes that play to a person’s practical side while satisfying their aspirations, hopes and needs for something novel is what will entice a customer to become a consumer.” ColourLovers website features a tool called “Photocopia” that allows users to upload a photo and generate palettes from their own photos! Experiment and remember that relevance is key! Below is a list of colors expected to be popular in Spring of 2013:

It is very important to have a strategy for the year and to plan properly.  Advertising strategies and design implementation are two big factors in a companies’ productivity. Keep your eyes on our blog as the trends unfold in 2013 as we will definitely be keeping you in the loop. Give us a call if you want to start planning today for tomorrow!!

If you own a retail store, chances are high that you are preparing for the busiest shopping day of the year – Black Friday. Yes, it really is a day to anticipate. You may have already planned your store hours for that day, ordered all the surplus of stock, and scheduled the extra employees to help get you through the day. People may be in line for hours waiting for your store to open just to be the first ones to get their hands on the best on-sale products that you offer. This is the time that you need to ask yourself if your customers already know what they’re in for once they enter your store on Black Friday. If not, then it’s time to get your mindset focused on direct advertising! It’s also time to call Orlando’s finest printer for some much needed banner printing. It’s time to design your Black Friday banners and our staff can help in the crunch. Don’t let the time constraint stop you from calling Elite Signs & Graphics today!!

** Image provided courtesy of Sheknows.com

Even if you know shoppers will be coming to your store in droves, you still have to take the time in making those Black Friday banners enticing and effective. Competition is still tough since it’s not only your shop that’s going to have a major sale but others in the Orlando community as well. You need to advertise effectively through your banners. And to make effective banners, you need to design them smartly. Below are  a few quick tips on how to accomplish this!

1.) Decide what your key selling point will be and design your banner around it. The key selling point is that thing that will drive people to your shop rather than to your competitors. If you’re giving up to 70% discount on Black Friday, make that the focus of your banner design.

2.) Always include the “BLACK FRIDAY” text on your banner including the specific dates when you’ll be having the sale. Not all Black Friday sales end that Friday! Remember, you’re informing people why your sale is important and exclusive. It’s always better to give them the what, when, and where so no new questions are asked upon arrival and they can start filling up their shopping carts.

3.) Make the banner copy is short, sweet and to the point. You don’t want a whole paragraph in your banner or else texts will look smaller and the design will look cramped. Besides, people will not take the time to read everything you put in there. They want to shop. They probably have a whole list of places they want to visit on Black Friday so the more direct your copy is, the better.

4.) Use attractive colors and images but don’t get too busy with it. You want an enticing but simple design, one that has a great balance of space, texts, and images. Our designers are very skilled in making effective and appealing designs so utilize the resources we have here and the ones you scrape up on your own accord.

5.) Avoid the clichés. Although you can use “black” as one of the main colors as people will easily associate it with Black Friday, you want to make the most out of your printer’s resources. You’ll be paying for the banner printing service anyway so make it a wise investment. Include your logo and remember that branding is always essential. Use holiday theme colors when appropriate and be careful not to offend the masses with your personal preferences.

6.) Work with professionals like the ones on staff at Elite Signs & Graphics in Winter Park, FL – those who are skilled and experienced in banner printing services. Most printers have graphic designers and artists so you can talk to them regarding your ideas. Let them know about your budget and deadline too.

7.) Call today and place your order now to avoid delays. Having your Black Friday banners done on time will give you time to make the necessary changes and corrections if there would be any. We work expeditiously so you’ll have the time to quickly approve the proofs and get the printing process started.

Getting a huge chunk of the profits on Black Friday is about being one step ahead of your competitors. CONTACT US today to get the mistletoe rolling…

The trend of adding flashy and far-out vehicle graphics to cars is at its most driving momentum these days. The number of people that are applying graphics to their cars and vehicles is increasing each month. For car, van, truck, boat, or other applications high-grade vinyl is used, but many customers come into our store not knowing a thing about the material. Vinyl is typically used in crafting signs, but nowadays its uses have expanded to include wall and floor coverings, automobile wraps, and stickers. Vinyl used as wraps come in different colors, prices and quality. Virtually anything can be printed on them with our specialized wide-format digital printing techniques. We decided to give you a brief rundown of four types of vinyl material that is used for different applications so you can be “in the know.”

Calendared Vinyl:   

This is the lowest quality vinyl on the market. It does not last for too many years. A viscous liquid material is used to make the vinyl. After being poured in a mold it is then stretched. This stretching process causes the vinyl to weaken and it becomes susceptible to flaws that include cracking in extreme weather conditions, quick color fading, etc. The best use for calendar type vinyl is for low-budget banners and stickers that are not required for long periods of time. We advise our customers that this type of vinyl will only last about 9 months to a year at best.

Intermediate Vinyl:

As far as quality is concerned this vinyl is stuck in the middle of the road so to speak. It has higher sturdiness and excellent UV durability giving it a life of around 5 years or so before starting to crack and fade. Intermediate vinyl is often sold as self-adhesive and comes in both glossy and matte colors. This type of vinyl is stretchable when heat is applied and allows for smoothing. Intermediate vinyl has many uses in signage, crafts, homes and businesses. Mostly used for decals and wraps, it is prone to bubbling and buckling with constant exposure to the elements. It is not recommended for curved planes and works best on flat surfaces.

Cast Vinyl:       

This is your premium, industry-standard vinyl. This is hands-down the best vinyl to use. The term  ”cast” is a tribute to the manufacturing procedure that is used to create this exceptional product. Making a cast vinyl film is a lot like baking a cake. The vinyl begins with a “recipe” calling for a list of ingredients that are added to PVC. These ingredients include: plasticizer to make the film flexible, pigment to make the desired color, and additives to help achieve specific properties such as UV absorbers to improve resistance to UV radiation, heat stabilizers, fillers and processing aids. These raw materials can be chosen from a wide range of quality levels. Of course, for a film with limited durability, often the least expensive raw materials are chosen. (Source: SignIndustry.com)

Cast vinyl can be applied to any surface, gets easily fashioned on any contour surface, and can form nice coverings for rivets and other odd protrusions making it the optimum choice for vehicle wraps. Cast vinyl is also exceptionally impervious to severe weather, water, wind, and heat. Other vinyl materials can perforate or crack but cast vinyl, thanks to its 2-millimeter thickness, stays the same for longer. Cast vinyl decals are easily applied and removed as opposed to the sticky, messy, and predictably difficult removal of cheaper vinyl.

Perforated Vinyl:         

Perforated window vinyl is the kind with the little holes that you can see through. It is often applied to vehicle windows or storefronts. It aids in utilizing the entire surface of a vehicle as advertising space. It didn’t take long to appreciate perforated vinyl on storefront windows and vehicles. They produce appealing graphic images and logos at ground level and the effect on drawing customers directly to the front door is remarkable. Perforated vinyl on store windows and vehicles offers you privacy by blocking the view in while allowing those inside to see out. The vinyl often used is up to 60% solid so it reduces light and heat, much like tinting. This effect is increased if the bulk of the image is white or pastel. Be sure to check city ordinances regarding signage and highway patrol laws prior to utilizing this type of vinyl.

If you have additional questions about materials or simply want to start the process of getting your vehicle into our garage for a makeover use our CONTACT FORM and one of our sales team experts will get back to you immediately! Thanks for reading The Elite Beat and remember to visit our blog often for helpful tips and a wealth of graphic industry knowledge!

Article by: Mike Gangi

As with any investment one should be aware of potential risks. One of the biggest mistakes people make when purchasing a vehicle wrap is going with “the cheaper” vinyl and in the long run that can be a devastating choice. Have you just recently signed a contract with someone other than Elite Signs & Graphics to wrap your fleet of vehicles? Are you tired of looking at the worn paint or blinding whiteness of your company vehicle? If so, we wanted to offer you some informative advice on what to look for when cheap product is used and the benefits of choosing vinyl wisely.

You Can’t Get Great Tasting Lemonade from Low Quality Lemons

Most vehicle wraps, especially those at Elite Signs & Graphics, are printed and installed by professional companies that have utilize in-house graphic design teams that can accurately translate your vision to your wrap. Top notch installation teams with local knowledge and know-how are also an essential part of the team. You should be able to ask any person at the shop you visit to explain to you benefits of various types of vinyl. If they can’t…well, simply put, you’re in the wrong place! Above all, the best companies will refer you to various outlets for information and literature to help you make a decision on how to wrap your vehicle. That is one of the purposes of our blog: to keep YOU informed!

We do all of the above at Elite Signs & Graphics because we’re the authority on signage and vehicle wraps in the Orlando, FL market…a market that truly thrives in vehicle wraps! We want to help you avoid cheap vehicle wraps! The cost of a high-quality vehicle wrap is more affordable than you might imagine and offer several benefits! They are completely removable with no damage to the vehicle, they last an exceptionally long time compared to lower cost options, and the images typically have more “pop” when printed on higher quality vinyl.

Signs of a Bad Installation or Defects That May Appear

Budget concerns may cause you to choose a lower cost option for your vehicle. If you choose to go this route, we encourage you to read this first so you are aware of potential problems that can occur with cheap wraps.

Price – If the price seems too good to be true, that should set off an alarm right away! We factor in the size and condition of the vehicle before giving you an accurate estimate of cost. If there is a company out there offering you a ridiculously low price than be wary! Do your research and investigate the average cost in the area by asking questions of people who have had their vehicles wrapped. You can even call our sales team and ask if you may be getting fooled and we’ll be happy to tell you!

Wrinkles and Bubbles – Inspect your vehicle when it is completed and look for both wrinkles and bubbles. Vehicle wraps should be smooth and flat, so if you see bubbles, that’s a bad wrap. What is happening is that the vinyl is essentially not sticking to the car. Installers should verify that the entire wrap is free of all distortions. Once you drive it away from the shop it’s in your hands so be sure to make sure you get the product you paid for right off the bat.

Torn Material and Visible Seams – Companies like 3M, Avery or Oracal offer the highest standards for durability. Your wrap should be able to resist contact to a measurable degree. In cheap wraps, over time you will notice tearing and the seams will begin to show as weathering effects the material. Higher quality means that this is less likely to occur. You want to make sure that the vehicle is COMPLETELY covered with no marked gaps between seams. The visibility of seams can also mean poor installation of the wrap so verify that the vehicle underneath cannot be seen at all when approving the wrap.

Colors on Artwork Differ – Edging and trimming is the process of aligning print on the vehicle. Many signs can point to bad work in these areas including off-coloration. With cheaper vinyl the quality of printing can vary from roll to roll so printing color quality is not consistent across the board. If you choose a cheaper vinyl chances are this will be evident on your vehicle. Discoloration can also occur in weather. The more expensive vinyl is more resistant to the effects of weathering. For more detailed information on weathering and vehicle wraps see our post on “The Skinny on Vehicle Wraps for Beginners” by CLICKING HERE. Also of note, verify that all edging is done properly. You don’t want the text looking off from a distance or the outline of a logo not overlapping correctly.

The Skinny

Just remember that if you DO choose the cheapest of vehicle wraps, you will be spending more money in the long run. That’s truly the skinny on things. Down the road you will have to pay for an expensive removal process and potentially have to start from scratch if you decide to change or update your branding.

Because the quality of the vinyl is critical, we feel it’s safe to say that we know a thing or two about wrapping vehicles. Call us today or visit our website (CLICK HERE) to get started today. We’ll show you that we know what we’re talking about as we walk you through the process!

Have you ever been inside a tire store and seen branding all over the walls? Even in our store, vinyl is plastered on the wall proudly displaying our company logo and even color option for customers. Identical to vinyl vehicle wrapping, wall wraps are a pronounced way to augment a room. They can be informative for your customers, further your branding efforts at a minimal cost, and even save space. If you have a small showroom or other space that lacks punch consider expressing your branding or a customer message on vinyl or another medium. Wall murals and wraps are an impeccable and high-quality method!

You may be saying to yourself, “Why would I wrap a wall? That just sounds silly.” You may be thinking that the process seems unmanageable and downright messy or painstaking. I mean, you’ve heard about vehicle wraps for sure…but a wall wrap? We here at Elite Signs & Graphics in Orlando, FL like to think there are many reasons why you would want wall, window, floor or stair wraps but basically, we can narrow it down to three great reasons.

ATTENTION GRABBER: Admit it. You notice car wraps. It’s hard not to look at a fresh peach on the side of a fruit delivery vehicle. It’s almost impossible to ignore the “free oil change for life” tagline on a car dealership shuttle van. Well, simply put, people also notice wall wraps. A person’s eyes are almost involuntarily obligated to look at wall wraps and the words and/or images they contain. Have you ever been to a sports stadium gift shop and felt as if you were actually down in the field? This is the same concept behind wrapping a wall. The perks? Vinyl doesn’t fade or tear. Think of the opportunities when it comes to your brand identity. If you choose to wrap windows or a storefront, they will be seen by walkers and drivers stuck in traffic. Come by our Winter Park, Florida store on N. Orlando Ave. near Winter Park Village to see our vinyl effectively displayed in our store windows. A well-designed and fashioned wall wrap helps in branding campaigns and maintaining brand uniformity. As in the movies, visual “effects” are called “effects” for a reason; certainly, they influence the minds of viewers on a consistent basis each time they are seen.

WORKSPACE ENHANCEMENT: Did you know that the Ferrari automobile company in Italy planted trees in the middle of their factory to enrich the working environment for their employees? Most of us, however, are not so lucky. You can spend the time yourself patching, plastering, and painting old walls, or you can call us and have us design a quality wrap for them. Although a common goal of wall, window or floor wraps is branding, we often are involved in wraps where business owners find it’s simply cheaper to create a digitally pleasing wall wrap instead of painting entire offices, lobbies, waiting rooms and even bathrooms. Making more “breathing room” and reducing clutter motivates your employees subconsciously and increases employee job satisfaction and even effectiveness. Using the right color schemes can add an element of enjoyment to an employee’s day while at the same time capturing the attention of customers. Everyone has sat in an office, waiting room or other area with no windows and bland white or beige walls. Sort of makes one feel like they’re awaiting an IRS audit! These areas and rooms are not inviting—but they could be extraordinarily inviting with wall or floor wraps. If a client feels “invited” and “excited” about visiting your offices, that’s a form of customer satisfaction that goes above and beyond. We all know how important that is in today’s economy, especially with so many choices for savvy consumers.

MAXIMIZING SPACE:  Most businesses display products in their showrooms or lobbies. When these areas lack the abundant space of a larger shop, fashioning a wall wrap that clearly and boldly spells out your services and products gives you options to basically redesign your store’s interior! You can ditch the bulky sign stands and other similar products replacing them with a permanent graphic of your products. These stunning wraps can be easily cleaned and maintain visual integrity for years. In fact, even conference rooms and offices that are lacking in room area will benefit from walls full of logos, products and slogans—even patterns intertwined with your company’s brand. Just take a look at the pictures below. Imagine this room filled with cheap metal sign stands or bulky banners hanging everywhere! Can you see how the eliminated clutter effectively brands this particular client?

Just like car wraps, each wall wrap is designed in house by our expert design team. They are cut and printed on heavy-duty adhesive vinyl or a high-grade textured vinyl. The only thing that limits what can be printed on a vinyl interior wrap is one’s imagination. Our in-house graphic designers work with you in a detailed, goal-oriented fashion so you can craft a perfectly designed wall wrap that will augment room interiors. Any picture, design or pattern can be digitally printed on the wraps and we don’t just stop at walls. You can also wrap stairs, floors and even windows such as an entire storefront. Exposure to sunlight has a minimal effect on the vinyl depending on the quality you choose, but our sales team works with you diligently to give you value and longevity from your purchases. If you decide to change the office later it’s not a problem at all. Both car graphics and interior wraps are 100% removable.  Feel free to visit our gallery for more examples of wall and interior wraps that have brought local Orlando businesses advertising and branding success for years.

Think about it…would you prefer a cafeteria full of white walls that appear stained from age or a restaurant full of interesting and engaging wall murals that scream what their food is all about? If your business requires people to wait for a service such as an auto repair shop, wouldn’t floor wraps full of everything about your company achieve the message you want to convey? What about a business dedicated to children—a pediatrician’s office for example? Wouldn’t the waiting room be more engaging if wall wraps full of toys and playground scenes assisted in keeping children calm and eliminating fear? Think of a toy store that sells playhouses and swing sets that require assembly to see the entire effect? If wall wraps full of already assembled products were in plain view, it offers a visual view of what the customer can expect. The reality is that no matter what business you are in or whom your target market consists of, these interior wraps are the most effective way to keep you message and brand alive.

So take a moment to seriously ask yourself: Are you ready to wrap your walls, windows or floors? Contact us today at (407)-898-0111 or explore the website for more creative inspiration before using our contact form to get started.