Category: Graphics

As a small business owner, it is important that you watch your bottom line. You don’t want to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars just to jump on the latest marketing bandwagon. What you need to do is to stretch your budget in advertising to its maximum value. And, that is exactly what vehicle graphics or car wraps can do for you!

Car graphics are custom-designed coverings that wrap your vehicle partially or totally. They are typically printed on heavy vinyl and professionally installed over your car’s original paint. They serve as moving billboards to get people to notice your company and know your offerings. With the number of marketing strategies available, are they a good investment for your small business?

Think about this: According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA), over 95% of Americans are reached by advertising that targets vehicle passengers and drivers. That is a massive percentage!

Vehicle graphics are not only for companies with large vehicle fleets. They can work for any size of business. They also give small businesses credibility by allowing them to display their logo and brand, where potential customers can see them. They put small businesses in the same level leagues as the larger franchises and companies.

Here are other reasons why car wraps are a great investment for small businesses:

1. When it comes to getting a brand in front of customers, nothing will beat vehicle wraps. A wrapped vehicle receives between 30,000 and 70,000 impressions per day. With a life span of up to 10 years, you can expect them to be seen at least 50 million times. That is half the number of people who watch Super Bowl advertisements – for a fraction of the cost of a 30-sec commercial.
2. An average full wrap costs about $3000 and buys you a 24/7 promotion for at least 5 years. Compared to a billboard, which costs roughly the same, more people will be able to see it.
3. First Impressions. People are exposed to immeasurable marketing messages every day, making it more difficult to get their attention. The artwork of your wraps creates a positive image of your company without the need for interaction or hard sale pitches. Turning your vehicle to a mobile billboard is no doubt a sound strategy.

Compared to other forms of advertising car wraps reaches more consumers at a lower cost. While newspaper ads cost around $20 per thousand impressions, car graphics are only about 4 cents. That is still lower than the $4 per thousand impressions of outdoor signs. So, how effective are these wraps? Here are three ways to find out:

• Create a landing page for your website and place the URL on the wrap.
• Provide a separate phone number for your advertised wraps.
• Advertise a special deal only on the wrapped car.

When choosing a URL, make sure it’s simple so drivers and passengers will easily remember it. Then, keep track of the calls from your advertised wraps. This way, you can track their effectiveness.

Keeping your vehicle graphics looking its best does not need to be difficult. There are a number of ways to wash your vehicle. But, are all of them good for your wraps? Vinyl wraps aren’t only meant to be installed and forgotten. Wrap care plays an important role in keeping your graphics flawless. It requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Washing your car on a regular basis and keeping it away from possible pollutants results to longer-lasting and vibrant colors.

There are three ways to wash your car – regular washing, automated car washes and pressure washing.

On washing regularly with soap and water
The easiest and safest way to wash your car is by cleansing it with mild soap and water regularly, or when the car appears dirty. Allowing pollutants to remain on the graphics for longer periods of time makes it harder to remove during cleaning. Here’s how to do it:

1. Rinse off as much dirt as possible with a spray of water.
2. Use a wet, non-abrasive detergent to clean your car.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water.
4. Use a silicone squeegee to reduce water spotting.
5. Wipe with a clean microfiber cloth.

On automated car washes
Although car washing is safer and more thorough, you can bring your vehicle to an automated car wash if you don’t have the time or energy to wash it yourself. However, take note that brush car washes may be too rough on the film. They may degrade it and cause peeling. They may also lift the edges. That’s why it is recommended to visit a car wash station that sprays water but does not use brushes.

On pressure washing
Clearly handwashing is the preferred method of cleaning because it is safer for your car graphics. However, pressure washing can be as effective when done under the following conditions:

• Water pressure is below 2000 psi.
• Water temperature is below 180 °F.
• The spray nozzle has a 40-degree wide angle spray pattern.
• The nozzle is at least 1 foot away from and perpendicular to the graphic.

These three methods of washing your car can be safe and effective as long as you follow the above guidelines. But, the safest of them all is handwashing. You can never go wrong with just a mild detergent and water.

What if you just washed your vehicle and a little bird droppings or fuel spills stained it? You can do spot cleaning with isopropyl alcohol. Then, rinse the area with cool water. Avoid using tire dressing to spot clean as it may splash on the graphics and cause stains. Also, refrain from wiping the wrap when it is hot. This can distort the vinyl and cause wrinkling.

To keep your car looking its best, wash it regularly. Do not use any abrasive polishes or cutting compounds. Avoid using wax products or matte films. If there are wax residues on the surface, remove them with an all-purpose cleaner. Whatever cleaning solution you are using, do not allow it to soak. Immediately rinse it with water.