Vehicle wrapping is a common method of modifying a car’s appearance without the need for a respray. The low cost of wrapping is one of the key advantages when thinking about wrapping vs respraying a vehicle, as it is not only cheaper in the short term, but enhances resell value in the long-term, with the wrap protecting the original paintwork from damage.
The cost of vehicle wrapping in the UK depends on a variety of factors including vehicle size, materials used, and complexity. The average cost to wrap a car is between £1500-£2500, whilst the average cost to wrap a van ranges from £1500-£3000. If you are wrapping a fleet of vehicles at the same time, the cost per vehicle will often be less.
We would love to be able to give an exact figure, but unfortunately many elements go into pricing up a project. So instead we created this guide, designed to educate anyone interested in what determines the final cost of a vehicle wrap.
Vehicle wrap pricing guide
Prices will vary project to project, so we have provided the average range in pricing that we see at Raccoon across several types of vehicle wraps. We can’t vouch for the cost of other suppliers, but we are definitely cheaper than Yiannimize!
Full Van Wraps
- A full van wrap will generally start from £1,600 for a car based van like a Citroen Berlingo, but if you are wrapping a fleet of vehicles at the same time, the cost per vehicle will often be less.
Personal car wraps
- Personal projects on the other hand, such as a block colour change of a Porsche or Maserati, could cost between £1,800 and £2,300.
Smaller wrapping projects
- For smaller vehicle branding work such as signwriting and graphics the costs are often much less, starting at £500. However, if you have designs in mind, large format printing businesses can produce the printed vinyls for you to apply, saving on installation costs.
Car & Van wraps for businesses
Vehicle | Simple Lettering | Partial Wrap | Full Graphical Wrap |
Small car (Ford Fiesta) |
£300 |
£650 |
£1,350 |
Medium car (Vauxhall Mokka) |
£400 |
£725 |
£1,600 |
Large car (BMW X5) |
£425 |
£850 |
£2,000 |
Small van (VW Caddy) |
£450 |
£850 |
£1,900 |
Medium van (VW Transporter) |
£600 |
£1,300 |
£2,300 |
Large van (Mercedes Sprinter) |
£700 |
£1,700 |
£2,800 |
Premium Colour Change Wrapping for personal cars
Vehicle | Gloss/Matt Colours | Metallics & Special Finishes | Custom Designs |
Small car (Ford Fiesta ST3) |
£1,600 |
£1,750 |
£2,500 |
Medium car (Vauxhall Mokka) |
£1,900 |
£2,100 |
£2,800 |
Large car (BMW X5) |
£2,400 |
£2,700 |
£3,400 |
Please note that VAT is not included.
Pricing guidance: What factors influence total cost?
The prices above provide a benchmark for what to expect when assessing vehicle wrap costs and the level of investment required. However, depending on the type of project you have in mind, there are a few other factors to consider that may have an impact on cost – and the overall quality of your wrap.
Materials

The overall cost of a vinyl vehicle wrap will depend on how adventurous you’d like to be with special effects and finishes.
Compared to a standard colour change (i.e. from white to blue), vinyls with the additional properties outlined below are likely to increase the cost of a project:
- Metallic finishes - £20 to £40 per metre.
- Matte finishes - £20 to £40 per metre.
- Two-tone colours - £20 to £40 per metre.
- Textures – including velvet - £20 to £40 per metre.
- Carbon fibre - an expensive choice costing around £60 per metre. It is often used for small details, such as wingmirrors or spoilers.
- Chrome finishes - very expensive, costing at least £100 per metre.
It is also important to do your research on the materials that suppliers are using, particularly if their pricing seem lower than you were expecting. Look for established brands such as Oracal, 3M and Avery Dennison, which provide high quality vinyls that are proven to last and come with their own warranties.
The hidden cost of low quality materials
Low quality wrapping materials can actually cost more in the long run, as they are more prone to bubbling and lifting, reducing the integrity of the wrap. So if you pay less overall for a wrap, you may need to get it rewrapped more frequently than paying more for higher quality materials.
Complexity of the wrap
Usually, wrapping a vehicle will cover the main panels of the car or van. However, for a seamless colour change across the vehicle, it is possible to have additional areas such as the interior door frames, grilles and bumpers wrapped as well as any aftermarket parts such as sills and spoilers.
This may cost more as it is a delicate process and will take longer to complete – but the continuous colour effect will look faultless.
Condition of the Vehicle
Damaged or rusty bodywork will need to be taken care of for a perfect wrap. Rust will prevent vinyl wrap from adhering whilst deep scratches or dents will be visible after wrapping.
Condition is also important when considering the cost of purchasing a commercial vehicle. Aim to buy a car or van suited to your needs, not just the cheapest one, as you are likely to incur hidden costs down the road, either through modifications required to outfit your vehicle to purpose, or just through the cost of maintenance. Check out our buyers guide to promotional vehicles for more.
Previous wrapping
Any previous wrapping will need to be removed if you are going for a rewrap, adding to the end cost.
Design support
For businesses and more complex personal projects, such as installing racing liveries, design is key to ensure that your branding and decals are set in the correct place and that the artwork sits nicely across all panels of the vehicle.
A good vehicle wrapping supplier will provide templates for you to start creating designs and advise on the artwork before it goes into print.
However, if you do need more support with imagery and creating artwork that is consistent with your product and service, design support will be an additional cost to consider. Some suppliers will offer design packages depending on how developed your brand is, so if you need advice and inspiration, make sure you factor this into your budget.
Size of the vehicle
The size of the vehicle will also have a bearing on costs, mainly because of the additional materials and manpower required to wrap a much larger van. Vehicles will generally fall into these categories:
- Small: Car
- Medium: Car-based van, such as a Citroën Berlingo
- Large: Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter etc
- Extra Large: Extra-long wheelbase vans
Warranty
Its important you find a company that will use established material brands that will come with their own product warranties. However, it's not just about the product, you want the wrapping service on your side too. A trustworthy company will have a strong team of highly skilled vehicle wrappers, and will be happy to look after you in case of any mishaps.
Documentation
When changing the colour of your vehicle it is a good idea to update your registration certificate (V5C). Legally, you are only required to update your name and address as far as the DVLA is concerned, but it is wise to add any colour change in case of theft or loss, as it will greatly speed up the vehicle retrieval process.
You should also check your insurance policy, as they may need to be notified about any changes. Keeping these records up to date, prevents any potential penalties down the road.
Environmental Impact
If you are considering a greener wrapping process you may be pleased to know that there are options that are both eco and wallet friendly. Generally, green wrapping costs about the same as regular wraps, so there isn’t much of a trade-off.
However, it is important to consider that in many ways green wrapping is still in it’s infancy.
Wrap backing sheets are recyclable, the actual wrap is not. So while the sheet is free from PVC, the wrap won’t be.
Technology is steadily improving though, with the use of water-based inks such as latex, drastically reducing the environmental impact of printing a vehicle wrap regardless of recyclability.
The true cost of a vehicle wrap
So while vehicle wrapping starting costs are easy to identify, there are other elements to consider before putting together a design and brief for a vehicle wrapping company.
However, doing the homework now pays off down the road, helping you avoid costly mistakes and pitfalls that ruin the end result: a beautifully wrapped vehicle.
Don’t forget, if the cost of a vehicle wrap seems too good to be true it could cost you more in the long term, so always ask your vehicle wrapping supplier if they use high quality, established materials.
Ready to get started on a vehicle wrapping project? Begin designing your artwork today using templates that match your car or van.