"Vehicle wrap" covers a wide range of products — from a simple door logo to a full colour-change. Here's a plain-English breakdown of the main types, what each involves, and which is the right fit for different situations.
The Main Types of Vehicle Wraps
1. Full Vehicle Wrap
A full wrap covers the entire exterior of the vehicle with printed vinyl — every panel from bumper to bumper, including the roof, bonnet, doors, mirrors, and bumpers. The vehicle's paint becomes completely invisible under the wrap.
Advantages
- +Maximum brand coverage and visual impact
- +Protects the original paint underneath
- +Complete control over the vehicle's appearance
- +Transformative — the vehicle looks like a different colour/finish
Considerations
- –Higher cost than partial wraps
- –More installation time (typically 2–3 days for a full wrap)
2. Partial Wrap
A partial wrap covers selected panels or sections — commonly the tailgate and rear quarter panels on a ute, or the lower body and doors on a van. The unwrapped sections remain their original colour (or are painted to match).
Advantages
- +Lower cost than a full wrap
- +Still delivers strong brand presence on the most visible panels
- +Less time in the shop
- +Works well combined with door lettering on the remaining panels
Considerations
- –Less coverage means less brand exposure
- –Matching the wrap to existing paint colour can be challenging on older vehicles
3. Colour Change Wrap
A colour change wrap replaces the apparent colour of the vehicle using solid-colour cast vinyl — no printed graphics. Popular for prestige and performance vehicles, and for businesses wanting a fleet of a specific colour. Available in matte, satin, gloss, metallic, brushed, chrome, and colour-shift finishes.
Advantages
- +Protects original paint — fully reversible
- +Access to finishes not available as factory paint (matte, chrome, colour-shift)
- +Can be resprayed on individual panels if lightly damaged
- +Significantly cheaper than a quality respray
Considerations
- –Higher material cost than standard printed wraps for specialty finishes
- –Must be installed on paint in good condition for best results
4. Fleet Graphics
Fleet graphics is about consistent branding across multiple vehicles — from simple door lettering (logo, phone, website) on a two-van trades fleet, to full wraps across a corporate fleet of twenty vehicles. The focus is consistency: every vehicle looks like it belongs together.
Advantages
- +Consistent brand presence across every vehicle
- +Design, print, and installation managed in one place
- +Fleet pricing available for multiple vehicles
- +Works across mixed fleets — vans, utes, wagons, trucks
Considerations
- –Requires a consistent design and colour standard across all vehicles
5. Door & Tailgate Lettering
The entry-level option — your business name, phone number, logo, and website cut or printed in vinyl and applied to the doors and tailgate. No full panel coverage, just the key information. The most cost-effective way to get a branded vehicle on the road.
Advantages
- +Lowest cost option
- +Quick turnaround — often same week
- +Professional appearance even on a tight budget
- +Easy to update if phone number or branding changes
Considerations
- –Limited brand impact compared to a full or partial wrap
- –Less visual differentiation on the road
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a full wrap and a partial wrap?
A full wrap covers the entire exterior of a vehicle — every panel, including the roof, bonnet, doors, bumpers, and mirrors — with printed or coloured vinyl. A partial wrap covers selected panels or sections, such as the tailgate and rear quarter panels, or the doors and lower body. Partial wraps cost less and can still deliver strong brand impact when well designed.
What is a colour change wrap?
A colour change wrap (also called a full colour change) replaces the apparent paint colour of the vehicle using solid-colour cast vinyl rather than a printed graphic. Popular finishes include matte, satin, gloss, metallic, chrome, and colour-shift films. The original paint is fully protected underneath and can be restored by removing the wrap.
Can any vehicle be wrapped?
Almost any vehicle can be wrapped — cars, SUVs, utes, vans, trucks, buses, trailers, boats, and caravans. The suitability depends on the condition of the vehicle's paint (heavily damaged paint is harder to wrap well) and the complexity of the vehicle's panel shapes. We assess every vehicle before quoting.
How do I choose between a full wrap and a partial wrap for my business vehicle?
Consider your budget, the age and condition of the vehicle, and what you want to achieve. A full wrap gives you complete control over the vehicle's appearance and maximises brand coverage. A partial wrap focused on the most visible panels (doors and tailgate on a ute, for example) can deliver strong results at a lower cost. Our team can show you design mockups for both options.
What is fleet graphics?
Fleet graphics is the application of consistent branded vinyl graphics across multiple vehicles in a business fleet. It can range from simple door lettering (logo, phone number, website) on each vehicle, through to full wraps across every vehicle in the fleet. The goal is a consistent, professional brand appearance across every vehicle your business operates.
Not Sure Which Wrap Is Right for You?
We'll talk through your options, show you examples, and quote across full, partial, and lettering options so you can make the right decision for your budget. No obligation.