What kind of artwork is needed for a wrap?
High-resolution artwork is needed for a wrap. Many non-vector art files such as TIFF, JPG, and GIF result in poor quality when printed at a larger scale. We recommend files set at 100dpi at final print size for these pixel-based graphics. We will ask that you supply an EPS file of your company logo. You have the option of supplying digital photos that you want integrated into the design. If you do not have photos, we can offer stock photography for additional fees. We will assist you in gathering proper file types at the best resolution to ensure the highest quality print for your application.

What is the best type of design to hide installation flaws (wrinkles or bubbles)?
All bubbles and wrinkles cannot be avoided in wrapping a vehicle. Therefore, we recommend a "busy" background with shapes and colors to help hide these flaws.

What else do you need to proceed with an accurate wrap?
We ask that you please send us lower resolution digital photos of all 4 sides of your vehicle. This will allow us to visually compare your vehicle with the information provided. For accuracy, these photos will allow us to foresee any installation/design issues that may potentially arise due to differences in our template and the actual vehicle itself. Issues may arise with items such as door bumper guards, spare tire locations, chrome or textured plastic, or any other detail which may distort the design.

How long does it take to complete the wrap process?
We estimate approximately 14 days for the entire process as outlined above. The timeline can be affected by design development delays/approvals and installation in a remote location. The wrapping process takes approximately 1-2 days depending on the intricacy of the design and the size of the vehicle.

How and where do you install my wrap?
GCI has a network of certified and experienced wrap installers nationwide. We can have our installers come to your location if you have a suitable indoor facility (about 4-5 ft. around the vehicle in the enclosed area). We also have enclosed locations where you can bring your car to have your wrap installed. Please contact your sales representative to arrange for installation at a convenient location.

Is there anything I need to do to prepare my car to be wrapped?
Yes, we require that all vehicles be washed and free of dust, wax, mud, Armor-All and other chemical agents that may prevent the vinyl from adhering to the paint surface. We would like the car washed and clean, but not waxed under any circumstances.

Can a vehicle wrap be removed?
Yes, the wrap can be removed from a personal or leased vehicle but we suggest a professional installer from GCI remove the vinyl wrap from your vehicle. Attempting to remove it yourself may cause damage to your vehicle's paint. Removal fees are additional.

Will a vehicle wrap damage my vehicle's paint upon removal?
No. When applied and removed properly, OEM or factory paint is not affect by our wraps and in fact protects your paint from minor abrasions and some UV exposure. In our experience, the only time a vehicle's paint may be affected is in the case of a poor repaint job. Paint in poor condition may peel when the vinyl is removed. Therefore, no guarantees are provided for aftermarket paint and wrapping the vehicle is at the owner's risk.

How long will a wrap last on my vehicle?
Our wraps will normally outlast the vehicle. You can expect your wrap to last 3-5 years or longer, providing you are careful about care and washing and the vehicle is not in extreme outdoor conditions.

How do I care for my wrap?
We recommend hand washing only. Avoid high pressure, power washing and be careful never to use an ice scraper on window graphics. Also avoid harsh chemicals of any kind as they can deteriorate the laminate on the vinyl adhesive. Sweeping or brushing off the windows with a soft broom and the use of a rear defroster will not damage your window wrap. There are specially designed products to clean and polish vinyl graphics if needed. It is suggested to wait at least 3 weeks before washing your vehicle.

What materials do you utilize for wrapping a vehicle?
The materials used by Graphics Central, Inc. are the highest quality 3m vinyl adhesive, designed for outdoor use with UV inks and laminates to help prevent fading and cracking over time. The durability of these materials can range from 1 to 5 years depending upon the climate and how you care for the wrap.

Do you offer a guarantee or warranty of any kind?
Yes, we offer one-year warranty on the installation, one-year on the material applied to the windows and 3-5 years on the wrap material. The wrap warranty (3-5 years) will depend upon the customer's care of the vehicle and the outdoor conditions.

Do you wrap anything other than vehicles?
Yes, we have wrapped trailers, semi-tractor trailers, boats, buildings, storefronts, awnings, windows and more. If the surface you desire to wrap has enough adhesion for the vinyl, a wrap is possible. Just let us know what you want to wrap and we will make it happen.

Will you wrap a leased vehicle?
Yes, as long as you have permission from the leasing company to wrap the vehicle. Like any other vehicle, the wrap can easily be removed by one of our professionals at the end of your lease without damage to the vehicle's paint in preparation for turn in.

Does a vehicle have to be a certain color to work?
No, unless we are doing a partial wrap and the color will show as a part of the design. A full wrap covers all painted surface area of the vehicle and is an opaque material, therefore, you cannot see the original paint color of the vehicle. Areas such as chrome bumpers, grilles and trim are generally not covered. Vehicle color generally does not matter but if you have a light color vehicle and dark wrap, edges and hinges may be slightly visible after installation. The same applies to the opposite and keep in mind that window coverage is subject to state and local regulations. A black vehicle often works best as it seems to hide any areas that don't match the vinyl graphics but as stated, any color will work and a design can be created to tie into that color.

Does the vehicle have to be a certain model to work?
No, any vehicle can be wrapped. However, certain makes and models are less expensive and easier to wrap than others. Vehicles with smooth body panels and minimal curves work the best for wrapping, such as a Toyota Scion or PT Cruiser.

Will you pay me to drive someone else's advertising?
No, GCI specializes in large format design, printing and installation. We are not a driver/advertiser-broker and do not offer compensation for driving ads, nor do we find/run a database of drivers for advertisers or vice versa.

Can graphics on the wrap be replaced if company information changes?
Yes, graphics, logos and phone numbers (or any part of the design) can be changed, reprinted and re-installed as overlays on the car wrap.

If my wrap is damaged by an accident or other reason, can it be fixed?
Yes, you can normally reprint and replace the damaged pieces or panels on the vehicle once the vehicle is repaired. You normally do not need to redo the entire wrap if the damaged is limited to a certain area on the vehicle.

What is the approximate cost of a full wrap?
The price depends on many factors, such as the size of the vehicle, make, model, amount of graphics coverage, design time and other elements are taken into consideration to determine the cost. Contoured vehicles and vehicles with surface obstacles are more expensive, such as a Hummer or VW Beetle. Please contact a sales representative for more details on pricing.

Is there an option other than a full wrap?
Yes, anything less than a full wrap of the entire surface of the vehicle is considered a partial wrap. We can provide a smaller wrap such as a ½ wrap where approximately half of the vehicles' overall square footage is covered and normally includes the entire rear of the vehicle and half of each side with a hood logo. We can also print and apply a spot decal. Let us know your constraints and we will design a wrap to fit your budget and your vehicle.

What is the cost benefit of a full wrap?
Example: Assume your $3,500 wrap is seen by an average of 5,000 people per day. Over 5 years, you have spent the equivalent of $1.92 per day to create over 9 million impressions. This is a very cost-effective way to reach the masses and it would be difficult to find a more effective means of marketing and advertising for less money.

Why is a wrap a great advertising/marketing alternative?
If you are using a vehicle wrap as signage, there is no more cost-effective advertising method available. For a relatively small initial investment, you will reach thousands of potential clients every day for years. Even if a vehicle is parked, wraps get your message out 24 hours a day. Traffic jams are turned into marketing opportunities. When strategically parked and driven on major roads, a wrap can generate millions of impressions per year. It has been proven that the cost per impression (CPI) of vehicle wraps is less than other forms of advertising such as billboards, television, radio and yellow pages.