How to start a car wrapping business

How to start a car wrapping business: first steps

• Market research: explore the market to learn what customers are looking for – speak to others in the car wrapping industry and talk to friends and family members
• Experience: have the experience and training necessary to carry out vinyl wraps (if not, you can always hire employees or invest in the necessary training)
• Workspace: you’ll need large pieces of equipment and technology for big vehicle wraps, so consider where you’re working from (workshop or van)

Setting goals for starting a vinyl wrap business

Take the time to decide what direction you want your company to grow in. The best way of doing this is by setting goals when starting your vinyl car wrap business.

These goals can cover any area of your new company. From the number of employees to the amount of turnover you want to make in your first year.

Any goals should be SMART:

• Specific to what you want to achieve
• Measure your progress
• Achievable goals and realistic expectations
• Relevant to your local area and audience
• Time frame in which to complete your goals

Putting together a car wrapping business plan

Every new company needs a comprehensive business plan. This will help you shape your new company.

Do you plan to seek investment? If so, your investors will also need to see a plan of how you’ll run your new business.

There are four main areas to cover, and we’ve summarised these below:

Financial

Start by deciding how you’ll fund your car wrapping business. Will you use savings, a loan or credit cards to cover your start-up costs?

You also need to research how much your competitors charge. This should help you decide on how to price your services.

Finally, if you don’t have a head for numbers, consider working with an accountant.

Marketing

When starting a vinyl car wrap business, marketing should be a priority.

There are many ways to market your car wrap business:

• Social media
• Print advertising
• PPC
• SEO
• Networking
• Directories

Running promotions is also an excellent way to bring in new customers.

If you’re starting a vinyl wrap business, a fantastic way to connect with clients is to join Checkatrade. Along with access to branded marketing materials you can share in the thousands of customer leads we get on a monthly basis.

Logistics

Logistics cover the day-to-day running of your company; from the region you’ll cover to the services you’ll offer. These choices will help shape your business from the ground up.

You also need to decide whether you’ll hire workers. You can always decide to recruit more employees once your car wrap business is up and running.

Legal

There are a number of legal aspects to starting a vinyl car wrap business that are essential.

Deciding on a company structure is a big consideration.  For example consider whether sole trader vs limited company is right for your new venture.

In addition, you’ll need to register your business with Companies House. Then make sure you’re paying the correct amount of tax and National Insurance.

Coming up with car wrapping business name ideas

Before you register your new company, you’ll need to choose a company name. If you’re looking for car wrapping business name ideas, consider the following:

• Pick a name that is catchy and memorable to ensure customers don’t forget it
• Ensure no other local companies have a similar name or this will be very confusing for potential customers
• Why not choose a fun and unique company name? You can use humour to make your new business stand out

FAQs

Is wrapping cars profitable?

The profit margin of your car wrapping business will depend on a range of factors. These include:

• The current financial climate
• How much you charge for your services
• The quality of your work
• The strength of your brand
• The demand in your local area
• The services you offer

How much does it cost to start a car wrapping business?

As with any new company, there’ll be initial costs you need to cover.

Thankfully, though, you can start small in this industry, operating a mobile vehicle wrap company. This means low start-up costs, so you won’t need a large initial investment.

Some of the main start-up costs for a car wrapping business include tools, equipment, materials, insurance, and a van. Checkatrade members can save on a wide range of these essentials… so if you’re not already a member? Why not?

How much does a car wrap business make?

How much a car wrap business makes will depend on factors like how much you charge and your services offered. The average UK salary for vehicle wrappers is £25,000 but this could differ if you own your own business.

Luckily, once you have all the necessary tools and equipment, you’ll only need to pay for materials. These may only cost a few hundred while you can charge in the thousands for your work.

With low ongoing overheads (insurance, petrol, materials etc) your vehicle wrapping business will be profitable in no time.

Useful checklist for starting a car wrapping business

• Learning how to start a car wrapping business is a great choice as more people are looking to personalise their vehicles
• Creating a business plan is a great way to give your company the best start possible
• It’s important to spend time working out how you’ll fund your business. Keep accurate financial records and ensure you make a good profit
• Start-up costs for a car wrapping company include insurance, tools and a van
• Vehicle wrapping companies can be very profitable, but this will depend on a range of different elements

From understanding market trends to investing in materials, that rounds up our guide on how to start a car wrapping business. Looking for more new business ideas? Check out our guide on how to start a car valeting business, too.