For businesses, branding is essential, and one of the most effective ways to showcase your brand is through vehicle graphics or wraps. 

Whether your fleet is on the road every day or your company van is making its way around town, vehicle graphics can transform your vehicles into moving billboards, helping to create massive visibility for your business.

However, when it comes to choosing vinyl material for your vehicle graphics, there are options at both ends of the spectrum: cheaper, more DIY friendly materials or high end, professional quality vinyl. 

Which should you choose? This guide will help you understand the pros and cons of cheap vs. expensive vinyl materials so that you can make the best decision for your business.

Why Vehicle Graphics Matter for Businesses

Before we dive into the materials, let’s talk about why vehicle graphics are important for your business. Your fleet, whether it’s one vehicle or a hundred, represents your brand on the road. 

With eye catching, professionally done graphics, you create a mobile advertisement that gets seen by thousands of potential customers daily. 

A well designed wrap can make your company look professional, trustworthy, and memorable.

But not all vehicle graphics are created equal. The materials you choose for your vehicle wraps will play a huge role in how well they hold up over time, how good they look, and how much value they bring to your business. Let’s break down the differences between cheap and expensive vinyl options.

An example of good vehicle graphics.

The Appeal of Cheap Vinyl Material

Choosing cheaper vinyl for your company vehicles might seem like a smart, cost effective choice, especially if you’re working within a tight budget or need to wrap several vehicles at once. But while the initial price might seem attractive, there are important factors to consider.

Pros of Cheap Vinyl for Business Vehicle Graphics

Lower Upfront Cost

The biggest advantage of choosing cheap vinyl material is the immediate savings. If you’re a small business just starting out or you need to wrap multiple vehicles, opting for a cheaper vinyl material can be a quick way to stretch your marketing budget.

For businesses that need a short term solution or who plan on changing their branding or vehicle wraps frequently, cheap vinyl can seem like a logical option. The initial lower investment allows you to get your vehicles on the road with your branding as quickly and affordably as possible.

Flexible Designs at a Lower Price

Cheap vinyl materials often provide a lot of flexibility in terms of colours and designs. You can create a basic design, apply it yourself, and change it frequently without a significant financial burden. 

If you’re looking to experiment with different branding ideas or want a temporary solution for a promotional event or seasonal campaign, cheap vinyl could fit your needs.

For example, a local business might want to promote a seasonal sale or special event. With cheaper vinyl, you could apply temporary graphics and easily swap them out once the promotion is over.

DIY Application

Some businesses prefer a more hands on approach and might be interested in doing the wrap application themselves. 

Cheap vinyl often comes with DIY installation kits, allowing you to wrap the vehicle yourself. This can be attractive for businesses that want to take control of the process and save money on installation costs.

While DIY applications can help you save on upfront costs, they do come with their challenges, which we’ll address below.

Cons of Cheap Vinyl for Business Vehicle Graphics

Poor Durability and Shorter Lifespan

The biggest downside of cheap vinyl is that it often doesn’t last as long. For businesses that rely on vehicle wraps to build brand recognition, this can be a significant issue.

Cheap vinyl can fade, peel, or crack much more quickly than its premium counterparts, especially when exposed to the sun, rain, snow, and other elements.

For companies that need their vehicles on the road day in and day out, cheaper materials can lead to a worn out, unprofessional look sooner than you’d like. Faded or damaged vehicle wraps don’t just look bad, they can hurt your brand’s image.

DIY Installation Challenges

While DIY kits can save you money, they come with risks. Without the expertise of professional installers, you may run into issues like air bubbles, wrinkles, and improper alignment.

A poor installation job can make even the best design look unprofessional, and it can damage your vehicle’s paint if not done correctly.

This is an example of the issues that you can face when trying to install vinyl by yourself. It is very easy to cause creases, bubbles and lifting when you haven’t been professional trained. That is why DIY installation is not always worth it.

For a business vehicle, this isn’t just about aesthetics; it can impact how potential customers perceive your company. A poorly done wrap could suggest a lack of attention to detail or professionalism.

Long-Term Costs

While cheap vinyl may save you money upfront, it could cost you more in the long run. The need for frequent repairs, replacements, or touch ups can add up over time, negating the initial savings. 

Moreover, the process of continually having to update or repair your wrap can disrupt your business operations, especially if vehicles need to be off the road for repairs.

Why Investing in Expensive Vinyl is Worth It for Businesses

On the other end of the spectrum are high quality, premium vinyl materials. These options are usually more expensive, but they offer durability, professionalism, and long lasting performance critical factors for businesses that rely on their vehicle wraps to deliver consistent, impactful branding.

Pros of Expensive Vinyl for Business Vehicle Graphics

Superior Quality and Durability

When you invest in high quality vinyl materials, you’re getting a product designed to last. Premium vinyl is more resistant to fading, peeling, and cracking, making it ideal for businesses that need their vehicle graphics to stand the test of time.

Premium brands like 3M, Avery Dennison and Hexis are known for their durability and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. 

If your vehicles spend a lot of time on the road or outdoors, investing in a high quality wrap can protect your branding and ensure it looks as good a year down the line as it did on day one.

The image above is a prime example of how quality wrap vinyl can look. This wrap vinyl is from the Hexis skintac HX20000 range that was then fitted by The Print Box.

Professional Installation

With more expensive vinyl options, professional installation is often required. While this comes at an additional cost, it ensures a smooth, flawless finish. 

Professional installers have the experience and equipment needed to apply vinyl without bubbles, wrinkles, or other imperfections, which can make a big difference in how your vehicles are perceived on the road.

Professional installation also ensures that the wrap is applied in a way that will extend its lifespan. Proper installation reduces the chances of peeling and ensures that the vinyl adheres correctly to the vehicle’s contours, which is crucial for both aesthetics and durability.

Here we have an example of vehicle graphics that have been expertly fitted, the vinyl is seamlessly fitting the car with no bubbles, creases or lifting. This has been achieved by a professional fitter.

Long Term Savings

Although the upfront costs are higher, expensive vinyl can save your business money in the long run. Premium materials are designed to last several years without needing repairs or replacements, which means fewer disruptions to your operations and lower long term maintenance costs.

For businesses that plan to keep their vehicles wrapped for long periods, premium vinyl pays off over time by avoiding the frequent touch-ups or full replacements that are common with cheaper materials.

Enhanced Branding Impact

Investing in high quality vinyl also allows for more advanced and creative designs. Expensive vinyl options often come in a variety of finishes, from matte to metallic to satin, and can accommodate custom designs more effectively. If your brand is all about standing out, premium vinyl gives you the flexibility to create visually stunning wraps that make an impact.

Whether you want a sleek matte black finish for a luxury feel or a vibrant gloss to draw attention, premium vinyl can deliver a look that cheap options simply can’t match.

Here we have an example of a company who invested highly into the design and fitting of their vehicle graphics. Doesn’t this look incredible! This lorry was expertly fitted by The Print Box.

Cons of Expensive Vinyl for Business Vehicle Graphics

Higher Initial Investment

The most obvious downside to premium vinyl is the upfront cost. For businesses working with tight budgets or who need to wrap a large fleet of vehicles, the initial investment can be significant. However, if you’re considering the long term benefits, the cost can often be justified.

Less Flexibility for Frequent Changes

If your business likes to frequently update or change vehicle graphics (for example, to promote seasonal products or special events), expensive vinyl may not be the best option. Premium vinyl is designed to last a long time, which makes it less suited for frequent changes.

If your business strategy involves regular rebranding or promotional wraps, you might find it more cost effective to use cheaper vinyl for temporary applications.

Which Option is Best for Your Business?

So, should your business opt for cheaper vinyl materials or invest in premium, professional grade wraps? The answer depends on several factors, including your budget, how long you plan to keep the wraps, and how important a polished, professional look is to your brand.

Here are a few questions to consider when making your decision:

• How important is durability? If you need vehicle wraps that will last for several years, withstand constant exposure to the elements, and still look great, investing in premium vinyl is a smart choice.
• How large is your fleet? If you’re wrapping a large fleet of vehicles, cheap vinyl might seem appealing, but it’s important to consider the potential long term maintenance costs. A fleet of poorly wrapped, peeling vehicles can quickly hurt your brand’s image.
• Do you need professional installation? If you’re looking for a flawless, professional finish, premium vinyl combined with professional installation will deliver the best results.
• Is your brand image at stake? For businesses where branding and perception are critical (e.g., service vehicles, delivery vans), investing in quality materials is essential for ensuring that your brand looks polished and professional at all times.

Conclusion: Prioritising Quality for Your Business

When it comes to business vehicle graphics, it’s tempting to cut corners and go for the cheaper option. But as we’ve outlined, cheaper vinyl often comes with long term costs that can affect your brand’s image, the durability of the wrap, and your overall budget. 

For most businesses, investing in high quality, durable vinyl materials and professional installation is the best way to ensure that your vehicle graphics make a strong, lasting impression on the road.

Whether you’re wrapping a single van or an entire fleet, choosing quality vinyl is an investment in your brand. So, take the time to weigh your options carefully, and choose the solution that best aligns with your business goals and budget.

Thinking about enhancing your vehicle’s look? Reach out to us at studio@theprintbox.co.uk or call 01902 791553 today! Or simply visit our website here.