What to Expect When You Get Your Vehicle Wrapped in Seattle: The Step-by-Step Process
Quick answer: Getting a vehicle wrapped usually follows eight steps: request a quote, pay a deposit to start design, review proofs, approve the design, print and laminate, prep the vehicle, install, and a final inspection with care instructions. At Ardor Printing in Snohomish, WA, the install itself can take a few hours for lettering, about a day for many commercial vans, and 2–5 days for a full color change. We serve drivers and businesses across Seattle, the Eastside and Snohomish County, with vehicle pick-up and delivery.
Key takeaways
- Design comes first, and it starts with a deposit. A clear brief and good logo files speed everything up.
- Approve proofs carefully. Check every phone number, web address and spelling before printing.
- Bring the vehicle clean and tell the shop about any paint damage or aftermarket paint.
- Choose a shop that designs, prints and installs in-house with premium cast films.
The vehicle wrap process, step by step
- Request a quote. Send your vehicle's year, make and model, a few photos, what you want (full wrap, partial wrap, lettering, color change) and your logo files. Quotes are free.
- Pay the deposit to start design. Our design team starts once the deposit is received. Print projects require a 50% deposit before we print or schedule the install.
- Review design proofs. We lay out your design on a template of your exact vehicle so you can see every side, then refine it with you.
- Approve the final proof. This is the most important step for you. Double-check phone numbers, web addresses, spelling and colors.
- Printing and lamination. Your graphics are printed on cast wrap film and laminated for UV and scratch protection. Color change wraps use pre-colored film from 3M, Avery Dennison or KPMF.
- Drop-off or pick-up and prep. Bring the vehicle to our Snohomish shop, or use our pick-up and delivery service. We wash, degrease and prep every surface, and remove hardware like badges, handles or lights when needed for clean edges.
- Installation. Our own crew installs the wrap by hand, then heats the edges and recesses so the film holds its shape.
- Final inspection and aftercare. We inspect the vehicle, walk you through care instructions and hand back the keys.
Who does what
| Step | What you do | What Ardor does |
|---|---|---|
| Quote | Share vehicle details, photos and goals | Recommend coverage and film, then quote |
| Design | Pay the deposit, send logos and give feedback | Build proofs on your exact vehicle template |
| Approval | Proofread and approve | Prepare files for print |
| Production | Nothing, just wait | Print, laminate and schedule |
| Install | Drop off a clean vehicle or schedule pick-up | Prep, install and post-heat |
| Aftercare | Hand wash and follow care tips | Answer questions and handle touch-ups |
How to prepare your vehicle for a wrap
- Wash it before drop-off, and skip wax or ceramic spray for a week beforehand.
- Remove aftermarket stickers, magnets and accessories you don't want wrapped around.
- Point out paint damage. Vinyl follows the surface, so chips and dents show through, and peeling clear coat must be fixed first.
- Tell us about aftermarket paint. Non-factory paint may not bond well and can lift when the wrap is removed later.
- Clear out personal items from door pockets and cargo areas.
10 questions to ask any wrap shop before you book
- Which films do you use? Look for premium cast films like 3M, Avery Dennison and KPMF.
- Do you design, print and install in-house?
- Are installs done by your own employees or by subcontractors?
- Can I see vehicles like mine that you've wrapped?
- What do your Google reviews say?
- Is lamination included on printed wraps?
- How do you trim the film near paint?
- Are door jambs included, or an add-on?
- What does your warranty cover, for the film and for the installation?
- What aftercare do you recommend, and who do I call if an edge lifts?
At Ardor, design, printing and installation all happen in-house, and our own crew does every install. We've branded more than 7,000 vehicles since 2012. See our customer reviews and recent work.
Budgeting for your wrap
Use our cost guides to plan: cars and SUVs, trucks, vans, chrome delete and PPF. Choosing a color? Read gloss vs. satin vs. matte.
Frequently asked questions about getting a vehicle wrapped
How long will my vehicle be at the shop?
The installation typically takes a few hours for lettering, about a day for many commercial vans and 2–5 days for a full color change. Design and printing happen before the install. See our full car wrap timeline.
Do I need to wash my car before a wrap?
Yes. Bring it clean and skip wax or ceramic sprays the week before. The shop will still do a full prep and degrease before installing.
Can you wrap a car with paint damage?
Vinyl follows the surface, so chips and dents show through. Peeling clear coat or rust should be repaired before wrapping.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes. Design starts once your deposit is received, and print projects require a 50% deposit before we print or schedule the install.
Where is Ardor Printing located?
Ardor Printing is at 12531 Old Snohomish Monroe Rd, Snohomish, WA 98290. It serves Seattle, Bellevue, Everett and all of Snohomish and King County, and offers vehicle pick-up and delivery.
Areas we serve
We wrap vehicles for drivers and businesses in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Lynnwood, Everett, Marysville, Snohomish, Monroe and nearby cities. Call (425) 629-0796 or request a free quote.
About the author: Dayne Remlinger founded Ardor Printing in 2012 and was named to the Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40 in 2024. His team has completed 25,000+ projects from its shop in Snohomish, WA.
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