Vehicle Wraps -Many major corporations

The economic outlook may be trending upward finally, but vehicle wraps will continue to prove a wise investment for many savvy marketing pros and business owners. Vehicle wraps may still be the new kid on the block in the advertising neighborhood, but it looks like they are here to stay.

First, what exactly is a vehicle wrap? Simply stated, vehicle wraps are digitally printed vinyl graphics with protective laminate applied to automobiles (buses, boats, cargo trucks, cars, etc.) for the purpose of marketing (for the most part), although some individuals choose to wrap their car just to jazz it up a little.

Many major corporations, like McDonald's, have jumped on the bandwagon. Don't be surprised to see a Mini Cooper wrapped with a McMuffin and a McCaffe drink tooling around in the 'burbs where you live... images so realistic you'll be tempted to reach out and take a bite.

Here are five reasons to consider vehicle wraps.

1. Car wraps are cost-effective.

An average mid-sized sedan can be fully wrapped for around $4,000. Do the math. If you plan on keeping the vehicle for five years, that comes out to just under $67 per month. Now, compare that to radio, billboards, TV, magazines, or newspaper advertising. Invariably, vehicle wraps will win that argument.

2. Wraps are a very targeted form of advertising.

Who decides where to drive the vehicle? The driver of the vehicle, of course. This gives you tremendous strategic flexibility. Not getting the results you want sporting about in Neighborhood A? Try parking the car for a week at the busy intersection of Neighborhood B for a while. Of course, a fixed billboard alongside the Interstate doesn't allow that kind of nimble trial and error strategizing as the billboard on wheels does.

3. Visibility and recognition.

According to the Transportation Advertising Council (a division of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America), vehicle wrap advertising generates between 30,000 - 70,000 daily vehicle impressions. Not only do a lot of people see the vehicle, a lot of people take notice of the vehicle.

Most vehicle wrap companies have a website which can give you an idea of the kinds of eye-catching, captivating, sure-to-turn-heads designs that can be produced with today's graphic arts technology. Today's wrap ad graphic designer can turn any boring 4-door sedan into an explosion of moving art, certain to get noticed.

4. Reinforce your company as innovative and cutting-edge.

Whereas a quarter-page ad in the local Sunday newspaper may seem staid and conservative, a fun car with captivating images and your company logo zipping about town can only help reinforce your image as fresh, innovative, modern, different, interesting, dynamic, and bold... which, psychologically, may very well be the difference between Mr. Potential Customer choosing you over Mr. Boring Sunday Paper Guy.

5. Auto Wraps give you a professional image.

We're accustomed to seeing "the big boys" (as in the above-mentioned McDonald's) out front and ahead of the curve when it comes to advertising trends. Vehicle wraps can lend credibility, add stature and help elevate and position you into that same league.

All in all, vehicle wrapping is a low-cost, high-impact method of spreading your message to the masses and one that most companies who rely on advertising should consider.