A fleet vehicle wrap usually takes 2 to 5 weeks from first call to a wrapped vehicle on the road. Most of that time is design, approval and printing. The vehicle itself is usually in the shop for only 1 to 4 days, depending on its size.
For a whole fleet, plan on 2 to 4 weeks for 5 to 10 vehicles and 4 to 10 weeks for 11 to 50. Installs are scheduled in waves, so you never pull the whole fleet off the road at once.
Where the time goes, step by step
- Design and proofs: 1 to 2 weeks. Your designer builds a mockup on a template of your exact vehicle. The biggest variable here is you: how fast you send your logo files and sign off on revisions.
- Printing and lamination: 1 to 2 business days per design. Once you approve, the vinyl is printed, left to dry, and laminated to protect it from sun and scratches.
- Surface prep: a few hours per vehicle. The vehicle is washed, degreased and cleaned so the vinyl sticks. Old decals or a previous wrap come off here, which adds time.
- Installation: 1 to 4 days per vehicle. See the table below for how long each vehicle type takes.
- Curing: 24 to 72 hours. You can usually drive away the same day. The adhesive keeps bonding for several days, so skip the car wash for about a week.
How long each vehicle is in the shop
Bigger, boxier vehicles with more panels, rivets and handles take longer. These are typical times for a full wrap.
| Vehicle | Time in the shop | Hands-on install labor |
|---|---|---|
| Car or SUV | 1 day | 4 to 8 hours |
| Pickup truck | 1 day | 4 to 8 hours |
| Cargo van | 1 to 2 days | 6 to 10 hours |
| High-roof or Sprinter van | 2 to 3 days | Not published |
| Box truck (16 to 26 ft) | 2 to 4 days | 20 to 24 hours (two installers) |
| Semi-trailer | 4 to 6 days | About 10 hours per installer |
Partial wraps and spot graphics (logo, phone number, website) often take under 4 hours.
Sources: Chicago Fleet Wraps (shop time), Craftsmen Industries (labor hours).
What speeds it up or slows it down
| Faster | Slower |
|---|---|
| Logo and brand files ready in vector format (.ai, .eps, .svg, .pdf) | Hunting for logo files, or a logo that has to be redrawn |
| One decision-maker signs off on proofs | Several people weighing in on each revision |
| One design across every vehicle | Different layouts for each vehicle model |
| Partial wrap or spot graphics | Full wrap or color change |
| Clean factory paint | Old decals or an old wrap to remove first |
| Vehicles dropped off on the scheduled day | Missed drop-offs that push the whole schedule |
Paint damage matters too. Vinyl can’t hide rust or peeling clear coat, and those spots need repair before the wrap goes on.
How to keep your fleet working during the wrap
Your trucks earn money on the road, not in the shop. A good fleet schedule keeps most of them working the whole time.
- Wrap in waves. Bring in one or two vehicles at a time so the rest keep running routes.
- Approve one design for all vehicles. One approval covers the whole fleet, and every vehicle after the first goes faster.
- Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead of a launch, rebrand or busy season. That leaves room for revisions without a rush.
- Ask about off-hours installs. Some shops can work evenings or weekends so a vehicle misses fewer workdays.
- Plan the cure time. The vehicle can usually go back on its route the next day. Just keep it out of the pressure washer for the first week.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive my vehicle right after it’s wrapped? Yes, usually the same day. The adhesive keeps bonding for 24 to 72 hours, so go easy on it and skip the car wash for 5 to 7 days.
How long does it take to wrap a 10-vehicle fleet? About 2 to 4 weeks from approved design to the last vehicle wrapped, if vehicles arrive on schedule. Only one or two are off the road at any time.
Can a fleet wrap be rushed? Often, yes. The fastest wins come from having your logo files ready and approving proofs quickly. Ask whether the shop charges a rush fee.
Does removing an old wrap add time? Yes. Taking off an old wrap usually adds 4 to 8 hours for a cargo van and 8 to 12 hours for a box truck.
How long does a fleet wrap last? A professionally installed wrap with quality cast vinyl typically lasts several years, depending on sun exposure and how it’s washed.
Get a timeline for your fleet
Every fleet is different, so the fastest way to get your timeline is to ask. RoadRunner Wraps has wrapped over 70,000 vehicles since 1988 from our shop in Beltsville, Maryland. We’ll build an install schedule that keeps your trucks working while we wrap them. See our fleet vehicle wraps for examples.
When you request a quote, include:
- How many vehicles you have, plus their makes and models
- Full wrap, partial wrap or lettering
- The date you need them on the road
- Photos of your vehicles, if you have them
Prefer to talk? Call 301-937-3777 or stop by 11215 Old Baltimore Pike, Beltsville, MD 20705
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