Frequently Asked Questions

Canawrap was founded in 2008 by Jonathan Glen, a brand strategist and visual communications specialist with nearly two decades of experience. With over 1,000 wraps completed, 3M Select certification, and industry design awards for custom wrap design and food truck design, Canawrap brings something most wrap shops simply don't offer: a genuine understanding of what makes a service vehicle work as a long-term marketing asset.

Most wrap shops focus on production. Canawrap focuses on whether the wrap actually works. That means starting with the right questions about your business, your brand, and your goals before a single design element is considered. It's why over 109 five-star reviews from contractors and service businesses across Metro Vancouver consistently highlight not just the quality of the work, but the strategic thinking behind it.

If you want a wrap that builds real recognition and generates real business, get in touch.

A vehicle wrap is the process of designing, printing, and professionally applying full-colour vinyl graphics to the exterior panels of your vehicle. The result is a fully branded vehicle that communicates your business, builds recognition, and generates impressions every day it's on the road.

Modern vehicle wraps use high-resolution graphics printed on premium cast vinyl and protected with a clear laminate. When installed correctly using 3M Select materials, a wrap lasts five to seven years in BC's climate without fading, lifting, or peeling.

Vehicle wraps are available in three main coverage levels. A full wrap covers all exterior panels for maximum impact. A partial wrap covers key panels such as the rear and sides. A decal package places your logo, contact information, and key messaging on select panels for a clean, professional look at a lower investment.

Installation time depends on the vehicle type and coverage level. As a general guide:

• Decal packages: a few hours to one business day
• Partial wraps: one to two business days
• Full wraps on cars and pickup trucks: two to three business days
• Full wraps on vans, cube trucks, and trailers: three to five business days depending on size

All installations include a curing period before the vehicle goes back into service. We'll confirm the exact timeline when you book your project. Installations take place during regular business hours Monday through Friday, and in some cases we can accommodate weekend installations. Contact us if timing is a concern and we'll do our best to work with your schedule.

A little preparation before you drop off your vehicle makes the installation go smoothly and helps ensure the best possible result. Here's what we recommend:

• Wash the vehicle thoroughly, paying close attention to the panels that will be wrapped. Any dirt, wax, or road grime left on the surface can affect adhesion.
• Remove any personal items from inside the vehicle.
• If there are existing decals, stickers, or graphics on the vehicle, let us know when you request your quote so we can factor removal time and any surface preparation into the scope.
• Note any existing paint damage, rock chips, or surface irregularities and let us know. Wraps conform to the surface they're applied to, so significant paint damage can affect the finished result.

If you have questions about preparing a specific vehicle, get in touch before your drop-off date and we'll walk you through anything specific to your situation.

The design process at Canawrap starts before any creative work begins. Here's how it works from start to finish:

Step 1 - Quote and brief. After you request a quote, we review your vehicle details, coverage preference, and existing brand assets. We'll ask to see your logo, website, and any other marketing materials so we can assess your brand identity before design begins.

Step 2 - Brand assessment. If your existing brand identity is strong and consistent, we move directly to design. If there are gaps or inconsistencies, we'll flag them honestly and discuss whether brand identity work should happen first. A wrap amplifies whatever brand it carries, so getting this right matters.

Step 3 - Initial concept. We produce an initial wrap design presented on a scaled vehicle template so you can see exactly how it will look on your specific vehicle. This is where the design direction, layout, colour, and messaging all come together for the first time.

Step 4 - Revisions. We work through a revision process until the design is right. We want you to be genuinely excited about what's going on your vehicle before anything goes to print.

Step 5 - Production and installation. Once the design is approved, we move to print production and schedule your installation date.

The full process from initial quote to completed installation typically takes two to four weeks depending on the scope of the project and revision rounds.

This is one of the most important technical questions for anyone getting a vehicle wrap, and it's worth understanding before you start the process.

Vector logos are built from mathematical paths and shapes rather than pixels. They can be scaled to any size, from a business card to the side of a cube truck, without any loss of quality. The lines stay sharp and the colours stay accurate at any dimension. Vector files are typically created in Adobe Illustrator and saved as AI, EPS, or SVG files.

Raster logos are made up of pixels. A raster logo that looks fine on a website or a business card will become blurry and pixelated when enlarged to vehicle wrap dimensions. JPG, PNG, and GIF files are all raster formats.

For vehicle wrap production, vector artwork is strongly preferred. If your logo only exists as a raster file, it will need to be redrawn in vector format before it can be used in a wrap. This is a service Canawrap can provide as part of the design process, though it adds time and cost to the project.

If you're not sure what format your logo is in, send it to us when you request your quote and we'll assess it for print readiness.

Yes, vehicle wraps are completely removable, and when installed and removed correctly by professionals, they protect your paint rather than damaging it. The wrap acts as a barrier against minor scratches, UV exposure, and road debris for the life of the wrap.

Many lease companies actually prefer that you wrap a vehicle as soon as possible because of the paint protection benefits. When the wrap is professionally removed at lease end, the paint underneath is typically in better condition than the surrounding areas that were exposed.

The cases where paint damage occurs are almost always the result of improper removal, low-quality materials left on too long, or wraps applied over paint that was already compromised. Canawrap uses only 3M Select materials and professional removal techniques to ensure clean results.

If you have concerns about a specific vehicle's paint condition before wrapping, let us know and we'll assess it before the project begins.

Yes. Canawrap offers a one year labour and installation warranty on all vehicle wrap projects. This warranty covers any issues that are directly related to the installation process.

In addition to Canawrap's installation warranty, 3M provides its own extensive media warranty on the materials used. As a 3M Select certified company, Canawrap uses only 3M print media and 3M over-laminate on all projects, which means your wrap is backed by both Canawrap's installation warranty and 3M's material warranty.

Please note that warranty coverage varies by vehicle area and application type. Contact us for details specific to your project.

Pricing depends on the vehicle type, size, and coverage level. As a general starting point:

• Decal packages: starting from $350 to $600 depending on vehicle size
• Partial wraps: starting from $900 to $1,500 depending on vehicle size
• Full car wraps: starting from $2,000
• Full pickup truck wraps: starting from $2,500
• Full van wraps: starting from $3,000
• Cube trucks and trailers: pricing varies by size, contact us for a quote

Design is either included or scoped separately depending on your existing brand assets. If your brand identity is strong and consistent, design assembly is typically included or minimal. If your branding needs development before the wrap begins, we'll discuss that as part of the quoting process.

Vehicle wrapping is very much a get-what-you-pay-for industry. Canawrap uses only 3M Select and Avery materials and brings nearly two decades of brand strategy experience to every project. The result is a wrap that performs as a long-term marketing asset, not just a sticker on a truck.

Request a free quote for an accurate price on your specific vehicle and project.

Yes. Canawrap offers three flexible payment options to make it easier to get started without waiting until the timing feels perfect. All financing is on approved credit.

No Payments, 0% Interest for 6 Months available on full wrap packages and Canawrap Branding services. Get your vehicle wrapped today and make no payments for six months. After the interest-free period, simple monthly payments begin.

Extended Monthly Financing available on any purchase over $500. Choose from 12, 24, 36, 48, or 60 month terms at a competitive and manageable interest rate. The most flexible option for businesses who want predictable payments over a longer period.

Buy Now, Pay Later via Affirm available on any Canawrap purchase. Quick approval, no hidden fees, flexible terms.

The application through our financing partner takes just minutes to complete and approval is fast. Visit our financing page to learn more, or check the financing box when you request your free quote.

Yes. Canawrap offers printed wrap panels that can be shipped anywhere in Canada. This is particularly popular for trailer wraps where the owner or a local installer handles the installation.

Here's how the process works for remote orders:

• We go through the same design process as a regular project, including vehicle measurements, template creation, and design approval.
• Once the design is approved, we print the wrap panels on premium 3M cast vinyl with protective laminate.
• Panels are carefully packaged and shipped to your location anywhere in Canada.
• You or your local installer complete the installation.

Please note that Canawrap's installation warranty applies only to projects installed by Canawrap. For shipped materials, we can provide installation guidance and recommend best practices, but we cannot warranty third-party installation work.

If you're interested in a shipped wrap package, request a quote and mention that you're looking for a shipped installation. We'll walk you through the process and requirements.

A professionally designed and installed vehicle wrap is one of the most cost-effective marketing investments a service business can make. Here's why.

Your vehicle is already on the road every day. It's already parking in front of job sites, driving through neighbourhoods, and sitting in traffic. The question isn't whether people are seeing your vehicle. It's whether your vehicle is making an impression when they do.

Industry research consistently shows that a single wrapped vehicle generates between 30,000 and 70,000 impressions per day in an urban market like Metro Vancouver. Over a five-year wrap lifespan, that's tens of millions of impressions at a cost per impression lower than virtually any other advertising medium available to a local service business.

Unlike digital ads that stop running the moment you stop paying, a vehicle wrap works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the life of the vehicle. It builds cumulative brand familiarity that makes homeowners think of your business first and refer you confidently to their neighbours.

That said, not all wraps work equally well. A wrap that's poorly designed, uses the wrong coverage level, or carries an inconsistent brand identity can spend years on the road generating almost no return. The strategy, design, and execution all matter. That's exactly what Canawrap is built to get right.

Read our Service Vehicle Wraps Guide for a deeper look at what makes a wrap work, or get in touch to talk about your specific situation.

Canawrap Branding is a complete brand identity design service built specifically for contractors and home service businesses who are ready to build a consistent, professional brand before investing in vehicle graphics.

A vehicle wrap is only as effective as the brand behind it. If your logo is inconsistent with your website, your website looks different from your uniforms, and your print materials look nothing like any of the above, a vehicle wrap will not solve that problem. It will make it more visible.

Canawrap Branding addresses the foundation first. A typical package includes a primary logo and logo variations, a colour system, a typography system, brand guidelines for consistent application, and vehicle wrap design assembly using the completed identity. For clients who complete a Canawrap Branding project, vehicle wrap design assembly is included at no additional charge.

You need Canawrap Branding if your current brand identity is inconsistent, your logo is not professional quality, or your visual identity doesn't represent the level of business you've built. You don't need it if you already have a strong, consistent brand identity in place.

Visit the Canawrap Branding page to learn more about the full package and process.

This is an important question and the honest answer depends on the extent and type of the damage.

Rock chips and minor paint damage. Small rock chips and minor surface imperfections can typically be wrapped over without issue. The wrap will conform to the surface and cover the damage visually. However, it's worth knowing that the wrap follows the contour of whatever surface it's applied to, so deep chips or raised edges may be slightly visible under the wrap material. If paint is chipping or flaking actively, that area needs to be addressed before wrapping.

Peeling or lifting paint. We cannot wrap over peeling, bubbling, or lifting paint. The wrap adhesive needs a stable, smooth surface to bond to properly. If the paint underneath is compromised, the wrap will not adhere correctly and may cause further damage when removed. Any peeling paint needs to be repaired before the wrap installation begins.

Previous wraps. In most cases we do not recommend wrapping over an existing wrap. Old vinyl can have lifting edges, air pockets, and adhesive residue that prevent the new wrap from bonding cleanly. Removing the old wrap first gives us a proper surface to work with and results in a much better finished product. We can handle old wrap removal as part of the project scope.

Aftermarket paint jobs. Aftermarket paint work is assessed case by case. Factory OEM paint is almost always suitable for wrapping. Custom or aftermarket paint jobs can vary significantly in quality and compatibility with wrap adhesives. We'll assess your vehicle's paint condition before committing to the project and let you know if there are any concerns.

When you request a quote, let us know about any existing damage, previous wraps, or aftermarket paint work so we can factor that into the assessment and timeline.