With so many options available, many marketing departments find themselves asking the same question: what is the difference between a vehicle wrap and vehicle lettering? Whilst both approaches can help to elevate your brand presence, they each suit different budgets and achieve different visual results. Understanding the difference will help you to choose the solution that truly reflects your brand and delivers the best return on investment.
At Joyce Design we specialise in professional vehicle branding solutions, from lettering and partial wraps to complete fleet rebrands. As a 3M™ Platinum Select Partner, we combine premium materials with our technical expertise to deliver high-quality, long-lasting results for some of the UK’s largest and well-known organisations.
What Is A Vehicle Wrap?
A vehicle wrap involves applying large sheets of printed or coloured vinyl to the entire surface (or a significant portion) of a vehicle. This can include the sides, bonnet, rear doors and sometimes even the roof. The film conforms to the curves and contours of the bodywork and allows for bold, full-colour transformations. You can read more about the end-to-end process in our ‘how to wrap a vehicle’ blog here.
At Joyce Design we use premium cast vinyl film such as the 3M™ IJ280 or 3M™ 2080 ranges. These offer exceptional durability, UV resistance and typically last between 5 and 7 years.
Vehicle wrap options include:
- Full coverage, which wraps around the entire vehicle
- Partial wraps, which cover selected areas such as panels and bonnets
- Colour change wraps, that using solid vinyl instead of printed graphics
What Is Vehicle Lettering?
Vehicle lettering, also known as sign writing, involves applying individually cut vinyl letters, numbers or logos directly to the vehicle’s surface. Sign writing doesn’t tend to cover large areas of paintwork but it still provides a professional, branded appearance and is particularly useful for vehicles that need to maintain a clean, understated look.
Lettering can be ideal for displaying essential information such as:
- Your company logo
- Website or contact details
- Key business services
- Social media handles and accreditation logos
The Key Differences Between Vehicle Wraps And Lettering
Although both options will enhance your vehicles’ visibility, their applications, costs and long-term benefits differ. Here’s how they compare:
Coverage
Vehicle wraps cover a much larger surface area, allowing for complex designs, photography, gradients and full-digitally printed artwork. This makes them ideal for high-impact branding, particularly for SMEs.
Lettering occupies smaller sections of the vehicle and focuses on clear, functional information. It’s more subtle but still very professional. In fact, some companies even prefer this understated look as it can be viewed as premium when executed tastefully.
Brand Identity
Wraps allow for total creative freedom and can be used to fully reflect brand identity or promote time-limited marketing campaigns.
Lettering is more static; great for consistency but limited in its storytelling potential. It works well for businesses where the name is self-explanatory in describing what they do (e.g. Gamma Plumbing & Heating) or prefer a simpler look.
Cost
Vehicle lettering is less expensive than a full wrap, simply because it uses less material and takes less time to apply; it’s the most affordable branding option with a fast return on investment.
For large fleets however, vehicle wrapping can actually be cost-effective, as it’s created and installed in bulk and the visual impact/cost ratio is considered by many of our clients to be worth the extra spend. Joyce Design’s fleet branding solutions are designed to maximise efficiency by including 3M matched components in our production process to ensure consistency and easy reprint for new vehicles.
With Joyce Design, both options are covered under the 3M MCS manufacturer-backed warranty, with extended warranties also available as well as full technical and aftercare support.
Durability
Both wraps and lettering use durable vinyl materials that will last 5-7 years, but full wraps provide added protection to the underlying paintwork. They act as a barrier against UV rays, road debris and minor abrasions; all of which can help to preserve the condition of the vehicle and its resale value.
Lettering offers the same level of protection in covered areas but leaves the rest of the vehicle open to the elements. Over time, exposed paint may weather differently than the areas covered by graphics.
Removal
Both wraps and lettering can be safely removed by professionals and at Joyce Design our warranty and repair processes are designed to keep downtime to an absolute minimum.
Which Option Is Right For Your Fleet?
The choice between a vehicle wrap and lettering depends on your business objectives and budget. Many large businesses actually choose a hybrid approach which combines lettering with partial wraps for the perfect balance of cost and impact.
Vehicle lettering might be better if you:
- Only need essential information displayed which requires minimal design complexity
- Are starting up a new business with a limited budget
- Are looking for fast return on investment and quick accident repairs
Part-wrap graphics are ideal if you:
- Want impactful graphics as well as the best value-for-money option
- Want partial paintwork protection
Fully-digital or colour change wraps are your best option if:
- Money is no object and bespoke branding is everything
- You can afford to have your vans off the road for the graphics install and damage repairs
- You want to protect your paintwork
Sustainability And Longevity
Whether you choose a full wrap or lettering, material quality and installation expertise directly affect how long your graphics last and how well they represent your brand. Poorly applied vinyl or low-grade films can crack, peel or fade within months, leading to premature replacement costs and damage to your reputation.
As one of the few 3M™ Platinum Select Partners in the UK, Joyce Design guarantees that every project meets the highest standards in:
- Material Quality: Using industry-leading 3M films for exceptional colour vibrancy and durability
- Installation: Carried out by 3M Endorsed Installers in our temperature-controlled facilities or at your location nationwide
- Sustainability: We offer 3M Envision 480mC, a GreenGuard Gold-certified, phthalate-free, non-PVC film made with bio-based materials
The Joyce Design Difference
When you work with Joyce Design, you’re not just choosing a supplier, you’re partnering with one of the UK’s most respected specialists in fleet branding and vehicle wrapping. We manufacture over 11,000 graphics kits annually and are trusted by the likes of McLaren and Mercedes-Benz.
Our team can manage every stage of your project in-house, from design and print to nationwide, expert installation. With over 30 years of experience, we have the capacity to handle even the largest rebrand programmes.
If you’d like to find out more about full vehicle wraps or bespoke lettering, our team is always available to help. Simply give us a call on 01245 283843 or email us at enquiries@joycedesign.co.uk.
