Full wrap, part wrap or graphics? Choosing how to brand a van

Author : adminsrg2 adminsrg2 | Published On : 11 Oct 2026

When you brand a van, there are three main routes: lettering and graphics on the paintwork, a part wrap, or a full wrap. Each one has a place. The right choice depends on the van's colour, how long you will keep it, and how much of the vehicle you want working as an advert.

Graphics and lettering

Cut vinyl letters and printed panels applied directly onto the van's paint. The van's own colour stays as the background.

Choose this if: the van is white or a colour that suits your brand, you want the most affordable option, or you need the van on the road with your details quickly and simply. A well-laid-out set of graphics with a big name, a short line on what you do and a large phone number does most of the work of a wrap for a fraction of the cost.

Limits: you are working around the van's colour, and large areas of the vehicle stay blank.

Part wrap

Printed vinyl covering a section of the van, often the rear half, the lower panels or a diagonal sweep, blended with lettering on the remaining paint.

Choose this if: you want strong visual impact and brand colour on the van without paying to cover every panel. Part wraps are popular for trades and delivery firms because they look like a full wrap from a distance.

Limits: the design has to blend cleanly into the base colour of the van, which takes a bit more planning.

Full wrap

The whole visible body covered in printed vinyl. It can change the colour of the van completely.

Choose this if: the van is a colour that clashes with your brand, you want the whole vehicle as a canvas, or you want to protect the paintwork under the wrap while you own it. Box vans and Lutons are especially good candidates because the large flat sides act like a moving billboard.

Limits: it is the most expensive option and needs the most fitting time.

What affects the price

· vehicle size and roof height

· how much of the van is covered

· complexity of the design and the number of panels

· the vinyl used (cast vinyl for curves and wraps)

· the condition of the paint underneath

Before you book

· Check your lease agreement if the van is not yours outright. Most allow vinyl that can be removed cleanly.

· Point out any resprays, dents, rust or chipped paint. Vinyl sticks best to sound factory paint.

· Wash the van before fitting day, without wax or polish.

Aftercare

Hand wash with a mild detergent, keep pressure washers well away from the edges, and avoid solvent-based polishes. Treated well, a quality wrap or graphics set looks good for years and comes off cleanly when the van is sold.

If you are weighing up the options for a vehicle in Greater Manchester, a good place to compare is a local fitter's page on van wraps Manchester, and ask for the layout drawn on a picture of your own van model before you choose.