Food Truck Wrap Cost: How to Price Food Truck and Trailer Wraps
How wrap shops price food truck and food trailer wraps: measure square footage, cost vinyl, laminate and ink, add design, print and install hours, then quote full and partial wraps.
In this guide
A food truck wrap is a rolling billboard, so owners want bold color and full coverage. For a wrap shop, that means big square footage, careful design work around serving windows and vents, and long install days. This guide shows how to price a full or partial food truck or trailer wrap from square footage up, with three worked quotes.
- Wrap quote = square feet x (vinyl + laminate + ink, with waste) + design hours + print and laminate hours + install hours, then overhead and profit.
- In the example below, a 16 ft food trailer full wrap costs $2,754.25 to produce and quotes at about $3,550.
- A partial wrap with cut vinyl lettering can cost about half of a full wrap and still look great.
- Measure every panel and add 10% to 20% waste for seams, bleed and windows.
Why food truck wraps are easy to underquote
Food trucks have serving windows, awnings, vents, generator doors and rivets. All of them slow down installs. Trailers often have curved fronts that need extra relief cuts and patience.
Owners also want design changes as their menu evolves. If revisions are not limited in the quote, design time can double. Price design hours clearly and include a set number of revisions.
The steps
1. Measure the square footage
Measure each side, the back and the front, and add the hood or roof if wrapped. Subtract nothing for windows on a first estimate. Add 10% to 20% for bleed, seams and waste.
2. Cost materials per square foot
Add cast wrap vinyl, laminate and ink. Many shops land around $2.50 to $4.00 per square foot for materials, depending on brands. Use your own supplier prices.
3. Price the design
Include the layout, menu and logo placement, proofs and revisions. A food truck design often takes 4 to 10 hours. State how many revisions are included.
4. Count print, laminate and install hours
Include printing, outgassing time, laminating, trimming, panel prep and install. Cleaning and prepping a used truck takes time too.
5. Add overhead, profit and a deposit
Use 15% or more for printer, laminator and shop costs, then 20% to 30% profit. Take a deposit, often 50%, before you print.
Worked example: three food truck jobs
About 345, 483 and 180 sq ft printed including waste. $45 an hour for design, production and install, 15% overhead, 25% profit and 3% card fees. Material prices are examples only.
| 16 ft trailer, full wrap | 20 ft step van, full wrap | Trailer, partial wrap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl and laminate at $3.20/sq ft, incl. waste | $1,104.00 | $1,546.00 | $576.00 |
| Ink | $121.00 | $169.00 | $63.00 |
| Labor at $45.00/hr | 26 hr = $1,170.00 | 34 hr = $1,530.00 | 16 hr = $720.00 |
| Overhead (15%) | $359.25 | $486.75 | $203.85 |
| Cost to make | $2,754.25 | $3,731.75 | $1,562.85 |
| Plus 25% profit | $3,442.81 | $4,664.69 | $1,953.56 |
| Cover 3% selling fees (divide by 0.97) | $3,549.29 | $4,808.96 | $2,013.98 |
| Suggested price | $3550 | $4809 | $2014 |
The trailer full wrap works out to about $10 per printed square foot. Local prices vary a lot, so compare with shops in your area. If you are well under, your hours are probably too low.
Approximate wrap area by food truck size
| Vehicle | Approx. wrap area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12 to 14 ft trailer | 220 to 280 sq ft | Curved front adds install time |
| 16 to 18 ft trailer | 280 to 360 sq ft | Most common food trailer size |
| 18 to 22 ft step van | 380 to 480 sq ft | Tall sides, more panels |
| Partial wrap (sides only) | 40% to 60% of full | Add cut vinyl lettering |
These are rough starting points. Always measure the actual vehicle, including the rear and any doors you plan to wrap.
Food truck wrap quote checklist
- Every panel measured, with 10% to 20% waste.
- Vinyl, laminate and ink cost per square foot.
- Design hours with a set number of revisions.
- Print, laminate and install hours, including prep.
- Extra time for windows, vents and rivets.
- Overhead, profit and a 50% deposit.
- Removal of an old wrap quoted separately.
Turn a wrap estimate into a clean quote
Type the square footage, materials, design and install hours into the peach cells. The calculator totals the job with deposit and balance.
Get the Custom Decal Order Quote CalculatorCalculators that help
- Vehicle window graphics: Price perforated window film and decals. Use the Vehicle & Window Decal Pricing Calculator – Car Decals, Door Lettering & Fleets.
- Install labor: Price install time on its own. Use the Decal Installation Pricing Calculator – Labor, Surface Prep, Removal & Travel.
- Material per square inch: Get exact vinyl costs. Use the Vinyl Price per Square Inch Calculator – Compare Rolls, Sheets & Bundles, Cost per Design.
- Design fees: Price layouts and revisions. Use the Design & Setup Time Cost Calculator – Setup Fee, Proofs, Samples & Cost per Item.
Common questions
How much does it cost to wrap a food truck?
It depends on size, coverage and design. In this guide a 16 ft trailer full wrap quotes at about $3,550 and a 20 ft step van at about $4,809. Prices vary by region and shop.
How much does a food trailer wrap cost?
Food trailers are usually smaller than step vans, so they cost less. A partial trailer wrap in the example prices at about $2,014.
Is a partial wrap worth it?
Often, yes. A partial wrap with bold graphics on the sides and cut vinyl lettering can look great at about half the cost of a full wrap.
How long does a food truck wrap last?
Quality cast vinyl with laminate often lasts several years with good care. Hand washing and parking out of direct sun help.
Should design be included in the wrap price?
Show it as its own line with a set number of revisions. Extra revisions can be charged by the hour.
Do wrap shops charge per square foot?
Many give per-square-foot prices as a guide, but the final quote should include design, install and vehicle prep hours.
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