Questions, answered.
Vehicle preparation, artwork, packages, care, and the shop itself. If your question is not here, call or text and ask.
Vehicle preparation
Does the vehicle need to be washed?
It is your choice. Every vehicle gets a strip wash and a final alcohol wipe before installation, at no charge. Every vehicle from a dealership partner, and every vehicle on an order of two or more vehicles, gets the full prep detail as a matter of course and pays nothing for it, whatever its condition. Otherwise, clean the vehicle before it comes in and pay nothing more, or leave the cleaning to us and it gets the full prep detail before installation, at a flat rate of $150, or a flat rate of $250 on a box truck, a dump truck or anything larger, and we confirm the price in writing before that work begins.
What if there are dents or peeling paint?
Film follows the surface underneath. We photograph every vehicle at intake and tell you before we start if a panel won't take film cleanly.
Can you wrap a leased vehicle?
Yes. Tell us it's leased and the return date, and we specify film that removes cleanly.
Do you remove old graphics?
Yes, and we prefer to do it in-house. Old or sun-baked vinyl is tedious to remove, and any specks or adhesive left behind show through the new graphic. Removal runs at an hourly rate of $125, and adhesive age changes the work, so we quote the hours after we see the vehicle and confirm the price in writing before that work begins.
Do you wrap semi trailers?
Yes. Day cabs, sleepers, and dry van or reefer trailers up to 53 feet. Our 12th Street lot stages several at once, so a fleet can arrive together.
Artwork
What file types do you accept?
PDF, SVG, AI, EPS, PNG and JPG, up to 25 MB each. Vector files print cleanest.
I don't have a logo.
Choose I need design help on the artwork step. We'll talk through what you want and draw it. Laying out your graphics carries no design charge; creating a logo from nothing is separate work at a flat rate of $200, waived on a fleet account and for returning customers, and we confirm it in writing before that work begins.
How many revisions are included?
Up to three rounds of revisions, at no design charge. That covers laying out your graphics, and the rounds that refine the proof. Creating a logo from nothing is separate work at a flat rate of $200, and a re-design that abandons the direction you approved rather than refining it is a flat rate of $100. Neither is charged on a fleet account or for a returning customer, and we confirm the price in writing before that work begins.
How fast is the first proof?
You'll see your first proof within 72 hours of us receiving your artwork and details. When the clock starts: the 72 hours run from us receiving your artwork and details during shop hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and from the next business morning when they arrive after hours, not from first contact. We need all of it to start: print-ready artwork or a request for design help, your vehicle or fleet details, and your package choice. A delay on your side pauses the clock for as long as it lasts, and so does anything outside either of our control.
Packages and add-ons
What's the difference between lettering and a partial wrap?
Lettering is cut vinyl on the paint: name, logo, number. A partial wrap is a printed section of graphics with your identity built in.
Is the ceramic coating included?
Every full wrap includes a ceramic coating on the finished film. On other packages, 3M Ceramic Coating is a $1,000 flat-rate add-on.
Can I add window tint?
Yes. 3M Ceramic Tint is a separate window-film service; we confirm the film and shade for your vehicle before quoting.
How long does installation take?
Print and installation are complete within 14 days of your proof approval. When the clock starts: the 14 days run from your written proof approval, not from drop-off. A delay on your side pauses the clock for as long as it lasts, and so does anything outside either of our control.
Care and maintenance
How do I wash a wrapped vehicle?
Hand wash. Keep a pressure washer at least a foot from any edge and never at an angle into a seam.
Can I wax printed film?
No wax on printed film. Full wraps with the ceramic coating rinse clean.
What about winter?
Salt comes off with a rinse. Don't scrape ice across film.
The shop
Can I visit?
Yes. 3920 12th St NW, Canton, during shop hours. The rear entrance is step-free.
Still deciding? Ask us.
Tell us the vehicle and what it should say. We come back with a plan and a schedule.
3M Automotive Films Authorized Dealer · Est. 2018