5 Best Van Wraps Washington DC [Price, Reviews & Guide]

AP Wraps|February 25, 2024

Buying a new van can be exciting — but it can run you a pretty penny. That’s why many business owners opt for van wraps instead. Instead of investing in a new van, they invest in a professionally designed wrap to transform their existing vehicle into a moving billboard.

But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best van wrap in Washington, DC? We’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the top choices.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

The top van wrapping services in Washington, DC
How van wrapping works
Pro tips for using van wraps to promote your business
Van wrap design ideas to get you started.

By the way, if you want your van wrapped in Washington, DC, by a team of trusted experts, you’ll want to visit AP Wraps. Our 3M-certified team will ensure your brand is optimally represented with high-quality van graphics that will last for years.

The 5 Top Van Wrapping Services in Washington DC

At a glance, here are the top five van wrapping services in Washington, DC, and what they’re best for:

AP Wraps: For the highest-quality and most reliable custom graphics.
Capitol Shine: For full-service detailing and wraps, especially for luxury vehicles.
Capital Wrappers: For simple, straightforward color changes and designs.
Wrapbeast: For custom jobs with financing options.
RoadRunner: A general-purpose vehicle wrapper.

Let’s dive into each one with more detail:

#1: AP Wraps

AP Wraps is a team of dedicated, 3M-certified and endorsed vehicle wrapping professionals with years of experience in custom vehicle graphics for a wide variety of vehicle types, both commercial and personal.

Best For: High-quality and reliable custom graphics able to meet any requirements.

Pricing: AP Wraps offers an easy calculator to estimate the price of your vehicle wrap, but it can range from $250 to $3,000.
Customer Reviews: “AP Wraps provided outstanding service from start to finish. Faced with rebranding of our entire company meant that our fleet of 36 vehicles had to be stripped and rebranded, quickly. Their talent, professionalism and kindness made working with them a pleasure. Five stars! Thank you!” — Kim Popowski, Marketing Director, PBI
Warranty & Service Guarantees: AP Wraps offers a two-year warranty that covers bubbling and peeling issues.
Location & Contact Info:
- Phone number: (866) 390-6790
- Location: 5397 Enterprise St, Sykesville, MD 21784

Portfolio:

#2: Capitol Shine – Arlington

Capitol Shine offers several automotive services, including car washing and waxing. Here, you can get free estimates from certified professionals.

Best For: When you want detailing and other services along with your car wrap, particularly for luxury vehicles.

Pricing: A full vehicle wrap can range from $2,500 – $10,000.
Customer Reviews: I have been a customer for several years now and am always amazed at the great job they do. My Highlander isn’t new but it looks nearly new when they get done cleaning and waxing and doing magic on the interior. I’ve gone to others for detailing. Am glad I found Capitol Shine. I won’t go anywhere else now. — S. D. (Arlington, United States)
- Most customers seem to have a good experience with service at Capitol Shine, with a few complaints about bubbling under their vehicle wraps.
Warranty & Service Guarantees: Capitol Shine’s major warranty offer comes with their full detailing service, not necessarily a wrapping job.
Location & Contact Info:
- Phone number: (202) 894-6024
- Location: 1310 N Courthouse Rd Arlington, VA 22201 United States

Portfolio:

#3: Capital Wrappers

Capital Wrappers is another vehicle wrapping service in the Washington, DC, area established in 2015. Unlike Capitol Shine, they specialize more towards car restyling than detailing.

Best For: Simple, custom car wraps for a wide variety of vehicles.

Pricing: Pricing is only available via a quote from the company.
Customer Reviews: Simply put, every aspect of working with CW has been fantastic. From first contact, to scheduling, to getting the job done — which exceeded every expectation I had — to the follow-up to ensure my satisfaction.. the team was just great. — Jeffrey B. (Potomac, US)
Warranty & Service Guarantees: No formal guarantees are listed on the Capital Wrappers website.
Location & Contact Info:
- Phone number: (301) 417-5977
- Location: 309 Howard Ave Ste C Rockville, MD 20850 United States

Portfolio:

#4: Wrapbeast

Wrapbeast is another certified vehicle tint and wrapping provider, offering online appointments and financing for more expensive services.

Best For: Full-service offerings with affordable financing options.

Pricing: Full vehicle PPFs can cost over $5,500, likely with similar prices for vinyl wraps.
Customer Reviews: These guys did a pretty solid job wrapping my zl1 hood and roof. Very timely, solid job. Only thing that bummed me out a little was that I was charged an extra $100 to remove some wrap off my roof. If I would’ve known, I would’ve just done it myself in advance. Probably more of my fault though, I won’t knock them. I’d recommend! — David W. (Manassas, US)
Warranty & Service Guarantees: Wrapbeast doesn’t offer warranties on installs done with aftermarket products.
Location & Contact Info:
- Phone number: (301) 747-4691
- Location: 7407 Livingston Rd Ste 101 Oxon Hill, MD 20745 United States

Portfolio:

#5: RoadRunner

RoadRunner is another player in the DC vehicle wrapping business, offering a wide array of vinyl wrap services.

Best For: General-purpose vehicle wraps from an experienced team.

Pricing:
- A partial wrap can start around $500
- A full wrap can range from $1,500 to $3,500.
Customer Reviews (only available for Beltsville location): Just had my logos put on the van at their shop in Beltsville. The whole process was pretty quick and easy. They worked with my logos and came up with the layout for me. I will be bringing my other work vans to them in the future. Nice work. Thanks guys — David L. (Greenbelt, MD).
Warranty & Service Guarantees: RoadRunner offers print and install warranties.
Location & Contact Info:
- Phone number: 301-937-3777
- Location: Kwik Signs 11215 Old Baltimore Pike, Beltsville, MD 20705

Portfolio:

How Van Wrapping Works (Step-by-Step)

Van wrapping can be broken down into 6 steps:

Design and Layout
Printing
Preparation of the Van Surface
Application of Vinyl Wrap
Trimming and Finishing Touches
Maintenance

1. Design and Layout:

The first step in van wrapping is designing a custom wrap for your specific van. This can be done by either providing your own design or working with a professional designer to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind the shape and size of your van when designing, as this can affect the overall look of the wrap.

2. Printing:

Once the design and layout are finalized, the next step is to print the design onto vinyl wrap material. This is typically done using large format printers that produce high-resolution images.

Pro Tip: Make sure to use high-quality printing materials for a more durable and long-lasting wrap.

3. Preparation of the Van Surface:

Before applying the vinyl wrap, the surface of the van needs to be thoroughly cleaned and prepped. This includes removing any dirt, grime, or wax that may interfere with the adhesion of the wrap.

Pro Tip: It’s important to use a gentle cleaner and avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the paint on your van.

4. Application of Vinyl Wrap:

Once the van surface is properly prepared, the vinyl wrap can be applied. This process involves carefully aligning and smoothing out the wrap onto the van’s surface, removing any air bubbles or wrinkles.

Pro Tip: It’s important to have a steady hand and take your time during this process to ensure a seamless application.

5. Trimming and Finishing Touches:

After the wrap is applied, any excess material will need to be trimmed off. This is usually done with a precision knife and requires careful attention to detail.

Pro Tip: Don’t rush this step, as clean edges and precise trimming can make a big difference in the overall appearance of the wrap.

6. Maintenance:

To ensure your custom van wrap lasts as long as possible, it’s important to properly maintain it. This includes regularly washing and waxing the wrap, avoiding harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing, and parking in shaded areas when possible.

Pro Tip: Invest in a special vinyl cleaner and protectant to keep your wrap looking like new.

Using Van Wraps Ads for Your Business: Pro Tips

Vehicle advertising, especially on a canvas as large as a van, creates ample opportunity for building brand visibility. Here are a few expert tips for making the most of your van wrap investment:

Tip #1: Keep it Simple and Clear

When designing your van wrap, less is often more. Stick to a clear and concise message that can be easily read from a distance, and avoid cluttering the design with too much information.