Choosing the right vehicle wrap design software is vital to converting your company’s vision into a tangible design.
While various options exist in this marketplace, which one you select depends on your business’s creative preferences and operation.
At Vinyl Lab Wraps, we are experts on all things related to vehicle wraps.
Below, we will outline some outstanding options for vehicle wrap design software in 2024.
CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW has built a consensus among vehicle wrap designers with its advanced feature list and impressive user interface.
Primarily known for its vector illustration tools, CorelDRAW empowers designers to develop precise graphical designs in the larger dimensions required for vehicle raps.
This flexibility makes it ideal for both seasoned designers and relative newbies alike.
Advantages:
- Custom Workspaces
- Advanced Vector Tools
- Color Management
- User Interface
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is widely respected in the design community, including designers in the car wrap industry.
Its comprehensive suite of design tools makes crafting detailed graphics simple.
In addition, its integration with Adobe Suite products like Photoshop and Indesign fosters seamless collaboration and versatility with other stakeholders.
Advantages:
- Advanced Vector Tools
- Adobe Suite Integration
- Common Industry Use
- Advanced Typography Tools
FlexiSIGN
FlexiSIGN is considered niche software in that it was explicitly developed for sign-making and car wrap production.
Its integration with vinyl cutters and plotters makes it a popular choice for those with an existing workflow.
While it lacks some of the design versatility of CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator, its industry specificity allows for simplicity and ease of use.
Advantages:
- Built-In Vehicle Templates
- Integration with Cutting and Printing Equipment
- Advanced Color Matching
- Industry Niched
Inkscape
For designers seeking a free option, Inkspace presents an open-source alternative to paid software.
Of course, choosing Inkscape over paid alternatives will result in less advanced features and integrations you’ll find with CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator.
However, Inkscape certainly holds its own in the vehicle wrap design space and has generated a community that provides regular updates and other resources.
With this in mind, beginners can learn a lot from using this software for vehicle wrap design.
Advantages:
- Free and Open-Source
- Active Community and Resources
Key Features to Consider in Vehicle Wrap Design Software
Many things go into creating an effective vehicle wrap design for your business, so you should consider various factors when selecting your design software.
Below, we will list some of the key features to consider when making your selection:
Vector-Based Design Tools
Vector graphics can be infinitely resized without causing pixelation, which makes them essential for vehicle wrap designs.
Unlike internet graphics, car wrap designs require unlimited scalability so that the design can appear optimally throughout the vehicle.
With this in mind, any design software should feature vector editing tools emphasizing shaping and precision.
Color Management
Car wrap design software must ensure that the colors on the screen precisely match the print color.
If a discrepancy exists between the on-screen and wrap colors, the client will be furious.
This problem also makes it nearly impossible for designers to craft their vision into reality.
As a result, any software you choose must feature strong color management and gradient control.
File Management
Most vehicle wrap designs are generated at extremely high resolutions, wich results in massive files.
Considering this, your design software must be able to handle these large files without crashing or lagging.
Some of this onus will extend to your computer and its processing speed.
Printer and Plotter Integration
A design software that doesn’t integrate with large-format printers or plotters is essentially useless.
Ensure the software supports file formats like PDF, EPS, and SVG, typically used by printers and cutting machines.
Vehicle Templates
Pre-loaded vehicle templates are essential to helpful design software. They help designers create wraps that match the precise dimensions of various vehicle types.
These templates save time and reduce the likelihood of errors while allowing designers to invest fully in the creative side of the projects.
Most software made for vehicle wrap designs comes with these pre-loaded libraries.
Layer Management
An understated aspect of wrap designs is the various layers that come into play.
For example, the company’s logo, slogan, and landscape images are all separate layers within a wrap design.
Ensure your software features a layer system for grouping, hiding, and locking various layers during the editing process.
Ease of Use
Although advanced features are appealing at first glance, ease of use must be a key consideration for vehicle wrap design software.
Since this software is part of your workflow, it’s essential to choose one that fits seamlessly into your process and allows you to maximize your creative energy.
A clean user interface goes a long way toward making the software easy for designers.
Selecting Your Design Software
When designing vehicle wraps, your software of choice should be predicated on the software’s ability to meet your production and creative needs.
Features like vector-baed design tools and comprehensive color management are essential to a fully functioning software suite.
It also helps when the software integrates with other essential production components like printers and cutting equipment.
CorelDRAW checks these boxes with its clean user interface and comprehensive vector-design tools.
Still, alternatives like Adobe Illustrator and FlexiSIGN hold their own in this comparison.
At the end of the day, choosing the right vehicle wrap design software is a personal choice that will depend on your comfort level with each tool and how seamlessly it fits into your broader production.