Q: What is “Itasha?”
A: Itasha is a Japanese word, translating to “painful car.” It’s used to describe vehicles that are wrapped in characters from various series, and called that because, at the time it became popularized, it was generally considered “painful” to drive or be seen in them. You may also see Itansha (motorcycles) or Itachari (decorated wheels on bikes).
Q: What do I have to do to get an Itasha? Where do I begin?
A: A design, which means you’re in the right place! Step 1 is always determining what character(s) you want on your project. You can opt to have art commissioned, custom made, or use existing art. If you opt to use existing fan art, its critical that you get permission from the original artist. Most credible designers, including Niji Designs, will require explicit written permission from artists before incorporating it into designs.
Q: How do I find/contact original artists?
A: There’s a few ways to do this. Most JP artists use Pixiv or Twitter, and in almost all cases, there is a business email or a contact email. It’s as simple as contacting them and asking if you can use their art for an Itasha! In our experience, most artists are willing. If you absolutely cannot locate a method of contact, you may need to search for other images to use for your design. You can also avoid this by having custom art commissioned.
Q: How much does getting a wrap cost?
A: At Niji Designs, our designs are priced to be affordable and flexible for you, the price depends ultimately on how complex or involved your design is.
After you approve your design and obtain it, you will need to take it to a vinyl wrap shop. The price for getting a wrap generally depends on the square footage of the print. The more expansive and involved your wrap, the more costly it will be. Prices at wrap shops also usually include both printing and installing, but results may vary. We will provide suggestions on wrap shops in your area as part of your Design Project (regional restrictions may apply.)
Q: How do I take care of my wrap after it’s installed?
Car Washes
We recommend hand washing your car for best results and longest life for your wrap. If you want to use a car wash, avoid brush car washes at all cost and use touchless laser washes. It’s recommended to wash your car regularly to keep off dirt and debris that can damage or reduce the vinyl’s life!
Vinyl Upkeep and Maintenance
We recommend using The Chemical Guys Wrap Detailer to protect your vinyl, especially if its parked in an open lot for prolonged periods of time. While garaging or covering your vehicle will help keep your vinyl vibrant and healthy, TCG Wrap Detailer will help to that end with a UV protectant.
More FAQs will be added later. If you have questions, feel free to send us a DM on our Social Media!