Some projects sound almost too good to be true when you tell the story years later. This is one of them: Rocket Wraps wrapped a guitar for Prince. Yes, that Prince.
If you know our work around Nashville, you're probably familiar with commercial vehicle wraps, fleet graphics, wall graphics, or upfitting. Those projects keep us busy. But every once in a while, something completely different comes through the door and reminds us why we love working with graphics in the first place.
A guitar for one of the most recognizable musicians in the world? That definitely qualifies.
Not Your Average Wrap Job
Wrapping a guitar is nothing like wrapping the side of a box truck. A vehicle gives you broad panels and room to build a design that reads from across a parking lot. A guitar has a compact shape, tight curves, pickups, controls, and edges that are visible from every angle.
And this wasn't a guitar that could fade into the background. The instrument featured an electric mix of red, yellow, pink, and black, with flame-like shapes and striking symmetrical artwork across the body. It's the kind of graphic that demands attention before anyone plays a single note.
The accompanying photographs tell part of the story. One shows the guitar being played on stage; another shows the same distinctive instrument behind glass alongside a coordinating garment. Seeing a custom graphic exist in those two very different settings is pretty special.
The Prince Story We Still Tell
There is also a detail from this job that makes us smile. As the Rocket Wraps team recalls it, Prince wanted a good deal. That's right: the artist known for an unmistakable style still cared about the price.
Our original telling of the story put it this way: “I wrapped this guitar for Prince (yep, that Prince). He said he wanted a good deal.”
It's a funny, human detail about an extraordinary project. We won't pretend to know what was going through his mind or invent a dramatic backstage conversation. The project itself is more than enough of a story.
Have a creative project that doesn't fit the usual mold? Talk to Rocket Wraps about your idea. We love seeing what a great graphic can do on an unexpected surface.
A Great Graphic Has to Work With the Object
One lesson from specialty wrapping is that the surface matters just as much as the art. A design that looks amazing in a flat mockup needs to make sense once it meets the real-world shape of the object.
On this guitar, the graphic feels connected to the instrument rather than simply placed on top of it. The vivid shapes follow the body's outline and make the guitar recognizable even in a busy stage photo. From a distance, the colors read immediately. Up close, there's plenty to explore.
That approach applies to everyday projects too. A branded service van, a trailer, a restaurant wall, or an unusual piece of equipment all have their own dimensions and visual challenges. The trick is making a graphic feel like it belongs there.
Beyond the Ordinary
Most customers don't need a guitar wrapped for a music legend. They need their business to look professional, their vehicles to stand out, or a space to have more personality. But the creative mindset is the same: understand the surface, make the design work, and give people something worth looking at.
We're proud this guitar is part of our story. It's proof that even a small object can become a memorable canvas.
Got something unusual in mind? Contact Rocket Wraps in La Vergne, Tennessee to discuss custom graphics, commercial wraps, signage, and creative projects throughout the Nashville area.