How to Create a Custom Tesla Paint Shop Wrap: Two Methods

Last month, I shared a few photos of a custom Tesla wrap I'd made and asked everyone what they thought. What surprised me was how many people asked, "How did you do that?" Some of those questions even came from friends who own Teslas.

A quick explanation: custom wraps for Tesla Paint Shop change the appearance of the 3D vehicle model on your Tesla's screen and in the app. Your actual car stays the same.

One friend messaged me afterward, saying he wanted to put photos of his pets on his digital car. That way, he could see them whenever he got in the car or opened the app. I thought that was a lovely idea.

I suggested using Tesla's official template with Photoshop, but he wasn't familiar with Photoshop and decided to leave it for now.

An online editor gives you another way to do it. Below, I'll walk through both approaches so you can choose whichever works for you.

Creating Your Custom Wrap

Method 1: Use Tesla's Official Template with Photoshop

If you're a designer or you're comfortable working with images in Photoshop, this approach gives you plenty of freedom to create your own design.

Step 1: Download the Official Template for Your Vehicle

Open Tesla's official GitHub repository and follow these three steps:

1. Select the folder for your vehicle. The example below uses model3-2024-base, which is for the 2024+ Model 3 Standard & Premium versions.
2. Open template.png inside that folder.
3. Click the download button in the top-right corner of the file preview.

Each shape in the template corresponds to a different area of the car. I've labeled a few below, including the hood, front doors, rear doors, and trunk, to make it easier to see where your artwork should go.

Step 2: Open the Template in Photoshop and Add Your Design

Open the template.png you just downloaded in Photoshop.

You can now add images, text, or other elements to the areas you want to customize, then adjust their size, position, and rotation. In the example below, a graphic is being positioned on the hood area.

When you're happy with the design, keep the template's original dimensions and export it as a PNG. I'll cover the file requirements and how to apply it to your Tesla at the end of the article.

Method 2: Use an Online Editor to Upload Photos or Generate a Design with AI

If you're not familiar with Photoshop, you can use an online editor to work directly in your browser.

One editor I'd recommend is Tesla Wrap Studio. Its gallery includes ready-made wraps you can download for free. You can also generate a design with AI or upload your own photos, then use the 3D preview to see how the design looks on the vehicle model.

Step 1: Open the Editor and Select Your Vehicle

When you open Tesla Wrap Studio, you can start by browsing the Gallery. If you find a ready-made wrap you like, check that it's for your vehicle before downloading it.

To create your own, open Wrap Editor and select your vehicle model and version in the top-left corner. The screenshots below use a Model Y 2025+ Standard, so make sure you choose the version that matches your car.

Step 2: Choose How You Want to Start

Option A: Generate a design with AI

If you don't have an image ready to use, click AI Generate at the bottom of the editor. Describe the theme, colors, and style you have in mind, then click Generate to create a design.

Option B: Upload and adjust your own photo

If you already have a photo you'd like to use, you can upload it directly. Here's how to put a photo of your dog on the right front door:

1. Select Right front door area in the left sidebar.
2. Click Add image at the bottom of the editor and upload your photo.
3. Move, resize, or rotate the image until you're happy with its placement.

Watch the 3D preview on the right as you make adjustments.

Step 3: Check the Design in 3D

Whichever option you choose, you can rotate the vehicle in the 3D preview to check the position and size of your artwork. Click Expand if you'd like a closer look.

Optional: Refine the Design with AI

If you've only designed part of the wrap, or you'd like to make the overall style more consistent, try AI Refine at the bottom of the editor. You can choose Complete remaining panels or Harmonize the design, depending on what you'd like to work on.

If you're already happy with the result, you can go straight to downloading it.

Step 4: Download Your Files

When your design is ready, click Download in the top-right corner. There are two types of images you can download:

• A PNG for Tesla Paint Shop: Use this file to import the wrap into your vehicle.
• A 3D preview image: Use this to save or share a picture of your design.

To apply the wrap to your Tesla, make sure you download the Paint Shop PNG.

Applying the Wrap to Your Tesla

Both methods leave you with a PNG file to import. Before you do, check these requirements:

1. Use PNG format.
2. Keep the original dimensions of your vehicle's template. Tesla lists a resolution range of 512 × 512 to 1024 × 1024 pixels and recommends using the template size.
3. Keep the file size at or below 1 MB.
4. Keep the filename to a maximum of 30 characters. Use letters, numbers, underscores, dashes, or spaces.

You can check these requirements in Tesla's official instructions.

Once the file is ready, transfer it using the Tesla app or a USB drive, then select it on your car's touchscreen under Toybox → Paint Shop → Wraps. For the detailed import steps, see Tesla Wrap Studio's upload guide.

For your first design, try something simple, like putting a favorite photo on one of the doors. Once you're comfortable with the process, you can add text, experiment with colors, and build a wrap that feels like your own.