Southern California Sign Blog

What is the DURABILITY OF VINYL VEHICLE GRAPHICS?

Durability of vehicle graphics is often a grey area. Some seem to last forever, others deteriorate quickly. Clients spending big money on a vehicle wrap are often concerned about this issue. The big question always is, how tough are your vehicle graphics? What is the warranty?

There are four factors that determine the durability of vehicle graphics:
• The quality of the mounting surface.
• The quality of the graphic products used.
• The installation methods used.
• Maintenance of the graphic during its lifetime.

WHAT'S UNDERNEATH?
The type of surface that the graphics will be mounted to has a major, but often overlooked, role when it comes to the long-term durability of vehicle graphics. For example, if the vehicle no longer has its factory paintjob, the quality of the repaint has a major effect on the adhesion of the graphics. The graphics might stick well to the paint, but if the paint doesn't stick to the vehicle, all is lost. Some unpainted vehicle surfaces, such as aluminum truck boxes, stainless steel tanker bodies or fiberglass box walls, may interfere with proper adhesion as well. Some graphic films specifically void any warranties on such substrates, others recommend various surface preparation techniques before application. Check with the manufacturer and proceed with caution. Preparation of the mounting surface prior to installation can have a huge effect on any graphic's durability. Not only must the vehicle's surface be squeaky clean, but all surface waxes and/or remnants of polish compounds should be removed as well. This can be done using a clean soft cloth and rubbing alcohol. A poorly prepared mounting surface will virtually guarantee early failure of an otherwise perfect wrap.

WHAT'S ON TOP?
The single largest factor in graphic durability has to be the graphic itself. This is a complex mix of print media, ink and overlaminate. All three items have to be carefully matched for maximum compatibility. Fortunately, manufacturers and sign professionals usually offer recommendations on which combinations work the best for their products and installations. Those with warranties only offer the maximum guarantees on specific tried and tested product combinations. Warranties on products range from one to seven years depending on the inks and overlaminates that are used. Recommended products are Avery Denninson, 3M, MACtac, Oracal and Arlon. All products offer different warranties so make sure you ask your Sign Professional what products they use.

WHO'S BEHIND THE SQUEEGEE?
Installation techniques are another critical aspect that effect long-term durability. Manufacturers' directions for each type of graphic material give specific instructions for installation that should be carefully followed. Special care must be taken when conforming the graphic film around complex surface shapes. These are the most likely areas to fail later. The more complex the surface, the more chances there are for tenting. The more cuts that have to be made in the graphic panel in order to make it fit the shapes, the more chances of edge failure. The more stretching that has to be done over convex shapes, the more chance of film cracking in the future. Anyway, you get the idea. Anything that you have to do to the graphic to alter its factory shape will affect long-term durability.

WHAT'S THE PLAN?
Maintenance after installation is the most overlooked aspect of durability for vehicle graphics. The client who might never consider missing an oil change might not help his wrap continue looking its best simply because they don't understand how to keep it safe. Keeping the vehicle clean and free from dirt, grease, salt, acid and drew build-up will help tremendously to extend the life of the wrap. The non-vertical or horizontal areas of a vehicle graphic can be the most challenging areas in which to maintain durability.

Here are some post-installation precautions that can improve long-term performance:
• Cleaning the vehicle should be done with a liquid, nonabrasive cleaner that has a ph value between 3 and 11 and no strong solvents in it.
• If using a pressure washer, make sure it has less than 2,000 psi of pressure; and hold the nozzle more than 12" from the graphic surface.
• Special care has to be taken around exposed graphic edges as well. Wash the vehicle with a soft cloth or sponge, not a hard brush, and avoid excessive scrubbing.
• Checking the graphic regularly can also help to prolong its life. Loose edges should be promptly repaired using an edge seal product.

THE LONG HAUL
Vehicle graphics can last a long time, or a short time. Either option may be required on any particular project. The short-term graphic is easy, but the long-term graphic requires planning, expertise and maintenance. It involves a delicate partnership between manufacturer, producer and client, but can produce amazing results when all of the stars are aligned.

REMEMBER....................

Key to success:
- Prior to installation, not only must the vehicle's surface be squeaky clean, but all surface waxes and/or remnants of polish compounds should be removed as well.
- Maintaining a wrap's good looks involves some effort from the client, such as using non-abrasive cleaners, avoiding stiff-bristle cleaning brushes, and checking frequently for loose edges.
- The quality of the installation will also affect a graphic's chances at long term durability. Careful attention to detail, making sure not to over-stretch the vinyl over curved surfaces and using a minimum of cuts and pinholes all add up to a more durable graphic.
- Failures generally happen first along areas where the vinyl was stretched to conform to dramatic surface features.

If you have any questions or need further information, please give The Sign Studio a call at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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TYPICAL BANNER FINISHING OPTIONS - What will work for you?

GROMMETS:
Provide a convenient method for attaching the banner at regular points. This distributes the banner's weight and helps to keep the banner from sagging. Grommets are the most common method to hang banners.

HEMMED EDGES:
Hemmed edges are typically used to reinforce the sides of vinyl banners, helping maintain the banner's shape and prevent stretching.

POLE POCKETS:
Pole pockets allow for rigid poles to be inserted along the edges of the banner. This allows for a more even distribution of the banner's weight to prevent sagging. Opposing pole pockets can also be used to make the banner more rigid.

POWER TAPE:
Power tape reinforces the edges of shear cut banners or banners that have no material available for hemmed edges.

BANNER-UPS:
A plastic tab with eyelet attached to each corner of the banner. This creates convenient attachment points to have a banner.

D-RINGS WITH NYLON WEBBING:
D-Rings with nylon webbing are typically sewn into large banners that will hang on buildings. The D-rings allow the banner to be secured with ratchet straps.

NYLON WEBBING:
Webbing sewn into the top and bottom makes the banner stronger and significantly extends banner life. Webbing is typically used in areas subjected to higher wind loads.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at The Sign Studio - (818) 843-9200 or e-mail us at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.

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Do I need to do a Site Survey before I decide on my signage? Absolutely!

Before starting on any sign project, it is essential to do a site survey. This holds true for monument signs, channel letter signage, outdoor banners etc. The initial survey is the single most important step of your design and marketing effort. Without the information from the survey, the most impressive signage can be rendered ineffective by existing conditions not otherwise recognized.

When conducting the survey, the following conditions should be documented:

• Approach - The distance measured along a line of travel from the point where the signage display first becomes visible to the point where copy is no longer readable (having passed perpendicular to the line of sight). Consider the approach to the business. What speed is permitted on the street(s)? What obstructions are along the approach? How clear is the line of sight?

• Exposure Time - Exposure time is the amount of time an observer has to view the content of the sign. Exposure time is a function of the approach, noticeability of the sign, legibility of the sign, and rate of travel along the approach path.

• Noticeability - This term is actually a combination of detection and conspicuity.

• Conspicuity - The quality of an object (sign) or a light source to appear prominent or to stand out in its surroundings. The depth associated with the individual channel letters contributes greatly to this quality.

• Detection - The quality or state of being perceivable by the eye. In many outdoor applications, visibility is defined in terms of the distance at which an object can be just perceived (i.e. detected) by the eye. Since channel letters can be spaced without an associated cost in square footage allocation, a spread pattern can often be used to increase the distance at which the letters can be discerned and read.

If you have any questions or need help with your Signage Site Survey, please give us a call at The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com
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HOW TO CREATE SIGN BANNERS that catch your ATTENTION!

Here are some statistics about basic color combinations, font styles, margins and graphics usage in successful banners. Since the primary goal of a banner is to grab the viewer's attention and then communicate a message, the banner should be readable and visually attractive. The following steps are a good place to start to create an appealing and attractive banner, and to maximize its effectiveness.

1. Choose appropriate font styles.
Avoid using more than two type styles on a banner. The more fonts used, the harder it is to read. Sans serif fonts like Helvetica, Futura and Antique Olive are the easiest to view from a distance. They should be used for the primary message on your banner. Likewise, serif fonts such as Goudy, Benguiat or Times are appropriate for a secondary message. Fonts such as Old English Text or Engraved are almost impossible to read correctly from a distance and should only be used when the viewer is stationary for a period of time (such as in a conference hall, meeting room or retail store) to be able to absorb the entire message at their own pace.

Take into account the type of business or event where the banner will be used. A bridal shop or beauty salon banner can be dressed up with a script font such as Brush or Commercial Script; however, these fonts would be out of place in an auto parts business.

Also, try to stay away from using all upper case lettering on your banner. It can be used for one word or a line of text for emphasis, however, it takes the human eye longer to read and process words in upper case.

2. Use Graphics Appropriately
Logos, clip art, borders, etc. can effectively be used to grab the viewer's attention, but should not overpower the sign's main message. If the viewer is only concentrating on the cool clip art or graphic, the message has been lost.

As a signage professional, we have already developed an eye for what works and what doesn't so if you need our help or have any questions, please give us a call. As you drive around your community, look around at all the banners grabbing for your attention. Notice the ones that stand out. Mentally take a note about one or two elements of the banner design that grabbed your attention in the first place.

3. Consider viewing distance and viewing time.
"How far away will the banner be from the viewer?" If a grand opening banner will be on the front of a business with a large parking lot between the storefront and the street, the letter height must be large enough to be viewed by drivers on the street. Also, keep in mind that a driver only has about 1.5 - 3 seconds to read a message while in motion. The chart below will help determine the correct height vs. viewing distance.

4. Use effective color combinations.
The following chart shows the most readable and successful color combinations in order of viewing effectiveness. Color combinations with high contrast between the background and letters are easier to read and can be viewed from greater distances. Always consider the type of business or event when choosing colors. Pink, purple, teal and orange colors aren't shown on this chart, but still can be used for certain holidays, special events or parties.

5. Banners need margins and white space.
Margin widths are usually the most abused spaces on a banner. Common errors include stretching letters and graphics to fill the entire banner to the edges, or the text and graphic is too small for the sign and the margins are too big. A general rule of thumb is to have the top and bottom margin be 10% of the height, and right and left margins be at least as wide as one of the banner's main font character width. For example, a 48" sign should have a 4.8" top and bottom margin. A three-foot wide banner should have at least a 3" margin on the top and bottom. Avoid filling the empty spaces of the banner with graphics. White space helps keep the viewer's eyes concentrated on the text.

Although these are good general guidelines, they might not always produce desired visual results. Use your own discretion and intuition. Creating attractive and effective signage is essential.

If you have any further questions or need The Sign Studio to design your banner or signage, please give us a call at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com.

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Get your message across with big, bold banners and flags. At The Sign Studio, our banners and flags provide a powerful way to draw attention to your product, event, business or organization. Whether displayed indoors or outdoors, hanging or in stands, there is no better way to make an impact. Durable, flexible and portable, banners and flags keep working for you—again and again.

Banners-Indoor

Attract new customers and grow sales with one of the most cost-effective advertising methods available. Banners are seen, read and acted upon over and over again each day. Whether you want to create product awareness, introduce special pricing, promote an event or draw visitors to your tradeshow booth, colorful indoor banners are a sure way to make an impact and generate excitement.

Banners-Outdoor

Draw attention and awareness to your business or organization—or promote an event, product or service—with high-impact outdoor banners from THE SIGN STUDIO. Highly visible everywhere you go, banners are a versatile, durable and affordable way to get noticed, even from a distance.

Flags

Make a statement with colorful flags from THE SIGN STUDIO. Whether you want a polyester pennant string, a company logo or a grand patriotic flag, we offer a wide variety of flags to meet your needs. Choose from a range of sizes, materials, colors and designs, all made to be durable for use indoors or out.



If you have any questions or need further information, please contact THE SIGN STUDIO at (818) 843-9200 or e-mail us at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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Floor Graphics sell for you!

Look down. What do you see? The first thing you see is the floor. People look at what's underfoot as soon as they approach your threshold.

Floor graphics...sell for you! If you aren't using your floor, you're wasting a selling tool.

Think about the potential for your floor. How much space is available? How much space can you clear to accommodate your floor graphics? Have you thought about the floor in your restrooms?

If your restrooms are ADA compliant, you have a clear space about six feet in diameter, the size required to turn a wheelchair. Let us design floor graphics for your restrooms.

Floor graphics should be clear, easy to read from a distance of 6 feet, and be understood quickly.

If you don't want to present specific products on your floor, how about your company logo? Even a location like a doctor's office or a lawyer's office would be enhanced by using floor graphics.

Why do you have a company logo? Because you are looking for instant recognition. You want people to say "I've seen that before" about your logo. Use it often and in unique places. Incorporating your logo in floor graphics, you will be surprised at how well they sell for you.

If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, please give us a call at The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com.

When faced with the task of reviewing the many choices of signs available, it helps to approach it by first looking at the three primary locations in which you will typically use on-premise signs:

1. Building Mounted signs
2. Freestanding signs
3. Interior signs

Keep in mind that there are dozens of possible sign options and configurations, each as unique as a business' needs.

Here are some of the options you may want to consider in your sign:

• Building mounted on-premise signs may be attached to the roof, parapet, marquee, or building fascia. These signs may be either parallel or perpendicular to the building surface.

• Freestanding on-premise signs are generally supported by a structure attached to or cast in a foundation. . The structure and attachments to the foundation may be concealed with a decorative covering. Freestanding signs can be further enhanced by landscaping.

• On-premise signs can be either internally or externally illuminated. For retail businesses, on-premise signs should be illuminated too accomplish communication with potential customers during nighttime hours.

• Sometimes a building itself functions as a sign. This occurs most often with franchise and chain retail operations, where standardized (or "signature") buildings and colors, as well as traditional on-premise signs, announce the presence of the business.

• Buildings also may be fitted or retrofitted with "trade dress" to design a theme. Retrofitting of a building-facade is often described as a "face lift." Both building and freestanding signs should be designed to echo the theme or trade dress.

• Changeable copy boards or electronic message centers enhance a sign's effectiveness by providing space to advertise time dependent messages. Such sign or sign additions can be electronically controlled (the electronic message center), or changed manually (the changeable copy sign).

• Interior on-premise signs are those that advertise the location of businesses located in a common building such as a mall, office building or entertainment complex. They have two major purposes:
1. to influence buyer choices and encourage certain "point of purchase" transactions; and
2. to provide guidance in a safe and efficient manner, as required by local regulatory authorities and federal law.

Primarily, there are building mounted, freestanding and interior signs, within which are many types of signs. Carefully reviewing the many types of signs, and considering how well they will meet your location and business' needs, will enable you to select the kind of signs you need for your greatest business success.

Here are descriptions of various types of signs you might use:

Building mounted signs are essentially "signs that are applied or attached to a building." Within this expansive definition, however, fall many separate types of building mounted signs. Here are some different signs you might use.

Wall or Fascia
A sign that is attached to the exterior wall or fascia of a building. The building fascia is that portion of any elevation of a building extending vertically from the grade to the top parapet wall or eaves, and horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation, including slanted wall surfaces sometimes referred to as a mansard.

Building Mounted Signs

Awning
A building mounted sign that provides additional functionality as shelter. Awnings are most often found over walkways, doorways or window areas.

Projecting
A building mounted sign with the faces of the sign perpendicular to the building fascia.

Sign band
A horizontal area above a multi-tenants' building's entrances, architecturally designed to accommodate complementary signs for each tenant.

Roof sign
A building mounted sign erected on the roof of a building.

Parapet
A sign mounted on top of the parapet of a building.

Window
A sign that is displayed in a window, whether it is attached to the window, or it is applied to the window.

Freestanding Signs
Canopy
A sign that is displayed on a marquee or Canopy.

Pylon
A freestanding sign with visible support structure or with the support structure enclosed with a pole or pylon cover.

Joint Tenant sign
A sign used to display the names of tenants of a business complex.

Monument
A ground sign with low overall height.

Pole
A freestanding sign with visible support structure.

High-rise pole
A tall freestanding pole sign.

Directional
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Electronic Message Center
A variable message sign that utilizes computer-generated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs include displays using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs or a flipper matrix.

Interior Signs

Directional Sign
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Directory
A sign that identifies the names and locations of tenants in a multi-tenant building or in a development made up of a group of buildings.

Regulatory Sign
A sign having the primary purpose of conveying information concerning rules, ordinances or laws.

Mall Signs
A wide variety of typical on-premise sign types located within the interior of a multi-tenant building or mall.

Point-of-Purchase (POP)
Signs that advertise a product at its point-of-purchase.

If you have any questions or need further information, please send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200. The Sign Studio is here to help YOU!
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Vinyl and Graphic Sign Banners - How great they are!

Banners can do many things for you!
Vinyl Banners are meant to be noticed. Whether you are looking to target market potential clients, advertise an event, or send a message to the world, a banner will more than accommodate your plans.

The Sign Studio and it's team of design specialists, trained in the design and marketing field, use the most innovative technology available today. The Sign Studio is equipped to provide you with the most spectacular banners, your message is sure to be an attention getter. With a weather resistant vinyl format, these state-of-the-art banners easily mount to any location. Easy to display, rain or shine, a vinyl banner by The Sign Studio offers reliability without the stress of wondering if anyone will see your words. A stress-free, bold, brilliant color banner is beyond a doubt the answer to conventional advertising.

Aside from the fact a vinyl or graphic banner by The Sign Studio can feature full color photographs, customized to suit every need, it is an economically smart choice. Comparing the astronomical cost of print advertising to get the attention of potential clients, a vinyl banner is a far wiser choice. Even black and white newspaper and magazine ads cannot cost compare to a full color banner.

Ordering a custom banner is simple, either e-mail us a request at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200. In addition to the professional service and easy steps it takes to order a banner, there are no hidden fees. The Sign Studio will send you a quote within a few minutes and we understand your need to advertise on a budget. Ordering a cost effective banner is not an opportunity you can only take advantage of certain times of the year. Vinyl banners by The Sign Studio are available at an economical price all year long.
Moreover, the quality of our banners demonstrates just how understanding the company is, knowing banners are not always used for advertising purposes. A family reunion, your child's baseball game, a neighborhood picnic, welcoming guests on a colorful banner is a keepsake to be remembered. A banner makes for a special gift when celebrating a birthday, birth of a child, even an anniversary. The Sign Studio always delivers high quality vinyl banners without substituting style and personal taste.

Delivering nationwide, ordering a vinyl banner for your personal event or business function relieves the stress of finding a quick turn-around company. Available at your fingertips, The Sign Studio realizes your need to have all of the particulars worked out in a timely manner. A 24-48 hour turn around time from the moment you sign off on your layout is simply another outstanding service you will receive from The Sign Studio. In addition to understanding the importance of a timely turn around, The Sign Studio acknowledges a businesses need to invest in a tool for long term. These superb vinyl banners can be used multiple times and always remain outstanding in color, giving you the results you need each and every time.

If you have any questions or need further information or simply want to order a banner, please send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200.

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Wayfinding signage and Planning Services aka Directional Sign Systems

If you have any questions or need further information or simply want to order a custom vinyl banner, please send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200.

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