Southern California Sign Blog

Lifetime Warranty On Your Dimensional Letters? Absolutely!

There are some instances when the signage you buy comes with a lifetime guarantee and Gemini lettering is just what comes to mind. Gemini has become a familiar supplier to many sign fabrication concerns for this very reason! The warranty covering lettering, custom logos and shapes extends to fading, breaking, as well as defects in the manufacturing process. This represents a true cost saving that protects your investment in this portion of your sign. Whether you order individual letters for mounting directly to your building or storefront, or integrate the lettering for mounting on an exterior post and panel sign or monument, the fact remains that you are making a very smart investment choice. The material finishes are rigorously tested to withstand extreme environmental conditions and this process is continually refined. Like most signs, periodic maintenance, like dusting and washing them with mild dish soap, will keep your lettering looking great for years!

The Sign Studio is proud to supply Gemini lettering, like the metal laminates pictured above, to our customers. Other options range from molded plastic, cast and cut metals, or metal faced lettering mounted to a variety of substrates. Feel free to consult with us about your choices in lettering style, size and mounting options, as well as Gemini aluminum and bronze plaques.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please call us at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.
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GROUND MOUNT METHODS FOR INSTALLATION OF MONUMENTS, PYLON AND POLE SIGNS

The most common and effective ground mount methods of installation are:

Pouring a concrete pad is a safe way to prepare a site for signage. The concrete will be
hard and dry when you are ready to install and the stands can be made at your leisure.
To install simply bolt the plate at the bottom of the stand to the concrete base using
Hilti-type expanding fasteners.
Pros: Easy install, easily removable.
Cons: Sign is not theft proof.

If more permanence is required, dig a big hole, put the stand in the hole, and fill with
concrete.
Pros: Very durable.
Cons: Difficult to remove.

Some sites do not allow concrete for environmental reasons. This means digging a
bigger hole and filling with rocks before covering with earth.
Pros: Environmentally friendly.
Cons: Time-consuming, not as durable.

Always remember to check with your local Zoning and Planning Departments before installing any projects.

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

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Architectural Sign Install Techniques for Wall Mount Methods

There are many ways to install an architectural signs. Here are some of the most successfully used methods along with some illustrations for you to decide what will work best for the look you are trying to obtain.

WALL MOUNT METHODS

Edgeclips are clipped onto the edges of the signs and then fastened to the
mounting surface.
Pros: Good looking, easy to change graphic.
Cons: Not very strong.

Adhesives provide an alternate mounting method. Options include liquid adhesives like contact cement or construction glue and roll adhesives like double-sided tape and mounting films.
Pros: Can be very strong, some epoxies and tapes are stronger than welding. Invisible.
Cons: May never come off.

In some circumstances studs can be attached to the backs of graphic panels. These studs
can be glued into inserts placed in the receiving surface.
Pros: Strong and invisible.
Cons: More expensive, difficult to remove.

Framing systems allow for strong, invisible mechanical fasteners to be used.
Pros: Strong, tamper-proof and invisible fasteners.
Cons: More expensive and highly visible frame.

Graphics can be mounted onto surfaces using mechanical fasteners.
Pros: Strongest attachment method, easily removable.
Cons: Visible hardware.

Frameclips are similar to Edgeclips except that the attachment is through the face of the graphic.
Pros: Good looking, strong.
Cons: Expensive.

French cleats are commonplace for mounting to flat, vertical surfaces. Cleats must be
straight and smooth and perfectly aligned.
Pros: Strong and invisible.
Cons: More expensive, graphics cannot be flush to the wall.

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

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES IN YOUR PARKING LOT?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provides guidelines to prevent discrimination against people with mental or physical disabilities. A small section in this broad act sets the standard for handicapped parking spaces in public parking areas.

How many handicap parking spaces do you need? All parking lots must have at least one van-accessible parking space. If the lot holds between 26 to 50 cars, the lot must have two spaces - one car and one van. The formula adds an additional space at 76+, 101+, 151+, 201+ and 301+. At 501+ spaces, 2% of the spaces in the lot must be handicapped accessible.

Our easy to use chart below will take some of the guess-work out of creating a compliant parking lot.

No one from ADA will ever come to your workplace and cite you for a violation, however, you will be held liable for a safety issue if your parking lot is not compliant. The Sign Studio has same-day shipping on all handicapped signs and 1-2 day shipping on custom handicapped signs.

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

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Banners are the most popular, versatile, and cost effective type of signs among businesses today.

You've come to the right place for your custom vinyl or digital print banners. At The Sign Studio we encourage you to let our experts design your banner for the most effective utilization possible. Custom vinyl banners are among the most popular and cost effective forms of advertising for businesses today. From all weather vinyl banners to our indoor event banners, see what The Sign Studio can do for you!

Customize your banner!

The limitless size and available colors of our outdoor banners allows you to customize a large commercial banner for your business or we can design anything on your mind. If you are not sure what you want, let our expert designers show you some layouts. With emerging technologies, banners are now available in several different materials including poly, vinyl, nylon and flex-face. The ease of installation and effectiveness of vinyl banners makes advertising easy.

Give us a call at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net for further information or if you have any questions.

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Burbank Sign Company | Sign Are Your Advertising & Marketing Winner!

SIGNS AS A MARKETING TOOL!

Have you considered the impact that your sign has on your business?Let's discuss what signage can do for your business, and how signs can be used to your advantage.

Introduction
Signs are one of the most efficient and effective means of communication. Signs help people find you; they reach people who are passing by your establishment; they present an image of your business. In short, signs, tell people who you are and what you are selling.
Signs are such a powerful communication medium that it is difficult to estimate the extent of their influence. Other media require the directed attention of the person receiving the message. Signs, however, can convey a message while creating a mood or feeling of atmosphere. It is not necessary for people to give full attention to your sign in order to derive meaning from its presence.

What Is a Sign?
A sign is the most direct form of visual communication available. In fact, so many people use signs without a second thought that it is easy to overlook their importance. When we cannot talk to other people directly in a given location, we tack up signs: wet paint, beware of dog, enter here, garage sales, etc. signs are the only form of mass communication directly available to everyone - they are the people's street communication system.

What Signs Can Do for Your Business
- Signs perform three major communications functions for your business; they give information and direction, provide a format for street advertising, and build your image.
- Signs Give Information About Your Business and Direct People to Your Business Location.
- Signs index the environment so people can find you. This is especially true for travelers, new members of your community, and impulse shoppers who may be on a journey to purchase a particular good or service which you sell. Americans are mobile. Each year 40 million of us travel over 1.7 trillion miles by automobile and approximately 19 per cent of us change our place of residence. A primary source of customers for your business is the large number of people who are new to your community or who may be just passing through. Your sign is the most effective way of reaching this mobile or transient group of potential customer.
- Signs can correct a poor location by substituting effective communication for poor site characteristics. If your business is located on a site which is not visible or in a building which does not correspond with the goods or services offered, your sign can overcome this disability. For example, most buildings are not built to conform to the design needs of any particular type of tenant. Without an effective sign it is often impossible to determine what type of business is being conducted in a given building. In addition, when your site is located off a busy traffic artery or in an area which is not easily accessible your sign can communicate to people who are passing on a busy street several blocks away. If you are located off a busy freeway but far from an exit, your sign becomes your main device for directing people to your business. High-rise signs are used when a business is located away from potential customers' normal pathways of travel.

Signs Are Street Advertising
Your sign provides an easily recognizable display format for the goods or services you are selling. For most businesses the street is where potential customers are. The message conveyed on the street reaches people who are close enough to make a purchase.

Street advertising also helps people develop a memory of your business name and the products and services you sell. People tend to buy from businesses they know.

Signs can build an image for your business and help you identify with the market segment you are trying to reach.

Through materials and design, a sign can appeal to a given group of potential customers. For example, some firms attempt to capture the youth market, others senior citizens, others unmarried single people and so forth. If you have a particular market segment that you wish to attract to your business, your sign can be an important means of bringing these people in.

The Advantages of Signs
On-premise signs are your most effective and efficient means of commercial communication because they are inexpensive, available, practical, easy to use, always on the job, and directly oriented to the trade area of your business.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact The Sign Studio at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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Stand out at your next trade show or event with retractable banners from THE SIGN STUDIO!

Our retractable banner stands are an easy, cost-effective promotional solution. All of our retractable banner displays are constructed in eco-friendly facilities and are even recyclable once they've reached the end of their life.

THE SIGN STUDIO offers several banner stand models in both standard and economy categories to suit your needs and wallet!

Our standard family of retractable banners is a group of high-quality, rigid retractable banner stands made in the USA from the finest materials. These retractable banners feature molded end plates and a three-piece bungee corded pole. Our standard models stand 83.25 inches tall and are available in widths of 31.5 inches, 35.5 inches, and 39.25 inches. Double-sided retractable banner displays are also available.

Our economy line of retractable banner stands are a low-cost alternative to our standard roll up banner stands. THE SIGN STUDIO's economy models are functional and reliable, but use lighter weight materials and simpler construction to save you money. These portable banner stands are produced by a handful of independent retractable banner and display producers from all across Asia. Two economy models are available to fit your needs and your budget: our single-sided model measures 31 inches wide and 77.5 inches tall, while our double-sided retractable banner is 32.75 inches wide and 78.25 inches tall.

If you need help with your graphics, let the experts at THE SIGN STUDIO design it for your, just sit back and wait for your layouts to review via e-mail. It's that simple!

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

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SIGN VARIANCE - What is that? Why do I need a Sign Variance?

It is important to work with your sign professional and local zoning department when designing your business signage. A quick check on the zoning/building code will give you a guideline to use when developing your signage.

Sign variances become necessary when unique circumstances exist for a property that do not allow for adequate identification of the business. Most sign variances are requested for the purpose of exceeding a municipality's square footage or setback allowances. A quasi-judicial board of elected community members will hear your case and make a decision based on the characteristics of your specific request. Many communities request that you consider and provide answers to the Duncan Factors (used for consideration of area requests).

These are seven factors which the board must answer before approving your variance request. Please find these factors, summarized below:

1). Will the property provide a reasonable return without the variance?
2). Is the variance substantial?
3). Will the surrounding properties be adversely effected by the variance?
4). Will the variance inhibit government services (fire, police, ems)?
5). Is the hardship self-inflicted?
6). Is there a reasonable alternative to this variance?
7). Does the variance follow with the keeping of the zoning code? (Minimum amount needed)

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

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Quality Signs and Vehicle Wraps Are Worth It!

Fair & Reasonable Pricing On Quality Wraps Are Worth It!

So often we look to economize, especially in light of the current economy. However, the old adage, "you get what you pay for," really does hold true, particularly when it comes to vehicle wraps. Here are some of the signs you should look for in evaluating the quality of a vehicle wrap:

• Check the bumpers. These are difficult to wrap given that there are lots of curves, nooks, and crannies. Make sure that premium wrap materials (cast vs. calendared) were used and that the material is not lifting, especially on the underside. This is sometimes an area were trimming, tucking and priming is sometimes overlooked.

• Are the grills and fenders wrapped? This is important if the grill and fender color of the original paint job does not match the new wrap colors. They should be wrapped to match!

• Make sure the door handles are wrapped with the same photorealistic image as the rest of the vehicle.
There's nothing worse than the original color door handles poking out from the image. I saw an example recently of a white door handle showing through on a matte black wrap!

• Make sure that seams are kept to a minimum, especially on the sides. It's possible to pay a little more to have full sheets printed so that there is less seaming necessary. Also, be sure to check the top and bottom of the vehicle to make sure that the original paint is not showing through. (Keep in mind that some people opt not to wrap the top of the vehicle because this area may not be visible or non-essential. This is more a matter of personal preference).

• Pay attention to placement and layout of the graphics, especially if the image includes faces. A face in the middle of a door handle may not be what you had in mind. Make sure that the designer tells you about any design glitches before the installation.

As you can probably tell from the discussion above, there may be reasons for that cheap price that you have been quoted. Don't settle for a "wrap gone wrong!" Have it redone. After all it's your image, branding and reputation that are at stake.

Call us at The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 to make sure you get the quality vehicle wrap that you deserve. Or send us an e-mail with your questions or request at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.

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Signs Are Effective

Your sign is an integral part of your advertising program along with the other forms of commercial communication such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and billboards. There are four basic criteria used to judge the effectiveness of these advertising media: (1) coverage of the trade area, (2) repetition of a message, (3) readership of a message, and (4) cost per thousand exposures of a message. Two other criteria important for the small business owner are (5) availability and (6) ease of use. Let's see how signs measure to the above criteria.

1) Signs are oriented to your trade area. Signs do not waste your resources by requiring you to pay for wasted advertising coverage. The people who see your sign are the people who live in your trade area.

2) Signs are always on the job repeating your message to potential customers. Your on-premise sign communicates to potential customers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, week after week, month after month, year after year. Every time people pass your business establishment they see your sign. The mere repetition of the message will help them remember your business.

3) Nearly everyone reads signs. Signs are practical to use for nearly everyone is used to looking at signs and using signs, even small children. Studies have shown that people do read and remember what is on signs. When special items are displayed, sales increase for these particular items within the store.

4) Signs are inexpensive. When compared to the cost of advertising in some other media, the on-premise sign is very inexpensive. Table 1 indicates the cost-per-thousand-exposures for various media in a given type of community. Unless your trade area encompasses an entire city or region, where you must rely upon broad based media coverage, there is no better advertising dollar value than your on-premise sign.

5) Signs are available to each and every shop owner. There is no need to schedule the use of your sign. Your sign is available to you whenever you need it and to be used however you please.

6) Signs are easy to use. No special skills or resources are needed to operate a sign once it has been installed. If it is an illuminated sign, all you need to do is flip the switches and that may not be necessary with timing equipment. Once the initial expenditures are made no special resources or professional services are needed. You need only operate and maintain your sign.

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact The Sign Studio at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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