Does Your Sign Need a Refresher?“Busy” is probably the word that people use the most nowadays, and there are certainly some good reasons. We all get caught up with a business to run and there are only 24 hours in a day. But, let’s not sugar coat it either. “Busy” is also a polite way to push less important things to later, and sometimes an excuse to procrastinate or avoid making a decision. For many businesses out there, replacing a damaged or outdated sign is not a priority; way too often signage falls in the “to do later” category. However, signs tell your customers so much about your business before they even open the door. A survey from FedEx released in May 2012 states that “76 percent of American consumers enter a store they have never visited before based on its signs,” and that “68 percent of consumers believe a store’s signage is reflective of the quality of its products and services.” So, next time you walk past that discolored sign in front of your building, think about the negative impact that it has on your brand, co-workers’ morale, clients, and prospects. Start to Identify the Bad SignsThe installation and replacement of signs is a part of your marketing effort, so they should be part of your budget, part of your review process, and should answer two major questions:
If you are unsure of where to start, have a walk through your building and identify all the signs that are broken, damaged, discolored, or out of date. Create a list of signs that are subject to replacement. Try to identify the signs with a missing piece of the plastic or a crack across the face, or take an opportunity to replace that fluorescent light with some LED lighting. Sometimes there is no need to change the entire sign but only replace some parts. The great thing about signs is that they can be repurposed and upgraded. If you are unsure of what needs to be changed or what can be repurposed, team up with a sign consultant who can audit your premises, guide you through the decision-making process, and help you come up with a plan. What's Next?Signs are a 24/7/365 advertisement for your brand. They create first impressions, help people find you, and make you stand out and be remembered.
Ultimately, they enhance your business visibility and make a positive impact on sales. Don’t be complacent with bad signs which will depreciate the perception of your business and hard work. If you need help, talk to a signage consultant at Insignia Signs and Wraps and seek some advice.
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Vehicle wraps are a hot topic for any business. They are extremely cost-efficient to advertise your business to any passerby
Can a vehicle wrap damage the paint of a vehicle?Did your vehicle recently get a new paint job? Then, you might need to think twice before opting for either a full or partial vehicle wrap and consider the different options you have. Although vehicle wraps can make a bold, eye-catching statement for your brand and instantly pimp-up your ride, a good paint job is essential. If your vehicle’s paint suffers from surface imperfections impacting its texture, the defects will transfer through the vinyl and be visible. As a general rule, if your vehicle has any:
All of these conditions can create surface weaknesses that can impact the adhesion of the vinyl to your vehicle. This even applies to top-tier vinyl films, and it can cause the paint to peel off if the vinyl wrap is ever removed. Therefore, most professionals will tell you that vehicle wraps are only suitable for application onto OEM-factory paint quality, and not intended to be applied to aftermarket-finished paint jobs. Most of the time, aftermarket paint jobs are not using the same paint quality, or respect the same application or curing process to the same level as the OEM-factory paint jobs. The best way to avoid regretting a decision with your vehicle is to discuss it with an expert. What kind of vinyl is applied to your vehicle?If your vehicle has it’s original paint job or got a recent paint job using high-quality paint (while respecting factory application and curing process), the next step is to know which vinyl goes on your vehicle. If you desire a full or partial vehicle wrap, you may want to consider top-tier vinyl for their durability. Just like anything else, there are different types of vinyl at different price points, offering various results even in the portfolio of the top tier brands. Hence, saying that a 3M or Avery Dennison’s vinyl is applied to your vehicle does not mean much and certainly isn’t the guarantee that it is the right choice for your project. All manufacturers, including 3M and Avery Dennison, offer different vinyl ranging from the highest quality that will last to the most economical option that will offer less durability. If you think all vinyl looks alike at first glance, there are great differences between a cast and a calendered vinyl, for instance - both vinyl types being at different ends of the product range:
The best way to make sure that you make the right choice is to discuss your project with a professional installer. It’s all about preparationYou should wash your vehicle the day before the vinyl application with water and a simple detergent. The wash needs to be thorough, and some parts of the vehicle should be subject to greater care to be irreproachably spotless. These areas include:
Once most of the dirt, grease, pollen, and other contaminants are removed, do not cover the clean surface with any wax or paint protector - it would be detrimental to the vinyl adhesion. Once the cleaning process is completed, bring your vehicle to the wrap installer to let it dry. It is important to clarify that before any graphics application, the vehicle must be completely dry. Any trapped moisture or the presence of water in certain areas of the car can cause adhesion issues of the vinyl that could compromise the project. What's Next?Whether you are looking to get a full or partial wrap of your car, truck, van, or bus, the surface quality and preparation, and product selection require attention and care. Therefore, seek the advice of an expert installer able to guide you through your project.
For more information about preparation, application, and products, connect with Insignia Signs & Wraps.
The Industry Challenge
Like manufacturing companies and corporate America, the home building industry is challenged with building a better product using tighter schedules and of course, a tighter budget. With all of these challenges, the architecture, engineering and construction industry must also meet the growing demand for greener more sustainable methods. Yet, we must not sacrifice quality as the new homeowner is always searching for a better product. What's The Solution? While the sign industry may not play the most upfront role in residential construction, we still have a part and must be able to meet the same demand. Although sign companies like Insignia Signs & Wraps can offer a variety of different signs for the industry, the big focus of the tradeshow for us were Monument Signs which are produced offsite using lighter, durable and often sustainable materials. This allows us to manufacture in parallel with the site development positively impacting the construction schedule. As we can produce in a climate-controlled environment, we are not affected by weather conditions. Materials used are typically lighter meaning construction or installation methods are simplified requiring less labor. All of which reduces the impact on the construction costs. We complimented our Monument Sign display with a variety of other signage including Traffic Signs, ADA signs, Direction Signs, Yard Signs, Banners, and more. When developing a community, whether it is a senior, gated, private, golf or any other the Traffic Signs used can help represent the quality and care that went into the community development. Placing Speed Limit Signs that are routed from sustainable materials can add that extra style an off the shelf aluminum sign would lack. In addition to the above, we were able to present examples of both indoor and outdoor signage using a number of different materials. Each of which can strengthen the brand and quality the designers, builders, developers and homeowners’ associations want to convey in their finished products. Each can inspire creativity as signage no longer just sends a message, it is part of the message and an extension of the architecture. What Are The Take-Aways? While sometimes the Signage is the last to be installed and usually a smaller line item in the budget, the signage is what your customers the homeowner sees every day. It is the brand that can shine for years. Today’s sign industry has a wider range of materials and manufacturing processes than ever before. We are grateful that Insignia Signs and Wraps was able to join the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey and its manufacturing partners in highlighting our capabilities. |
By George
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