Insignia Signs and Wraps | Custom Sign Company - JACKSON, BRICK, WALL, FREEHOLD, NJ
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BLOG & NEWS

Overlaminate This! Rock Your Wall, Floor and Window Graphics

12/27/2019

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Overlaminates can help your business thrive. Who would have thought they could? Yet, overlaminates offer the finishing touch to your sign while keeping your designs safe.

In the race to open your business or complete a renovation, have you ever considered how overlaminates can help to improve the aesthetics and durability of your wall, window, and floor graphics? 

The answer is “probably not.” So, next time you speak to your sign company about your illuminated signs, window, floor, and wall graphics, try to discuss overlaminates and how they can positively impact your signage project.
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 If you need to know why take five minutes to read on.
“Overlaminates,” you said?

Is our graphic design going to get us that “wow” factor? Are the graphics going to be installed on time for the ribbon-cutting? How will people react to our choices? What kind of feedback are we going to get?

These are some of the questions that many business owners have in mind when discussing signage. In other words, it is in our human nature to focus on the immediacy of the reaction to offer a great brand experience. 

But, how will the graphics on walls, floors, and windows look like in a few months or years after the installation? Perhaps, business owners assume that they will not change.

For sure, as directly responsible for your marketing choices, you would hope that your investment will last at least a few months or even a few years. But, have you specified or discussed your options to protect your designs from environmental damages?

The answer is simple: Overlaminates.
What’s an Overlaminate?

They are your wall, window, and floor graphics best friends. And yet, you probably never noticed them or even suspected that they existed. 

Overlaminates are thin protective films that are laminated onto your printed vinyl to offer protection to UV degradation, water, pollution, and many other external factors.  

They come in a variety of clarity, finishes, and textures to protect your graphic designs. They can be:
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  • Translucent and transparent to allow daylight to enhance your window graphics 
  • Textured which will take advantage of the surface imperfections of the wall or offer a specific visual effect
  • Anti-slip for floors
  • Scratch, skid & scuff resistant with different levels of hard-coat.
  • Anti-graffiti 

By adding the appropriate overlaminate, you can dramatically increase the functionality of your signage while increasing their life-time.  

From a purely visual perspective, overlaminates offer the ability to get different surface cosmetics:
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  • With a medium gloss or high gloss, the overlaminate will help to really accentuate the vibrancy of your colors and enhance the overall design
  • With a matte to ultra-matte finish, your overlaminate will reduce light reflection and allow your design to blend into the surroundings
In other words, overlaminates can help alter the appearance of a graphic by adding effects. But, when considering which overlaminate to apply onto your surface, one needs to consider the surface it will be applied to. In this case, the choice may differ depending on:

  • The substrate - Is the substrate going to be stretched or not?
  • The end application - floor? window? wall?
  • The environment - Is the graphic going to be exposed to the direct sun? Rain? High or low temperatures?
  • The conditions of use - Is the overlaminate exposed to cleaning agents or other chemicals?
  • The durability specifications - What lifetime is expected?

There are a variety of overlaminates including: 
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  • Polyesters
  • Polyvinyl fluorides
  • Polypropylene
  • Polycarbonates
  • Calendered and cast vinyl. 

Each face stock offers a variety of performances. Hence, understanding the application and performance requirements will help narrow down the choice. If you have a flat surface or a curved one where conformability is key, the technical selection of the overlaminate will not be the same.

Applied to end-applications like floor graphics, wall graphics or window graphics, the opportunities created by manufacturers like the 3M line of overlaminates help meet almost any client expectations, and sometimes for a fraction of the overall sign investment.
What’s Next? 

​Understanding the specifics of the application will help to select the right overlaminate that will enhance and protect your graphics.

​We at
Insignia Signs and Wraps can help you expand the possibilities extend the life of your signage.
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What’s New in Wall Graphics & Sustainable Interiors?

12/4/2019

1 Comment

 

Environmentally sustainable interiors have been trending for years. Wall graphics are one category where sustainable choices have become a focus as time progresses. And there are good reasons for it

Sustainability is more than a fashionable buzzword and it impacts the construction industry, encouraging them to reduce the impact on the environment.

​Of course, this is an opportunity for sign companies.
​

If you need to learn exactly what constitutes a sustainable material of choice in wall graphics ​for the signage industry, read on.
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No, Life Was Not Better Before

​Within the AEC industry, there are standards and guidelines to help drive these goals such as LEED certification.  
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A signage company with interest to participate in the overall effort can refer to these guidelines and standards and figure out how to appropriately respond through material sourcing and processes.

Until recent years, most eco-conscious signage teams would have:
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  • Put in place a reclaim system for vinyl and their backers - at a different moment of their respective lifetimes, of course. 
  • Used latex inks to help eliminate the use of solvents. 

An overall sound attempt to be more eco-compliant, but not ultimately as eco-friendly as intended.

But, as one can expect, things have changed over time. 
Transitioning to Sustainable Solutions

Nowadays, sign companies have access to a range of sustainable solutions beyond latex printers from manufacturers such as HP.  

One perfect example is PVC-free wallpaper that appeared in the market in recent years.

​PVC-free substrates wonderfully grew alongside that wave of greater awareness of and sensitivity towards the world’s limited natural resources; growing demand for healthier and environmentally responsible homes and workplaces.


While many people were complaining about a major set back the reality is that the benefits of utilizing these newer technologies like HP PVC-free Wallpaper to enhance sustainable interior projects established themselves in the market. 

Why’s that?

Is it because people’s perceptions changed in the process? Or is it because these new materials confirmed their practical value proposition?

Most likely, the answer is a little of both.

Perhaps the main aspect that helped settle the argument is that products such as HP PVC-free Wallpaper do not technically limit sign companies, who can still create full-size murals to bring any design or graphic project into reality.

The application of this “new” PVC-free wallpaper is easy and does not require a long list of additional materials. They are applied with water! 

In other words, they can save time, money, and effort by eliminating:
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  • Pastes, glues and other adhesives which are difficult to apply. The result is a long-lasting print without the odors that typically come with an application of this type.
  • Intensive labor to apply the wallpaper
And Things Get Better from There

Through innovation, many companies look to add PCRC (Post-Consumer Recycled Content) into their formulations or integrate bio-sourced raw materials while leveraging sometimes complicated supply chains.

With the development of these additional sustainable materials, inks, printers, and water-based adhesives, the sign industry can dramatically increase the number of possibilities to transform spaces, without any compromise on quality and options.
What’s Next?  

​If you are designing a new space or redesigning existing space, leverage your signage consultant who has access to leading materials, inks, technologies and application processes.  

We at Insignia Signs and Wraps can help you expand your scope of possibilities or bring your sustainable interior to reality.
1 Comment

Why Wall Graphics Can Supercharge Your Brand

12/4/2019

2 Comments

 

Wall graphics are too often forgotten by marketers and business owners, and yet, they are truly the smart choice to fill the void space on your walls

With unique artwork, wall graphics can help you convey powerful messages that can delight your customers, visitors, and employees while simultaneously enhancing your brand. 
​

If you do not know what to do with your blank, boring walls, take the next five minutes to read on.
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Smart & Versatile

A sign is anything that sends a message. It conveys a piece of information about your brand to visitors and customers while setting the tone of the entire space.  


Wall graphics do exactly the same. 

It is not a surprise that for years, wall graphics have generated more creative possibilities for interior designers and architects across the country for both their practicality and their efficiency.
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The real challenge is learning the most effective way to use wall graphics since there are so many possibilities and potential uses for them - not to mention the countless printing solutions available to supplement, complement, or replace these wall graphics. 
In a nutshell, the vinyl found on some wall graphics comes in different finishes to either reflect light to brighten a room or absorb light to integrate into the décor.   

There is textured and conformable vinyl specifically designed to take advantage of any wall imperfections or topography - in case of a brick wall, for instance.  
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Using materials from 3M & Avery Dennison, we can maintain smoothest surfaces or take advantage of a very rough surface to create a unique visual effect. ​
The selection of material types and application techniques is so broad that sign companies like us can turn any surface into a new opportunity.  This creates an avenue for anyone to be as unique as the message or story they want to share. 
Engaging & Appealing

No matter what tone you seek to convey, wall graphics offer more than just a plain painted surface. It’s that simple.

Applied to your brand, custom-designed wall graphics are a great way to differentiate and stand out while making a bold statement. 

Beyond the simple aesthetic factor, wall graphics can be functional, too. Therefore, why not take that opportunity to:
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  • Tell the story of your company
  • Emphasize your vision, mission, tagline or value proposition
  • Offer an inspirational quote that’s meaningful to your business
  • Broadcast your best-selling product
Although wall graphics cannot replace ADA signs, they can certainly integrate directional elements. This would, in turn, create an eye-catching design to help your visitors navigate in your building while keeping them entertained. 

​Think about the potential conversation starter opportunities that can help your team engage with prospects, visitors or clients.
The Best Bang For Your Buck
​

Forget the preparation work and the messy, resource-consuming paint jobs. Wall graphics are the best time-saving and cost-effective alternatives.  

No matter the size of the space or nature of the surface, if the right material was selected and applied to your walls by a professional installer, you will avoid a lot of prep-time, downtime due to the drying process, and aftermath cleanup. 

Wall graphics are easy to apply and easy to remove. Hence, if for any reason: 
  • The wall graphic is damaged
  • You need to change the look and feel of your space
  • You want to refresh and upgrade the graphic design

Graphics can be reprinted on new vinyl and reapplied on your walls. 
What’s Next? 

If you are considering a new space or reinventing existing space, create effective leverage with your signage consultant and their knowledge of material and printing solutions.  
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We can help you expand the possibilities or bring what might be a budget buster into an affordable reality. ​
2 Comments

    By George Wright

    Founder & Owner of Insignia Signs & Wraps

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Insignia Signs and Wraps
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335 Bismark Road, Unit C1
Jackson, NJ 08527

OFFICE: (732) 807-0230
E-MAIL: info@insigniasw.com

Open MON-FRI 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM


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  • Home
  • About Us
  • VEHICLE WRAPS
    • CUSTOM CAR WRAP
    • FLEET WRAP
    • BOAT WRAP
  • INTERIOR SIGNS
    • ADA SIGNS
    • DOOR SIGNS
    • CUSTOM BANNERS
    • ENTER-EXIT SIGNS
    • FLOOR GRAPHICS
    • FRONT DESK SIGNS
    • HOURS OF OPERATION SIGNS
    • LOBBY SIGNS
    • OPEN SIGNS
    • RETAIL SIGNS
    • TRADE SHOW DISPLAYS
    • WALL GRAPHICS
    • WALL MURALS
    • WINDOW GRAPHICS
  • OUTDOOR SIGNS
    • ADDRESS SIGNS
    • ATTACHED SIGNS
    • AWNING SIGNS
    • BUILDING SIGNS
    • CHANNEL LETTER SIGNS
    • DIMENSIONAL LETTERS
    • HANGING SIGNS
    • LARGER BANNER SIGNS
    • LIGHTED LED SIGNS
    • MONUMENT SIGNS
    • PORTABLE SIGNS
    • POLE SIGNS & PYLON SIGNS
    • POST & PANEL SIGNS
    • PROJECTING SIGNS
    • SIDEWALK SIGNS
    • VERTICAL SIGNS
  • SERVICES
    • LARGE FORMAT PRINTING SERVICES
    • SIGN INSTALLATION SERVICES
    • SIGN PERMITTING SERVICES
    • SIGN REPAIR SERVICES
  • Blog & News
  • Contact