Event banner for Hauppauge High School Robotics

Making Your Events Memorable Through Signage

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Some events are forgettable. But we’ve all been to events that we remember years later. Something about the atmosphere that the hosts and planners created left a lasting impression.

Event signage

The approach to the event is critical. Guests need to know where to park, and where the entrance is found. The right signage can help build excitement before even entering the site.

Once inside, your guests can be greeted with a wide variety of signage options. Consider banners commemorating the reason for the gathering. A “Step And Repeat” photo backdrop, containing logos of the sponsoring organization or sponsors is a must for guests to be able to create their own mementoes, or to assure the right publicity. Custom printed table throws, easel signage, and posters are all elements to consider. If an outdoor event, banner flags of all sizes and shapes can enter the mix, as can custom printed tents and canopies. If there’s an event stage for performances or speeches, consider custom backdrops and other graphics.

Give Signwave a call at 631-761-9292 for a free consultation.

Truck Graphics

5 Clues You’ve Picked The Right Sign Company For Your Vehicle Graphics Project

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If you’ve been thinking of a full wrap for your Mobile Salon RV, branding your car, tricking out your motorcycle, or outfitting your fleet of box trucks – we’ve got some helpful tips for you. We’ve heard too many sad stories from our customers about ways they’ve been burned by other companies. So how do you know if you’ve found a reliable vehicle wrap installer to trust with your car, truck or van wrap?

#1 – A Good Sign Company will Respond, and be Forthcoming With Information.
Two thirds of sign companies don’t respond at all to new customer queries for vehicle wraps. You have every reason to expect immediate answers, and any respectable sign company will take a consultative approach to help solve problems. If they try to sell you stuff you don’t want, move on.

#2 – An Honest Sign Company will Explain Their Quote.
Vehicle graphics projects don’t readily lend themselves to “one size fits all” pricing, so the quote should include a detailed scope of work. A vehicle graphics project often includes the marketing and design phase, the specification of materials, measuring and pricing, removal of existing graphics, printing and laminating, and installation – each with their own custom issues. Your sign professional should discuss all of these with you to get an accurate price.

#3 – A Reputable Sign Company will Handle The Whole Job, And Welcome You Onto Their Premises.
There is a high demand for vehicle wraps and a shortage of qualified wrap experts. Many sign shops outsource their wrap projects to installers that work for several different shops, so make sure the party you’re dealing with is well equipped and takes full accountability for the job.

#4 – A Reliable Sign Company will Explain The Warranty Clearly And Stand By Their Promises.
3M, Avery and Hexis manufacture the best quality materials available. But weather, storage conditions, and driving conditions affect how well even the highest quality wrap will perform over time. Many sign companies make blanket 10 year performance claims, which they may not be prepared to back up if they don’t take actual conditions into consideration. Make sure you have the right expectations about how the sides of your vehicle will look after years of sun and weather vs. the direct rays of the sun on horizontal surfaces. Ask your sign resource about what you can do to make sure your graphics continue to look stunning, and exactly how they intend to fulfill claims made in their warranty.

#5 – A Knowledgeable Sign Company will Use Approved Overlaminate that is Compatible with the Wrap Film.
Many companies will save money by not overlaminating their wraps, or using a budget overlaminate. You may not be able to see the difference when you come to pick up your truck or fleet and provide final payment, as any fresh install will always look dashing. But a few months of road wear and exposure to sun and rain will do damage even on the excellent latex Inks that the best print operators use for digital wraps. Reputable companies will use a cast optically clear overlaminate that is compatible with the cast vinyl they are printing on. There are exceptions –certain non-printed “color change” wraps using specialty materials do not require laminate. Ask your company to show you the Vinyl Manufacturer’s Specification Sheet.

It’s always exciting to see your new fleet or vehicle dressed up to show off your brand. With proper attention given to intended usage, specifications and processes prior to the install, you can be assured that the integrity of your colors and finish stand up to weathering and daily use, for years to come.

Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about these 5 points, or anything we may not have covered in this article. Join this conversation, or call Signwave at 631-761-9292, and we’ll make sure your install does not become one of those sad stories.

 

Vehicle wrap

Street Wise Branding: Six Ways Vehicle Wraps Accelerate Sales.

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Advertising your business on your car, truck or van generates an average of 600 impressions per mile driven.

In heavy traffic and on busy roads, that number is easily quadrupled! Not to mention the additional awareness it generates while parked at your facility or customers’ locations. With advancements in materials science, and availability of latex printing technologies, vehicle graphics are quickly becoming among the most popular methods of branding for businesses. Let’s look at six reasons why:

1-Reach – 50,000  to 100,000 of your local prospects will see your brand each day, month after month.

2-Tireless member of your sales force – No need to pay for advertising month after month – with a vehicle wrap pay once and you’re good for up to ten years.

3-Effortless Selling – No more cursing your fate when you are stuck in traffic – you will be delighted at the opportunity for extending your brand message to the captive audience around you!

4-Big Company Image – Two or three vehicles will give the appearance of a fleet of 50 when your customers see them multiple times a month on their regular routes.

5-Mobile Site Signage – A box truck or van is a fantastic billboard when it is parked roadside at your parking lot.

6-The Wow Factor – A great vehicle design will amaze and delight. Check out some examples in our gallery or call us at 631-761-9292 and we’ll show you how.

Ready to get started? You may want to check out 5 Clues You’ve Picked The Right Sign Company For Your Vehicle Graphics Project before you begin.

Routed and Carved Sign Panels Make a Lasting Impression

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Post and Panel sign with carved lettering and digitally printed graphics

Post and Panel sign for Malverne, NY school property with carved lettering and digitally printed graphics

Masonry and a routed and painted sign panel combine to provide a solid presence, identifying your school, institution or public area. Malverne UFSD administration had already worked with Signwave to create beautiful sandblasted plaques for their Administration Building, High School and podiums. They brought us back to recognize their Middle School, Intermediate School and Primary School for their being awarded “Blue Ribbon” status. After a planning session with the Malverne UFSD team, Signwave came back with a similar design for all three schools to assure a unified look for their district.

Carved, painted sign, with digitally printed graphics for the crest

Red brick posts support a carved, painted sign, with digitally printed graphics for the crest

Masonry is a popular medium for sign pillars – in this case, classic stacked stone – but they could be rendered of brick, PVC, wood, steel or even foam. Steel rails were inserted between the pillar courses to assure a substantial connection that would withstand the elements. Between the rails we mounted two sign panels, made of thick PVC.

This is where the Signwave design expertise shows its value. We routed the main panel into a classic shape to match the brand that the institution wants to convey – a classic, reliable institution that will serve the community for many decades. We carved the school names into the panel, and painted them blue and white to match the colors of the district. We printed their crest on digital media, using our latex print technology, and overlaminating to assure the colors wouldn’t fade.

After professionally mounting the panels to the rails, the signs were ready to greet all of Malverne’s students, staff and visitors. Signwave is proud to have been selected to create the public image of this school district!