5 Things To Know About Permits

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You’ve chosen a sign company, worked with them to design your sign, and paid your deposit. Now all you have to do is sit back and wait for them to make and install your beautiful new sign, right? Not so fast.

Long Island is only made up of two counties, but within each county every town and village has set in place widely different regulations regarding signage. Almost all new or updated exterior signage requires some kind of permit, and navigating the process can be daunting. Here are five important things you need to know about permits before you even start designing.

  1. Permits are required for good reason. Of course we wish we could make you the biggest, most colorful sign on the street to get attention for your business. But if everyone tried to do that the streets would be a big cluttery mess, and likely a safety hazard as well. Every single town and village on Long Island has their own disparate set of sign codes, and they’re all in place for different reasons. They may want a main street to have uniformity of design. They certainly want to ensure that flashing, moving, or brightly lit signs aren’t hazardous to passing drivers. They need to protect pedestrians by guaranteeing that the signage is constructed well, illuminated safely, and installed securely to avoid accidents. They can’t allow one business to have an enormous sign that dwarfs all the others in the area.
  2. Neglecting a permit can be costly. Let’s be honest, no one wants to have the town dictate to them how they should and should not market their business, much less pay for that restriction via permit fees. And there are plenty of fly-by-night sign companies that will happily bypass the process for you. But what is the cost for neglecting a permit? If the town or village code enforcement officer notices your new sign and discovers it has no permit, you will certainly be receiving a fine. If you pay the fine and attempt to file for the permit after the fact, you may learn that something about your sign is out of code and you’ll have to remove it and start all over again. If you ignore the fine, your town or village could inflict even harsher penalties. The risk isn’t worth the initial savings.
  3. Permit applications are time consuming. Not only that, they require a lot of technical structural and electrical information that you may not have. It takes time to gather all the information from all the different sources, procure the required signatures — including notarization — and deliver the permit package to the town. It may even be necessary to attend an in-person meeting of the town’s Architectural Advisory Committee, which are generally held in the evenings. If the permit is deemed to require a variance, that will involve even more time and paperwork that you may not be able to dedicate.
  4. DENIED! Speaking of variances, permits can be denied for a huge variety of reasons both big and small. Believe us when we say sometimes the reasons can seem painfully small. But the town has the final decision power. So if a spec needs to be updated in more detail, or a mockup drawing needs a different angle, or you suddenly need very specific paint chips to show color, there’s no getting around it. It can sometimes take multiple rounds of permit applications before permission is granted for a sign. Patience and tenacity are key.
  5. So why bother? The fifth and most important thing you need to know about permitting is that a permitting professional can take all this aggravation off your hands and get the permit approved efficiently. We know where to find the applicable town codes so the sign has the best chance of being approved the first time around. We have the technical know-how to create a polished permit package that has clear details the town needs. We take the time to compile all the supplemental documents, procure the signatures, and submit everything on your behalf. If it’s required for someone to attend the review board meeting in person, we’ll handle that as well. And in the case where a variance is necessary to get special permission for a sign that might otherwise be denied, we’ll walk through the process with you to completion.

It’s everyone’s goal to make sure your business gets the attention it needs to thrive. Signwave can help you through the signage process from beginning to end, including permitting, so you can get back to building your business — only now with a beautiful new sign.

And if you’re an out-of-state sign company looking to have an installation done locally, we’re here for you as well. We can procure all the permits for your local customer’s signage and do the installation too.

Don’t let the permit process intimidate you. Call Signwave and we’ll take the hassle off your hands.

Project Spotlight: AmpliTech 

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Innovative Company, Innovative Signage

Named one of the top 10 most innovative telecom solutions companies in 2022 by Inc. Magazine, AmpliTech is headquartered right here in our own Long Island Innovations Park in Hauppauge. They design, develop, and manufacture custom leading-edge RF components for the commercial, SATCOM, space, and military markets. Signwave was proud to partner with them in 2022 to design, fabricate, and install all the signage for their new building on Plant Ave.

 

Exterior Wayfinding Signs

 It was important to the founder that we begin with the exterior monument signage, to firmly establish the AmpliTech name in the industrial park community. We determined the best solution to be a durable, double-sided, sculpted foam monument with faux stone base, aluminum faces with printed vinyl graphics, and dimensional letters on the capstone for the address. The sign is externally illuminated with ground lighting. One of the many benefits of using removable faces on the base material is that they can be easily replaced if there is any accidental damage, or if the logo needs an update. Placed prominently at the corner of Plant Ave and Oser Ave–one of the main industrial park thoroughfares–the sign stands out as a beautiful and practical tool for brand recognition.

This monument sign captures attention and markets a brand on a main industrial park road.

 
Additional wayfinding signs can also be found at the two entrance driveways. They prevent any confusion between the delivery area and parking for staff and visitors. We also created custom aluminum signs to clarify the uses for the different doors in the rear, and to mark parking spaces for visitors (using U channels) and executives (placed directly along the back wall). Printed vinyl graphics on the glass front door are standard for many of our customers, and we included that in our signage package for AmpliTech as well.

Wayfinding is easy when you clearly mark your visitor and delivery entrances.

 

Interior Signage and Design

 Once inside, you’re immediately greeted by the clean and modern lobby design. This includes a clear acrylic wall sign with printed custom vinyl graphics applied to the back surface facing out, a technique known as second surface installation. The sign is mounted to the wall using standoffs. The combination of standoffs–which, as the name indicates, raises the sign out so it “stands off” the wall, plus the second surface graphics give multiple layers of dimension to a simple but effective sign.

Second surface vinyl with standoffs gives multiple layers of dimension to this lobby sign.

One of the focal spots in the office is a beautiful full wall mural using a photograph of a key moment in the company’s history: when they were added to the NASDAQ stock exchange. It serves as both a commemoration and an inspiration on a daily basis. Unfortunately, one of the key staff members was not visible in this photo. It was very important to everyone that he be included, so Signwave’s designers stepped up to add him in using the magic of photo editing. Light, shadow, and positioning all had to be accounted for, and the work is so seamless we’d challenge anyone to pick out the “new addition.” Signwave is extremely proud of the talents of our staff designers.

A mural celebrating a company milestone brightens the office.

 Speaking of inspiration, we were also tasked with creating a motivational word wall for the break room. After going through several “word cloud” type designs. the customer landed on a motivational quote. This quote from another technology company figurehead you may have heard of, rendered in company logo colors, reminds everyone that they are important to the team’s success.

Motivational wall art is a colorful touch in the break room.

 
And not least, we created some custom gallery wrap canvas prints for the CEO’s office. Again we used our staff’s photo editing talents to create beautiful artwork that harkens back to the company’s momentous entry into the stock exchange. Installing canvas wraps in such a way that they all line up evenly is challenging, but Signwave installers are up to the task. And using removable mounting hardware means that the canvasses can be rotated out or relocated without damaging the walls.

Custom canvas gallery wraps capture some of the biggest moments in company history so far.

 

Learn More

 To learn more about AmpliTech and all they offer, visit their website HERE. 
And to learn how Signwave can help you promote, outfit, and maximize your new working space from floor to ceiling and outside too, give us a call at 631-761-9292 or fill out the website “Contact Us” form.
 
 
 

3 Reasons You Should Winterize Your Signs

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The new year is almost upon us, and advertisements will be everywhere telling you it’s time for a “new you.” Believe it or not, it’s also an important time to make some changes to your signage. You may not need to “slim down” your signage or do a “budget overhaul” to make it work,  just make time for some “self care” with small adjustments, like the suggestions below. A resolution to update your signage to the season will have a big impact in 2023.

Three Reasons Your Signs Need Winterizing

Increased Visibility for Outdoor Signs

In cold weather, the foot traffic around your business decreases dramatically. An A-frame on the sidewalk suddenly impacts fewer and fewer potential customers–the pile of snow along the road from the plow blocks it from view, and most people are staying indoors anyway. The majority of people passing by are in vehicles, so you don’t have much time to attract their attention. You need big, bold, colorful, and quick messaging. Consider an illuminated channel letter sign on your building, or a colorful window graphic. Window vinyl can be applied “second surface” or on the inside surface facing outward, to protect it from the elements!

New Product Offerings Need Custom Design

Do you have a special on down-filled weatherproof jackets this week? Have you created a brand new Instagram-worthy secret-menu latte drink? Do you carry a new brand of winter tires that you’d like everyone to know about? You’d better check your signage and make sure you aren’t still marketing bathing suits, or frozen fruit drinks, or air conditioning system tuneups. When your product offerings change with the seasons, it’s crucial that your signage does too. Update your window signs, in store displays, even your vehicle graphics to feature your most up to date product lines.

Changing Business Hours for Entrances and Door Signs

No matter what business you’re in, your hours can be affected by the seasons. Outdoor recreational facilities may need to change their closing hours because it gets dark earlier. Even if you posted your holiday closures on your website, make sure they’re easily found by customers who show up to your physical location as well. And we know too well in 2022 that staff shortages due to illness can lead to early closing or late opening, and it’s important that you keep your clients aware to avoid frustrations and lost business. Flexible signage options include LED message signs that can be mounted inside your window to be viewed from outside, or a changeable letter sign.

Signwave is ready to do a signage evaluation for your facility to make sure you’re winterized! Call us at 631-761-9292 or fill out the contact us form, and we’ll get started.

The Power of a Professional Designer

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Business owners walk a fine line trying to present a professional face to their clientele while still keeping costs down.  Oftentimes we look for ways we can do things ourselves rather than paying someone else to do them, to save some money. But there are times when paying a professional is money well spent, like with electrical work or tree removal. The risks there are unacceptably high for a DIY-er. So what risks do you incur when you don’t spend enough on your design budget? Now we’re not saying that doing your own graphic design can be hazardous to your health. But it can be costly in terms of how your business is perceived, if your marketing is aesthetically below standard.

That’s where a sign company with full time, experienced graphic designers can help.

Logo Design: The First Building Block

Take, for example, our friends at Hauppauge Integrated Wellness Group. They contacted us in need of a new lobby sign using their new logo, and we were excited to take the job. But like many business owners they didn’t have (or even really know they needed) a high resolution vector file that we could use for production. Here is the image they provided, a jpg which is “rasterized” which is why the lines are all jagged and pixelated. This file was not useable for a final product.

Luckily, our designers are experienced in taking a raster file and converting it into the type of file we need–a “vector” file which has smooth edges and can be infinitely enlarged without losing resolution. The software we use, Adobe Illustrator, can even do this for us with a click of a button. But this is where the difference in a professional versus an enthusiastic amateur is clear. The software can only do so much, and as you can see below the automated process rendered text that is oddly lumpy, and has letters attached to one another. Could we use this as a production file to make a sign? Certainly. But would a customer be happy with the finished result? Unlikely.

 

Close up of the initial render

 

The Value of Experience

Our designer wasted no time trying to pass this vector off to production. Instead, he dove into his resources to find a font that was as close as possible to the one used in the logo. Many times we can find the exact font and recreate the text easily. But in this case he had to utilize a font that had similar letters and custom adjust them as needed to match the logo font. This is a painstaking, time-consuming process that was absolutely crucial for a professional finished sign. The letters are now crisp, individual, and ready for production.

The completed vector file

See the end result and judge for yourself:

For a good sign, start with a good design.

What Are the Real Costs?

The next time you need signage, you can put yourself and your business in the hands of a sign company like Signwave that refuses to compromise on the importance of good design and visual impact. Or you can take your chances and potentially have to live with a sign you don’t love, or that you have to pay to have redone.

Signage For Interior Design – High School Cafeteria

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We’re always glad for the chance to collaborate with  talented Interior Design professionals like Mary D’Andrea of MDA Designs, who recently brought us in on a High School Cafeteria renovation project. Mary shared her vision with us of a design based around the school color palette, the school’s mascot, and the school’s values. And the opportunity for customization of a dramatic architectural feature that will last for generations.

Roll-Up Cafeteria Door Logos

Each slat is fully covered by custom printed vinyl graphics, laminated for durability.

First on our list was generating school pride with custom graphics on the rollup cafeteria doors. We designed circular logos and printed them on conformable vinyl that would permit flexibility required by their routine heavy use. We applied a layer of laminate that would help protect the graphics for many years of washing (and the wear and tear that we anticipated they would receive on a daily basis). Installation required precise levelling and  alignment, and careful cutting between each door segment.

Dimensional Letters

In the space above the doors, we collaborated on two sets of dimensional letters spelling out their slogan “Home Of The Friars.” We selected black PVC as the optimal material for these, as it has the tolerance for the thin strokes of the school’s font selection, and to provide a high contrast for maximum legibility. In all it makes for a dramatic approach, doesn’t it?

“Word Cloud” Wall

Beautiful printed vinyl in custom logo colors gives the impression of dimensionality.

The designer collaborated with the school’s decision makers to come up with a series of words and phrases reflecting the school’s mission and values. We created typographical art with a collage of the words they came up with. After several iterations, it was time for color matching. The visible color of printed material can vary significantly under different types of light, so to make certain of our fidelity to the school colors we brought sample prints and held it under the actual cafeteria lighting. After all was approved, and printing and lamination complete, we installed our graphic treatment on the cafeteria’s walls.

Cast Brass Logo Plaque

Finally, we were asked to create a large cast plaque to be mounted on a custom glazed tile wall. The wall was to become the dramatic backdrop for a water feature – a functioning waterfall and catch basin. Because the plaque would be mounted behind the glass of the fountain, we opted for the high visibility of brilliant polished brass with oxidized bronze inset areas. We were able to capture all of the logo details in our design, and engrave and finish in solid brass to assure decades of beauty. A cast plaque is among the most durable of signage materials, and is sure to leave its mark for generations.

Thank you to MDA Designs for sharing this great opportunity with Signwave. We’re proud to make our contribution to your design vision.

A side view of the crowning piece, the custom engraved bronze plaque

Project Spotlight: Studio631

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Full Facility Signage for Offices

Today we’re proud to spotlight a recent full facility signage project for Studio631 Recordings in Islandia. Studio631 provides a professional studio experience for artists at every stage of recording whether you’re a performer or a producer. Niko and Matt came to Signwave as they were building out their new space on Patco Court, knowing that they needed a combination of bold branding and clear wayfinding. Using their logo, Signwave put together a custom package that solved all their challenges both creatively and practically.

Exterior Facility Signs

Initially the owners only wanted exterior signage. Because the building management has established signage design standards, we created a painted pan face overdoor sign with clean lettering to match the other building tenants. But we added the company logo to the door in cut white vinyl for a little individuality.

cut vinyl on a painted pan face sign plus cut vinyl on glass door

The exterior signage meets the landlord’s requirements while still utilizing the logo font for individuality.

Custom Lobby Sign

As we worked together, Niko and Matt developed a trust in our design and fabrication expertise and asked us for ideas for a lobby sign. We were able to create a very modern clear acrylic panel sign with dimensional painted letter and flat cut black vinyl, all mounted to the wall on standoffs. The different levels of material in the sign create multiple visual effects with light and shadow, and the owners loved the beautiful finished product.

clear acrylic with dimensional letters and vinyl on standoffs

The logo sign for the Studio 631 lobby wows with several layers of dimension: a clear acrylic panel with dimensional letters layered over black cut vinyl, on standoffs so the shadows add even more depth.

Custom Flag Signs

As we worked on the lobby sign, they realized it would be necessary to mark each studio with a separate wayfinding sign. So Signwave went to work again to create a custom design that would fit the studio aesthetic while providing clear direction to the various locations down the hallway. Our final design gives the impression of an old school vinyl record, using logo elements and font on a double-sided circular flag sign.

printed vinyl circular flag sign

A closeup of the Studio 631 flag signs, custom printed on vinyl with corporate colors and logo elements

circular flag signs mark studio doors

Each studio is marked with a custom double-sided circular flag sign.

Signage projects often evolve as the process moves forward. Signwave has the creative solutions and flexibility to help solve all your facility signage challenges. Give us a call at 631-761-9292 and see how we can help you!

3 Reasons You Should Winterize Your Signs

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It’s a new year, and advertisements everywhere are telling you it’s time for a “new you.” Believe it or not, it’s also an important time to make some changes to your signage. You may not need to “slim down” your signage or do a “budget overhaul” to make it work,  just make time for some “self care” with small adjustments, like the suggestions below. A resolution to update your signage to the season will have a big impact in 2022.

Three Reasons Your Signs Need Winterizing

Increased Visibility for Outdoor Signs

In cold weather, the foot traffic around your business decreases dramatically. An A-frame on the sidewalk suddenly impacts fewer and fewer potential customers–the pile of snow along the road from the plow blocks it from view, and most people are staying indoors anyway. The majority of people passing by are in vehicles, so you don’t have much time to attract their attention. You need big, bold, colorful, and quick messaging. Consider an illuminated channel letter sign on your building, or a colorful window graphic. Window vinyl can be applied “second surface” or on the inside surface facing outward, to protect it from the elements!

New Product Offerings Need Custom Design

Do you have a special on down-filled weatherproof jackets this week? Have you created a brand new Instagram-worthy secret-menu latte drink? Do you carry a new brand of winter tires that you’d like everyone to know about? You’d better check your signage and make sure you aren’t still marketing bathing suits, or frozen fruit drinks, or air conditioning system tuneups. When your product offerings change with the seasons, it’s crucial that your signage does too. Update your window signs, in store displays, even your vehicle graphics to feature your most up to date product lines.

Changing Business Hours for Entrances and Door Signs

No matter what business you’re in, your hours can be affected by the seasons. Outdoor recreational facilities may need to change their closing hours because it gets dark earlier. Even if you posted your holiday closures on your website, make sure they’re easily found by customers who show up to your physical location as well. And we know too well in 2022 that staff shortages due to illness can lead to early closing or late opening, and it’s important that you keep your clients aware to avoid frustrations and lost business. Flexible signage options include LED message signs that can be mounted inside your window to be viewed from outside, or a changeable letter sign.

Signwave is ready to do a signage evaluation for your facility to make sure you’re winterized! Call us at 631-761-9292 or fill out the contact us form, and we’ll get started.

canvas gallery wraps

Custom Gallery Prints

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Your business is unique, and when your office is the “face” you present to the customer you want it to showcase that unique quality that makes you stand out from your competition. One good way to do that is to have one-of-a-kind decor in your office space. A custom-made canvas gallery print is a budget-friendly way to decorate your office. We can use your logo, photos of your staff or facilities, artwork that you have the rights to use, or any other graphic you can imagine to create a custom-sized, bespoke piece of artwork that fits your exact needs.

framed artwork displayed on an easel

Custom canvas prints can be displayed in a variety of ways

Signwave has talented designers on staff that can create the custom artwork you want, and size it to fit the space you want to fill. We custom build each sturdy frame using exacting methods, and have a variety of options for canvas styles on which we can print your design. Once complete, the canvasses can hang directly on the wall for a minimalist look, or they can be framed or placed on an easel for display.

a graphic print on canvas displayed on an easel

Displaying your custom canvas print without a frame gives a minimalist and clean look

Gallery prints are more than just business decor. They would be welcome as part of a year-end award ceremony for meeting fiscal or production goals. Encourage outside creative efforts among your employees by having their artwork turned into a masterpiece, either the art itself or a photograph of the results, and hang them in your facility for other employees to enjoy.

One Signwave customer used a custom gallery wrap as a memorial to his father, using photographs and text. It will hang in his home for all the family to see and remember their loved one.

printed memorial with photos and text

We sized this customer’s artwork and printed a lovely memorial to his father, with a custom-built frame

They also make wonderful gifts if you have a treasured family photo you’d like to showcase.

When you’re ready to turn a special photo or piece of artwork into a gallery wrap for your home or office, call Signwave to help you get started. We’ll create a durable custom piece you’ll love.

Why Do I Need an LED Retrofit?

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Fluorescents can be a fire hazard. This sign is a perfect opportunity for a retrofit.

“Wow, it took me a while to find you guys!” Ever hear that from a customer, due to a dim, unlit, or damaged sign? At that point you call up your local sign shop and ask them to come out to replace a bulb, or check the wiring. At the time of the diagnosis they tell you that yes, they could replace the burned out fluorescent bulb or repair the wiring, but your best option would be to replace the entire works with an LED retrofit. Then they quote you a price that is quite a bit higher than a replacement bulb. What?!! You decide they’re trying to upsell you into a solution you simply don’t need. But what are the unseen costs you’re incurring by sticking with the old technology, and what is the ROI for making the switch?

Cost vs. Value

An LED bar that fits into your fluorescent fittings

  • Lower Maintenance Costs: LEDs cost less to maintain because you replace them less often. Fluorescent bulbs are cheap but fragile, and you have to pay for a bucket truck to come out and change them up to 2 or 3 times a year in some cases. LED lights running 10 hours a day can last up to a decade, meaning one trip to install and no more labor charge for years to come.  Your LED retrofit could pay for itself in as little as 2 years.
  • Lower Operating Costs: LEDs use about 1/3 of the energy of a fluorescent bulb, meaning your energy bills will be lower without sacrificing brightness. Also, fluorescents can lose up to half their output in cold weather, while LEDs continue to operate at full efficiency in both very high and very low temperatures.
  • Increased Visibility: LEDs are brighter than fluorescents. A regular fluorescent sign bulb shines in 360 degrees, wasting light that shines toward the back of the sign. The light from LEDs is directed straight onto the sign face for increased brightness and readability. If one LED module burns out, the overall effect to the sign is much less than if an entire fluorescent bulb burns out.

    Each LED element is quickly and easily installed into your existing sign cabinet.

  • Reduced Environmental Impact: Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and phosphor, and must be disposed of in an environmentally conscious way. If your company has green initiatives and goals, LEDs are a necessity.
  • You Can Keep Your Existing Cabinet: With an LED retrofit, you don’t need an entirely new sign. You can keep your existing cabinet and sign face, and our technicians will replace only the lighting elements. It’s a cost-efficient glow up for your sign that will immediately draw attention.

Double Your Value with a New Sign Face Too

Once your new lighting is in place, you may notice that your sign face suddenly looks a bit drab or old. Signwave’s experienced design team can create a bright, fresh graphic that will play off the new lighting perfectly. Done along with the retrofit install, you save even more money by avoiding two install trips. It’s a double whammy that will turn heads and draw in customers.

 

An LED retrofit plus an update to the vinyl face makes the K&M Truck Repair lightbox stand out in Ronkonkoma

A Smart Choice with High ROI

Choosing to update your illuminated sign with an LED retrofit is a smart decision that we recommend because it’s our job to boost your business: to help you get more attention and save money. If your lightbox or pylon sign isn’t looking its best anymore, give Signwave a call. We can find the best solution for you.

Neon – It’s a Gas!

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The Las Vegas strip. The Pike Place Market sign. Times Square. These words probably all draw up images in your mind that have one thing in common: NEON. For over 100 years, the technology used to create neon lights has remained very much the same, and purists the world over still rely on it for colorful, eye-catching signage. From large, show-stopping outdoor signs to small interior window signs, here’s a little background info you might not know about your favorite gas!

The Discovery of Neon and History of the Neon Light

The chemical element neon was first discovered in 1898 by British chemists Sir William Ramsay and Morris W. Travers, who at that same time discovered two other inert gases: argon and xenon. When isolated inside a sealed tube, the neon emitted a very bright reddish-orange glow. However because so little of the gas was extracted during their small-scale air liquefaction process, it was too costly to use in quantity. It wasn’t until 1910 that Air Liquide business owner George Claude was able to produce enough neon in his larger-scale process to make it practical for use in lighting applications. His first attempt at neon lighting, to be used in home settings, was unsuccessful. But once he was able to channel the neon light’s extreme brightness and unusual tint into signage applications, the demand began to grow. He sold the first neon signs in the United States to a Packard dealership in Los Angeles in 1923.

Just three years later, Jacques Risler of France discovered how to create additional colors in neon. By coating the sealed tube containing the gas with different fluorescent coatings or “phosphors,” the ultraviolet light emitted by the gases inside caused the tube to glow with various colors. Colors outside the red/orange spectrum usually have additional compounds added to enhance the color, such as argon and mercury. By the 1960s there were about two dozen color options available, and today there are almost 100.

Iconic Neon

Here are just a few examples of how neon can be used to create signs that are recognizable the world around.

Classic Texas barbecue neon sign

The grandfather of all neon cities, Las Vegas

The Pike Place Public Market in Seattle boasts one of the most recognizable neon signs in the US.

Neon can be fabricated in a wide variety of colors

Your (Business) Name in Lights

One of the main benefits offered by neon signage is its longevity. A well cared for neon sign can last for years, even decades. But just as in the early 1900s, neon can be very costly to fabricate and repair, making it outside the budget of many small businesses. So what alternatives have come along? Enter LED technology.

Just a few of the color options in LED neon style rope lighting

LED (light-emitting diode) technology is used in just about every illuminated sign we create at Signwave, from lightboxes to channel letters. It’s super bright, cool to touch, energy efficient, versatile, long-lasting, and affordable. There are even LED rope products that can mimic the look of classic neon tubing with more flexibility and color variety. With all the options that LED technology opened up, a classic-looking neon sign with modern benefits is in anyone’s reach.

Are You Ready To Be Iconic?

Whether you’ve been in business for 40 years or 40 days, you can be a neighborhood icon with the right signage. Are you ready? Call Signwave today and we’ll come to you for a consultation and site visit. We can help you stand out in the crowd.

 

 

 

Using color to identify subsidiaries in dimensional lettering

A Perfect Season for Interior Signage

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Wintertime is Interior Signage Evaluation Time

Why are interior signs important?

Outside all signs point to more cold weather to come, but inside it’s a perfect time to reevaluate your business’s interior signage. Attractive signs are much more than just bits of information to stick on a wall or door. After all, it’s not just your customers that use them as a visual marker. You and your employees and co-workers see them, walk past them, and work under them day after day. A drab, purely practical sign does nothing to inspire pride or productivity.

Cream and blue ADA sign reading "work room"

Do a site evaluation and make notes

Take a walk around your facility and see where you have a generic, off-the-rack sign, a piece of printer paper, or nothing at all to designate the different areas and offices. What message would it send to your employees and customers if you had a custom-made, coherent signage plan in place to increase visibility, decrease confusion, and create a harmonious work environment?

Where can we make improvement?

Consider these options:

  1. Signage in your company colors to designate workrooms, conference rooms, and storage areas
  2. ADA compliant bathroom signs that also sport your company’s logo
  3. Panoramic wall vinyl with photos depicting scenic areas in your town, or your products in action
  4. Cozy, welcoming signage in your staff dining areas
  5. Clear directional signage for your customers and visitors
  6. Custom nameplates for offices
  7. Long-lasting, custom made floor markings for social distancing and safety

Custom Motivational wallCustom Wall Graphics for Conference Room

There’s no better time than today

Right now is the best time to make those interior changes, before the warm weather calls us all outside again. Signwave can implement your vision, or start from scratch and come up with a full site signage plan to meet your aesthetic and your budget. Give us a call for a site visit!

safety signage

Returning to Work Safely: Evaluating your Safety Signage

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Now more than ever, employers have to be aware of our responsibilities regarding the safety of our employees. We have to go beyond the old fashioned “X days since our last accident” signage and create simple but effective everyday reminders of how to avoid injury and maintain overall health. Now is a perfect time to do a signage inventory to see where you might fall short in protecting your workforce. Because the day is coming, sooner rather than later we hope, when our facilities will be fully staffed and running full force again, and we can’t wait until then to make the changes we need.

safety signage inventory list

Determine the Right Location For Your Safety Signage

Each area of your facility, whether factory, warehouse, restaurant, retail shop, or office, needs safety signage in place exactly in the location where it should be utilized: blade safety in cutting areas, back strain warnings in areas where heavy lifting is done, and hand washing reminders by sinks and in bathrooms. Choose signage that fits the location in size and material…it won’t do you any good to have a knife safety reminder sign on the opposite side of the kitchen just because it won’t fit over the food prep table. And a paper sign from your office printer in a high-humidity area seems cost-effective, but how many times will you need to replace it?

 

Avoid Cluttered Information Signs

Don’t allow an overabundance of signs to cover up or distract from your most important messaging. Go through all the pieces of printer paper and sticky notes, and come up with one or two clear, visible signs that can convey all the information needed. Custom signage is easy when your sign company can design, fabricate, and install the entire job exactly to your needs.

 

Are Your Signs At The Correct Height?

The height placement of signage is so important that the government regulates it very strictly for signage that must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s important for non-ADA signage as well, so take stock of where your signs are hanging and make sure they are at or near eye level. If not, ask your sign company what the law requires or, if no law applies, what will work best for your specific need.

 

Replace Out of Date Safety Signs

As we look ahead to a post-COVID-19 world, it will be very important to reevaluate the accuracy and efficacy of the safety information on your signage. Think about the new ways you’ll want your employees to wash their hands, cover their coughs, wear their protective gear, and handle an absence due to illness. Make sure the signage you install keeps up with all the most current scientific information and human resources initiatives. There are many inexpensive material choices for less permanent signage that can help ease the transition until experts have a better grasp on what measures should be mandatory, and which are merely recommended.

 

Assess Missing and Damaged Signs

Hm, I wonder why that area on the wall is a different color than the wall around it? Is it possible that an important piece of signage fell, or broke, or was supposed to be temporarily moved and somehow never got replaced? Make a note of any signage that is either missing or no longer effective due to fading or other damage, and replace it. Looking at your signage plan as a whole gives you an opportunity to create a fresh and consistent design aesthetic that will be as attractive as it is informative.

 

Are Temporary Signs Appropriate?

Again, remove and discard signs with outdated information, and any that are damaged or unreadable. They’re just making physical and mental clutter for everyone. Then evaluate whether they should be replaced with a more robust permanent sign that fits with your overall design plan, or if it makes more sense to continue using less expensive temporary options for signage that changes frequently. Your sign company can recommend a myriad of options to fit your budget and need.

 

Once your inventory is complete, call your sign company. Here in New York, we are allowed to continue operating as usual when servicing an “essential” business. However we know your business is always essential to you, so there are many things we can do right now to move your project forward while still following all state and federal mandates. 

 

Call Signwave at 631-761-9292, and we can start today to help you get ready for that wonderful day when we are all operating full steam once again, with health and safety as our number one priority.

 

floor directory interior brushed aluminum

Commercial Building Signage For 15 Merrick Avenue

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directory raised lettering brushed aluminum building sign

This newly-renovated office has beautiful brushed aluminum signage as a key decorative element throughout the building, starting with this custom changeable directory.

We recently were called upon to perform a building-wide upgrade of the commercial building signs at 15 Merrick Ave. in Merrick, NY. The customer was upgrading the entire look of the carpets, walls and fixtures of the building and wanted signage with a style and finish to reflect the standard of tenant that they attracted. At the same time they were looking to improve the signage in other ways:

  • create a consistent look and feel for facility signage throughout the building
  • improve accessibility with adherence to 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
  • ensure a safer environment through clearly marked and legible fire exit, stairway and elevator signage.

ADA women's room bathroom signage brushed aluminumADA building signage interior brushed aluminumADA building signage interior brushed aluminum

The signs were made of brushed aluminum with contrasting raised letters and Braille beads. Clearly positioned by all exits, stairwells and elevators were clearly marked traffic flows in case of emergency. We fabricated the directory and tenant signs, those likely to change down the road, with custom frames with magnetic-backed panels. This will allow us to replace individual tenant panels at a low relative cost.

ADA interior tenant brushed aluminum signage

Each tenant in this renovated Merrick office building has its own ADA-compliant office sign in beautiful brushed aluminum.

If you are looking for ideas on how to upgrade your commercial building signage, please give the Signwave team a call at 631.761.9292 or ask us a question with the form on our homepage.

Double paneled suspended Guest Services sign

Information and Accessibility: A Library Case Study

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Continuing our series on ADA signage and accessibility, we’d like to showcase a recent project that illustrates how important it is for facilities to be fair, accommodating, and accessible. This case study is for the Hauppauge Public Library, an institution in the Hauppauge community which recently relocated to an entirely new building on Veteran’s Memorial Highway. Since libraries are publicly funded institutions, it’s especially important that the information and services offered should be easy to access for all community members, regardless of ability.  The Hauppauge Library’s Board and staff were committed to making that happen here.

Two flag signs for men's and women's room with vinyl "restroom" lettering on wall

These flag signs visible from multiple angles make bathrooms easy to find.

After working extensively with architects and planners, the library staff was pleased to open a new facility which provided bountiful options for meeting spaces, study alcoves, gaming and socializing areas, a children’s play space, classrooms, and of course the stacks of books, DVDs, and periodicals. What they lacked at this point was a cohesive signage plan that helped patrons determine where to go to find the services they needed on that visit. In addition, many of the signs needed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities act by using very specific color combinations, raised lettering, standard symbology, and Braille.

ADA sign with raised lettering and Braille reading "Storage Closet"

A perfect example of ADA compliant signage, which also meets the aesthetic of the space using brand colors and clean design.

As 14-year patrons of the Hauppauge Public Library ourselves, Signwave was absolutely delighted when the library called on us to help them solve these challenges. We have extensive experience with ADA compliance and were able to create signage that fits the tone of the library’s decor, maintains the library’s branding color scheme, and meets all ADA requirements. You’ll find our signage marking all the Classrooms, the Media Room, Study Rooms, various staff meeting rooms and break room, utility closets, gendered and non-gendered restroom facilities, water stations, and both guest services desks, along with dimensional letters for the Teens and Large Print areas.

Brushed aluminum letters mounted to wall reading "TEENS"

The Teens area of the library is accented with a brushed aluminum dimensional letter set mounted directly to the wall.

A few other important touches we provided for the library that you might not notice on first glance include the required AED signs which alert patrons to the location of the life-saving defibrillator, as well as custom-created window tint for the exterior doors in the classrooms where movies are shown, to eliminate glare. To assist patrons in easily locating the copier and the restrooms (which were somewhat hidden in recessed hallways), we fabricated vinyl lettering cut large and placed high for maximum visibility.

Are you looking for a campus-wide signage solution to challenges with accessibility or wayfinding? Whether your facility is large, small, or in-between, Signwave will develop a plan for you.

Singe panel suspended sign

The Children & Teen areas of the library are serviced by their own staff, which you can find at the desk marked by this suspended sign.

Brushed aluminum letters on PVC mount

The brushed aluminum letters indicating the section of the stacks where Large Print books are kept are exactly what’s needed: large, clear, and placed high for visibility.

Cream and blue ADA sign reading "work room"

Even in the staff-only areas of the facility, the ADA laws are still in effect for everyone’s comfort and accessibility.

A photograph of SEG graphic ads in a subway

Getting an edge on your competition

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When your product and service offerings are changing to meet the fast pace of today’s business, one thing that might prevent you from purchasing signage is the fear of having to do it all over again within a few years, or even a few months. How do you stay current without breaking your budget?

A photograph of SEG graphic ads in a subway

Illuminated silicone-edge graphics attract attention and are easily changeable.

Just take a walk through your local mall and notice how many retail stores are using silicone edge graphics, or SEGs. These are large, usually internally illuminated fabric display cabinets that grab your attention using bright colors, bold graphics, and lighting. And they change regularly, sometimes multiple times within a season. These displays are made up of three elements: a plastic or aluminum frame, strategically placed LED lights, and a dye-sublimated fabric print.

Close up image of how to insert the silicone edge into the frame

The silicone edge easily slips into the frame for one-person installation.

Dye sublimation is a process in which heat bonds ink into the fabric so that the color is bold and long-lasting. Your graphic is printed onto and INTO the fabric, and then a strip of silicone is sewn into the edge of the fabric. This silicone strip slides securely into a channel that runs around the outside edge of the frame, holding it firmly in place so the graphic is taut. The LEDs are permanently affixed to the inside of the frame, so connect the wiring to your electric feed and voila! Your sign is ready for display. There’s only a small sliver of frame visible around the edge, so your graphic takes center stage.

Why are these signs so popular? Changeability and price. Once you have your frame, updating your fabric graphic is as easy as sending a new art file over to Signwave (or having our experienced design staff create one for you). We’ll have a new graphic printed and ready to install in no time. Even better, it doesn’t take a sign professional to do the installation. You or a member of your staff can remove the old graphic and install the new one in a matter of minutes, saving you money.

Trade show display 2

Silicone edge graphics can be illuminated (from interior or exterior sources) or displayed with no lighting.

As perfect as this technology is for retail, it works just as well for trade show graphics and office/showroom decor. An entire tradeshow display can be built from SEG signage, and it can be illuminated from behind the frame or using attached lighting at the top. After the show, the fabric can be removed and folded away, and the frames can be disassembled for compact, lightweight travel and storage. The graphics will last for years and are washable. Another option is to recess the frames into the walls of an office or showroom for an elegant and impressive way to showcase your products and services. Changing the graphics as your business evolves is simple.

Call Signwave and let’s discuss how you can integrate silicone-edge graphics into your marketing plan!

Is My Signage ADA Compliant?

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Make yourself more accessible with Braille signage.

When it comes to doing business in an increasingly wide and varied world, one of the many important issues a company faces is accommodating people of differing abilities. The penalties for ignoring laws regarding accessible facilities, information, and websites can be stiff, both monetarily and in terms of customer good will. The Americans with Disabilities Act–the rules and regulations governing what accommodations are fair and lawful for all–is not always clear or concise. If you don’t have an ADA expert on call, how do you know you’re doing everything you’re supposed to do?

ADA signage applies to more than just restrooms.

Fortunately for you, Signwave has the expertise you need to ensure all your signage is ADA compliant. We understand what materials, fonts, and color options are allowed, and why. We know the regulations regarding installation of ADA signage, and what the allowable exceptions are in cases where ideal install locations aren’t feasible. We know where you can let your creativity shine, and where you need to stick with the standard. Let us take that stress off your plate so you can rest easy that your facility provides accessibility for all your visitors and employees, and you’re not at risk of penalty for violating state and federal laws.

Project spotlight: Planet

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Dealing with transactions between different currencies has always been a challenge. But with the constantly-changing and complex laws regarding VAT, along with instability in the European markets due to Brexit and various other political factors, the international shopping landscape can be almost impossible to navigate. Enter Planet Payment, a Garden City-based international payment services provider, simplifying the process for both vendors and shoppers around the globe. It was no surprise, then, that when they decided to rebrand they went with a simpler name: Planet.

When Planet called us about the signage they would need to rebrand their office spaces, we jumped into action. We worked seamlessly with Planet’s team of graphic and interior designers to ensure the materials we used would meld perfectly with their vision of clean lines and luxe finishes. And it all started with a logo.

dimensional planet logo

We rendered the new Planet logo in crisp, matte black dimensional letters mounted flat to the wall.

Next on Planet’s to-do list was privacy vinyl for glass-walled offices and conference rooms that lined a busy hallway. It’s important for morale that offices feel open and bright, but no one wants to feel like they’re working in a fishbowl where anyone walking past can look right in. The solution? Beautiful Etchmark vinyl with a slight sheen, with abstract shapes that resemble currency symbols reverse cut from the material. Visually the design ushers you through the space in a very welcoming way.

 

In the lobby seating area pictured below, we echoed the abstract currency shapes only this time cut from matte black vinyl. Again, using matte finishes and veneers gives a softer, more luxurious feel to the space compared to shiny gloss. When financial institutions incorporate clean, modern design choices like this, what was often considered old and stodgy can suddenly feel more youthful and relevant.

 

The biggest part of this project by far was the vinyl for the walls. Planet has a very urban vibe, so the designers envisioned wall murals that depicted city life from all over the world. Signwave chose a beautiful self-adhesive wall vinyl that has the look and feel of real textured wallpaper for a fraction of the price (and much easier to install). Even the mostly-white text wall has a complete coverage of vinyl, which is pretty neat if the wall you want to use has scuffs or imperfections you want to cover. It’s like a paint job, only easier!

Changing your business name and image to reflect new focuses and capabilities is a long, arduous process. But once you’ve got your vision pinned down, changing your signage is easy. Signwave has the knowledge, skill, and confidence to help you. Call us today to get started.

Why do I need a custom sign shop?

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No matter what industry you work in these days, you have to be aware of who your competitors are and what they’re up to. What services and products are they offering? What are their price points? What have they got that you don’t? Increasingly, we have to be aware of the growing competition from companies whose entire business is operated online.

This isn’t news to anyone, including your customers. As the economy shifts and changes, customers are constantly searching for vendors who can work quicker, cheaper, and better. Or they’re figuring out ways to do the work themselves using how-to videos and suppliers. How does a brick and mortar business survive in that world?

As a company that services businesses, we try and help our customers navigate the paths of brand visibility while dealing with that exact scenario in our own industry.

metallic lobby sign

Brushed aluminum veneer on acrylic

What’s the point of a custom sign when I can get it online?

It’s inevitable. We get a call from a potential customer who wants a particular sign, and they want us to match the price they saw online. What do we say to that? We say, “By all means, if the internet store has the exact size and color and wording that you want, buy that sign.” We don’t want to waste your time or ours proposing something that we both already know you can get elsewhere for less.

BUT…

What if the sign you saw online doesn’t include the required ADA components? What if you want your sign in a very specific Pantone color to match your logo? What if the size of the sign you saw online is just a tiny bit too large to fit the space you want it to go?

What if you simply don’t know what you want yet and need an expert to guide you through the process?

custom signs, logo signs, window signs, salon signs, sign consultationNow, you need a custom sign company.

Signwave has the knowledgeable sales staff to walk through your physical space with you, and listen carefully to your needs. We can advise you on sizes, materials, and construction. We have talented designers who have worked with innumerable sign-making materials, with the creativity to develop a project that is unique to you. We walk you through all the steps of making that design a reality, working within your budget. We work with your town to ensure all signage is legal and permitted, taking that burden off your plate.

We have the industry contacts to coordinate all aspects of your branding project, from an illuminated sign on top of a 10-story building, to the etched lettering on your office doors, even to the branded napkins you set out for your corporate events. And we have skilled installers to put everything together for a finished project that potential customers can’t ignore, no matter how distracted they are by their mobile devices.

WE are a custom business, to help YOU stand out in the crowd as a custom business. Attract the customers you want so you can keep them with your stellar service, unmatched by any faceless internet company. It’s working for us, and we can make it work for you too.

Painted HDU sandblasted sign

Digital Signs: The Next Step in Sign Evolution

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In an increasingly digitized world, digital signage is the next and most logical transition for businesses that want to attract tech-savvy consumers, young people, and customers who simply enjoy technology that is new, interactive, and cool. Examples of digital signage include the entertainment/payment kiosks at your restaurant table, menu boards, up-to-the-minute flight schedule information in airports, and giant billboards in Times Square. All these types of signs provide information, are visually arresting, and can be changed at the tap of a keyboard.

Today let’s focus on the ubiquitous directory sign. Most buildings need them, and it’s very important that they are easy to read and up to date. A digital directory has a lot of advantages over traditional modular-style directory signs, foremost being the immediacy of updates. Not only can management instantly update tenancy information, but they can regularly refresh the design as well as create new and interesting advertising graphics for the tenants on site. Someone may be here to visit the office next door to yours to have their annual eye exam, but as they stop by the directory to find the office’s suite number they are greeted with a colorful ad for your shoe repair business, reminding them to stop by later with those boots that need to be resoled.

Arranging for a new digital sign at your office couldn’t be simpler. You don’t have to be a tech genius! Signwave will walk you through the process, which will include:

  • Onsite assessment where we visit you, take measurements, and talk about your needs.
  • Consultation services: together we work through Signwave’s initial proposal and pricing.
  • Hardware and software: determining which components fit your needs and budget.
  • Installation and commissioning: determining what contract work or permitting needs to occur, then overseeing the professional install crew on the day of installation.
  • Content creation and management: Our design team will create the design and content to your exact specifications.
  • Training and support: Once everything is installed and the content is ready, you’ll have all the training you need for the hardware and software, plus 24/7 phone support.
  • Ongoing service and program evaluation: As you use your service, we can make recommendations for changes or upgrades as you need them.

Our digital display package includes:

  • A high quality brand name digital display
  • Premier tilt mount, On-Wall Cabinet Enclosure, or In-Wall Cabinet Enclosure
  • Lifetime Software License
  • Content Design
  • First Year Content Management
  • Onsite Installation
  • 24/7 customer support

There are 3 different mounting options, to fit any space or budget:

The tilt-mounted directory is most cost-effective and easy to install.

The on-wall cabinet directory has added security because the wiring is inaccessible to the general public.

The in-wall cabinet directory has a seamless, professional appearance but has a more involved installation process.

Are you ready to bring your office into the digital age? Call Signwave at 631-761-9292 and let us show you how easy it can be.

Textiles – Your New Branding Medium

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Recent breakthroughs in the manufacture of durable fabric media have opened up a new world of printed, washable fabric options for your signage. Custom printed fabrics do more than just decorate your office and shop–they integrate with your marketing plan in any budget to create interest and spur sales.

While dye-sublimated printed fabric graphics are everywhere–airports, trade shows, retail stores–what’s new is our ability to create beautiful custom decor items for your business or home using our onsite latex printer, with a durability never before available.

Expand your vision of “signage” by imagining how custom printed fabric can enhance your office or retail shop.

Custom branded pillow

Use a simple logo on a pillow cover to make your waiting area couch a comfortable resting spot AND a marketing tool. Use it as part of a window display for your hot new inventory–imagine shoes or jewelry resting on a cloth throw with your store’s logo.

Custom-printed curtains

Window draperies can promote your brand or set a mood. Fabric creates a soft divider between office areas compared to walls or cubicles, having a positive effect on customers and employees alike. Print your logo on a large curtain that will cover the glass on your salon space or conference room, sliding easily to one side when you want an open view. Signwave can take your project from concept to production, including sewing.* Or we can deliver a printed fabric for you to craft into your own one-of-a-kind item.

For the ultimate in fabric branding, create a unique piece of furniture. Custom chair upholstery conveys a message that your company is solid, long-lived, and deserving of trust. Use your company logo and colors, or match your interior designer’s site plan.

The infinite options available through design and texture will support your marketing by creating an instant reaction in all your visitors. Whether your company style is whimsical or serious or anywhere in between, Signwave will take your vision and create for you the perfect custom fabric for your interior design projects.

Call Signwave today at 631-761-9292 to get started!

 

*Ask us about pricing for including sewing in your project. Signwave does not upholster fabric but can contract the upholstery job for you.

 

Banners, school signs, branding, sign company, sign maker, event signage, event signs, event banners,

New Branding and Banners for Hauppauge High School

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We have created signage for so many of Hauppauge High School’s performing arts programs, events, departments and clubs, that it was with great pleasure we took on the project to decorate their halls with banners. The new principal, Christopher Cook, called us in to create the designs for a series of inspirational quotes hand picked by the staff. And using banners was the right choice for this new branding project.

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business sign, restaurant sign, community sign, signage, sign company, vinyl, privacy vinyl, etch vinyl, executive office sign, branding, privacy, window sign, glass sign, door sign, long island sign company, corporate office sign, window treatment

Make Establishments Exclusive with Privacy Vinyl

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Does your office need to keep its information confidential but doesn’t want to sacrifice the natural lighting that large windows provide? Perhaps you want to insulate your storefront from harsh sunlight or the glare of headlights shining through the window? Privacy vinyl can do that job for you. Also known as “etch vinyl,” it can serve multiple purposes in signage.  Here are some ways privacy vinyl can help your business or establishment: Read more

color precision, color match, color perfection, color matching, sign color

Getting the Sign Colors Right

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“Close Enough” isn’t good enough when it comes to your brand. Good signage has to match a business’ brand — everything from the establishment’s overall aesthetics, to the packaging, even their ad campaigns. If signage and branding don’t match, then recognizability will suffer as a result. A sign might be highly visible, but it won’t “click,”if it doesn’t connect with the product or business. But when it’s done right, when the sign colors and style match the brand, your signage will stand out and bring the customers in.  
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Property sign for Brentmako, Long Island, NY

What kinds of signs do you need for your business?

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There are so many types of signage that appear inside and outside of office buildings, commercial properties, hospitals and campuses. Each one gives an impression to all who work and visit there. What is your property signage saying? Let’s look at a few of the many ways your signage can help give your property appeal – or turn your visitors away:

Employee Entrance sign

Employee Entrance sign at Designatronics

Wayfinding and directional.

Are all parking lot entrances and exits clearly marked? Are the signs visible from the road, and from enough distance to assure drivers know where to turn in? Are the signs durable and attractive? Once in the parking lot, do visitors know how to navigate to the parking area and building entrance they need?

Exterior building signs.

Northport Wellness Center outdoor directory sign

Outdoor directory sign for a Medical Center in Northport, NY

Is the property management company clearly identified? Is branding of anchor tenants clearly visible? Is window signage used in attractive ways? Is all signage in compliance with local regulations?

A&E logo wall graphics

A&E logo closeup

Lobby signage.

Is there a directory of tenants that allows visitors to know how to reach their destination? Are all appropriate safety signs displayed? Is all signage in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act? Are elevators, staircases and public facilities clearly marked?

We can help with a sitewide audit of your signage to make sure it is doing all it can to make your property shine. Fill out our contact form, or give us a call at (631)761-9292.

Interior logo graphics installation

Corporate Logos For A&E Networks, New York City

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The Unseen Value In Signage

A&E Networks is a leading global entertainment brand based in midtown Manhattan. With internationally renowned cable and satellite channels such as History, Lifetime, FYI and Viceland, they needed an exceptional level of quality in their corporate logo signage to extend the imprimatur of their brand to the staff and guests that daily inhabit the 17 floors of their office building. That’s where Signwave’s fabrication team answered the call. With laser cut acrylic logos created to meet their exact material and design specifications, we fabricated and installed complete lettersets,  located in the corridors opposite each floor’s main elevator banks.  Read more

metallic lobby sign

Lobby Sign for Straight Line Source in Uniondale, NY

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A Lobby Sign That Stands Out

Our lobby sign for Straight Line Source is quite a looker. The Uniondale, N.Y. company’s new dimensional logo is composed of precision-cut acrylic with brushed aluminum veneers. We worked closely with the client to understand their goals for the project, presented a number of design concepts, and showed them various material samples. After all, as the centerpiece, those brushed aluminum letters have to tell the brand story authentically. They assure us that this one does the job, with their logo fabricated of sleek metal bars resembling a graph showing an upward trend. It conveys the overall brand promise of helping customers grow their businesses. It shows a straight line to success, if you will.

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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!

sand blast stencil

Sandblasted Signs For Schools – What A Relief!

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The Malverne Union Free School District had a new Administration team that agreed that a facelift was due. A new logo was designed, and they needed to update their building and podium signage to reflect their new look. After perusing our website, Signwave got the call.

The Signwave design team worked closely with them to define those sections of the logo to be raised or recessed, discuss textures and paint techniques, and mounting options. Then it was off to fabrication.

Painted sandblasted sign showing HDU substrate

Bold colors on a sandblasted sign

Sandblasting is one of several techniques used to create beautiful dimensional signs that can stand up to the elements. For this project, a block of High Density Urethane (HDU) was sawn and routed to size and shape. A vinyl mask was created to block off those areas not to be abraded by the blasting material, and the material (“sand”) was selected to provide the proper texture and density. The substrate was positioned in a protective booth and our skilled craftspeople blasted away.

Medallion sign

Medallion sign represents local school pride

After a perfect relief was achieved, it was off to the paint shop. Like many companies and organizations, color matching to their logo specifications was critical. After two coats of paint and two coats of polyurethane, it was handed off to our installation crew, just in time for graduation ceremonies. The four schools in the district were all looking their best with brand new dimensional signs, that will last for many years to come.

sand blasted sign

Modern techniques, traditional style

After that success, we followed up with more sandblasted signs for the District – a crest for the outside of their administration building, and a giant 7’ diameter crest for the High School. We also provided carved and routed monument signs for each of their school buildings, but that’s a story for another blog post.

Let’s talk about ways to show your school pride in signs.
Drop us a line or call 631-761-9292 to arrange a consultation.

 

lobby sign

Is Dimensional Signage Right For Your Lobby?

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We get many requests from companies in need of lobby signs with their logo. Some are moving to new office space, others are looking to upgrade their existing lobby signs. We’re always glad to discuss their concepts, answer their questions, and make recommendations.

Dimensional lettering mounted over custom wallpaper

Dimensional letters can be mounted over custom wallpaper

A look at our gallery will show that there are a multitude of material options and styles to choose from. One option is custom wallpaper with the company logo incorporated directly into the design. Logos can be rendered in vinyl directly to a painted wall. Alternatively, a glass, acrylic, metal or wood panel can be mounted to the wall and flat vinyl of various colors, textures and sheens can be applied to it.

The most popular option is to render the logo with dimensional letters and logo shapes. These can be fabricated from acrylic, PVC, metal, wood or various other materials. They can have various finishes – gloss or matte, metallic or clear, wood grain – the imagination is the limit. The dimensional characters can be mounted flush to the wall, separated from the wall on spacers, or mounted to a backer panel made of an equally dizzying variety of material and shape choices.

dimensional lettering close-up

Depending on the material chosen, the narrowest stroke width is about equal to the thickness of the material.

In order to render a logo as a dimensional object, the letters must have an adequate minimum thickness (or “stroke width”) to be manufacturable. Even the most precise laser cutter or strongest acrylic will have challenges with certain designs. Depending on the material chosen, the narrowest stroke width is about equal to the thickness of the material. Thus, if you wanted to render a logo in ½” acrylic, consider that the minimum line width should be ½” as well.

But what if your company logo includes thin, delicate lines? There are still dimensional options available. Logos can be routed, engraved or carved in relief – on metal, wood, acrylic or PVC. A skilled and creative signmaker is up to the challenge of creating even the most challenging designs in a dimensionality that will upgrade your office lobby instantly.

Let’s talk about what works best for your logo in the interior space of your lobby. Drop us a line or call 631-761-9292 to arrange a consultation.

 

grand “lightning” logo rendered spectacularly in window perf

Signage Speaks Volumes for a Distributor in Islandia NY

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If Your Walls And Windows Could Talk, What Story Would They Tell?

When Helios Tattoo, a manufacturer and distributor of premium inks, needles and supplies to the tattoo trade moved into their new headquarters in Islandia, NY, they wanted to make sure that their lobby, showroom and offices broadcast their brand to all visitors. That’s where Signwave’s specialties lie – in truly custom and unique brand identity designs for corporate environments.

Projects for the Helios headquarters include custom wall treatments

Projects for the Helios headquarters include wall treatments, lobby signage, window and door graphics, warehouse signage, and vehicle graphics.

We started with an overall consultation to understand what they were hoping to achieve with this project. We knew that we needed to provide wall wraps for their tattoo studio, window graphics to make an exterior impression, and a one-of-a-kind lobby wall. We broke the project into separate phases and deliverables to assure that the customer was satisfied with each sub-project before moving onto the next.

Phase 1 was the wall wraps. We worked closely with the Helios designers to create the image files that would show their brand at its best. We selected a matte calendared vinyl for the walls that we laminated with luster overlam to minimize glare under the studio lights but still make the images pop. Only seven days after design approval, their first guest Pro Team artists were cheerfully creating their amazing body art in the newly-wrapped Helios Hideout.

Translucent etch vinyl and white cut vinyl achieve maximum visibility.

Translucent etch vinyl and white cut vinyl achieve maximum visibility.

Next came the doors and windows. The front door obviously needed to present their logo to the public, attractively and with maximum visibility. We used a combination of translucent etch vinyl and white cut vinyl to achieve this. With printed color logos on their other doors, they were ready to move on to the grand “lightning” logo, rendered spectacularly in window perf. Window perf is a perforated adhesive vinyl that is perfect for office window treatments. It permits light to enter (thus not blocking the view from inside) while providing a full graphical brand treatment for outside the building.

Phase 3 was completed last week. We brought a number of samples of various wall textures to their team for selection and they immediately settled on a dramatic faux wall texture of brown stones with grey grout. We needed a lobby sign that would create an unforgettable impression, so we created a PVC sign with embedded red LEDs to cast a halo effect on the wall behind. The result was an eye-popping, dramatic welcome to all Helios visitors.

Signwave’s team isn’t done yet. Additional projects for the Helios headquarters include wall treatments for the offices, warehouse signage, and vehicle graphics.
We’re delighted when customers are pleased with our creations!

PVC sign with red LEDs casts a halo effect on the wall.

PVC sign with embedded red LEDs casts a halo effect on the textured wall behind.

We’d love to help you design your interior and exterior spaces too.

Drop us a line or call 631-761-9292 to arrange a consultation.