Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

You're not alone if you've ever tried to hang signs, artwork, or plaques on freshly painted walls, only to watch your tape fail miserably. The culprit? Low-VOC paints. While these eco-friendly paints are great for indoor air quality and sustainability, they present a real challenge when it comes to adhesion.

But don't worry; Epic Signs now uses "SecureStick", a great new solution by Repros Engineering for installing graphics on Low-VOC walls.

WHY DOES TAPE FAIL ON LOW-VOC PAINTS?

Low-VOC paints have revolutionized the painting industry, making indoor spaces safer and greener. However, this innovation comes with some frustrating side effects, especially when you're trying to use traditional adhesives. Here's why regular tape just doesn't cut it:

• Softer, More Porous Finish. Low-VOC paints contain fewer harsh chemicals, resulting in a softer surface, making it harder for adhesives to bond appropriately.
• Extended Drying & Curing Time. Even if the paint feels dry, it may still be too soft to hold the tape securely.
• Alternative Resins & Binders. The ingredients that make Low-VOC paints safer also make them less compatible with standard tapes.
• Paint Finish Matters. Matte, eggshell, and satin finishes are common in Low-VOC paints, but their textured surfaces can reduce adhesion even further.

THE GAME-CHANGER: SECURESTICK TAPE

SecureStick was engineered to apply to "hard to stick surfaces" and it also works with Low-VOC surfaces. It is designed with superior adhesion technology to ensure your graphics and signs stick and stay on your wall. Here's why SecureStick is a great solution:

• Universal Compatability. It works better on Low-VOC finishes, including matte, eggshell, and satin.
• Reliable & Long-Lasting. Adheres securely even on softer, less-cured surfaces.
• Perfect for Business & Commercial Use. It is ideal for signage, wayfinding, ADA compliance plaques, and other professional applications.
• Great for Temporary and Permanent Installations: SecureStick is perfect for applying wayfinding signs, plaques, and ADA signs to walls with Low-VOC paint surfaces, but the foam allows for better removability when new signs need to be installed.

WE UPGRADED TO SECURESTICK FOR BETTER INSTALLATION RESULTS

At Epic Signs, we don't let tape troubles slow us down! Whether we are installing signage in an office, retail space, or public building, SecureStick ensures a smooth installation experience every time.  Say goodbye to peeling and failing tape and hello to a professional, polished finish! Just remember these steps we follow to get the best results when using SecureStick and other products on Low-VOC walls:

• Allow Proper Paint Curing Time. Even if your paint feels dry, give it the full recommended curing period before applying tape.
• Use a Primer Coat. A good primer can enhance adhesion and make tape applications more reliable.
• Test Before Full Application. Always do a a small test area to ensure SecureStick meets your needs.
• Prep Your Surface. Clean, dry, and grease-free walls provide the best adhesion results.

This is why Epic Signs uses SecureStick to make your graphics stick!

If you are looking for professional graphics or signs using SecureStick, contact Epic Signs & Graphics at (440) 799-8235 or email info@EpicSignsCleveland.com. We have developed a variety of solutions to address hard-to-stick surfaces.

WHERE TO GET SECURESTICK

For more information on SecureStick, contact Repros, Inc. at 800-666-3364 x105 or email Heather.Oneil@ReprosInc.com

A local retail store was bombarded with customer complaints and confusion stemming from unclear parking rules that left drivers frustrated and unsure of where to park. Over time, their parking signs had faded due to constant exposure to sun, rain, and snow. The once-legible symbols and text were now barely readable, leading to frustrations, parking violations, and even minor accidents. After updating their parking signs, the store saw fewer complaints and a noticeable improvement in customer satisfaction. This simple change made a significant difference for the business and its patrons.

Parking signage might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering business improvements, but it’s a detail that can make or break your customer’s experience. Epic Signs & Graphics specializes in crafting durable parking signage that is visually appealing and reflects your company's brand identity. Our expertise ensures your parking signs look professional and comply with all necessary rules and regulations for seamless navigation and enforcement. Check out the before and after photos below:

Refreshing parking signage is more important than you think—here’s why:

1. Legibility

Parking signs are exposed to harsh weather conditions year-round. Sunlight can bleach colors, rain can wash away details, and snow can cause damage, contributing to faded text and symbols. Over time, this makes signs harder to read, leading to confusion for drivers. By refreshing your wayfinding parking signage, you ensure that instructions are clear and easy to follow, preventing misunderstandings.

2. Compliance with Regulations

Rules, regulations, and parking laws change over time. For example, your city may introduce new hours of operation, restrictions, or accessibility requirements. Keeping your regulatory and handicap parking signs updated ensures they comply with current local ordinances and minimizes the risk of fines or penalties for non-compliance.

3. Safety and Clarity

Clear and visible signage ensures drivers can safely navigate your parking lot. Faded or unclear signs can lead to confusion, parking violations, and accidents. Properly maintained parking signs enhance the safety of your lot by providing unambiguous guidance to drivers and pedestrians.

4. Enforcement

For parking rules to be enforced effectively, regulatory signage must be easy to read and understand. Without clear and visible signs, issuing tickets for violations becomes challenging. Refreshing your parking signage helps maintain order in your parking area and ensures that rules are consistently followed.

5. Liability Prevention

If your parking lot lacks clear signage and an accident occurs, your business could face legal risks. This is especially true if the incident is attributed to unclear or outdated signs. Keeping your parking signs up-to-date and visible reduces liability risks and demonstrates your commitment to safety.

6. Aesthetic Appeal

Well-maintained and visually appealing branding signage reflects positively on your business. Faded or damaged signs can give the impression that your company neglects details, while fresh, clean signage creates a welcoming environment. This can enhance the customer experience, encouraging repeat visits and fostering loyalty.

Refreshing your parking signage isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a safer, smoother, and more welcoming experience for everyone who visits your business. Let the signage experts at Epic Signs & Graphics show you how updated signs can be a small investment with big returns, from keeping up with regulations to reducing liability risks and enhancing your brand’s appeal. Don’t let faded signs be the first thing customers notice—revitalize your parking lot today and let your signage speak volumes about your attention to detail and care for your patrons.

For more information, contact Lou Laguardia at lou.laguardia@reprosinc.com.

Stop, Look, and Listen!

Are Your Fire Safety Signs in Compliance?

As companies push their return-to-office dates into 2022, now is a good time to evaluate your buildings for fire code compliance while your buildings are still empty or well-below occupancy.

Fire safety signs are an important part of your emergency preparedness plan. Unique safety signs serve different purposes. Epic Signs is your one-stop shop for a wide range of safety signs including interior and exterior wall signs, vinyl signs, reflective stairwell signs, and more. 

Typical signs required by the International Fire Code include:

      Fire Department Connection Signs
Approved signs are required to identify fire protection equipment and must be visible and permanently installed using durable materials.

      Utilities Signage
Approved signage for utilities such as gas shutoff valves, electric meters and other utility equipment are required to be clearly marked and maintained.

      Stairway Identification Signs
Code-compliant signage is required at each floor landing in an interior exit stairway connecting more than three stories. Stairway signs must comply with a range of code requirements including sign and lettering size, content of the message, location, and type of material used to insure durability.

      Elevator Signs
Elevator signs that identify location and evacuation instructions are necessary to maintain order and safety in the case of an emergency. 

      Area Of Refuge Signs and Accessible Means Of Egress Signs
Businesses are required to designate an area of refuge within their buildings designed to house occupants during an emergency when evacuation may not be safe or possible. Proper accessibility signage is required to identify these areas.

      Other signs to consider while evaluating your facility for fire safety are address/premises identification signs, illuminated exit signs, fire lane signs, and others.

Not sure if your safety protocols and signage are compliant with current fire codes?

Epic Signs stays up-to-date with local fire ordinances and can consult with you about the best materials to meet your needs, including vinyl, metal, dimensional, flat and reflective signs. Call 440-799-8235 or email John@EpicSignsCleveland.com for more information.

Think you can apply your own vehicle graphics? You may want to think again. High quality car wraps require experience, precision and an installation environment specifically designed for that purpose.

To get the process started, Epic, powered by Repros, uses the latest printing technology and high quality vehicle wrap materials to produce your fleet graphics. And, while design and printing are important factors of the vehicle wrap process, at the end of the day, the appearance and durability of your wrap will depend upon the precision of the application process. It is important to have a clean and climate-controlled space to apply vehicle wrap graphics.

A clean shop will help avoid debris contaminating a wrap and prevent larger particles from creating tears in the film. According to the installation experts at 3M, “The temperature of the environment should be between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for installation. When it’s too hot, vinyl wrap becomes sticky and stretchy. In the cold, a vinyl wrap becomes brittle and hard to stretch.” Our vehicle wrap installation facility is spacious and well-lit, with A/C for summer installations. The building fits a 53’ semi-trailer through a 14’ door.

‘Our centrally located installation center provides an industry-leading facility for high-quality installs,” explained Lou LaGuardia of Repros, Inc. “It also reduces the cost of smaller installs by allowing us to move from one job to another, wrapping multiple vehicles at one time.”

Our vehicle wrap install facility is conveniently located at 455 Ken Mar Industrial Parkway in Broadview Heights, Ohio, near the I77 interchange. Just leave your vehicle in front of our garage or in back of the building. Make sure you drop off your keys by the slot located near the door and our experienced wrap professionals take care of the rest.

Contact us to learn more about this cost-effective way to market your business or schedule a time to tour our vehicle wrap installation facility at www.EpicSignsCleveland.com or contact us at 440-799-8235 or email John@EpicSignsCleveland.com

Choose a vehicle color that makes your branded wrap pop!

The impact of Covid-19 has forced many of us to stay at home and rely on deliveries for meals, groceries and other products. We have seen a sharp increase in delivery vans and trucks on the road as a result. While there are so many ways that the pandemic has had a negative impact on businesses, a positive outcome is the opportunity to market your business while your fleet is out on the road. Businesses that wrap their vehicles with their logos are not only delivering their product, but they also have the opportunity to deliver their brand messaging at the same time.

According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA),

“Vehicle wraps offer the lowest cost-per-impression of any form of advertising. Depending on city and population size, a single vehicle wrap can generate between 30,000 and 70,000 daily impressions.”

That’s a lot of potential new customers!

Concerned about cost? One way to make the process cost-effective is to purchase a vehicle that compliments your logo and branding. The base color of your vehicle becomes part of the design, minimizing the size of the wrap and therefore cutting down on the cost of the installation.

Timothy Moneypenny, founder and CEO of Diligent Electronic Security Systems, wanted his company vehicle to stand out and chose to buy a vehicle with a base color that allows his logo to pop. Moneypenny remarked,

“It turned out even better than I expected. The pictures tell the story. Carlos and his team did a great job. I can’t wait until I purchase my next van!”

Epic, powered by Repros, can produce fleet graphics for any size truck and any size fleet that is durable and affordable. Our experienced team of sales and installation experts can help you get your vehicle wrapped and back on the road with professional services that meet the needs of your business and your budget. We use quality 3M and Accucut products, with a 3M performance guarantee for long-term campaigns. Short-term transit vinyl, window perf and cut vinyl are also available.

A well maintained delivery vehicle with a professionally wrapped exterior sends the message that you care about quality. It also becomes a powerful marketing tool to build awareness for  your business in these troubled times and beyond.

For more information visit our website at www.EpicSignsCleveland.com or contact us at 440-799-8235 or email John@EpicSignsCleveland.com

Are you looking to create brand awareness at your customer location, but need more than a simple yard sign for maximum exposure? Do makeshift banner solutions leave you with torn and sagging messaging? Simple yard signs may not provide enough visibility and old banner solutions don’t always stand up to the test of time and extreme weather conditions. In some applications, banners are being replaced by rigid signage with fence stakes as an effective and  durable alternative.

For years, many companies have purchased sign stakes at the hardware store and strung a banner between the posts. Over time, the wind will turn a banner into a sail and pull the stakes inward, causing the banner to sag. We offer a solution using fluted plastic; borrowed from the construction of political signs.

Fluted plastic is rigid and holds its shape. It also comes in various thicknesses that helps the graphic to stay firm and readable over longer periods of time. And, you can laminate the print to make it glossy, scratch resistant, with added UV protection.

Typical applications for rigid signage include help wanted, sales, open house, and other event signs where you want to call specific attention to your business.

For more information on rigid signage with fence stakes, visit our website at www.EpicSignsCleveland.com.

Or contact us at 440-799-8235 or email John@EpicSignsCleveland.com

Winter weather has arrived! It’s time for cold weather frames.

Are you frustrated with basic yard sign frames that won’t go in the frozen ground for your winter open house? Does your “Home for Sale” signage bend and break in the cold weather months? Epic Signs, powered by Repros, has a variety of solutions that will save you time, money, and yes … frustration.

Heavy-duty step stakes are more durable than a basic stake. The addition of 1/4” gage galvanized wire base pierces the cold ground much easier and holds rigid while stepping your sign into the ground.

Fold over step frames are the deluxe solution for professional looking yard signage. These high-quality step frames are made with 3/8” round metal rod stands with a convenient handle that is powder coated black. This stake is so solid, it can pierce hard or frozen ground where other frames cannot.

Tent frames offer a professional look and the flexibility to display on a sidewalk, lawn, or any flat surface. Constructed from 3/8” round rod stock, it folds flat for easy transport and storage. The gloss laminated panel is positioned to swing freely and draw additional attention to your home.

High-quality yard signs are an extension of your brand statement to the community. Don’t let cold weather and hard ground prevent you from making a professional appearance. Epic Signs, powered by Repros, has been serving the residential real estate sign industry in Northeast Ohio for over 25 years.

If your firm is looking reliable signage solutions, contact us to become involved in our stock sign program! 

For more information contact us at 440-799-8235 or email John@EpicSignsCleveland.com

Do you have a fleet of vehicles that spend a lot of time on the road? Deliver your branding message when you deliver your product. According to the American Trucking Association, the average delivery truck makes 16 million visual impressions in a single year!  By applying your company identity and message to your fleet of vehicles, you are creating awareness every time your trucks hit the streets.  This adds up to a cost-effective way to advertise your business. But beware! Wrapping a vehicle is a process that requires precision and experience, and one mistake can ruin the entire installation. Epic Signs has experienced installers, a designated space for vehicle wrap installation, and uses high quality products and installation equipment that will put you on the road to greater visibility and success.

Experience

The advantage of an experienced vehicle wrap installer significantly outweighs discounted prices offered by a less-experienced company. Our installers have extensive experience restyling a wide range of vehicles including, trucks, trailers, vans and autos.

Environment

The facility where an installation takes place must be clean and climate-controlled. A clean shop will help avoid debris contaminating a wrap and prevent larger particles from creating tears in the film. According to the installation experts at 3M, the temperature of the environment should be between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for installation. When it’s too hot, vinyl wrap becomes sticky and stretchy. In the cold, vinyl wrap becomes brittle and hard to stretch. Epic Signs’ vehicle wrap installation space is clean and well-lit, with A/C for summer installations. The facility fits a 53’ semi-trailer through a 14’ door. We are also able to work on multiple vehicles at the same time.

Equipment + Materials

Epic Signs produces vehicle wrap graphics for any size truck and any size fleet. Affordable and durable, we use quality Avery, Arlon and 3M products. Short-term transit vinyl, window perf and cut vinyl are also available.

More Than A Mobile Billboard

When your vehicle is at your customer’s location delivering your products and services, it tells prospective customers that their neighbor trusts you.  And, when it’s back at your shop, it provides additional, large signage for vehicles passing by.

Let us turn your vehicle into a moving billboard with vehicle and fleet graphics from Epic Signs Color. For more information, visit our website at www.EpicSignsCleveland.com.

Or contact us at 440-799-8235 or email John@EpicSignsCleveland.com

Is your company spending valuable resources on outdated document management systems? As your business grows, so do the stacks of boxes filled with blueprints, specs and plans. Over time, blueprint storage can expand to take up valuable office space and increase the risk of loss or damage of valuable information. Epic now provides scanning, CAD conversion and project management services to the AEC industry that will save time, space, and money.

Archival Scanning

Archival scanning of AEC documents will save storage space and salvage aging documents by converting them to digital files. Blueprint scanning can also help businesses of all sizes reduce overhead and streamline their processes. Document scanning provides a number of benefits to businesses, including managing records easily, making images centrally available and, eliminating need for file cabinets. We consult with companies to develop a plan to scan existing paper drawings with a naming convention for easy retrieval.

CAD Conversion

Epic also offers efficient processes for the CAD conversion of AEC documents. Convert architectural and engineering drawings and other documents that are to scale, dimensionally accurate, and layered to your specifications. We service CAD conversion for a wide variety of applications and can re-draft entire drawings or provide clean-base only drafting.

Blueprint Plan Room

Get a customized Plan Room for your business, fully managed with your branding. Track activity, view plan holders and send and manage bid invites via email and fax. Select recipients based on trade, group, location, and more. Epic powered by ReprosBlu offers real-time reporting with recipient activity and bid responses.

Have jobs to manage? Experience cloud power for your projects available anytime and anywhere with fast, scalable infrastructure. No job is too big or too small. Simply upload all your project files, list as public or private, send out email/fax bid invites, receive & manage ITB responses, and track all plan holders. All in your own custom Plan Room.

Looking for jobs? The Repros Engineering Plan Room makes it fast & easy. View documents in your browser and order prints of what you need. Selective jobs offer downloading. Your calendar shows upcoming jobs.

For more information on Epic AEC document management powered by ReprosBlu, contact us at 440-799-8235.

Since Epic Signs & Graphics has merged with Repros, we now offer more options for serving the reprographic needs of the architecture, engineering and construction industry (AEC). Building on Repros’ extensive experience of over 30 years providing professional document reproduction, Epic is now positioned to serve the changing needs of your business as it grows from copying, scanning and printing to large format printing equipment sales and service.

AEC Printing

Need an affordable source for printing blueprints and spec books with fast and convenient delivery? Epic is now able to copy, scan and print blueprints and spec books in A,B,C,D, and E sizes with black  & white and color options. We also offer despeckling, deskewing, and cropping functionality. Our services include easy online file upload with the flexibility to manage documents from your office to our online portal at: neoplanroom.com. There is no charge for binding, file check, staples, or half size.

Blueprint Scanning

Blueprints and engineering drawings hold important, proprietary information; as well as notes and mark-ups used during production and building. Company libraries are typically rooms filled with flat file drawers or boxes of rolled drawings. In many instances, there is one person who can find all the documents. What happens when that key person leaves or retires? Best practices dictate that digitizing drawings will protect your investment, free up valuable office space and allow file sharing across the company network. We can consult with you to develop a plan to scan old drawings with a naming convention for easier retrieval.

Blueprint Reprographic Equipment Sales and Service

Has your business grown to the point that you are considering investing in your own large format equipment? Our experienced sales team can find the large format printing and scanning solutions that are the right fit for your applications. Epic, powered by ReprosBlu, is an authorized dealer of Ricoh, Epson, and Canon. Our service technicians are OEM trained and certified; each with over 25 years of experience.

Contact us for a full proposal or for more information click here: