Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

Trust is an important characteristic that all auto dealerships want to inspire in their customers. Those who are shopping for a new vehicle are much more likely to buy from salespeople they know are giving them honest information. One way to build trust is by winning awards. So, when Ganley BMW won 2014 Dealer of the Year from Dealer Rater, they wanted to let their customers know about it. Through previous experience, they knew Epic Signs & Graphics provided the best Cleveland auto dealership window showroom banners, so they came to us for a window cling sign publicizing their accomplishment.

Who Is Ganley BMW?

For nearly three decades, Ganley BMW has served as an official franchise for BMW. Located in Middleburg Heights, they proudly serve Strongsville, Elyria, Akron, and Cleveland. In the community, Ganley BMW has long been a leader in automotive sales and repair. They have a vast selection of BMW models and provide an easy process for purchasing their cars. Their main focus is their commitment to their customers, and this has contributed to their longevity and success.

The local community and out of state clients come to Ganley BMW for their BMW repairs and shopping. Just off I-71, they are located on Pearl Road just ten miles from the Cleveland airport. Pre-owned and luxurious new BMWs are their specialties. To ensure their customers’ BMWs remain in tip top shape, they have a full staff of knowledgeable and passionate car service gurus on hand to provide repairs and routine maintenance. We wanted to make sure our signs served such a great member of the community well.

Why Go with Window Cling?

For Ganley BMW, they wanted to showcase their recent award to customers. Of course, the award was for 2014. In 2015 and 2016, it might appear a bit suspect for them to still have the sign up. Permanent window decals would not be the best option in these instances. We recommended vinyl window cling, which could be easily installed, moved, and removed whenever necessary.

There are many different materials we can use to produce window decals for car dealerships. Visibility out of your showroom will not be blocked when you go with our popular perforated one-way vision material for a full size dealership graphic for your storefront.

Many businesses prefer to go with window cling for a variety of reasons. It is made from vinyl decal film that allows it to be placed practically anywhere thanks to the versatile adhesive. You will see these on the doors and windows of the cars that are for sale. The window cling utilizes static electricity to stay attached to just about any surface. You do not have to worry about removing any adhesive. So, in addition to showcasing an award, window cling for Cleveland auto dealerships is also ideal for promotions and special events.

Just like we did with Ganley BMW, our graphic artists will sit with you for a free consultation to determine what window graphics will suit your purposes. We will then keep you informed throughout the design, fabrication, and installation process. And, we make it easy to get started...

The Polish Village commercial district in Parma OH features a variety of smaller, family owned businesses, medical offices, and other quaint storefronts. In Parma, it is one of the most walkable neighborhoods. Many of the businesses are located in older buildings with a lot of history. Epic Signs & Graphics has a lot of experience fabricating exterior building signs for Parma OH. So, when Ed Martin, owner of one of these buildings asked for our help, we were more than up for the task.

Ed Martin – State Farm Agent

In addition to owning a building in the historic Polish Village district, Ed is a State Farm insurance agent. He needed signs for both his business and the Parma Cleaners, to whom he leases space in the building. After graduating from Bowling Green State University after majoring in Insurance, Ed went right to work for State Farm. Since 1986, he has been one of the premier State Farm agents. His mission is to help people recover from the unexpected, realize their dreams, and manage the risks of everyday life.

A look at the building before the new signage installation...

Added illumination helps the sign stand out at night...

To fit the neighborhood and the recent remodeling done to the building, Ed had met with an architect prior to having Epic Signs & Graphics manufacture his signs. Based upon the architect’s rendering, we were able to produce the retro looking sign that Ed and Parma Cleaners required. The sign’s backface is made from 6 mil metal, and the letters are made of PVC. We installed the signs to give a seamless look that blends well with the surroundings. The excellent color combinations have really attracted the attention of passersby in the heavy foot traffic area.

Solutions for Buildings of Any Type

In this case, an architect created the design concept, but Epic Signs & Graphics does have a graphics team that is able to produce signs that go with any building’s exterior décor. Whether it is art deco, contemporary, Mediterranean, modern, neoclassical, postwar, pre-war, pueblo, or any other building style, our team will create signs that complements your structure.

Though it does not get much more durable in the harsh Ohio winters than the PVC and metal combination chosen by Ed, we have a variety of different options you can choose from when picking out property management exterior building signs for Parma OH. These include:

• Channel lettering – These come in both illuminated and non-illuminated varieties and are constructed from rust resistant aluminum frames. The illuminated channel lettering have acrylic faces to allow the energy saving and long lasting LEDs to shine through.
• Dimensional building letters – These letters are made from flat cut metal, foam, acrylic, cast bronze or aluminum, or PVC. These letters are extremely rugged making them ideal for just about any signage application.
• LED message boards – Monochrome, color, and custom LED signs are our specialties. LEDs are a heavy duty way to get messages across that need to be updated regularly.
• Monument signs – Of all signs, these are the most recognizable. Great for building complexes.

This is just a sampling of the options we have. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Below are some additional images of the fabrication process...

There are many different aspects to opening up a new business that can fall through the cracks during the rush and excitement of opening your doors to the public. One of the more important details that many new business owners may put off or are unsure about is obtaining signage for the new building. So, when the owners of T&G Auto Wholesale neared their grand opening date and did not have a sign, they turned to Epic Signs & Graphics to provide them with an affordable and durable solution.

Even the Small Business Administration (SBA) warns outdoor signs are a must-do!

About T&G Auto Wholesale

T&G Auto Wholesale is a brand new business in the Cleveland area. They are located at 5340 Pearl Road. They are so new that they do not even have a website up yet. But, T&G does have plenty of high quality used vehicles for sale. Owned by Gus Hamdan, T&G seeks to provide its customers with cars that are reliable and high performance while not putting too much of a strain on the bank account. After hearing about our skills at creating new business exterior building signs in Cleveland, they came to us for help. We were more than happy to lend a hand to a new business.

High Quality Digital Print

The first thing that strikes you when you look at T&G Auto Wholesale’s new sign is the sharp graphics. Our graphic design team listened to what Gus wanted out of his sign, then we went to work to create a proof for his approval. He loved it! We were then able to use our wide format printers to digitally print the exact high resolution proof in four color graphics on 3M vinyl.

Now, Gus needed his sign in a hurry, so customers would know that he was open for business. Many businesses will just go with a banner that is tied up with some twine. Epic Signs & Graphics does not work that way. We were able to work with Gus’s budget and adhere the vinyl graphic to some 6 mil PVC, which we in turn installed directly on the building. This achieved a much better, more professional impression than a temporary banner.

Permanent Solutions in a Hurry

Many new enterprises fall into the trap of not purchasing a sign to announce their business because they do not know where to buy exterior building signs in Cleveland, or perhaps they think they're too expensive. It can be a mistake, however, to skip the important step of a building sign. Consumers may see a new company popup but what they may not know is what the business is all about. They may never cross the threshold of the storefront. But, with a sign showing your brand, you'll be reeling in interest and foot traffic.

You cannot afford to be without a sign letting people know who you are and what you do. The sign will pay for itself. And, even if you do not have long until your opening and are working on a shoestring budget, Epic Signs & Graphics can provide affordable solutions for you.

Everyone has seen the photos. Typically, it is celebrities at a major red carpet gala in Hollywood. They stop to have their picture taken and behind them is a print of repeating logos for the event. Suddenly, the name of the event on the backdrop is seen by millions of readers who like to peruse the latest celebrity sightings. These backdrops create a perfect opportunity for your company to gain exposure.

Cleveland may not exactly be like Hollywood, but we have our share of events that can use backdrops. There are a plethora of non-profit and other big galas in Cleveland where this type of signage helps sponsors advertise subtly. Organizations increase brand awareness by utilizing graphic backdrops at many types of events, even if the attendance is only a hundred people or so.

Why Use This Signage?

Red carpet backdrops, or “step and repeat banners” as they are often called, are designed specifically for photo opportunities. They were originally only used for major press conferences and awards shows, but they have become increasingly popular as people feel like they are at a major event when they see these backdrops and want to get their picture taken in front of them to post on social media. On social networking sites, the step and repeat banner gives the appearance that attendees were at a major event, while at the same time serving as an advertisement for the company featured on backdrop to all of the attendees’ friends and followers.

Our backdrops are adjustable frames from 8' x 8' to 10' x 10'. They are available in vinyl or fabric materials and easy to reuse for years to come. These are a cost effective way to brand your organization and are a cost-effective solution.

Great for All Events

Besides using step and repeat banners at just about any event, you can also place them in the lobby of your business for increased exposure. Some of the events that benefit from this powerful, yet subtle signage tool include:

• Press conferences
• Birthday parties
• Corporate events
• Concerts
• Movie premieres
• Charity events
• Sporting events
• Booths
• Book signings
• Anniversaries
• Weddings
• Parties
• Trade shows
• Film festivals
• Political events

The goal is for you to get maximum exposure for your company. To help you achieve this, we will work with you to create a banner that features your logo prominently, so viewers of the graphics will notice your organization. We are also able to match your corporate logo precisely and keep your colors consistent using our state of the art large format printers.

Epic Signs & Graphics is your top spot for red carpet graphic backdrops for Cleveland events. Call us to find out how we can serve you.

Many of the bigger corporations have discovered the key to success is to get the attention of children. These days, children are consumers every bit as much as parents are. And, for better or worse, they tend to absorb more of the marketing material than their parents, who have years of experience ignoring advertising. This makes it important for you to use advertisements, such as vehicle wraps, that will catch the attention of children and subsequently their parents.

If you have children, then you know firsthand that they have opinions on just about any products, even brands they have no use for. A lot of times, when a parent is considering a purchase and is faced with a variety of options, a child simply chiming in with his suggestions can sway the buying decision. Or, children may just draw their guardian’s attention to a particular ad. According to a study reported in the international, peer-reviewed journal Nordicum, more than two-third of a TRILLION dollars in parental purchases are influenced by their kids. If you are not marketing to children, you are missing out on a significant slice of the pie.

Vehicle Wraps that Appeal to Children

One inexpensive way to reach your target audience in the Cleveland area is with vehicle wraps. Van wraps and graphics have proven to be more effective and less expensive than traditional forms of advertising. Vehicle wraps for Cleveland OH can reach as many as 70,000 people in a day. And, by taking routes near areas where your target demographic is located, you can increase your chances for sales conversions.

Children are often bored while sitting in the back seat of their parents’ car on their way to and from school or some other event. They stare out the window looking for anything interesting. This is your opportunity to catch their attention with an interesting vehicle wrap that gets them to exclaim, “Look at that car, Daddy!” Whether you are a business that specifically provides products and services to kids or a company that just works with adults, such as a realtor or law firm, you can benefit from a vehicle wrap that piques children’s interest.

How to Get Kids’ Attention

Much like adults, bright colors tend to demand the attention of children. Children also tend to gravitate toward cartoon images. Knowing this, our graphic design team can create a vehicle wrap incorporating colors and images that will captivate youngsters while presenting a good image of your company to their parents.

Does your company have a mascot? If you do have a mascot, we can duplicate it exactly on car wraps created to fit the contours of your vehicles. If not, we can help you design one that will appeal to kids and have them recommending your business to their parents. Mascots can help any company with its branding.

Epics Signs & Graphics has an endless wealth of ideas and resources to help Cleveland businesses increase sales. Give us a call, so we can come up with solutions for your enterprise. Or click below for a free quote!

The Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama in Cleveland is a superb opportunity for area businesses to attract new customers. But, as with most trade shows and events, it can be difficult for exhibitors and vendors to stand out and attract attention from the hoard of people. This is where A-frame signs, pop-up tents, and banners from Epic Signs & Graphics can help.

What Is the I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama?

The I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama is held each year. New will be an auction to benefit child related charities, pedal tractor puller competitions for kids three to eleven years old, Cleveland Browns Backers busses, Genuine Hotrod Hardware pedal car challenge, and a hot rod asylum packed with muscle cars and nostalgic rides.

And, as always, there will be bike builders, airplane showcases, car clubs, thunder row, awards, and plenty of fun for kids. The event is held at the International Exposition Center. Last year, there were over 35,000 visitors from all over the region, and the turnout is expected to be even bigger this year. For vendors, you could not ask for a better event. The vendor fees start at a fairly inexpensive $500.

How to Prepare for the Auto-Rama

The low vendor fee is a blessing and a curse. With the low fee, that means the event will be packed with exhibitors. On the plus side, you will have more money to spend on your displays, so you can attract the attention of passersby. Our customers have found that top quality exhibits pay for themselves. We strongly recommend the following vendor and exhibitor signs for the I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama in Cleveland:

• A-frame signs – These are excellent items for getting event goers to pay attention to your booth. In crowded areas, the sign may be an obstacle. This will make it unavoidable for gear heads to take notice and momentarily pause to read about what you are offering. Plus, with our colors that really pop, traffic will be directed to your booth.
• Pop-up tents – This is one of our best-selling trade show items. Also known as pop-up canopies, these are designed for creating an attractive trade show display quickly and simply. The smaller pop-up tents can be set up within a matter of minutes. The larger ones take a little bit more time. The canopies are made with polyester sidewalls, a durable aluminum frame, and water and fire resistant coverings.
• Banners – Included in our selection of trade show banners are hanging banners, retractable banners, and banner stands. At the Auto-Rama, you can garner the attention you seek for your products with the crisp graphics we have to offer. The best part about banners is that they are portable, easy to put together, and lightweight. They are ideal if you need to travel great distances to a trade show.

We can personalize any signs and banners for the I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama in Cleveland, OH. Give us a call to find out how we can help prepare you or click below for a free quote!

If you own or manage an auto dealership, you know how competitive it can be to close every customer. Turning those "Ups" into sales conversions is your ultimate goal. You need an upper hand on your competitors, so buyers will come to you for their next car purchase. One option that has proven effective is Cleveland auto dealership showroom banners that are custom made for your enterprise. This is exactly what Ganley BMW of Middleburg Heights did, and they have been reaping the benefits ever since.

A Little Information About Ganley BMW

Large format digital printing has revolutionized the sign industry. With this type of printing, sign companies can include great detail in all types of signs printed on many different materials. The wide format printers and equipment at Epic Signs & Graphics are designed to handle rigid, flexible, and many other materials to produce signs that look exactly the way you want them to look. In this entry, we will explore how versatile wide format printing can be for supporting the sign industry.

Digital Printing on Rigid Materials

On pieces up to eight feet square and three inches thick, Epic Signs & Graphics is able to print directly on rigid materials. We can cut the material into any shape imaginable to really bring it to life. Plus, the signs will have magnificent quality and color. Some of the materials we regularly print on are:

• PVC – Heavy duty and medium weight, this is simple to transport and install.
• Corrugated cardboard and card stock – Great for making boxes, posters for indoor use, and point of purchase displays.
• Foam board – Weight bearing, flat, very rigid, and durable. Great for indoor use, such as trade shows.
• Corrugated plastic – This material is a substrate great for indoor and outdoor use when you need something that is affordable, robust, and light.
• Aluminum – Primarily used for outdoor use, aluminum is quite lightweight.
• Composite materials and wood – Ideal for outdoor uses thanks to their versatility and ruggedness.
• Acrylic – A plastic substrate that is ideal for achieving a high tech, sophisticated look.
• Styrene – Heavy duty, lightweight material great for indoor use or short term outdoor use.

Digital Printing on Flexible Materials

Up to sixteen feet wide, we can print on any flexible and seamless material imaginable. We are also able to add a clear coat to the sign to provide extra abrasion protection, longer life, and more vibrancy to the color. The following materials are particularly popular around our shop:

• Double-sided – A black opaque material is sandwiched between two printable surfaces. This makes it so you do not see the printing of one side on the other.
• Backlit prints – These use materials that are strong enough for permanent outdoor use while still allowing light through.
• Banners – Typically made from twelve ounce material, these can be used indoors using matte or outdoors on gloss.
• Magnets – Once the magnets have been printed on directly in full color, we can cut them into any shape for you.
• Pressure sensitive vinyl – Ideal for when you need to adhere your graphics to a surface, such as a sign, window, vehicle, menu, wall, or floor.
• Mesh – Reduces the weight of large banners while also reducing wind resistance.

As you can see, there are a vast array of large format printing applications. These are just some of the solutions we can provide for your business. To learn more, you can contact us for a free consultation. We can help your business get seen and help build your brand awareness with vibrant, eye catching signs in every shape and color.

Canvases are not the only place where you will find masterpieces these days. On the exterior of RV's and buses, graphic design companies are creating works of art every day. And, not just buses are transformed into mobile advertisements and graphics on wheels with vehicle wraps. Trucks, vans, cars, and other modes of transportation are getting involved.

Whether you have leased advertising space with a transit organization or you want to wrap your own vehicle, buses are a great opportunity for you to increase your brand awareness. And with our large format printers, we digitally print your Cleveland bus wraps including graphics that stand out and get noticed!

Designs That Help You Advertise 24/7

The graphic designers at Epic Signs & Graphics are always itching for new vehicles to exhibit their creative abilities. Best of all, they are skilled at increasing the brand visibility and revenue for our clients, especially because bus wraps have the capability to be seen by up to 70,000 people on a daily basis. Designed to command attention, our bus wraps are hard to miss.

There are endless possibilities for vehicle wrap designs. Using the proper space, contrasting colors, typography, and images are imperative for getting your message across. Done by hand in the past, applying the lettering and graphics used to be a painstaking task. Now, full or partial bus wraps are much easier to make thanks to high quality vinyl and advances in digital printing technology.

What Our Team Takes into Consideration During the Design Process

We sit down with all of our clients and through that consultation, we take a number of factors into consideration for every Cleveland bus wrap we create.

• Typography – While the vehicle is stationary or in motion, your message must be legible. We keep the size normal and choose a simple font. The right spacing is also necessary. To make sure the message is readable in rear view mirrors, we can reverse the text on the front of the bus.
• Colors – By using contrasting colors, you can accentuate the important parts of your message. The message will stand out with a good color scheme.
• Tools – To create designs we can scale without losing clarity, we use vector graphics editors like Adobe Illustrator.
• White space – It may seem counterintuitive, but white space is incredibly helpful for accentuating the design. White space allows pedestrians and drivers to zero in on your message, including your company’s number, address, and name, after the graphics grab their initial attention.
• Images – When we work with larger vehicles, like trucks, vans, and buses, we generally avoid the temptation to turn the wrap into a collage. This is because we do not want the images to take over the overall wrap. We want it to complement it.
• Message – Last but definitely not least is the message. You want to keep it simple, since the bus wrap is a moving sign. If you list all of your services, benefits, and products, many people will not bother to read any of your information, and those who do will likely skip your pertinent contact information.

Check out what Epic Signs & Graphics can do for you if you are thinking of wrapping a bus in the Cleveland area. Click below for a free quote!

Do you own or manage an airport courtesy shuttle business? If so, that doesn't mean your vehicles need to be all one color or void of advertising messages. Why not promote your business and reach consumers with well-designed airport courtesy shuttle vehicle wraps and graphics? Cleveland and Northeast, Ohio shuttle service companies will benefit from full body wraps and graphics, partial wraps or vehicle vinyl lettering. Epic Signs & Graphics can help you stand out each time you drive to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

It is all too common to see shuttles of all types at the Cleveland airport. To deliver simple-to-remember messages about your company, you really need vehicle vinyl lettering and decals that fit the contours of your shuttle, whether it is a sedan, van, or other mode of transportation. We have worked with a number of companies interested in standing out from the competition to produce vinyl wrapping products that really catch your attention.

With our vehicle wraps, we provide vibrant backgrounds that contrast well with company information, such as your company’s logo, phone number, address, and website. Our graphic designers have decades of experience in the industry and can work with you to make sure your shuttle provides consistent branding.

New Customers Will Be Able to Reach You Easily

Though we generally recommend keeping it simple and crisp, we can embed information about your business. Two popular features many of our customers like to add are their company slogan and a QR code. QR stands for "quick response" codes. These are black and white pixelated squares that can be scanned from a distance with a smartphone taking passersby directly to your website. Other must-have elements include your telephone number and website address and of course graphics of your mascot or logo.

The vehicle wrap industry has really come a long way in the last decade. Even just five years ago, the materials and designs were drastically inferior. 3M, Avery Dennison and Oracal vinyl films are used for today’s wraps and created using heavy-duty, high-quality wide format printers. Without peeling or fading, the vinyl will last up to five years thanks to the material strength and coloration properties.

Why Your Courtesy Shuttle Needs a Wrap

There are many different reasons why you might get decals, vinyl lettering, or full vehicle wraps and graphics for your courtesy car or van. Some of these include:

• Reach the precise people you want to market to – The fact that you provide a courtesy shuttle to the airport in the first place suggests that you are looking to advertise to those who travel a fair amount. Where do you find people who travel? The airport! Advertising using conventional means will never be as effective in reaching your target audience as having a full vehicle wrap advertisement.
• Reinforce brand recognition – The more people see your branding, the likelier they are to remember you. And, when they remember you, they will call you when they need the services you provide.
• Inexpensive advertising – One of the greatest benefits of turning your vehicle into a billboard on wheels is that you can advertise your business 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Contact Epic Signs & Graphics today to find out what solutions we can provide for you. We design, print and install coutesy shuttle wraps in our Cleveland facility. Make your vans, cars or sedans shine and get noticed!