Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

We have been busy beavers lately with area business owners adding truck lettering, truck decals and even wraps to their fleet. If you have not been able to get vehicle graphics done on your business vehicle this year yet, give us a call today and we would be happy to size it up for a spiffy new look. Add a consistent mobile message board that delivers vehicle advertising for you all around town every day.

Take for example the van for Armorlike Coatings. Frank came to us looking to have his van and trailer done for his new business and we were more than happy to help out. He provided us the logo, art and the copy and we arranged into a moving bill board that will work every day that he is out and about. Even the back side will work while people will see his business services sitting at red lights.

It's easy to get truck lettering and decals started for your fleet, just bring us the vehicle so we can take measurements, pictures and go over your vision and important messages you would like the city to know about. We will provide you with a quote, share and explain the types of vinyls we can use, and then if you agree, we will provide a proof for you to approve. Our aim is to get you noticed by all potential candidates that look your way so they give you a call for action.

Our operators and equipment combine to produce some of the highest quality reproduction in the Cleveland area. We have the latest in wide format printing and laminating equipment and use the best materials so that the reproduction shows bright and clean like this one on the tow truck for Sirl's Automotive.

Call today for a free consultation get truckin'!

Truck lettering for your business vehicles is a must these days if you want to attract potential clients about your company and services. One of our latest projects was to add lettering and decals to a work truck for 911 Locksmith Emergency Service. They are now on a roll with 2 vans with full color decals and lettering. Every day they are now advertising with out lifting a finger!

Epic Signs & Graphics can take your logo and other art and convert it into a design that will provide truck graphics that will provide daily advertising that will be on display every day that your vehicle is out and about.

We use premium vinyls and laminates for your project because we know that you want the graphics to last a long long time. 3M, Avery and Oracal vinyls are material options available. We print with an HP wide format digital printer that provide stunning images that get you noticed rolling down the road. If you are parked at a job site, do not forget to strategically park your vehicle so it can do some advertising for you. You would be surprised how many neighbors will seek your services!

Don't forget the back of your vehicle. While you sit at red lights, the driver behind you will be looking directly at your vehicle graphics. Great place for your business name, phone number, website and maybe a service or two if there is room.

Give us a call today for free consultation and a quote! We would be proud to help your business increase sales. Having your vehicle with us for a day, we will transform it into an advertising machine, rather than just a cost center!

Can someone please tell me why business signs don't get any respect? I see a lot of bright ambitious people do an amazing job pulling all of their resources together to launch a great business idea and I notice in many cases, the sign project is the last item on the list to purchase let alone add as part of the plan. Why? When a sign is installed, the result is usually extreme happiness and satisfaction because it represents the final touches of a long journey to starting a business.

Why so happy you ask? Well, take a look at a typical time line to see how it works in the Cleveland area.

You decided to start a business!

Call Epic Signs & Graphics! - Start recruiting a sign partner as soon as you can to learn what options are available and determine budget numbers. Consider the exterior building sign including directory updates. Think about the interior too. We can help with dimensional wall letters, wall murals, window graphics, etched window designs and more. We can also help you with vehicle graphics, such as decals, lettering or even a truck wrap. Finally, use graphics during the build out phase to let people know what's coming soon!

Signed a lease!

Call Epic Signs & Graphics! We will survey the space for fit with your logo, slogan and overall plan for signage. At this point we work with you to develop concepts and final quotes for you to decided which projects should move ahead.

Approval from the city? Really?

Yep!! Call Epic Signs & Graphics! We will develop all necessary plans and documents to submit to the city. For some cities, and depending on the project requirements, having the city involved early can help your timing further down the line. If the sign is new or is some how outside of the zoning ordinance, then review and approval is required from the design review committee. Nope....I'm not kidding. This step can take from 2 weeks to 2 months.

Approved!!

Epic Signs & Graphics will place orders for materials and coordinate installation. Depending on the type of sign, this part can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks. In some cases 12 weeks. Weather can also be another fun variable that adds to the process. Snow storms or high winds can keep a good sign person down for a few days.  These are only a few reasons why it is important to start early. There is not much we can do when the production pipeline is full already and the business needs to open ASAP!

I hope this guide is helpful to show you why planning is so crucial. There are critical mile stones on the road to success, so give Epic Signs & Graphics a call today to start the discovery of the types of signs that are available. We would be happy to guide you through the process.

Can you believe these signs? Make Believe opened in Parma, Ohio in December and is the next big hit for family fun in North East Ohio. We at Epic Signs and Graphics are happy to have helped with their project providing fun business signs for outside and inside! Take a peek below and see how effective signs can transform a family fun center into a visual experience!

If you want to get noticed, go BIG! That was the conclusion here and big it is. This is an illuminated wall sign that had to be seen from the road over a large parking lot. The biggest letter is six feet wide. All of the letters and bubbles had to be bolted to the wall with anchors and holes had to be drilled through 18" of block so the installers could wire each letter to a power supply inside and then eventually to the electrical box.

To make sure customers know they have the right place, and to attract potential future customers, it is wise to have a sign by the road to lead the way. This light box is LED illuminated. The cabinet sign is bolted to an all masonry base, The masonry crew poured the footer and set cinder block for the base and then adhered decorative stone over the face.  A primer and finish coat of paint finished the job and is the same color as the refinished building.

In the above photos, signs were installed in the entry way to display pricing options. This is a 5 foot x 10 foot panel made with 1/4" thick poly metal that has full color graphics applied to the face along with sub panels. The whole system is mounted to a wall of bubbles with 1/2" deep offsets. The Lollipop wall letter sign is made from routed out acrylic 1/2" thick and full color graphics applied. they are flush mounted in the cafe to welcome people for a refreshment in between all the fun activities.

Finally, there were a few wall areas decorated with wall decals and wall murals. To the above left we printed out a rustic pirate map, printed it on self adhesive wall vinyl and applied directly to the wall. The middle photo is the bumper car area that called for a city scape to go around three walls. There is over 75 linear feet of wall involved and it looks like a small town! The last photo is a wall kaleidoscopes next to the mini bowling area. Through the area there are digital displays for even more eye catching images for the brain to absorb.

As you can see, we at Epic Signs & Graphics can help a client with many types of sign projects that will ensure all aspects are tied together into a cohesive program. Call us today to make plans for your next large scale sign installation project.

Dimensional wall letters are just plain cool. They add flare to an otherwise ordinary wall graphic. They key though, is how they are used and what you use. There are variables to consider such as, size, color, finish and material composition to start with. So having a source for good ideas and a good execution for logistics and installation all combine for a great dimensional wall letter sign. Read on.....

Where to Use Dimensional Letters

• Lobby signs. Add some dimension to your walls in the lobby area. It makes your logo pop and looks sophisticated against the flat walls.
• Building directory. When you share a professional building with plenty of other businesses, opt for a directory that features dimensional letters. These letters are a lot easier to read for clients, patients or customers visiting the venue. Since these types of directories are usually placed near the elevators, being able to quickly find the information needed is important to visitors.
• Directional signs. Whether you are pointing your visitors to the bathroom, the conference room or the concierge desk, directional signs answer the most common location questions clients, customers or patients have when entering professional buildings. Reduce visitors’ frustration by answering these questions right away. Overhead signage and wall-mounted signs are good choices for helping first-time visitors chart a course through the corridors and office environment. If you are operating a retail location, pick focal walls as a prime location for the signs.

What Are Wall Signs Made Of?

Besides understanding where corporate wall signs can be used, also understand we can provide lettering for interior use that are made of acrylics, metal, hard density urethane and wood. We can also incorporate LED Lighting for very nice effects. Knowing which material to use will depend on the type of look you want to have and the budget level. 

There is no doubt that a professional corporate entry way is a perfect place to install a wall sign fabricated into your logo and letters. It will ensure that anyone entering your business has a good experience right from the beginning. After all, when visitors enjoy their time in your building, they are likely to return since they associate you with a positive experience. Epic Signs & Graphics can help you achieve a uniform look and feel that starts on the outside of the building and carries over to the inside.

We take you through the entire signage design process from first sketches to final mock-ups. Our friendly experts explain the pros and cons of different material options, which solutions are best for your venue, and where you need to place the signs for maximum effect. Call us today to discuss your need for dimensional letters.

It's the new year and it's a good time to call us out to survey your office space to see what we can do to install a new wall sign. If you do not have a lobby sign in place,, it can be a nice added touch as clients enter your business. We will focus on dimensional lettering in this blog and show some examples we have fabricated and installed. There are many material options to choose from and we would be happy to share ideas on location or at our company. Just call and ask us what's best for you.

Acrylic or Hard Foam Dimensional Graphics

For dimensional type wall signs, the 2 main options options include laser cut acrylics, acrylics with metal laminates and metal type wall lettering including cast or laser flat cut metals. The above project was done with HDU (hard foam) laminated with acrylic and painted. The logo was fabricated with 1/2" thick acrylic and color vinyl applied to the face. We matched the company color scheme using PMS color matching codes.We prefer to install dimensional wall graphics with stud mounts for stability. There are options as well for stand offs that create a soft or hard shadow affect depending on the distance from the wall.. 

Metal Wall Graphics

Brushed aluminum is popular these days and we can provide an option that is cut from flat stock or they can be fabricated from cast. The method chosen will be decided by the type of art work, the desired affect when completed and the colors and or materials surrounding the area so that the wall sign is a compliment to the office space. There are many types of finishes available including bronze, silver, marble, wood or custom painted to match corporate colors.

Cusom Wall Signs

If you really need or desire to have something that stands out from the crowd, we can design ideas to include lights. LED lights can be added internally to letters and logos, or included inside a cabinet with a routed out face to expose the company logo or letters such as the example below. We can also get into custom formed plastic signage that is illuminated. We even have an option for chrome finish lettering and logos if that is a design that goes with the style of your business.

Plastic Wall Logos and Lettering

Don't let all the fancy ideas scare you away, We can provide wall signs with a budget in mind for example with plastic formed lettering or with finished acrylic and vinyl and a printed application. See example below of our very own sign! This can be a very effective eye catching addition to your entry way with out blowing the capital expense for the year.

The bottom line is, there are lots of options and ideas that can be discussed and reviewed when we meet to go over your vision. Give us a call today and lets get the planning started, we will walk you through al the options and determine a price that will meet your expectations. Call for a free consultation!

Window graphics are often overlooked when it comes to using advertising for promoting a business event or organization. But take a look below and see how they can dress up the front of a business or promote a new business or event such as the case with Goldfish Swim School in Fairview Park, Ohio.

Goldfish Swim School already has a location on the East side and are now expanding to the West side on Center Ridge Road in North Olmsted. While under construction, they wanted to make it known in the market place what is coming, so they called us to see if we could install perforated window signs that would hide the inside, yet promote the new business. When you consider the amount of space available on windows, it makes sense to use it for advertising. It is also possible to use solid vinyl plus cut vinyl to dress up windows but in this case they wanted to be able to see out, yet hide the inside as much as possible. We used a perforated window vinyl that allows such a type of application. Perforated window vinyl is just what the name implies, vinyl that has holes punched through to allow the see-through ability, but also allow adhesive to still stick to the window. When you look closely at the perforated vinyl, you see a neat pattern of holes. The hole sizes change depending how much you would like to conceal. In this case we used a ratio of 65/35 which means the hole is 35% while the vinyl covers 65%. There are options for 50/50, and 80/20 as well.

When Goldfish Swim School called us, we arrived the next day to see the scope of the project, take measurements and to also show the buyer the differences in vinyl. After discussing various options, we proceeded with a quote  that was accepted. Once the design was completed, we provided a plan to allow the images to move from pane to pane so it looks like a continuous image as seen in the photo above and below. This type of application allows for full color digital printing and we also laminate for exterior installations and gain weather protection. Be aware however, that perforated vinyl does not have the same lasting power as solid vinyl, simply because there is missing adhesive since there are holes in the material.

Goldfish Swim School is a franchise business that started in Michigan and as noted above will be the second location in the Cleveland market. They provide swim lessons for kids with a structured curriculum and offering various levels and even open family swim times are available.

We really like helping businesses like Goldfish Swim School develop their marketing with signage and it is nice to see investing going on in the Cleveland area. Call Epic Signs and Graphics when you plan to move, remodel or open a new facility. Besides window signs, we also offer office signs, wall murals, lobby entry signs, exterior signs as well as event banners, table throws, tents and more! Call us for a free consultation today!

I once read a wise some where...."don't sweat the small stuff". Not that signage is an insignificant thing to ignore, but let's face it, most business owners see signage as a cost item that is a hassle to deal with quite honestly. But an effective sign dos not need to be complicated. In the example below, that entry way sign was done with an aluminum shoe-box design that is mounted on a bracket with cut vinyl graphics applied to the face.

When you call Epic Signs & Graphics, you can expect these types of solutions....no fuss no muss, just like another wise fello once said. In the example below, full color digitally printed graphics laminated and applied to an aluminum flat base is a simple but an effective sign that is a lower cost point than other options, but just as nice when done by a professional sign company.

Some times a small business just needs to get a sign up just to function, that is, so people looking for you can find you, or when you are getting supplies delivered into your operation, it would be nice if the delivery person could actually find your business, especially now that winter conditions are settling into the area. Make it easy and have something in place so they know they have found your business. We know how it is when your waiting on delivery of material and supplies and need to get the project moving.

So if you need a relatively quick solution and a lower cost point than other fancy sign options, call Epic Signs & Graphics for a quote. When you call, it will be helpful to know how high the sign is going, how big of a space it will be going into if that is posible to say and if you have any art work available for us to use as a design starting point. Call today for a free consultation on your entry way business sign!

Well well well.......It's that time of year when you are looking around at your facility and wondering, what can be done about some of those drab lookin' walls around here??  We have just the idea for you, wall murals!. I'm talking about the kind that go on the inside of course, but we can also do them outside under the right conditions, but we'll save that for another day. Let's look further into this and take a look at some factors to consider.

The biggest item to consider is the image that will be used. If you plan to use a photo  with continuous tones, keep in mind that we will need one that can be blown up to the size of the wall under consideration without turning into a fuzzy mess. We may still end up with some pixalization, but it may be fine for the eyes when viewed from across the room. The files we have used for large walls have been on the order of 4200 x 2900 pixels with a file  size of 65 Mb's.  Some times it works some times it does not depending on the content. The best reproduction is 125 dpi at the size that will be printed so 15' foot wide x 8' high. We usually need to down load something from a reputable photography web site ro have a very good photographer help out. Bottom line is, the image has to be large enough to be expanded to the size we will print in order to maintain detail.

Wall finish is another factor to consider. We require a finished smooth wall, there cannot be any debris on it or else it will show through the vinyl once applied. Be sure walls are sanded and smoothed before primer and painting. If the wall will be new or getting repaired, allow several days for thorough dry time. Some require as much as 30 days, some do not. It should be tested before installation to be sure there are no problems.

Cleanliness is key for great looking wall mural. If there is going to be other work in the area, be sure the area is blocked off by curtains to avoid dirt and dust settling on the walls. Once that happens, the adhesive will not adhere and it will peel off.

Most of all, be sure to call a professional sign company for a standout wall mural. It takes planning and guidance to make your wall graphics look great and we can help you with the process from design to installation. Call today for a free consultation.

When you have decided to get a lobby sign installed in your office waiting area, how do you decide what to get or who to call? If you do a little internet searching of all the images available to see, the results will produce really cool ideas for sure. The next question becomes...how much? That is a good question, because the person designing a sign idea for you needs to know your price range so he/she can determine what materials to use while considering other factors,,,,,read on to learn more!

What will the logo design and the slogan allow you to do with a sign?

Some times this could be a dilemma if the overall logo shape is different than the shape available for a wall sign. If the available space is 2 feet wide and 4 feet high, and the logo is more of a 4 feet wide x 2 feet high, what can you do about that? Short answer is...that depends. It will depend on the make up of the art if it can be modified or if the sign could be in such a way to use dimensional space like with thick letters. Art design matters and often times needs to be resized or even reworked so that it is usable for a sign situation.

How much can I reasonably spend?

As mentioned earlier, price will determine types of materials and how it can be constructed or if lights should be involved. A low side budget number may involve a panel sign with cut vinyl graphics applied with the panel mounted flat with decorative screws. A middle range business sign may involve dimensional letters and offsets for the panel so it is 1/2" to 1" off the wall. A high end office sign could have routed acrylics pushed through the sign face with LED lights inside to illuminate the letters with a nice glow. Price matters.

The above factors, design and price, will determine the type of interior business sign that will be installed in your office waiting area. Doing nothing really is not an option however, because when people visit they notice office signage when they walk in. It will make a statement about your organization. 

If you need help deciphering the variables, do not hesitate to call Epic Signs & Graphics for help. We can survey your office space for sign opportunities, and create a design that will utilize the materials to best fit your budget. We provide free consultations on site or in our office and explain the materials available, the types of sign fabrication we can provide and all the other variables such as color, size, and routing or engraving possibilities.