Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

Marketing has evolved a lot over the last few years. From brick-and-mortar to digital, marketing has taken giant leaps that currently define the progress it has made. However, while digital is the way forward, traditional means of marketing still stand tall as viable options that can be implemented in the time to come.

One of the traditional means of marketing that has embraced new forms and still stands applicable in today’s world is that of a vehicle wrap. Vehicle wraps can accentuate your marketing campaign and help you open new doors and expand your horizon. Once you start using vehicle wraps as a suitable method of marketing, you will be convinced that is one of the best ways to get the word regarding your brand.

For those who are not familiar, a vehicle wrap is basically a large decal. It is full color printed on specialty vinyl, laminated and applied carefully on the exterior of your car. The wrap isn’t permanent and is removable. The opportunity is that organizations can wrap their vans and other vehicles to use them for marketing purposes and increase the reach of their marketing campaigns. There a distinct marketing benefits you can get from a vehicle wrap listed below.

Expand Your Reach

What is the best way to measure the efficiency of a marketing campaign? Through the number of people it has reached! Traditional billboards and wall marketing have a limited outreach because of the fact that they cannot reach out to a larger audience. The marketing done through them and the message displayed on stationary modes of marketing will only be visible to people who happen to pass by them. Instead, when it comes to vehicle wraps, you can expand your reach to as far away as the vehicle goes. Imagine your branded vehicle standing at traffic signals, going through peak hour traffic, and catching the eye of everyone in the reach. And, if you compare the costs at the end, vehicle wrapping offers good bang for your buck.

Alert Local Market

Newly launched brands that are looking to alert local markets about an upcoming launch, fair or sale, can use vehicle wraps to alert the market around them. While you can cover all company owned vehicles, you can also extend the program to private vehicles and offer owners a small fee on displaying the message on top of their vehicle.

Be a Brand That Attracts

Imagine all the cars passing you on the road with a monotonous color tone. Amidst this traffic comes a vehicle with a colorfully wrapped brand message. The vehicle will obviously turn heads and get the attention of people around the road. The attraction and aesthetics would eventually give your brand the attention it desires.

If you want to get customized vehicle graphics design, printed and installed contact us today!

You started a new company or you have just moved offices and the space is flourishing. The shiny floor goes well with the exquisite cabinets to create a rustic look. You are particularly proud of your wall color as well. You’ve hit the nail on the head with the wall color, as the violet, white, green, or lilac look brilliant on the walls. But something is missing.

Only a week or two after beginning work within the space, you start to feel that it is a bit too bland. The walls look sort of dull, and you feel that your employees’ morale isn’t as high as it could be. Knowing the conundrum you are going through, we have solutions for spicing up your office and adding life to your corporate walls.

Incorporate Corporate Branding and Messages

You can display colorful corporate signage and messages by adding murals to the walls. The space near the entrance can be used for writing your company vision or mission statement, while the rest of the space inside can be used for displaying your history and how you progressed with time by use of a well designed time line. The customized wall murals will give you a distinctive glow inside the space that you can further accentuate by adding dimensional lettering to the murals. The end result will surely make your office walls a delight to see.

Consider Wall Quotes

Ever walked into an office with custom quotes encrypted on the walls? Then you know it makes your walls look better and is inspirational. Wall quotes serve as a good way to make new employees feel comfortable and helps organizations guide culture and provide focus. All organizations want to set the right impression and that is achieved through effective wall quotes written in strategic locations through out office areas, break rooms, meetings locations and lobbies.

Invest in Wall Vinyl Graphics

Customized wall murals through the use of custom printed and die cut vinyl provides an improved environment for employee and clients. Not only can they be eye catching, and provide a more appealing place to work. Epic Signs & Graphics works with professionally developed graphics or we can provide design services. Besides high quality printing and installation. We will guide you through the process of image selection, copy design, and surveying office spaces for proper scaling so it fits properly and looks professional.

If you want to get customized wall graphics produced and installed within your office space, click below or call to get the best graphics company in Ohio to help you.

Although a full body vehicle wrap can be a really effective marketing tool - and is also something that we specialize in here at Ep!c - there are other options for vehicle marketing that is very effective and easier on the budget.

Having some clean, effective decals or lettering on a company vehicle is a great way to catch attention and market your business to new clientele. There are a few great reasons to think about using decals and lettering on your fleet.

1. Name recognition: People naturally trust a company that they have heard of already. Whether it is from a personal recommendation or seeing your fleet out around town, people will recognize your company’s name and think ‘oh yeah, I’ve heard of them. I should give them a call!’ Over 95% of Americans are reached by media targeting vehicle drivers, and there is a reason all those huge companies do it - it works.
2. Positive image: Your image and brand is everything in business. You want only positive things to be associated with you, and one great way to do that is to make sure that your company cars are professional looking. Having clean, professionally done truck lettering is a surefire way to add a presentation of professionalism. This is especially helpful for businesses just starting out, who would like to build trust in the community. A good first impression helps more than anything else!
3. It’s a great return on investment: In terms of bang for your buck, vehicle decals and letters (as well as wraps) count among some of the highest ROI. An expert in advertising estimated that the cost per thousand impressions for vehicle-based marketing is $0.04. Compare that to the $3.56 per thousand impressions that a billboard gets and it’s obvious which is the better deal!

When Kitchen Tune Up came to us, they had a solid idea of what they wanted, in the form of a corporate branding guide, color scheme, fonts, sizes, and all other variables. This is a great way to start a design partnership, as we could begin the process quickly. Working with the corporate marketing department, we created an effective look that completely reflected their company goals, strategy and look. After minor revisions, our professionals installed the great looking signs that they wanted on their fleet.

At Epic Signs, we work with your company to create exactly what you want. Whether a business with one car, or a whole corporate fleet, we’ll create the precise look that you’re going for.

We would all like to work with unlimited budgets, but for most, that’s just not an option! At Epic Signs & Graphics, we aren’t just experts at creating and installing great signs, we’re also experts at making the most out of your budget, whatever that might be. By using different materials and techniques, we can create great looking signs that look expensive, without breaking your budget. Even better, we still use quality materials, so your sign is going to look great for years to come.

If a client likes the look of a brick or stonework ground sign, but cannot afford the investment of masonry, that’s when our experts step in with some creative, and budget friendly, solutions! One great way to mimic the timeless look of stonework is to use a faux sign base. These clever bases are actually made out of large styrofoam cubes, carved and painted by experts to look exactly like either stone or brick.

Using this type of base, we were able to make a great looking sign within our client’s budget. After building the base from carved styrofoam, we encased the final piece with 3/16” thick PolyArmor and applied a finish of stucco paint. When created by experts, this type of sign looks exactly like the real thing, and lasts for a great many years looking fantastic.

Faux stone or brick ground signs are a great option for many types of business, as it is a budget-friendly sign option, looks classy, and lasts a long time while looking great. At times, it can be difficult finding a masonry expert that has an opening to building a ground sign, they are usually committed to bigger projects when the weather is finally decent. This option is a way to get around that obstacle.

By being creative about materials, the experts at Epic Signs & Graphics can create a multitude of different looks and effects that will make your business stand out while looking amazing. Contact us for a free consultation.

Spring is a time for renewal and rebranding - and it is the perfect time to install new outdoor signs! With the warmer weather, installation is a breeze, and more eyes are outside, ready to take a look at your sign.

Should you change your sign when your business rebrands? For Yes-MLS, the answer was a definite yes. As a business, you never want your customers to have to guess what your business is called, so a clear and professional sign is the first thing you want to install. Rebranding is a great opportunity to reintroduce your business to your community, current customers and potential customers. A smart business will make sure that they lead with great visuals to make that all important first impression.

When Yes-MLS called us, they were looking for help with a rebranding effort. What they were after was a big impression, which calls for a big sign! Our experts started by removing the old letters, and cleaning up the area, ready for a shiny new sign to be installed.

To make a maximum impact, it was decided that a precise, clean sign of 1/2” thick routed acrylic would be ideal, painted in Yes-MLS’s corporate colors. Using a CNC machine, we custom cut each element of the sign. This technique allows for maximum precision, customization, and durability, creating a sign that will catch attention and create a great first impression.

Once the sign was cut, our experts painted it with commercial outdoor grade paint, an extra durable formula that ensures that the colors will stay fresh for the long run. Then, the letters were fitted with metal studs on the back. This technique allows our expert installers to drill holes, set the elements with adhesive, and create a great looking sign!

Businesses looking to rebrand can talk to our experts and begin the exciting process of designing a whole new look for themselves.

We don’t just create great exterior wall signs - we also are the experts in post and panel signs. You might be wondering ‘How important are post and panel signs for my business?’ - the answer is: Very! Especially with larger campuses or areas where road signage is not especially clear, it is in your best interest to announce your business clearly to your clients. Make it easy to find what they need, and clients will arrive happy. If someone has to solve a maze to get to you, they are not going to be in the mind frame you would like them to be!

Why should you install a post or panel sign?

1. You have several buildings, and want to make sure clients can find the right one

When the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center needed to update their sign, they turned to us. We helped with every stage, from ensuring clear design and proofreading to creation and installation. Two new wooden posts were painted and installed below grade in cement for extra support. Vinyl and laminate were applied to a sign panel and secured for the fantastic result - clear, helpful and sure to look great for a long time.

 2. You want to announce the entrance to a specific area

Why should you put a sign at the entrance to your organization? The entrance to your campus is an important space. It is everyone’s very first impression, and a sign is necessary for people to find you. Padua Franciscan High School knew that when they asked us to fabricate a new sign for them. We custom shaped aluminum and created posts with an ornate base and finals on top - a classic and elegant look that will stand the test of time.

 3. You want to stand out from the competition

Grab the attention of people driving by with a sign that is closer to the road. Having clear, vibrant signage near to the road will catch many more eyes - and if it’s a great looking sign, you will be remembered! Our signs come in any color and in custom sizes, the better to accommodate our client’s needs. Contact us for help today!

Moving into a new office space is the perfect time for a business to take a look at their signage. What are your signs communicating to your clients? Are they creating a first impression that is professional, clean and attractive? Old, broken or weathered signage will communicate a much different impression than clean, precise and clear signs.

People tend to go with their gut - and their first impressions - when they are choosing who to give their business to. When Akiah Communications came to us about their new office space, we knew that producing top quality signs for them would help drive business. We met with them about what they wanted, and our experts helped them determine the most effective and impactful way they could incorporate their logo into signage that would really make an impression on their clients.

1. COLORS CAN MAKE YOU STAND OUT IN A CROWD

Just a few pops of color can draw the eye - and jog the memory! Using our top-of-the-line techniques, we can print full color on vinyl, creating the exact look our clients want. We used clear, sharp lines coupled with vivid colors on both interior and exterior wall signs for Akiah Communications. Laminate was then applied to make sure the colors won’t fade, keeping the signs looking great for the long haul. Then the signs were mounted on ¼” aluminum sign panel with a PVC core, for added durability.

2. USE 3-D TO MAKE A SIGN POP

The interior wall sign for Akiah Communications was an interesting challenge for our experts - and one that they knocked out of the park! Using a router, we created the detailed shape, carefully placing the vinyl so that the detail was not lost and all colors aligned. Next, the client wanted added dimension on the sign, so it was decided to place the sign at an angle. From the idea to the execution, our experts guided the client through the process to make sure that the final product exceeds expectations.

3. PARKING SIGNS CAN CREATE A GREAT IMPRESSION - IF YOU DO THEM RIGHT

Many businesses decide to go with standard parking signage, which is fine, but it does not make much of an impression on potential clients. To really stand out, it was decided that a more conversational tone would be appropriate, politely asking people not to park in Akiah parking spaces, rather than threaten a tow. The friendly tone will make an impression - and of course our proofreaders made sure that every letter and comma was correct before production.

We often talk about specific sign types and give examples of the jobs we’re doing for our clients, in and around Cleveland, Ohio, so we decided to take a break from that to talk about why signs are essential in the first place. If you’re wondering why you should even bother with signs for your company or business, this one’s for you.

Silent Salesperson

While you may already have a salesforce pounding the pavement for you, none of them are working 24-7. Signs are essential for marketing your business because they can function as a sort of silent salesperson around the clock. Whether it’s a billboard, exterior sign or window graphic advertising specials, your signs are working for you, even when you’re sleeping.

Safety

Both retail and corporate entities rely on signs to keep both patrons and employees safe. In an emergency, fire and evacuation signs help people exit the building in an orderly fashion, keeping them safe in what can be a crisis. Perhaps you have a network room or an easily accessible electrical box -- wayfaring signs can help keep people away and avoid hazardous areas on your property. Signs can also alert people to the locations of fire extinguishers or defibrillators, in case of emergency.

Traffic

Exterior signs help businesses take advantage of traffic, and window graphics can bring in foot traffic, but have you thought about using your signage to increase web traffic? If you do not include your website or a social media handle on your exterior signage, you’re missing out on valuable traffic.

Differentiation

How are you different from your competitors? Use your signage strategically to communicate to the public why they should choose you over your competitors. A well-designed exterior sign can express how you’re better than your competition and capture customers solely on appearance. Think of the last sign you saw that make you turn your head [in a good way] -- use the same strategy for your business signage.

Aesthetics

Don’t forget that signage can have dual purposes as well. Think of popular retail chain stores -- many of them often integrate signage into their decor, which serves to brand the company further; IKEA quickly comes to mind as a store that uses signage to their advantage. IKEA not only uses their product to serve as floor design, but they integrate signage throughout the store in the form of wall graphics describing products and designating themed sections, hanging banners advertising specials, and wayfaring signs. All of IKEA’s signage uses their signature font for branding continuity. Imagine trying to work your way through IKEA the first time without signage to guide you -- you’d be lost in no time!

If your Cleveland area business is ready to invest in epic signs, contact us today! Our design team works with you to create designs that work within your budget and communicates what your business is about.

Every day you encounter window graphics, even running a quick errand will present many window graphics. Maybe you haven’t given window graphics much thought, but that little sign above the door handle telling you to “pull” is the perfect example of a hardworking window graphic. While window graphics are used in all types of companies and businesses, you may not have considered using them yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the ways window graphics can help your business. 

1. Cost-effective advertising

We’ll start with the obvious -- window graphics are an inexpensive form of advertising. Retail stores make great use of window graphics to advertise specials or catch the attention of passersby. The great thing about window graphics is that they’re a very cost-effective form of advertising (in addition to being extremely efficient).

2. Offer a better view

While we discussed the merits of using window graphics to advertise in retail establishments, they also have a place in corporate offices. Not everyone can have the coveted corner office, and looking at the side of a brick building or a view of an overflowing dumpster are not exactly inspiring productivity. If you have windows with poor views, consider using window graphics to liven things up, or at least partially obscure an uninspiring lookout.

3. Offer privacy

In a similar vein to the previous point, window graphics can also provide privacy. An excellent example of this is with a recent job we did for DuPont Vespel in Valley View, Ohio. DuPont wanted their engineers to utilize a conference room for brainstorming meetings, free from distraction and onlookers. We printed panels with full-color graphics on a translucent frosted film and applied them to each window surrounding the conference room.

Another set of panels featured white ink on clear film, and were placed on the inside of the glass panes. The films were applied as a wet application so that they could be repositioned easily during installation.

4. Promotion

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out another obvious benefit of window graphics, that being the simplicity of using them for promotions. Window graphics are relatively easy to apply and aren’t permanent, making them ideal for advertising specials and promotional offers for passersby to see. Full-color graphics can make your message stand out boldly, while the ease of placement and affordability make window graphics ideal for quick, temporary promotions.

5. Brand recognition

Whether you’re retail or corporate, window decals are an easy way to promote and build your brand recognition. Full-color graphics can help your logo stand out, taking your offices from camouflaged to exhibited, especially when they’re located in areas with a significant amount of traffic. Window graphics can also help bypass the permitting process with hanging exterior signage.

If you’re ready to dress your windows and take them from bland to bright, give us a call today to work with one of our designers.

We know you have not been out for a while, but we're pretty sure you have had a wrapped vehicle catch your eye before. Whether it was a flashy design, vivid colors or highly recognizable branding, car wraps unavoidably grab attention wherever they go. The simple fact that vehicle wraps often feature designs, versus the solid colors of traditional paint jobs, make them stand out from the crowd. If you’ve been toying with the idea of wrapping your company vehicle -- or your entire fleet -- check out the answers to the most common car wrap questions to see if a vehicle wrap is the right choice for your business.

 

1. What exactly is a vehicle wrap?

Car wraps catch our attention because they’re typically bold, feature a precise design, and are often shiny like a beautiful custom paint job; in reality, car wraps don’t involve paint at all. Vehicle wraps are a custom vinyl graphic or decal that cover all or part of a vehicle. Vinyl is printed full color onto thin vinyl sheets at least 54" wide, dried and laminated. They are then trimmed into panels and then carefully applied to the body of the vehicle. This process allows vehicle owners to easily and completely change the appearance  of their vehicle.

2. How long do wraps last?

Well-maintained vehicle wraps can last over 5 years on average. If you keep your wrapped vehicle parked in a garage or covered area, away from extended exposure to pollution and the elements, your car wrap will last much longer before deteriorating or fading. As part of the process, we apply a UV resistant laminate over the printed vinyl. Wraps do a fantastic job of protecting your vehicle’s original paint job, which can help increase the resale value.

3. How do I maintain my vehicle wrap?

To keep your wrap in tip-top shape -- which you want to do because you want to advertise with your best foot forward -- you should hand wash your wrapped vehicle weekly. Your wrap provider will instruct you in cleaning, and you want to make sure you use the recommended cleaning agent to avoid damaging your wrap. After washing with a soft cloth, hand dry your vehicle’s exterior to remove any water spots for optimal look. There is no need apply wax.

4. How do I protect my wrapped vehicle from damage?

If you live in a harsh climate -- extreme heat or cold, wet, snowy or overly sunny locales -- you may want to store your wrapped vehicle under shelter when not in use. If you don’t have a garage to keep your truck or fleet, try to find some type of covered parking area to protect your vehicles from the beating sun or pelting rain and snow. Protecting the wrap will increase the life of the wrap.

 

5. Can I remove my vehicle wrap?

Wraps are removable but it does take quite a bit of elbow grease and the ease will be dependent on the length of time it has been on the vehicle. The other factor is the type of vinyl applied to the vehicle. It may take time, heat and special chemicals to increase the ease of removal. Contact a wrap professional to remove your car wrap to prevent damaging the paint underneath.

 

There are many options to consider before wrapping your business vehicle. If you’re ready for a consultation and to get wrapping, give us a call today to review your vehicle, and vision.