Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

We get calls frequently from clients asking us if their business auto insurance will cover their vehicle wraps in Cleveland if they are damaged in an accident. Epic Signs and Graphics also receives calls asking us we can repair vehicle wraps. The answer to these questions is a resounding yes, but there are some initial tasks to complete prior to filing a claim.

Tell Your Insurance Carrier About Vehicle Wrap Additions

When your business vehicles are wrapped—whether it’s one, two or a fleet of vehicles—it’s essential to let your insurance carrier know about these additions. Just as you would add other aftermarket tools like radio systems or utility trailers, if the insurance company doesn’t know about them and an accident occurs, they may not be covered.

Once we add vehicle wraps to your Cleveland trucks SUVs, cars, minivans or work trailers, call your insurance broker immediately and let them know and be sure to fax them our invoice. This way they’ll have detailed information such as date of install, materials used and pricing in the event your auto wraps are damaged in an accident.

The Use of Your Wraps

In addition to providing the vehicle wraps cost, you may also want to inform them on how long you plan on keeping the wraps on your vehicles. Most last up to five years but if you are getting promotional wraps that you will use for a shorter period, say one or two years, they need to receive that information as well.

For brokers or agents that aren’t familiar with car wraps, be sure to tell them they are 100 percent removable and do help to protect the original manufacturer paint.

Don’t Forget Other Add-Ons!

Along with reporting your new vehicle wraps, don’t forget to tell your insurance broker to add all aftermarket additions you’ve made to your company fleet. Some examples include:

• Custom audio systems or work radios
• Updated interior items such as upholstery changes
• Modifications to your engine or transmission
• Fuel saver add-ons
• Anti-theft devices

The fuel saver add-ons or modifications and anti-theft devices may even qualify for a premium discount, so be sure to ask your broker.

Documentation!

Here at Epic Signs and Graphics, we enjoy taking photos of all the vehicle wraps and graphics we install in Cleveland but we suggest taking your own photos and keeping them with your invoice detail.

Vehicle Wrap Repairs

If any of your company vehicles are in an unforeseen accident and you need repairs, once again, our commercial sign company can help. For wraps we’ve designed, we save those designs digitally so we can easily pull them up using our vehicle wraps software. You may only need a certain area replaced like on the bumper or hood and in cases like these, we’ll only print the portions of the wraps you need.

If your vehicles are in a collision repair center, call us and let us know when the vehicle will be ready for wrapping. Or, we are happy to connect with the repair center on timelines and work with them on reinstallation.

The biggest benefit of calling us if you need your vehicle wraps repaired is if we designed and installed them, our saved design ensures exact color matching. We’re also happy to work with new clients. Our technology is so advanced, color-matching is never a problem and our designers are experienced in creating stunning graphics for all makes and models—and we have access to the very latest manufacturer vehicle templates.

So yes, your company vehicle wraps may be covered under your business insurance as long as you inform them about the new additions. Be sure to ask your agent because all policies are not the same. And, as far as repairs go, Epic Signs and Graphics will make the process easy for you using our efficient project management skills!

Contractors work in a highly competitive market. Any little edge you can get over the competition can help you to stay in the black. One way to get an edge is through building your brand awareness in the area. Pavia Home Improvement recognized the need for truck and trailer graphics in Cleveland OH and called Epic Signs & Graphics to get the job done.

About Pavia Home Improvement

Pavia Home Improvement is relatively new to the Cleveland area. They are the type of company that lets their quality remodeling work speak for itself. For the most part, they have thrived due to word of mouth from satisfied customers. But, as they are looking to grow, Pavia has been looking for new ways to reach customers.

When such a high quality company came to us looking for contractor trailer graphics in Cleveland OH, we were more than happy to help out. Pavia had tried working with our competitors, but they were unhappy with the level of service they were getting. The competition was just not friendly from their perspective. Epic Signs & Graphics was more than happy to work with them.

Our first step was to find out what their vision was exactly. After listening to them, we were able to find the color and font they wanted. From there, we printed the company name and phone number on 3M vinyl with our wide format printer. Next, we laminated it to make it extra resistant to the harsh Ohio weather then cut and installed. The result was one happy customer!

Our Solutions Are Epic!

With truck and trailer graphics for Cleveland OH, we will turn your trailer into a giant rolling billboard. On the road these days, you will find some of the most adventurous and creative graphics on the side of trailers. Epic’s brand enhancing designs will put you ahead of your competitors by delivering impressions every time your trailer is on the road.

A trailer generates over ten million visual impressions per year according to the American Trucking Association. When we incorporate reflective material into your graphics, that number jumps to more than fourteen million impressions. This will elevate your visibility in the marketplace and increase your brand recognition.

You reach all of these people with vehicle vinyl lettering and graphics at a fraction of the price it costs to advertise using traditional media, such as radio, television, newspaper, or the Yellow Pages. Plus, your trailer is advertising your company 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That means that as your trailer sits on the job site, you are increasing your brand awareness. If it looks like your employees are doing good work, then you will likely rack up the sales conversions and leads.

The Epic Signs & Graphics team has decades of experience creating vehicle graphics for local businesses. Plus, they stay abreast of the latest technological advancement in the field to ensure they provide the most durable and sharp signs and graphics possible. Call today for a free consultation!

Now, here are some additional images of the fabrication and installation...

Out of professional curiosity, we always pay close attention to the myriad of signs we see as we travel the city. There are a number of great signs out there that really catch our eye and spark our creativity. But, for the most part, there are a lot of signs that are eyesores and that do the business they represent a disservice. Here are seven common signs that it is time for you to update your business signs in Cleveland.

1. They Are Unreadable

The whole point of a sign is to disseminate information. If no one can read your sign, then it is not serving its purpose and should be replaced. Signs are often rendered unreadable when they are not UV protected, and the sun causes them to fade. We can update your sign with a UV protected replacement that does not fade.

2. They Are Peeling

After a few years, signs made of inferior materials may experience peeling. This usually happens when the sign is exposed to extreme weather, and the printed material starts to come loose from the sign board. This should be replaced immediately. If not, it may reflect poorly on your business and affect sales.

3. You Are Not Using LEDs

LEDs are no longer as expensive as they once were. In fact, once you have used them for a year or two, they will pay for themselves in energy savings. LEDs are the most energy efficient form of lighting in the world right now. Plus, they can last for a decade or more of continuous use. Neon, incandescent, and compact fluorescent lights do not compare.

4. The Signs Are Irrelevant

Believe it or not, we also see many irrelevant signs. These signs may refer to an event that has already happened, a product or service that is no longer available, or other unhelpful information; perhaps even the wrong business telephone number. These types of signs guarantee your customers will be confused when they see signs advertising a product or service you no longer provide. Outdoor directory signs are often left updated once a new business moves in or one closes.

5. You Have Rebranded

There are many reasons why a company may want to change its name, logo, or colors. However, when you rebrand, you need to update ALL of your marketing materials. This includes all of your signage. Fortunately, when you update your signs with new brand relevant info and graphics, it will aid in building your new brand.

6. Graffiti Dominates Them

Graffiti and “tagging” are becoming more prominent in just about every community. Though we may be able to remove the graffiti from your signage, much of the time, the sign will need to be replaced. On the plus side, when we replace your sign, we can add finishes that will make it difficult for ne’er-do-wells to ruin the new sign.

7. The Style Is Outdated

Much like clothing and architecture, signage styles change over time. If your sign looks like something out of the ‘70s, it may be time for an upgrade. You do not want your clients thinking you are behind the times.

Whatever reason you have for updating your Cleveland business signs, we have solutions. Contact us today for a free consultation.

There are several steps involved with designing and installing vinyl lettering on a vehicle. Graphic designers need to first meet with the company to understand what exactly they have in mind. Then, the designers must create graphics and lettering that the company is happy with. Once they receive approval, the commercial sign company must then fabricate the vinyl lettering and graphics. Finally, it is ready to be installed.

All of these steps require skill and experience, but they do not have to be performed by one sign company alone. The Woodcrafters in Bradenton, Florida discovered this when they had Epic Signs & Graphics design and produce their wholesale vehicle vinyl lettering and graphics. Then, local sign company Great Blue Images installed it.

Branding with Your Company Logo

The first thing you notice when you look at the vinyl graphics and lettering we produced for The Woodcrafters is their logo: a craftsman using a plane, a tool that has been used for shaping wood for millennia. As far as logos go, this is a fairly intricate one, which we were able to render in premium metallic gold vinyl.

It was important that we include the logo because that is part of raising The Woodcrafters’ brand recognition and keeping the brand consistent. On all of their marketing materials, including their website, you find the same logo. You will also notice the font. We were able to precisely reproduce the font from The Woodcrafters’ other sales items for brand consistency.

Branding is important in building the awareness of your company and becoming a trusted name in your area. The more people see your recognizable logo, colors, font, and name on your company vehicles or on other forms of advertising, the more they remember you. This increases the likelihood they will trust your business as a reliable and established provider of services or products and will come to you when they need your widget.

Companies that Can Benefit from Vinyl Lettering

Vehicle vinyl lettering will benefit any business. You do not need to have company vehicles or be a delivery business. We have provided vinyl lettering to companies in the following sectors:

• Delivery and pick-up service companies
• Auto dealerships
• Automobile franchises
• Companies with vehicle fleets
• Electricians, HVAC contractors, plumbers, general contractors, subcontractors, and other contractors
• Franchised businesses, like home and commercial cleaning services, carpet cleaners, auto collision centers, and restaurants
• Courtesy shuttles
• Parts delivery trucks

Wherever you are in the United States or beyond, Epic Signs & Graphics can create wholesale vehicle vinyl graphics and letters for your company vehicle or fleet. In addition, have sign partnerships all over the USA we can recommend so the lettering is installed by experts in your area. We can also install your new vinyl graphics if you live near our home base in Cleveland, Ohio.

Contact us if you need a commercial sign company that can produce perfect vehicle lettering and graphics or even full wraps!

For promoting businesses both small and large, one of the most effective forms of advertising is mobile advertising. Compared to other forms of advertising, outdoors or otherwise, you will get the most impressions per dollar when you choose a vehicle wrap to promote your company. Having car wrapping for Cleveland businesses designed and installed on your vehicle will create millions of impressions per year and hundreds of thousands of impressions per month.

You will most assuredly increase your annual business revenue along with your customer base with results like these. Below we will examine how your business will benefit from car wrap advertising and why Epic Signs & Graphics are your best source for car wrapping in Cleveland.

The Cost of Advertising

One car wrap costs approximately as much as the printing and placement of a billboard for a month. However, a car wrap will last you up to six years before you even start to see signs of wear and tear or fading. Your business, with the one-time expense of a vehicle wrap, will gain an endless number of impression per an advertising dollar. Okay, so maybe it is not endless, but it is high. According to one study by the media research firm Arbitron, on average, you get almost 3,000 impressions per dollar spent on a vehicle wrap. And, the cost per impression for vehiclew graphics is only 35 cents compared to almost $20 for newspaper ads as you can see from the chart below!

We can work with your budget. If you are not able to allocate much of your money to advertising, window graphics, vehicle decals, and partial car wraps are a viable option. However, we strongly recommend car wraps for maximum impact.

But, What about Maintenance?

Once your vehicle wrap has been installed, there really is no maintenance. To keep the wrap clean and shiny, regular car washing works great. If you want to make it sparkle, a non-carnauba car wax will do the trick. You will not harm the paint of the vehicle if the vinyl is properly installed. In fact, it will actually protect the original paint. If you need to change your company name or contact information or simply decide you want a new design, it is easy for us to change out your graphics.

Graphics for Your Entire Fleet

Compared to other types of advertising, fleet vehicle wraps can increase your business exposure fifteen fold. You can create millions of impressions each month by wrapping your entire fleet of cars instead of just one vehicle. You will receive more exposure with more vehicle wraps. And, exposure is the first step in the brand awareness process for building trust.

Epic Signs & Graphics has served all of the signage needs of Cleveland for many years now. Our experts sit with you for a free consultation to understand your company’s mission, vision, and goals. Based on this information, we can create a design for your approval. Once you are happy with the design, we fabricate and install it on your vehicle. No matter its size or shape, we will make sure it looks sharp.

If you would like to increase your company’s recognition, contact us today!

Vinyl wall stickers and decals are becoming more and more popular for businesses and homes alike. This is because wall stickers in Northeast OH are an inexpensive way to change your interior décor. Though they are popular, not a lot is known about this great design option. To help those of you considering wall decals, Northeast OH’s number one decal and sticker source, Epic Signs & Graphics, has put together this brief guide.

What Are Wall Decals?

Commonly made from laminates and vinyl matte, wall decals are appliques, stickers, or tapestries. Much like wallpapers and paints do, decals can dramatically change a room’s ambience when applied to walls. At costs that anyone can afford, within minutes, a boring, plain room can be transformed into a rainforest or cityscape or anything else with wall stickers.

In the fast paced environment we live in these days where money is always tight, the need for wall graphics for Northeast OH continues to increase. People do not have the money to hire a professional interior designer or have the time to decorate. With decals, you are getting a low cost solution that you can do yourself or have professionals install, and it is as temporary as you want it to be.

Available Types

Decal materials and designs characterize the many different types of wall stickers. Decals are one-sided adhesive materials commonly made out of matte vinyl or laminated paper. They are available in different:

• Letters
• Images
• Graphics
• Custom cutouts
• Words
• Wall borders

Most, but not all, vinyl is reusable. To protect the decal print from being torn or stretched when removed from a surface, most versions come with a laminate overlay. People can reuse and resituate wall decals when they have this laminate.

There are pre-printed wall decal designs that measure up to three feet square. Or, custom decals, graphics, and stickers of any size can be made. The stickers can be affixed to any smooth surface, including concrete walls, ceramic, tiles, and glass. Compared to other materials used to decorate walls, decals are more resistant to peeling and do not crack in high humidity.

Why Wall Graphics?

Vinyl has become one of the premier materials for use in sign making. Both the advertising business and vehicle graphics marketing arenas are dominated by vinyl due to its durability. To help companies enhance branding and promote services, vinyl decals are also becoming popular on the walls of building exteriors.

Wall stickers have become one of the most popular interior decorating options these days because of their quality, simplicity, and versatility. With the state of the art wide format digital printers at Epic Signs & Graphics, we can create personalized digital designs and blown up landscape printouts that fit your wall precisely. Vinyl wall decals, also known as wall murals add depth, visual interest, and flair to drab, barren walls in:

• Office reception areas
• Restaurants
• Auto Showrooms
• Daycare centers
• Medical and dental offices
• And just about anywhere!

If this sounds like the ideal solution for your home or business or if you would like to learn more about wall graphics and wall murals, contact Epic Signs & Graphics for a free consultation.

How much does your business spend on advertising each year? With newspaper ads, radio spots, and television commercials, it can get quite pricey. Do you know if these forms of advertising are even helping your company grow and attract more customers? With the movement away from traditional media, it is unlikely your advertising dollars are having the level of impact you they once did. But, there is hope!

In a recent study by the world-renowned vinyl manufacturer 3M, researchers found that with a single full vehicle wrap on your company car, you can reach the same number of people as you would with $130,000 in advertising through traditional media outlets. Plus, your vehicle wrap and decals will reach your target audience and advertise your business 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Advertise on Your Cars!

But, who benefits from window cling and car wraps in Cleveland? The short answer is just about any business that is looking for new customers. Some of our clients include

• Real estate agencies
• Franchisees
• Driving schools
• Insurance agencies
• Small business owners
• And more!

Types of Vehicle Graphics

Window cling and car wraps for Cleveland come in a variety of different forms. Below is a rundown of the major types:

• Full Car Wraps – These are ideal for companies that want their fleet to have a big impact and are willing to spend a little extra for it. A full wrap can completely cover the vehicle including the roof and rear window, or it may cover the hood, sides, trunk deck, and rear. A completely custom, unique appearance is provided by this. Without spending as much as a custom paint job, you will get the message out to potential customers.
• Partial Car Wraps – These still grab the attention of onlookers at a lower price than the full car wraps. A partial car wrap may be your ideal option if you want to wrap your vehicle on a budget. By taking advantage of the billboard areas on your cars, the Epic Signs & Graphics design team can create a one of a kind look that turns heads.
• Window Cling – Window cling, also known as vinyl window perf, can turn your car into a moving advertisement on its own or as part of a wrap. While giving the appearance that your window is covered with your message, it is actually made with state of the art one-way vinyl that affords you full driving visibility.
• Vinyl Lettering – When outfitting an entire fleet or just one car, there is nothing more economical than vinyl logos and letters for your vehicle. This will give your cars a professional and clean appearance while spreading your pertinent information.

Using a cutting edge wide format printer, Epic Signs & Graphics is able to print out vibrant and precise full-color graphics on to durable vinyl and install it to fit any vehicle. For up to five or more years, your car will increase your business’s branding with our window cling and car wraps. Give us a call or send us an email today to find out what we can do for you!

Signage technology has come a long way in the past few years. Even five years ago, we did not have the state of the art equipment available today that makes signs sharper looking as well as more durable. The best outdoor signs for Northeast OH business owners need to be able to stand up against every type of weather from blizzards to the sun’s blazing rays. Epic Signs & Graphics has more than a decade of experience producing innovative signs. Today’s Bride recognized this and gave us a call when they needed their faded sign replaced.

A Little About Today’s Bride

Denise and Jim Frericks founded Today’s Bride Magazine & Shows in August 1989 after being inspired by their own marriage. In the wedding industry, Today’s Bride has been a frontrunner since the beginning. In the early 90s, by having one of the first wedding websites in the nation, they revolutionized publishing. Today, there are 103,000 page views and 35,000 unique visitors to their website Todaysbride.com every month. They are also Northeast Ohio’s most respected and experienced bridal show producers with 500 businesses and 7,000 brides attending their events annually.

When Today’s Bride was first getting started a quarter century ago, about 40 local businesses prepaid for and contracted with them to launch the magazine. When a business so well-loved and serving such a vital role in our community needed our help, Epic Signs & Graphics jumped at the chance to update their monument sign.

A Great Signage Solution!

When Today’s Bride called us, their existing sign was cut vinyl applied to MDO, or medium density overlay, board. After five years, this sign began to fade due to exposure to the weather. Also, wear on the cut vinyl was causing it to pull up. Rather than just living with the sign and allowing it to make their business look shabby, Today’s Bride took the proactive approach.

After meeting with Today’s Bride to understand what their goals were, we came up with a design that would use heavy duty materials, so the sign would last a long time and reflect the company's focus on excellence. The new sign we installed is made with half inch thick PVC, one of the strongest materials around. Applied to both sides of the PVC is 3M vinyl, digitally printed with full color. For extra protection against the sun, the vinyl was laminated with an ultraviolet shield to resist fading. Now, Today’s Bride is ready for the good weather and wedding season with a new bright looking sign.

Are your company’s exterior signs starting to look a little worse for the wear? Is it starting to affect business? If so, do not wait another minute to call Epic Signs & Graphics. We not only provide PVC vinyl signs for Northeast OH, but we also can help you with any of your exterior or interior signage needs. Call today for a free consultation; or click below to request a quote!

From complying with local and federal laws to ensuring your building’s visitors have a pleasant experience to increasing awareness of your brand, Cleveland corporate signage is important for any business. When Epic Signs & Graphics is out installing signs around town, we pay close attention to what signage different businesses have. Some are missing key elements that leave clients confused and frustrated. That is why we have put together this list of the four corporate signs essential to any company.

1. ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. This law essentially requires all businesses to make their premises accessible to those people with disabilities. Those who are not up to code will face a steep fine. Some buildings can be brought up to ADA compliance by simply updating the signage. In Cuyahoga County, Ohio, both the exterior and interior of buildings and parking lots must have adequate signage.

Epic Signs & Graphics is well-versed on the laws and has experience designing, creating, and installing the required signage. We will make sure the signs are mounted in the proper locations, have contrasting colors, compliant letter or character height and size, universal and recognizable symbols, non-glare finishes, and Grade II Braille.

2. Lobby Signs

Lobby signs are beneficial to any organization and business. These signs make better use of bland, bare walls as well as serve as a way to invite clients in. Take a look at your entrance or lobby areas. Does your décor consist mostly of unnoticeable framed pictures and low maintenance plants? If so, it may be time to boost your brand awareness with a custom lobby sign featuring your company’s logo and colors.

3. Directories

Having a location inside a large building or office complex can really be bad for your professional company or business, especially if it lacks any identifiable directory or suite signage. To help your clients find you quickly, Epic Signs & Graphics has a wide array of custom suite signs and directories. Our directories will not only improve the experience of visitors to your building, but they can also be used to promote your brand.

4. Wall Murals

Digitally-printed wallpaper and wall murals are other types of corporate signs for Cleveland that Epic Signs & Graphics can produce. To reveal your corporate mission and vision, we can use custom designs that show corporate images. To create stunning eye-grabbing wall murals, we can reproduce your slogans, logos, pictures, and mottos precisely.

It is important for all of your corporate signage to match in its color scheme to produce unified branding. This will cause visitors to your business to associate certain colors with you and thus create a deeper connection that will produce more sales conversions. Epic Signs & Graphics is able to perfectly match your company’s colors and incorporate them into any type of signage you need for your business.

For a free consultation on how Epic Signs & Graphics can meet all of your corporate signage needs, contact us today, or click below for a free quote!

New restaurants are popping up all the time in the Cleveland area. It can be hard to find ways to make your restaurant stand out in such a competitive market. To help give your business an advantage over your competitors, we have compiled a list of five ways to get customers in the door and keep them coming back.

1. Be Kid Friendly

To increase the likelihood parents will come back to your restaurant, make the experience easier for them by making it kid friendly. So their kids can have plenty of room to play and color, families should be given larger tables if possible. Staff should also offer toys and coloring books along with any necessary booster seats or highchairs. Placemats and boxed crayons are among the special kids packs restaurants should give all children who enter their establishment. Another inexpensive way to keep kids distracted while waiting for their food is a small basket full of tractors, action figures, cars, or other toys.

2. Comp Dissatisfied Customers

Offer a freebie, give a large discount on the food, or comp the entire meal if a customer has a complaint about their experience. Fix the problem, and offer a free cocktail or dessert or some other freebie if, for example, a steak is not cooked to the customer’s liking. Comp the meal if they still are not appeased. Customers are not trying to take advantage of you. Do not entertain that thought unless it is a customer who regularly comes in and expresses dissatisfaction.

3. Social Media Is Your Friend

You should start using social media at your restaurant if you are not already. You can connect with your customers in a fun and simple way with social media. Word of mouth is the best type of publicity you can get. And with social media, Customers are encouraged to talk about your restaurant, which increases your reach. You can also use videos and pictures to show off your restaurant. At the very least, use Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Yelp.

4. Give Back to Your Community

You can give back in many ways as part of your community. With a portion of the proceeds going to benefit a good cause, you could host a charity dinner. You could also sponsor a youth sports team, such as a little league team. It will make you feel better. It will likely be tax deductible. It gives back to the community. And, it will improve your restaurant’s image.

5. Install Wall Graphics and Wall Murals

With wall graphics for Cleveland restaurants, the options are seemingly endless. If you are looking to make your business more kid friendly, you can include cartoon characters that captivate the younger children. Or, if you are trying to create a mood that fits your cuisine, wall murals for Cleveland restaurants can do the trick. For example, if you serve Italian food, why not have a mural of a gondola on the canals of Venice?

For all of your wall mural and wall graphics needs, Epic Signs & Graphics has you covered. Our team of experts can turn your vision into a reality. Call us today for a free consultation or click below for a free quote!