Frequently Asked Questions

Q&A

A - There are many ways to hang/mount a sign. When you receive your sign you will get a template and instructions on how to install it. If you didn't happen to get instructions, please reach out so one of us can provide the right information to help you install your new sign!

A - YES!  Unlike many other sign companies, we ship our work all over the country, and even internationally!  We have some very high-end, custom packaging procedures that allow us to send your sign via insured freight service anywhere.  Obviously, the much larger signs will have a higher freight cost, but generally, we can get your sign just about anywhere safely for a very reasonable cost.

A - Depending on the magnitude of the project and the complexity of the design, it could be as soon as a couple of weeks or as long as a few months.  If you have a particular deadline that must be met, please let us know when you place your order so we can work with you to try to accommodate.

A - Nearly all of our signage is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.  If you live in an area with high winds, very salty air, or other more extreme natural conditions, feel free to contact us for recommendations.

A - Yes, we do!  The image you see to the top/left is a metal desktop corporate award that we created for annual achievement recognition.  We can also do business card holders or other custom artistic work with your branding.

A - Obviously, several factors must be taken into consideration. However, in most cases, our signs will range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.  We typically have just a few options in the $300-$1000 range, and a wide variety of options (and sizes) that will fall in the $1k-$10k range.  Huge outdoor signs can exceed that in some cases.

A - The three standard techniques that we use are reverse-cut, positive-cut, and digital print.  The reverse (or negative) and positive options both use a CNC router to cut an exact replica of your logo out of metal (or acrylic, if applicable.)  Digital print is a process using a large flatbed printer to apply your logo using acrylic inks in high-definition onto the surface of the metal.  With all three techniques, we have various options, like coloring techniques, back-panels, multi-layers, material types, grind patterns, transparency of inks/paints, drop-shadows (real or printed), LED back-lighting, etc.  Basically, if you can imagine it, we can build it!

A - Absolutely!  Every design that gets submitted goes through a check process to make sure everything will work for that sign type. You will also receive updates and a proof of concept within 24 hours of ordering. Once it is signed off on, We will go ahead and start creating your sign!

A - Most of our signs will be shipped via freight service (like R&L Carriers) or UPS.  All of the signs are treated like fine art and professionally packaged by our gallery staff to ensure safe transit to your location.  All corners and edges are reinforced and custom wooden crates are built as needed.  We also ship everything 100% insured for your peace of mind.

A - Bleed is extra space on each side of the print file. A good example would be a design for stickers. If you want to have a custom-cut sticker that is all the way to the edge of the print, it is helpful to add at least 1/16" - 1/8" Bleed around the image or design so that when the stickers go into production, they will be cut without any whitespace around the edge. If you are not able to provide bleed in your file, we will be more than happy to add it when in production. 

A - Most common will be through the file upload on the product, If you are getting a quote for a fully custom sign, Email and Live Chat would be the best and easiest ways!

A - The best file types to send us would be Vector or high-resolution PDF. If you have vector graphics, please save them as a PDF, AI, or SVG file type. If you have an Image design such as Jpeg, TIFF, or PNG, please make sure it is the highest resolution possible so that when we print it will be as sharp as can be for you.

A - A graphical image composed of shapes and lines. Vector files do not lose resolution when enlarged. 

A - Raster files are composed of pixels. They have the potential to lose resolution when altered or enlarged.

A - Substrates are normally the materials we can print on the flatbed. We mainly use fluted corrugated vinyl (brand name Coroplast), PVC (brand names Sintra, Komatex, Palight), foam core and gatorfoam, styrene, vinyl banner material, backlits, window cling and occasionally acrylics and canvas. Coroplast is used for quick and inexpensive ad signs since they are fluted and easily fitted with stakes for yard display. PVC is an excellent outside medium for more extended-use signage. Styrene is similar to PVC in appearance but is better suited for indoor usage. Foam core is an inexpensive temporary substrate for indoor displays and signage. While effective, it does have the tendency to warp. Some people elect to upgrade to the more expensive gatorfoam, which is much less likely to warp. 

A - The standard for enlarging files is that they are at least 300DPI in their original form. The higher the DPI, the better the resulting enlargement. 

A - A half-size drawing is a 50% scale of the original drawing. Meaning that the drawing is reduced by half on width and in length. It keeps the integrity of the scale the drawing was drawn at and allows the contractor to make simple adjustments to be able to take measurements from the drawing. 

A - The largest we can print is 126” wide. Flatbed: top 60" by 120"roll as wide as 80" and as long as the roll will allow (most rolls are 150' long) 

A - There are differences in cost and quality, but the process is also very different and quite complicated. For example, if you want multiple-color business cards, both digital and offset printing can be employed to this end. However, the processing period differs. For offset printing, the working period is slightly longer than the digital process, taking a number of days to complete jobs such as business cards, graphic design, and any project that requires color copies. 

Digital printing, on the other hand, is an innovative technology that redefined the printing process and the speed with which printing jobs are finished. Whether it is color flyers, custom envelopes, custom notepads, or a host of other printing projects, the time to accomplish these tasks is relatively fast. Cost-wise, offset printing is significantly cheaper compared with digital printing. Among its advantages in printing color business cards and other color copies are the affordability 
and the ability to print in mass. From the printing companies’ point of view, this is cost-effective due to the ability to do several print jobs at once. Thus, savings extend beyond the cost of materials to the labor costs as well. 

If you are trying to meet deadlines, digital printing is the better choice. You can have your color flyers, color postcards, color business cards, graphic design, and other multiple color copies of projects faster than you could possibly need them. Instead of fearing that you cannot have the projects on time, you are guaranteed quality work that is done with maximum speed. Unlike offset printing, the digital process can accommodate jobs that require a small number of copies at a lower cost, which works better for small companies requiring this service. On the other hand, because there is a certain amount of setup required and materials are cheaper when acquired in bulk, offset printing sets a minimum number of copies that must be ordered before a job is accepted. 

A - The Pantone Color Matching System is largely a standardized color reproduction system. By standardizing the colors, different manufacturers in different locations can all refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors match without direct contact with one another. 

A - Flatbed printing is the reproduction of digital images using inkjet printing, typically on plastic or paperboard. However, a wide variety of materials can be printed (common, photographic paper, film, cloth, plastic, etc.). Flatbed digital printers use inks made of acrylic monomers that are then exposed to intense UV light to cure or polymerize them. This process allows for printing on a wide variety of surfaces, such as wood or metal, carpet, tile, and even glass. The adjustable printing bed makes it possible to print on surfaces ranging in thickness from a sheet of paper, often up to as much as several inches. Typically used for commercial applications (retail and event signage), flatbed printing is often a substitute for screen printing. Because no printing plates or silkscreens must be produced, digital printing technology allows shorter runs of signs to be made economically. Environmentally, flatbed digital printing is based on a more sustainable system than its commercial predecessor of solvent printing, as it produces fewer waste cartridges and less indoor air pollution.

A - Electronic discovery (or e-discovery or eDiscovery) refers to discovery in civil litigation that deals with exchanging information in electronic format (often referred to as electronically stored information or ESI). This data is subject to local rules and agreed-upon processes and is often reviewed for privilege and relevance before being turned over to opposing counsel.

A - UV laminate coating is a type of protective coating applied to digital prints to increase their durability and protect them from fading, scratching, and other forms of damage. It is also a popular option for signs and other printed materials used in outdoor environments or areas where they may be subject to frequent handling or wear and tear. It is also commonly used for printing applications that require a high level of detail and color accuracy, as it can help preserve the image's vibrancy and clarity over time.

A - We carry 3 styles of laminates at thicknesses of 3 mil, 5 mil and 10 mil

A - Matte laminate and gloss laminate are two types of finishes used in lamination. The main difference between the two is their appearance and texture.

Matte laminate has a smooth, non-reflective finish with a flat texture. It is often used in printing applications where a more subdued or sophisticated look is desired. It is also popular for use on surfaces that are likely to be handled frequently, as it resists fingerprints and smudges better than glossy finishes.

Gloss laminate, on the other hand, has a high-shine, reflective finish with a smooth texture. It is often used in printing applications where a vibrant, eye-catching look is desired. It is also popular for use on surfaces that are not likely to be handled frequently, as it can show fingerprints and smudges more easily.

In summary, the main differences between matte and gloss laminate are their appearance and texture, with matte having a flat, non-reflective finish and gloss having a high-shine, reflective finish.

A - Flush trim refers to vinyl banners. If you did not choose an edge finish like grommets or a welded hem, then the flag will have a flush-cut edge, also known as poster cut.

A - Leaving a set amount beyond edge to seal materials inside and protects materials from elements.

A - A high-resolution image is an image that contains a large number of pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch (DPI). The resolution of an image is determined by the number of pixels or dots that make up the image. The more pixels or dots, the higher the resolution of the image.

High-resolution images are often used in print and digital media where clarity and detail are important. These images are typically larger in size and have more detail than lower resolution images, which can appear blurry or pixelated when printed or displayed at a larger size.