SIGNS & MORE, INC. BLOG - Sign, Banner & Vehicle Graphics Facts & Information

Last week we got a call from a United States Navy Recruitment Center.  They had a 20 foot trailer wrapped to use as a promotional trailer for their recruitment efforts.  The Navy called us in to take a look at the wrap they had commissioned.  Another sign company had done the wrap for them.  The Navy was very dissatisfied with the look of the finished product. 

Have you ever wondered what determines the cost of labor in a sign price?  Sometimes the labor cost can be as much or even more than the sign itself. Let’s take a look at what may go into the labor of installing a sign.

As a salesman, I love talking about vehicle wraps. To me, a vehicle wrap is a no brainer. When looking at per thousand exposures, the wrap is a very inexpensive investment ($.38 / 1000 exp.) compared to the next less expensive form of advertising, the billboard ($3.27 / 1000 exp.). Wraps are also some of the last un-regulated signs available.

Many times we get a call for a custom sign that needs to go up for a grand opening or an important event or show that is coming soon. Let’s look at a few reasons why a sign would not go up the day after we get a request. You call the sign company and ask for a quote, the sign salesman comes out and gets your information. (What type sign, size, location, installation needs, permit requirements, etc…) Now is the time for our design department to go to work. After the design is laid out, our design department will send a proof for approval. After a few tweaks and changes, the final proof is agreed upon. During this period, we are preparing the quote based on colors, size, materials, installation, etc.

Are you thinking of starting a business in or moving into the Hiram/Dallas area? This is one of the fastest growing areas in West Metro Atlanta. With the development of the new Wellstar Hospital on Highway 278 and resulting out parcel support businesses, it is estimated to bring in over 400 jobs in the next two years and another possible 1000 jobs in the next four. This Wellstar Hospital is one of only a few hospitals in the country considered a “Pebble Project Hospital.” This is a hospital designed with the most modern techniques available to insure the health and happiness of the patient. It is also a destination hospital for many physicians and hospital administrators from all over the world to study and learn from.

Going south on Interstate 75 just south of Cartersville, there is a bill board that has a beautiful lady standing off to the left side of the sign. There is some text at the top of the sign. As I zoomed past the billboard I could not read what the text says. Not because I was speeding. Not because I am nearsighted. I could not read the sign because the text is way too small for a billboard, much less one on the side of the expressway where everyone is moving at 70 mph.

As a new business, you know you need a sign to get your image in front of your customers. You will want an overhead sign to be seen at a distance, but what about the other signs. What other signs? Let us tell you.

One thing a signmaker loves to hear is “I would like a vehicle wrap.” A vehicle wrap allows a signmaker to let his imagination to run wild.  A vehicle is a varied canvas with which to create all sorts of designs. However, not all vehicles lend themselves to an easy wrap. Some vehicles have many angles and not much surface for the design to be seen. So what should a business owner who wants that rolling billboard do?

Recently Signs & More, Inc displayed our design work and signs at the Whole Hawg Happenin in Marietta, GA.  This was a large barbeque that benefitted the Metro Atlanta Area Boy’s and Girl’s Club of America. There were many food vendors on display with some incredibly delicious meals.  There were also many assorted businesses as well, from home services to handcrafted goods to jewelry to nice smelling soap.

You have decided to install a sign and need to get a few sign companies to bid for the work. You contact them to get a bid. Do you send them your information about the type and size of sign you want? When you get the bids back there is quite a bit of difference between them. Should you automatically take the cheapest?