Questions About Signs

• Can I get a sign done in pink? I did not see the color listed. ▼

  Yes you can. For this color there is no additional charge nor for most other common colors that are not offered online. Exceptions would be for pearl, metal flake, reflective or “printed” colors such as carbon fiber or faded colors (for these colors email before ordering to confirm the price change).

  For a simple online ordering process we list the most commonly desired colors.

  If you’d like one of these “special” colors not listed, how do you order? Order as usual, after you order, email us your order number along with the “correction” (i.e., change to pearl white) and we’ll make the change to your order before production begins.

  After you order, email us and flag the order. Let us know the order number (given at the receipt page) and let us know it is to be made chrome and not silver.

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  or stripes?

• Can I get my sign with lettering in chrome? ▼

  Yes we can. There is no additional charge for chrome. However, chrome for graphics is a sensitive material. It must be waxed monthly. Because it is an actual metal foil – it will oxidize and loose its shine if not waxed. If you do this (wax the graphics monthly) it will last for many years.

  After you order, email us, and flag the order. Let us know the order number (given at the receipt page) and let us know it is to be made chrome and not silver.

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  or stripes?

• How long will the sign last? ▼

  Short Answer: At least 5 years with normal “use”.

  However, usually much, much longer. What may reduce durability to just five years?

  1. Flat (not vertical) installation. For instance a hood graphic life expectancy is just 5 years.

  2. Submerged graphics. If your graphics are installed on a boat below the waterline, life expectancy is just 5 years. In salt water, installation below the water line is not recommended.

  3. Harsh chemicals and detergents can cause damage. This includes “wax buildup”. For instance, if you wax your graphic, lettering, etc.. and leave wax along the edges, some waxes when wet can “eat” at the edges causing damage over time. Also, just as some chemicals can cause wear on paint or plastic – they can also cause the same to the vinyl. A good rule of thumb is: If it can hurt the surface your vinyl is applied to, it can hurt the vinyl. So, as an example, lacquer thinner, acid rain, etc.. WILL damage the vinyl just as it will the paint of a car.

  Besides the above, you should get many, many years of use from the vinyl.

  If you have any other questions let us know.

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  or stripes?

• What is an appropriate size for name and town lettering on a truck? ▼

  Detailed Customer Question
  What is an appropriate size for name and town lettering on a truck? I don’t want it to be too large. Would 4 inches work for the name and 3 inches for the town? Also when previewing lettering on your web site, is the height of the lettering actually the height of the letter or the height of the box the preview is in?

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  Both are good questions. DOT requires being able to read from 50 ft. This is possible even with 1 inch letters if contrasting colors are used (i.e., black on white). For an actual DOT number they require 2 inch lettering. So the 4 inch and 3 inch will be plenty big for readability. As far as what looks right, this depends on the surrounding area. The lettering should “nest” in the overall space. There is not a technical way of judging this. Simply go with what looks best.

  As far as the letter height goes, the preview can be slightly off. For instance, let’s say you choose 4 inch lettering. This size is based on capital letters. So if you have the letter “y” in a letter style that drops below the base line of the capital the overall height will be slightly more than 4 inch. Also, so as to enable a background preview, we have increased the “negative space” around the image. This also can throw off the preview.

  Here is an example to show what I mean.
  

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• What kind of care is needed when applying magnetic signs? ▼

  There are several points to keep in mind. But first, before the “horror stories”, it is good to know that most folks “slap on the signs and forget” and never have a problem. That being said, a few points.

  1. Fresh paint should not have magnetic signs. Fresh paint gives off solvents for some time. If the paint is sealed (either with a wax or magnetic sign) the paint can darken where sealed. This is permanent. How long should paint “cure”? It varies depending on the quality of the paint. But at least 30 days on all paints. Cheaper paint – up to a year! Factory paint or fully cured paint – never any problems like this.

  2. Both surfaces must be clean. If dirt and grime are on the back of the magnetic or on the paint, this can rub on the paint. In time, leaving faint scratch marks. While it is nothing that a little buffing can’t take care of, why risk the problem. Clean the paint and magnetics before applying. And from time to time (when you wash your truck or car) take a moment to clean both surfaces.

  3. Ideally, the magnetics should be stored flat and someplace warm. If you “throw in the back of the truck on a cold day” – later when you pick them up and try to apply they could either crack (if real cold) or not conform to the surface and later blow off. Again, if possible, store in a warm area and keep flat. If they do get cold and where left “balled up”, warm up and gently work with till flat once again. Again, not likely to ever have this problem, but it is good to know.

  4. Finally, while it is very rare, in cold/freezing/wet weather magnetics can come off – and be lost – as you go down the road. It seems that water gets under the magnetics and when it freezes, lifts the magnetics loose. Again, very rare, but it has happened. It’s best to remove in wet winter weather.

  All the above being said, all these “horror stories” are very rare. Most folks “slap on and forget”. If you take just a few precautions you’ll have many years of use from your magnetics.

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  or stripes?

• What size sign should I get so people can see it going down the road? ▼

  Good question. Over the years there have been several studies that tried to address this concern (i.e., are 5″ letters visible from ____ feet). However, there are two many variables for a definitive answer. For instance, consider how these questions must be factored into an answer:

  “How fast will the viewer be traveling?”
  “At what angle will they approach the sign (is the road curved, is the sign angled)?”
  “What will be the contrast colors of the sign (i.e., black on white, pink on green, etc..)?”
  “How much copy will be presented on the sign? (A small word on a large negative space will draw the attention to that word, however, many lines of the same sized copy with no negative space and the viewer will not even focus or attempt to read.)”

  These are just a few of the questions that must be considered. Our recommendation, after addressing this concern many times is: “as big as you can get (considering budget and space available for the sign)” since it appears most wish later they had gone “a little bigger”. Also, try not to focus on the size of the letters, but the size of the sign (__”x__” sign) and then make your copy fit nicely in that space.

  So take a tape measure and figure what will work in the space you have and let us know the size you figure and we should be able to help more from there.

  If you have any questions let us know.

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• When installing truck lettering, do I follow the line of the door or the window. ▼

  Good question. My business partner is by trade a carpenter. One time he went out and installed door truck lettering on 10 trucks. By the time he came back to the shop, they had called complaining they were all crooked. He assured me they measured straight (he was a little insulted – after all he’s a carpenter). Well I went out and glanced at them, quickly went inside and told them – We will change them out right away.

  Lesson learned: You can measure all you want from wherever you want, but at some point in time you just got to stand back and go with what “looks right”.

  Generally its best to measure off of the closest straight line (top or bottom), stand back and correct slightly for the optical illusion that makes it appear crooked.

  As I told my partner, in the end, it doesn’t matter how it measures but how it looks.

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  or stripes?

• When installing truck lettering.Should I keep the sign level with the ground? ▼

  Good question. My business partner is by trade a carpenter. One time he went out and installed door truck lettering on 10 trucks. By the time he came back to the shop, they had called complaining they were all crooked. He assured me they measured straight (he was a little insulted – after all he’s a carpenter). Well I went out and glanced at them, quickly went inside and told them: “We will change them out right away.”

  Lesson learned: You can measure all you want from wherever you want, but at some point in time you just got to stand back and go with what “looks right”.

  Generally its best to measure off of the closest straight line (top or bottom), stand back and correct slightly for the optical illusion that makes it appear crooked.

  As I told my partner, in the end it doesn’t matter how it measures but how it looks.

  Have another question about decals, signs, lettering,
  or stripes?