Signs and Technology

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Happy Fathers Day to all the Fathers out there

One positive aspect (and sometimes negative) of the modern world is how fast information can be shared.

This can be positive as, for example, when a message on one of the writers groups went out in the early hours of this morning asking for help as it sounded like someone was in their property and needed assistance, within minutes not only were the first responders on site, but helpful, potentially life saving tips were shared almost instantly.

The possible negative of the speed with which information is shared (mostly negative for politicians) is that, except for the most draconian or dictatorial regimes, information is on tap for people to know what is going on around them. If modern world politicians had a collective brain cell they would KNOW that the truth WILL OUT far quicker than they like to believe – even though FAKE news is said to spread something like ten times faster than truth – as the saying goes, when what you see makes you react INSTANTLY – ASK IF IT IS TRUE!

Technology has certainly helped speed up communication. Unfortunately this has brought with it a number of ailments linked to not keeping up, the fear of missing out, the lack of ability to THINK enough to ensure what is being seen and heard and spread is TRUE, and a number of anxiety related conditions because, especially among the the younger generations, people have forgotten that they are in charge of their devices and thus are too afraid to turn them off, resulting in energy being drained.

One of the advantages of traditional signage is that it is timeless. The signs that one often sees are simple fabricated items that while eye catching and sometimes very technical, do not drain the viewers energy, even while inviting feet into one’s physical premises.

If you are opening physical premises and you want signs that WORK, consider partnering with SignForce.

SignForce has been in the market for over two decades, and have built our reputation on giving the best possible advice and producing quality signs.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or call +27 (0)11 440 7525

Find out more about SignForce by visiting http://www.signforce.co.za

Never too old to learn

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Fire with LED sign

Fire and signs

One is never too old to learn

There is an old saying that we are never too old to learn. This is true in many aspects of life and was clearly demonstrated to the writer this week when called to a site where I was informed the sign had burned.

With no other information than the fact it had burned and the size of the sign I – very incorrectly – assumed the sign was a large banner and had been caught in a grass fire.

When I arrived on site and saw the damage, my first thought was the fir was because the NEON HT cable had made contact with the backing board. However, when I looked up, I saw the sign was not illuminated with neon but was in fact illuminated with LED modules.

This is then FIRST LED illuminated sign this writer has ever seen that has burned, and especially one that self ignited.

Fortunately I was able to call some contacts and had people who had a greater understanding of fire – and burnt signs – than I do, and they were able to pinpoint the flash point where the fire most likely originated.

This is a great lesson and worth spreading that while LED signs are immeasurably safer than neon, they too can burn, especially with the new blended wire that is now available. The best lesson here is that even LED signs need maintenance, and, especially if your LED sign is old, one should have the wiring checked – preferably once a year – to ensure the wiring is not brittle and to prevent any possible fires.

SignForce is available to maintain all signs and are well enough connected that if we do not know, we WILL bring in the experts!

To get your sign checked or maintained contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or call +27 (0)11 440 7525

Find you more about SignForce by visiting http://www.signforce.co.za

Will SIGNAGE survive the current AI revolution

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3D sign

White, Illuminated 3D sign

Will SIGNAGE survive the current AI revolution

If you are alive and online – which we can assume you are if you are seeing and reading this post – you MUST have heard of AI (artificial intelligence) and how it is likely to reshape the workplace and employment in the future – both foreseeable and long term.

When asked if Signage will survive the current AI revolution, ChatGPT answered as follows: “Absolutely! While artificial intelligence is revolutionizing many aspects of business and technology, signage serves a different purpose entirely. Signage is a tangible and physical way for businesses to communicate their brand, products, and services to customers. Signs can be seen, touched, and experienced in a way that AI cannot replicate. Additionally, many signs are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, which is not a task that AI has yet mastered. So, rest assured that signage will continue to be a vital part of businesses for many years to come, even in the age of AI. “

This writer tends to agree with ChatGPT, but not necessarily for the same reasons.

While there are AI programs and Apps available that can CREATE wonderful pictures, logo’s and pieces of art, all of which can be incorporated into modern signage, it is the physical creation (or manufacturing) that has yet to be repalced by a machine.

Yes, there are computer based tools such as 3D printers and benders that can help create a 3D sign, but at this time – and for the foreseeable future, it does not look likely that sign makers will be replaced by robots. Good news for sign makers, not necessarily such good news for customers as when items are not made by machines they tend to be more costly.

This is definitely the case when it comes to signage, especially since the vast majority of signs are custom – custom look, custom design, custom feel and custom size – there is very little chance of an affordable robot taking over the physical work that is necessary when making most, especially 3D, signs.

One can ask if signs will be required in the future, especially as the world moves to digital which can do so much and is fast becoming more and more affordable. This writer believes that digital signs will be used more and more to sell – lifestyles, products, services and time – BUT for the foreseeable future BUSINESSES will still be physical – people want to touch and smell and feel – which cannot be created online, and as long as people want to touch they will want to go to physical stores (or physical destinations) which will most likely continue to want signs to make customers, prospective customers and suppliers aware of where you are. People want to SEE your business.

To find out how SignForce can assist your business to make itself visible contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or call +27 (0)11 440 7525

http://www.signforce.co.za

Illuminated 3D signs

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3D signage

3D sign, internally illuminated

 

Signage is a simple industry, that is until it IS NOT.

Signage is one of the few industries this writer is aware of that has almost ZERO barriers to entry, with the resulting HIGH level of competition that one would expect from an industry that is established, simple and requires very little specialized knowledge or specialized equipment.

Since signage has been sound for thousands of years – yes literally (but not quite the way it is today) signage seems to be a simple industry to get into. And in reality for the most part signage is a simple industry.

As with any industry – or sport – it is very simple to be a spectator and KNOW what the ‘experts’ or players should be doi9ng, but when one suddenly finds yourself say on center court at Flushing Meadows facing a serve from Ivan Lendl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Lendl) what always seemed like a simple move is suddenly more than overwhelming. I can attest to this from personal experience, as for kicks I was asked to face a serve or two from Mr. Lendl. Needless to say, he had the first tennis ball back in his hand BEFORE my tennis racquet HAD MOVED!!!

As the saying goes, professional’s make complex tasks look simple, mostly because they PRACTICE over and over and over again, so when they get to face an unusual situation – or a sign that looks simple but is in fact highly complex to produce in 3D format – the time practicing allows one to come up with workable solutions.

The YINGLI SOLAR sign at the top of this post is one such sign. Looking at the sign one would never imagine the multitude of ways the sign can be produced to create the desired 3D look and feel the client desired.

SignForce managed to produce the internally illuminated 3D sign after some interesting fabrication were assessed, and got the sign out ON TIME! And ON BUDGET!

When you are in the market looking for signs that have a strict deadline and a set budget, SignForce is the supplier for you.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about SignForce by visiting http://www.signforce.co.za

 

How does a small business account for unexpected issues

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How does a small business account for unexpected issues

Free Standing Signs that work

 

This may seem like a simple issue, and it may even be for large corporates who never seem to care if they lose a client or more.

How does a small business recover costs after the fact?

At SignForce we firmly believe that once accepted, the quote we give is the quote the client must pay – to the point that we have only had to revise quotes on three occasions in the last 20 plus years.

This is not always practical as there are times when the game changes mid game resulting in additional costs being incurred, costs that should be carried by the client.

A recent example occurred at SignForce when a client asked SignForce to quote on an installation. SignForce quoted on two teams for 10 hours, the client accepted the quote and we got to work. The quote was based on a number of assumptions, however, once on site when the assumptions were tested, it was discovered that installing the signs would probably take longer than expected.

SignForce being the business we are we proceeded to work for 22 hours straight, increasing the number of two man teams from the two that were quoted to an eventual four by two man teams.

In this sort of situation what is the best way to ensure that the business gets FAIRLY rewarded for the additional time.

From the writers perspective there are a number of options, including:

  1. Work the time quoted on, possibly giving an extra 10%, and then leave site. While this may be financially beneficial to the business in the short term, it could also alienate and upset the client, especially if the client feels let down and does not manage to meet THEIR deadline, which they could then blame on you, the last subcontractor. Or,
  2. On the initial quote stipulate the time and number of teams that are quoted for, including an overtime rate so the client is aware of what any overtime will cost them. For this option it would then be wise at the end of the official quoted time to confirm with the client that they are happy for your team(s) to continue working at the stipulated overtime rate. It is also a good idea to ask if there is a limitation to the number of additional hours the client is prepared to pay for, so everyone is on the same page and there are no hard feelings after the work is completed. Or
  3. Complete the work as required and take the potential loss for the additional costs that the business will incur for both the overtime worked and the (potential) loss of productivity if the team(s) are not capable of working the next day. Or
  4. Complete the work as required and enter into a new negotiation with the client for the overtime worked. Or
  5. Complete the work as required, remind the client of what the original quote and leave it to the client’s discretion for them to make an additional payment to cover the increased cost.

What additional options could you add and which of the above options would you use?

The past is behind us and can only be used to learn from, so moving forward which option(s) would you recommend be used up front to ensure that the business covers any unexpected, additional costs should overtime be worked or standing time be required?

When asked what they would do, ChatGPT advises that: When a small business finds that the work quoted on turns out to be much more than anticipated, they should approach their client with an honest and transparent explanation of the situation. They should provide a detailed explanation of the additional work that needs to be done, and why it is necessary, as well as an updated quote of the total cost. The small business should also offer an explanation of how they plan to adjust the timeline to accommodate the additional work, and how they plan to address any potential delays or issues that may arise. Finally, they should remain open to discussing potential compromises or alternative solutions in order to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.

Interesting input.

If you are looking for a dedicated, professional team to help you ensure you meet your installation deadline, SignForce is available.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or call +27 (0)11 440 7525

Is Branding, Signage and Brand Image Important – or are we all just Superficial?

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Vehicle Branding creates brand awareness and familiarity

Is Branding and Brand Image Important or are we all just Superficial?

A short while ago I was at a supplier collecting some paint when I looked out at the SignForce vehicle in the parking lot, the same vehicle I see EVERY DAY, the same vehicle that I drive when necessary, the same vehicle ALL our customers and prospective customers and our suppliers see, a SignForce vehicle that is on the road almost seven days a week, but which I only SAW for the first time in a long time, and realized the vehicle was EXCEPTIONALLY TIRED.

The reality is that seeing the vehicle day in and day out makes one unaware of how the vehicle looks. The slight smudge mark, the additional small scratch, the discoloring paint all seem to be the same as they were the day, week, month and year before because one gets used to seeing the same thing over and over again.

The problem comes in that we assume that everyone else sees the same thing we see, except the NEW EYES do NOT see what we see. Then new eyes seeing the vehicle for the first time do not know the company, do not know the product, do not know the quality and do not know the service. All the new eyes see is a vehicle that represents the business, in whatever manner the vehicle presents itself.

They say you only get ONE CHANCE to create a FIRST IMPRESSION, and your vehicle or brand or product or yourself will be judged on that first appearance and how the new eyes perceive it or you.

Does this FIRST IMPRESSION ‘rule’ make us viewers superficial?

According to ChatGPT, the latest Guru which knows it all, “people are not necessarily superficial because they make up their minds on first impressions. In some cases, people may form an opinion quickly based on a first impression, but there are many other factors to consider before making a judgment.” The writer tends to disagree as in many cases the judgement is made on the first impression because there is never any further engagement.

This brings to mind a story of the old STAX sore in the West Rand. Many years ago STAX was about to close one store while another was being built. The store had not been very profitable and management decided it would be better for the business to close the store and start from scratch in about 18 months when the new store opened. SignForce was asked to remove the current signage and make it more presentable (the 3D letters were not illuminating, were broken and had actually become the home for some birds with their nest being built in the broken letter. The signs were given a low cost refurbishment so the store could have a closing down sale and then the signs would be taken down and repurposed.

The signs were refurbished and before the closing down sale was announced the store sales started picking up. On investigation it was found that because the location was pretty much a white elephant with very few trading tenants, and because the STAX signs were in such a state of disrepair, patrons – existing and prospective – assumed the store had closed down and moved, so they were shopping elsewhere. The store did eventually close but only when the new store was ready some 18 months later.

To me this demonstrates the importance people, prospects and patrons place on knowing that the projected impression is a positive one, that the business image is what is expected and that the image is what the business WANTS to project.

In SignForce’s case the vehicle in question was certainly NOT projecting the professional image that one would expect from a professional imaging business, so the vehicle was given a non surgical face lift – inside and out – bringing the vehicle’s branding and image in line with the professional business the vehicle represents.

In reality the refurbished vehicle does more than create a better image for new viewers, it also makes the staff more proud and more aware of the vehicle – like getting a new vehicle does – so that everyone is more aware that the vehicle needs to be treated well – definitely better than the ‘old’ vehicle was treated.

The upgrade has also been noticed by existing clients who have expressed how they feel more comfortable with the NEW vehicle being on their premises. One seldom thinks about an old vehicle possibly dripping oil on someone’s paving, but new vehicles make one more comfortable that the vehicle will be running better.

As SignForce have seen with the perception created by the ‘new’ vehicle, our branding and business image are help create the important identity for SignForce. The same applies to ANY company or organization. If your branding and identity are not reflecting the image your business WANTS to project, it could be a simple thing such as the signage – read that as branding – is tired or dirty. (On the note of dirty signs how often do businesses clean or dust their signs, even though the TOP of the sign may not regularly be viewed? It is something we at SignForce are aware of and offer a s a service if your cleaners are not happy to clean your signs. A dirty sign has a negative impact on people who see the dirt before they come into the store and leaves them subconsciously wondering what else is not being cleaned.

Business image and branding in order to create a strong brand and business image can be essential to help differentiate your company from your competitors. In fact people are known to create EMOTIONAL connections with brands – look at Apple and it’s RAVING FANS – who swear by their emotional connection with the company, partly because of it’s branding and consistent image.

Branding can help build trust and loyalty with customers, which in tern can lead to increased customer retention, higher customer satisfaction and ultimately a significantly better bottom line for the branded business.

Branding creates FRAMILIRIATY which makes people feel more comfortable and more likely to keep your business, your brands and your product front of mind.

In summary a strong brand helps create a strong business image which together with a positive experience when using your business, can also help to create a positive reputation,

If you are looking for a full service signage company to assist with you projecting the business image you desire through excellent branding contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or call +27 (0)11 440 7525

Find out more about SignForce by visiting http://www.signforce.co.za

#Branding, #VehicleBranding, #Businessimage, #Signage

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Why should EVERY business brand their VEHICLE or FLEET?

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If ever there was a marketing no brain-er it has to be vehicle branding, regardless of whether your business has a singly bicycle or a massive, extensive fleet.

If ever the adage A BUSINESS WITHOUT A SIGN IS A SIGN OF NO BUSINESS was apt, it must be when it comes to vehicle branding.

For obvious reasons a visible vehicle helps promote one’s business, brand or service.

On the less obvious side – and depending on the product or service – branded vehicles tend to be less likely to be stolen and drivers of branded vehicles tend to be more aware that they are being watched so they have incentive to be more polite drivers.

Vehicle branding is also important because it helps to create an identity for the business which may not seem very important, but it helps existing clients identify with the business and feel pride when they see THEIR supplier is doing his rounds.

Vehicle branding can also deter theft. A specific case in point was one of the first fleets SignForce ever branded. The client started with three vehicles but then decided that the cost to do the remainder of the fleet was prohibitive so they stopped at the done vehicles. Every few months they would get quotes to complete the fleet branding but invariably decided the funds could be better used elsewhere. It was about three years after the first vehicles that the call came in to please complete the branding, no quote required.

This was too good to be true as there were now nine additional vehicles but unfortunately due to the currency fluctuations the cost per vehicle had almost tripled. Yes, the cost had risen threefold yet this time the cost was not an issue.

When asked what caused the change of heart, the following story unfolded.

The company had been going through some tough times hence the redirecting of the branding budget. Recently they had received a call from one of their largest clients who was FUMING and threatening to take his business to the competitor – there were only two suppliers in the market – because the company were in breach of their exclusivity agreement and were supplying the client’s competition.

The company professed innocence and assured the customer that that was not the case. He was steadfast and told the supplier that he could see their vehicle offloading at the competitor. The customer was told this was impossible as the competition were NOT the company’s client. The customer then told them it was definitely their vehicle as it was branded and he also gave them the registration plates.

What followed was an investigation and sting operation (with the client’s cooperation) which resulted in the firing of almost a third of the company’s workforce.

The theft had been going on undetected for years as there was collusion between a number of internal staff. They had always used the unmarked vehicles but on the day the customer called the criminal ring’s client had needed an urgent delivery and they gave no thought to the fact the vehicle was branded. This is why the cost was not an issue. When compared to the years of theft and the possibility of losing their major client, the cost of branding was less than negligible.

Vehicle branding helps differentiate your business from from your competition, establishing a connection with existing and even prospective customers.

Vehicle branding can be used to increase brand awareness and brand recognition, build customer loyalty through pride and visibility and create a positive image for the brand.

Vehicle branding can also be used to communicate features and benefits of the business as vehicles can be used as silent sales persons at the same time they can be used as mobile billboards whose cost per view decreases with every trip the vehicle makes.

Vehicle branding can also be used to create a sense of urgency and create a memorable experience for customers, all while assisting prospective customers to make an informed decision about your business and brand. When prospective customers (and existing customers) see your vehicle multiple times, they seldom comprehend that it may be a single vehicle, so the repeated viewing of a single vehicle (something similar to standing in front of multiple mirrors in a store change room) can give the viewer the feeling that your business and fleet is much larger than it may actually be.

Why should a business brand their fleet of vehicles?

A branded fleet of vehicles is a cost effective way for a business to create a professional appearance, increased visibility, and promote their brand, business or service.

Good vehicle branding also sends a strong message that the business takes pride in its appearance and professionalism.

Branded vehicles help build trust and create a difficult to measure emotional connection with customers and potential customers. Additionally, branded vehicles create an opportunity for increased exposure and can be used as a platform for advertising.

To get your vehicle – from your bicycle to your horse and trailer – branded, contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or Whatsapp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or call +27 (0)11 440 7525

Find out more about how SignForce can serve you by visiting http://www.signforce.co.za

When is a SIGN considered a BILLBOARD?

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Outdoor full colour electronic billboard signs – known as BILLBOARD SIGNS, or LARGE FORMAT LED signs, are called as such because of the sheer size of the sign.

In layman’s terms MANY signs – regardless of size –  are referred to as billboard signs, but within the signage and advertising industry billboard signs generally refers to signs that exceed six square meters.

Billboard signs – typically those that exceed 6 sqm – can display photo realistic graphics, run animations and display full motion videos on new electronic billboard models.

Many LED electronic billboard signs can be remotely programmed, so they are popular with advertisers who want to focus their campaigns on specified demographic targets.

Small electronic signs – too small to be considered billboards – and flat screen technology can also be used as dynamic store front signs, shop signs, notice boards and directory signs.

Electronic LED signs come in a range of sizes from a tiny 0.12 square meters, but would only be considered a BILLBOARD when they exceed six square meters, with many of the modern signs being as large between 60 to 300 square meters.

For a sign to be considered a billboard it must be LARGE in size, generally mounted on a POLE or some other structure – building, dedicated structure or roof top.

Billboards are large so they are mostly used to advertise products – especially FMCY or large ticket products – services or events – and of course because politics is such a great business, billboards are often used to advertise political parties or running political candidates.

While billboards can be many shapes and sizes, the standard is for billboards to be rectangular, sometimes with part of the advertise image projecting forward or out of the line of the rectangle. This simple line breaking technique is known to substantially increase visibility and reading of billboard adverts.

Being LARGE, Billboards are typically strategically displayed in public area’s where they can be used to maximize visibility and attract people’s attention, get seen by large numbers of viewers – often the advertiser pays for the number of eyes on the advert – and where there is a higher likelihood of the target market viewing the adverts.

LARGE billboards can be illuminated to increase night time visibility – either rear illuminated, front illuminated, or if a modern digital billboard, illuminated using LED panels.

Billboards are mostly designed to be viewed from a far distance – hence the size. Because billboards can be viewed from a far distance they often placed along main roads, highways and other high volume area’s.

Billboards are also referred to as pylons, hoarding, signboards and poster boards.

If you are looking for a billboard look no further than SignForce.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or call +27 (0)11 440 7525 or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413

Find out more about how SignForce can serve you by visiting http://www.signforce.co.za

Why would any entrepreneur want to get into the signage industry

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Why would any entrepreneur want to get into the signage industry

There are a number of positive reasons to get into the signage business.

In the modern world where AI is starting to impact a large number of opportunities, signage included, the manufacture and installation of signage is still very labour intensive. Design of signage is definitely being threatened by AI, and this could well have an impact on sign businesses, but from the writers experience AI generated signs are not yet very practical to manufactured, so for the foreseeable future humans will still be required to manufacture signage.

Another advantage of the signage industry is there are advances being made which include digital boards that are becoming more and more popular.

Some factors potential entrepreneurs should be aware of when planning on opening a sign business include location, equipment and machinery, licensing, regulations and compliance administration, advertising, networking, staffing and administration.:

Location: While location is currently less concerning than it has been in the past, with the move to buying local there is a good chance that in the future location will once again become a large factor in costing and people’s requirements for signage. When considering location a potential signage entrepreneur should consider the location of their sign business and the proximity to their target customers as it may become increasingly important to find a location that is convenient to customers who will likely use their services, especially if they are relying on customers to come in off the street.

Equipment: Having the right equipment, machines and sign making tools is essential for a sign business. Potential entrepreneurs should decide what type of signage they will offer and then research the cost and availability of the necessary tools and machines. Depending on the business model and type of signage the sign business intends to market and manufacture, the sign making tools required may vary.

Licensing, Regulation and Administration: Depending on the location of the sign shop, there may be specific licensing and regulation requirements for sign businesses. Potential entrepreneurs should research the specific requirements for their area – be it country or state – and prepare to meet any applicable regulations. This is increasingly important when one wants top be compliant in a country such as South Africa where, unless the correct hands are greased, government and large business contracts will only be issued to businesses that are compliant with a huge number of laws and regulations. In current day South Africa an entrepreneur who intends to remain compliant needs to plan and budget for sufficient compliance staff to remain compliant.

Advertising: Advertising is an important part of running any business, with a sign business being no exception. Potential signage entrepreneurs should consider how they will advertise their services and reach potential customers – see also your intended market. Advertising may vary from networking to online PPC to printed or digital media to name a small number of options.

Networking: Networking with other sign businesses, suppliers, and potential customers can help a sign business grow. Potential signage entrepreneurs should research local networking opportunities and take advantage of them. Sign entrepreneurs should also look at networking with other signage businesses, especially if located in countries like south Africa with shrinking economies or if located in outlying area’s where networking can help the sign business with materials, techniques and other sign industry related updates that may not get to outlying sign businesses.

People. It is believed that every business, sign businesses included, require three main components – like legs of a tripod. Marketing, Finance and People. Marketing covers all types of selling, finance includes ensuring you have sufficient capital to carry the business through the first months of operation – including understanding that not all clients will be paying on time – and employing the correct staff or contractors. If the right people are employed the business can thrive. Likewise, poor recruiting decisions can be extremely costly to the point of closing down a sign business.

Administration – also called accounting or finance – is ensuring that there is a constant flow of cash. Most businesses that die die as a result of poor cash flow. It is as important for the sign business to sell at a profit – important part of administration and sales – as it is to collect the money, as in the modern world it is increasingly common for payments to be delayed, and delayed payments can cost the sign business both in terms of relationships and lack of cash flow.

If you are looking to enter the signage industry SignForce, with almost 40 years experience, are willing to talk.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or visit

the SignForce website at http://www.signforce.co.za

Complex signage looking simple

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Printed Sandblast Effect Vinyl

Impressive Printed Sandblast Entrance Sign

 

Please let SignForce know your opinion on how this printed sandblast vinyl entrance looks.

In the very biased opinion of the writer this entrance vinyl for Lamna Financial (https://www.lamna.co.za/lamna-johannesburg/) looks phenomenal. All the colors came out well and the visual elements all line up.

The reality is this end product took multiple – 4 – yes FOUR  – iterations to get right, much to the very understandable frustration of the client and the team at SignForce.

You may rightly ask how or why such a simple looking vinyl entrance would take so many iterations to get right. While the answer is simple, it is also multi faceted.

The first iteration had the color of the dark blue coming out as green – this was because the yellow tiny of the sandblast effect vinyl did not get the message to look more like white. Grade 1 art teachers that mixing primary colors of yellow and blue makes green – hence the dark blue printed vinyl looked more green than blue.

The 2nd iteration was to correct the view from the rear – not the primary intended view of the sign but one in which the rear is visible (from the entrance foyer) and where any faults in the sign, the print and the vinyl, are highlighted because of the proximity of the viewer and light to dark ratio.

Unfortunately the vinyl also failed! Technically this is most likely as a result of the sandblast effect vinyl being too saturated with aggressive original Roland inks. The opinion of the writer (without any backup from the manufacturers of either the ink or the vinyl)  is that the edges began to curl because of the change in the physical compound of the vinyl which became much softer than normal once saturated with ink – (welcome to the chemistry of signage 001). The vinyl manufacturers were dismissive when approached with a failure claim because you would not guess, the vinyl is not made for printing!!

The 3rd iteration did not get the curves to line up correctly, making any errors scream out and making the entire logo and visual look WRONG.

At this point one could ask why the application of machine cut vinyl to a flat glass window would not line up 100%.

The answer is that life is not that simple! While the GLASS that the vinyl is being applied to is flat, the full windows – including frames (aka mullions) are not. In fact the aluminium ‘mullions’ between the glass panes are each approximately 80 mm wide and 50 mm deep. What this means is that when the vinyl is applied it would have to ‘climb’ the mullion, making it ‘short’ on the next window. This complication is fairly common in signage and is similar to the complication encountered when one has to make an ON PAPER 3D picture into a physical 3D sign.

The 4th iteration meant that each machine cut element needed to be modified so each printed vinyl element could be individually lined up and hand trimmed. This application required a two person team with one person doing the application work up close and the other being the ‘eyes’ behind the sign (from inside) in order to assess and instruct on the lining up in order to make the vinyl visually correct.

While the finished product looks amazing and, for the uninformed surely makes the job look simple, that simplicity could be the secret of a job well done. Going back to complete the work regardless of what is involved, making the client’s sign look great AND making it look simple.

If you are looking for a sign business that is capable of, and not scared to handle, simple and complex jobs, SignForce is the sign business for you.

Contact SignForce now on info@signforce.co.za or WhatsApp +27 (0)82 558 6413 or call +27(0)11 440 7525

Find out more about SignForce by visiting our website at http://www.signforce.co.za