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The same qualities that makes polycarbonate tough and flexible are also the cause of reduced adhesion (plasticizers added to the formulation migrating to the surface). Adhesive vinyl sticks to it remarkably well, but is relatively easy to pull it off (until its been outside for a few years and...

Gemini

The replies here have been interesting. In the interest of full disclosure, the example in my reply is for installation only. Truck measurements and photos have already been taken, and a scale layout has been prepared. I take "straight-on" photos using a long lens (to minimize parallax...

If the graphics are already printed, cut and masked with guidelines in place (and assuming they are the right size), the installation process would proceed as follows: 1. Clean truck (time dependent on how dirty it is and if other graphics need to be removed). Estimate 15 minutes for a fairly...

In my market that would be a tall order. An installer will need to be bonded, fully insured, and licensed to do that kind of work (and secure the necessary permits). By the a business has outfitted themselves to be a legal sign installer, why wouldn't they just order the signs from wholesalers...

By being a pagen symbol of hatred it is exempt from the considerations of legality.

I live in a small metro area in central Illinois (under 120,000 population, surrounded by corn and soybean farms). There are dozens of large format printers, but only a handful of sign businesses that have the equipment and personal needed for installation. We do installations for many of these...

No permit but a judge temporarily removed a restraining order to display it. Pisses me off! That sign violates multiple laws. Who the hell is this judge?! It's like, "oh, it's wrong to murder people in cold blood but it's okee-dokee this time"! There is a chance, however, a decision was made...

The National Electric Code (NEC Section 411) requires low voltage lighting must have a NRTL listing. Light fixtures need to meet UL standards (or be approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) and display the Laboratory's sticker. Most coding authorities subscribe to NEC standards...

No rush fees. If I can accommodate the client (and I want to), I'll take the job and price it appropriately. Advertising rush fees may be fine if you specialize in instant signs, but for most of us taking on rush jobs jeopardizes work flow and leads to being considered over-priced (especially...

(total income - non-labor expenses) divided by hours worked.

$2 - $4 for unlaminated UV printing on adhesive vinyl, depending on the cost of the vinyl. I have about twenty large format printers in my town and all but the copy shops are charging in that range. For sheer volume pricing it is impossible for a small shop (under $1M annual sales) to even...

UV flatbed. You cannot be competitive doing it any other way. If you don't have one, sub the job out and drop ship the panels.

This will be very tricky to accomplish without "dirty" join lines. Any kind of contrast between the face and returns essentially eliminates that problem. Also I wouldn't attempt this using a heat gun. For best results the plastic needs to be heated uniformly in an oven. There are some bigger...

Most people who contact us don't really know what they need. They need advice. I take their inquiries (whatever the form: phone calls, email, text, social media) and reply back in kind. Often I will ask for a phone number so I can discuss their project with them (much faster than trying to...

It would probably be more effective to outsource production. Signs are about communication, and design is at the heart of it. Anybody with a few bucks can buy a printer, but design takes talent and experience and a lifetime to master.

Sign makers have traditionally (and significantly) undercharged for logo design work. It takes time, much thought, and much knowledge and experience to do this type of work with any degree of professionalism. Good graphic designers charge for the value of their work. I would figure $2k would...

Typical branding packages (including logo design, vehicle wrap design, stationery, all rights) start at $10,000. I'm good; these guys are better: https://www.kickcharge.com/kickcharge-branding-packages/

When taking pictures for this purpose use the longest lens availble to decrease curvilinear distortion. Wide angle lenses, as found on most phone cameras, do have some rectilinear correction but should still be avoided. Software can also be used to correct curvilinear distortion. Basically...

Yep! Read that and spend a year or two in production and sales. You cannot design a sign unless you know how they are built. And, especially today, you need to understand the customer's needs and be able to come up with a functional design while at the same time making them feel like they...