By Olivia Cahoon
Part 1 of 2
Commercial offices turn to print service providers (PSPs) for graphics like wallcoverings and windows. Unique wallcoverings and large murals help improve employee morale and provide a polished look in corporate environments. Signage is important for businesses because it helps to establish a brand and instill success.
Signarama Davie
Established in 1994, Signarama Davie began in South FL under the Signarama franchise group’s advisory and guidance. The franchise has over 900 locations in more than 50 countries around the world. The Signarama Davie location began with 600 square feet and in 2015 it moved to a larger location of 1,314 square feet in Davie, FL.
The shop began with two workers and has since grown to two owners, an in-house professional graphic designer, an installation and production manager, and a specialized crew with the knowledge and skilled workmanship to carry out a variety of sign installations.
Signarama Davie offers a number of products and services including ADA compliant signs, banners, displays, engraving, lettering, monument signs, pennants, real estate signs, safety and traffic signs, vehicle wrapping, and wall and window graphics. “We offer a variety of signage with the latest technology in the sign industry and the highest quality products,” says Aileen Gartner, owner, Signarama Davie.
The shop serves the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Gartner shares that since the company began, there has been a strong focus on corporate environments from small to large businesses.
The PSP manages customer requests by aiming to achieve their main goal—to make the signage process hassle- and stress-free. This means taking the difficulty off the customers in all required stages of design, product selection, material selection, printing, permits, installation, and delivery.
To create signage, Signarama Davie uses a combination of digital media and software products from companies including 3M Commercial Graphics, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, a Graphtec America, Inc. plotter, a laminator from Ledco, a division of Graphic Laminating, Orafol Americas media, Roland DGA Corporation printers, and a Safety Speed Manufacturing panel saw and router. “We use these brands because of their superior quality. Our corporate division highly recommends the use of these materials and equipment, based on excellent experience and reviews at other franchise locations,” says Gartner.
The shop uses the Roland SOLJET PRO III XC-540 six-color printer/cutter. The printer prints up to 441 square feet per hour.
Corporate environments have frequent and high demands for signage. Gartner explains that graphics are a huge part of a business’ advertising, marketing, branding, and image. Most want visually impressive signage, especially when conducting business deals in house.
Popular corporate signage requests include wall graphics using a company’s logo or name. These are generally found on the outside of the building or in conference rooms and behind reception desks. Gartner explains that backlit signage is another popular trend growing amongst corporate environments. “Also, digital signage and wall graphics with motivational quotes or words are requested a lot,” she says.
Hand2Hand
Hand2Hand USA, Corporation is a new company that helps immigrants establish themselves in the U.S. and connects them with professionals like lawyers and investors. It also offers advice and counseling throughout the immigration process. The company’s aim is to not only see immigrants survive, but to see their families, jobs, and businesses thrive. It prides itself on being a one-stop company and offers 20 years of personal and professional experience for a better life.
The owner of Hand2Hand approached Signarama Davie for a sign to amaze people and show professionalism while maintaining modernism. “He wanted something that wowed people and that made them curious about who made the sign,” says Gartner. She explains that at first, the owner requested a clear acrylic sign with the company’s logo printed with clear and white vinyl applied to the back. It would be mounted with four standoffs.
However, the owner’s wife suggested incorporating trendier elements like wood and metal to give it an industrial feel. The PSP’s team combined one fourth- and one eighth-inch brushed aluminum to give dimension to different pieces of the logo.
“Metal was covered with graphics printed on clear vinyl, to give the appearance of metallic colors,” says Gartner. For dimensional letters spelling the company’s name, the PSP applied the same brushed aluminum and vinyl was used in small lettering of the company’s description. To complete the job, Signarama Davie used a printer, plotter, saw, and router. In fact, the shop used so many different types of media and substrates every piece in its hardware portfolio was called upon.
The job was delayed for several days when the PSP had to apply two layers of paint to the wood because the customer preferred a darker finish. Other challenges associated with the job included having to remove and reinstall the clear vinyl several times and drilling holes that scratched the wood. “It was a meticulous job, we didn’t want to damage any of the pieces,” admits Gartner.
The entire job took nearly a month to complete with a total number of 53 pieces. Gartner explains that it was the first job her shop had done that combined so many different materials into one sign. “We weren’t 100 percent sure that it was going to turn out as great as we had envisioned it. It gave us the confidence to take on new and challenging types of projects,” she shares.
Hand2Hand was very pleased with the finished sign. Garnet says that it exceeded the owner’s expectations and that he has referred the shop to all of his customers as his trusted sign company. Since then, Signarama Davis has taken care of all of Hand2Hand’s signage needs.
Displaying Success
Corporate environments request everything from window and wall graphics to outdoor signage to display their logos and company information. This type of signage is used to advertise, market, and brand a company’s image. Corporations seek perfection when they approach PSPs for signage to represent their business.
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Feb2017, Digital Output DOASCO1702
