This is the second time that we are wrapping THIS van. The first application had a compatibility problem with the laminate used. We all run into issues from time to time-it's how we deal with them in the end that counts (and that's why this is being re-wrapped!) This application is Controltac with 3m laminate. 3M makes some real nice stuff!
January 2006 Archives
Steve Rubel suggests another excellent use of a disney vacation:Disney World is a great place to study the principles of service. They breed millions of advocates worldwide. A visit here can also teach you a lot about blogging. Here's a sample of what I learned this past weekend from watching the WDW cast at work. Much of it can be applied to blogging... (edit: and small business!)
It's OK to be Goofy
Always be upbeat
Remember, you're always on-stage
Little touches make a big difference
Deliver on what you promise
Good ideas should come from everywhere
Develop a service philosophy
Uphold key traditions
Communicate a compelling vision
Share the spotlight
Excellent observations-right on the money!
How can these principles help us build our businesses?
If you're like me, your camera probably fills up with all kinds of photos on family vacations. But does your camera fill up with photos like these? I'm sure I'm not the only sign obsessed guest at Walt Disney World, but I am one of them! In fact my camera is focused on all kinds of inspiring images from signs to textures to patterns to architecture (and not just at Disney World). Some of the best projects that we have created (unique, visually appealing effective advertising tools a.k.a. signs) have been inspired by objects seen during our family travels. It's important for any business owner to get away, but it's also important for a creative business owner to always absorb. For me the best time to absorb is while vacationing. It's when my head's clearest and ready to receive the inspiration for our next great sign project. So if you are looking for something creatively challenging, different, or complex, let us know–you'd be surprised at what we can do!
This client is! The next time you are stopped at a stoplight think about where your eyes are focused....on the blank tail end of the vehicle in front of you. If you take your vehicle anywhere further than down the street on a daily basis, you are missing out on a effective, and inexpensive, form of advertising. The graphics on the rear of your vehicle don;t have to be this involved, but they do have to be there to work for you. One popular alternative option is to use see-through perf on your back window. It allows the person behind you to see your full color image, but you can still see out the window. If you have been pondering advertising via your vehicle, give us a call. We have many creative ways to promote your business. 
Clients often ask, If you make a three dimensional sign for me, does it have to incorporate the "wood grain" look? The answer is definitely no! With our use of HDU, the dimensional possibilities are endless. Here's a excellent example of the use of dimension to enhance the appearance and the impact of a sign. The prospective diner knows right away that this restaurant is not a run of the mill place....it's an excellent, classy establishment, and their sign speaks volumes to that. More importantly, their sign works for them day in and day out, all day long, and it's in prime position for all to see. That's a difficult thing to accomplish with many other forms of advertising, and that's what makes a sign your single best business promotion investment. 
Custom dimensional signs have been a specialty of ours since the beginning. In fact, the very first sign we made was a sandblasted cedar sign for a deli in the Holgate section of the Island, 10 years ago! We don't use too much cedar anymore, primarily because there are better, more durable products that are available to us today. One of these is HDU (high density urethane). This product crossed over from the aviation industry and is ideal for dimensional sign production. It carves and sculpts beautifully and accepts paint very well. To top it all off, it will never rot or check like wood will. We can make all kinds of textures and effects with this material, way more than we could ever imagine in wood. If you are looking for a one of a kind "dimensional masterpiece" sign to differentiate your business, give us a call. 
One of the things our Flatbed UV Curing printer allows us to do is print onto rolled goods, including premium vinyl for decals. These particular decals will be used on a Ford F-250. Our customer is going for the low key vehicle advertising look, and these will be perfect.
We actually use a two step process. Our printer creates the high resolution image, then the piece is cut on a vinyl cutter (plotter) with an optical positioning system that precisely registers the printed image to the cut lines.
This is a great example of how we take both the design (notice the detail in the image) and execution (great quality at a large size) of your project to the next level. Your next vehicle advertising or decal project does not have to be just basic cut and applied solid color vinyl!
These types of decals are also excellent for marking and identification on tools, construction equipment, heavy machinery and trailers. The versatility of the product makes it an ideal way to spread your branding across multiple mediums.
We're proud to serve no matter where you are located! We've have offices in Manahawkin and Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island for your convenience, although we frequently travel throughout the state. So if you are thinking about a new sign, vehicle advertising or business promotion, give us a call, we would be happy to help.
Some of the types of signs we produce include:
Vehicle Wrap Graphics
Carved, Gold Leaf and Dimensional Signage
Building Graphics
Illuminated Signs & Letters
Banners & Event Signs
Logo Design & Identity
Some of our readers may be aware that I am a photography buff. I have always loved pictures. My first real camera was a nikon 4004. Quite a machine for a high school kid, way back when! I always hoped that digital SLR's would become smaller, more efficient and most importantly more affordable. I recently acquired an Olympus Evolt with the dual lens kit. I've been snapping away at hi res for some time now and my I Photo libraries are overflowing!
This project came along at just the right time. Our client wanted to incorporate some action shots into his vehicle advertising. Using the Evolt I shot a series of scoops, crushes and loads at this house demolition. Using our rendering techniques, were able to demonstrate how the finished graphics will look on the vehicle. This is an excellent way to get a true preview of what your vehicle will look like even before it's completed–and a great way for us to show our clients just how powerful a medium vehicle advertising can be for their business.
If you have an off the wall idea, let me know , I'm sure we can come up with a creative solution to your needs!
I'm big on delineation–delineating our clients from our competitors, that is! One way we do that is through powerful, well executed vehicle advertising. Taking that one step further, we have refined this client's image through the use of 22K real gold leaf leaf. The gold sets him apart from the rest, conveys the upscale image he's looking for, and puts him right in the center of the radar of the clients he's looking to serve.
How can we delineate you from your competition—and bring more business your way? 
My Son, Logan seems to have an affinity for the Arizona 180 Printer. Maybe that's because one day around when he just turned two his little fingers found that black power switch on the front of the machine.....and Daddy didn't notice right away. Not a big deal except for the fact that switching it off causes the heads to dry out and clog! Now that he's turing three, he's completed his operator training and has been put to work-and knows not to switch it off!
When you paint lots of dimensional and carved signs for 10 years, you wind up with lots and lots of paint! At one point we had twice as many cans as you see here, scattered all about the shop. I was determined to make it easier to find the colors we needed, and the tall vertical shelves were just the ticket. Thanks to Anthony for pausing for just a second so I could snap the pic!
We typically paint our signs with premium Benjamin Moore and or One Shot Sign Paints. Those familiar with old school sign painting probably recognize the One Shot Name. Sign painters used it for years, and a few years into my journey in this business I noticed that my results with it had changed a bit. Environmental regulations have limited the amount of "good stuff" paint manufacturers can put into their paints, which means paint users need to find new ways to use the products. That's how we found the Benjamin Moore product. While we still have a few regular clients that request only One Shot, we often use a combination of Benjamin Moore and One Shot, because we feel the combination gives us the best look and durability in our harsh coastal climate.
Tomorrow it's off to install the corporate display graphics. If I can get the client to agree to a pic, I'll share it here!
This is a close up shot of one piece in a series of corporate office graphics that we are producing with our amazing flatbed press. I agreed not to show you the entire piece to protect my client, and I was asked not to take pictures of the finished install. I did want you all to see the extent of the detail and the quality of the image that our flatbed press produces. You can practically feed anything rigid or flexible that you can imagine into this thing. We have created amazing signs and displays by printing on the front and in some cases that backs of material to produce stunning special effects. We're printing with a uv-curing ink that we have been especially happy with. As veterans of digital printing we have contended with ink issues and banding for years. As technology evolves, though, these issues are minimized and are practically non existent on our new flatbed press.
