Jim Hingst provides tips to improve sign painting success and avoid paint failures. Tips include sign painting techniques and painting safety recommendations. Read more »
Avoiding Edge Curling When Printing Full Bleeds
Why the Simplest Solutions are Generally the Best Read more »
Recreating a Weathered Appearance
Painted advertisements on the sides of old barns are an important part of the history of signage in America. At one time, thousands of barns were painted with ads for tobacco or animal feed. Today, very few of these barn advertisements exist. Most of these old barns have been demolished or fallen into disrepair. Read more »
Estimating Startup Costs
Why would anyone want to start up their own business? Within the first eighteen months over half of small businesses fail. Still, the people who have the guts or are crazy enough to start their own businesses wouldn’t have it any other way. Some just need the freedom. Others believe that they can do it […] Read more »
Getting Past the Gatekeeper
Some time ago, a sign maker wrote me that she was having problems getting past the receptionists and secretaries, who prevented her from speaking with her prospects. Regardless of who you are, your level of industry experience or what you sell, getting past the gatekeeper is one of the most difficult hurdles that any sales […] Read more »
Spot Varnish in Sign Design
Commercial printers use a printing technique called spot varnish. It’s a technique that they have used forever. The term refers to a printing a coating of varnish onto selects parts of a design. Usually the varnish is glossy. But it doesn’t have to be. Spot varnish can also be matte or satin. Whether the varnish […] Read more »
How Vehicle Surveys Save Time & Money
On-site inspections and vehicle wraps Early in the sales process, before a quotation request is submitted, before the design begins, and before anyone signs on the dotted line, the sales person should conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicles. Vehicle wrapping is business of details. There are so many variables in designing, manufacturing and installing […] Read more »
Painting Acrylic Signs
The extraordinary clarity of acrylic sheet makes it an excellent substrate for backlit signs, which is why it remains the product of choice. Acrylic is typically painted in reverse on the second surface of the sheet. Acrylic provides tremendous protection from the degrading effects of UV light. A number of different paints are available for […] Read more »
Screen Printing Acrylic Sheet
Painting is not the only solution for decorating plastic signfaces. For high-volume jobs, screen printing with either solvent or UV curable inks is an economical solution. In selecting an ink system, ask your screen print supply distributor for a recommendation. The ink manufacturers’ technical bulletins will give you printing specifications. The type of mesh, squeegee, […] Read more »
Mold Growth on Application Tape
Mold spores are everywhere. You can’t see them. They just float around in the air, whether you are indoors or outside. When these invisible spores land on a wet or moist material, they can begin to grow. In nature, mold serves the function of breaking down dead organic matter, such as leaves or fallen trees. […] Read more »
