Resources
Asking for a quote.
When you ask for a quote for signwork we need to know the rough
size you have in mind, the position it is being used in and the
surface on which sign is being fitted.
A problem in some areas where rough stonewalls are found is fitting
the sign flat on the wall. Spacers or washers may have to be used
behind the sign to give a flat surface.
What to consider when you are looking for a sign:
• What kind of sign are you looking for? What is it for?
- ensure it reflects the nature of your business, your corporate
style, your market place.
• What size of sign are you looking for? - consider the
size and dimensions of the sign. A long and thin fascia sign for
a shop will require different treatment to a tall and narrow sign
on the side of a building. But it shouldn’t necessaryily
be filled completely with information. Remember one of the most
important visual communication factors is the use of space to
provide clear and concise communication.
• Who will see it? what is the viewing distance? - Only
include the most essential information. Some of the most effective
signs use just a couple of well chosen colours, so there's no
need to use every colour you can think of! If you already have
an established house style, then choose colours to match. Modern
manufacturing and printing processes allows exact colour matching
to be achieved via Mendip Signs
• What about the use of light? - Back lit, top lit etc..
Another essential marketing tool which you can use. It not only
makes your sign visible in the dark, but can create attractive
effects like shadows.
• What material should the sign be made from? - choice
of materials and methods are important factors when designing
a sign. Modern signs produced by Mendip Signsare based on durable,
lightweight and inexpensive materials, such as various plastics,
extruded aluminium systems, epoxy powder coatings and special
durable PVC films and inks. Traditional signs made from hardwood
and composite boards require proper preparation and finishing
of the wood to ensure durability and resistance to all types of
weather. A good design and layout for your sign will count for
little if the materials from which it is made don't last.
• What budget have you set aside for the sign? - Whatever
you have budgeted we will guarantee to provide you with signage
of the very best quality available for the best possible cost.
• Who is designing the artwork? - If you do not have someone
to design the artwork to the technical specifications needed ask
about the design services of Mendip Signs. Our design is priced
on time but if this results in a substantial sign order we often
waive this element.
Artwork.
By artwork we mean a drawing, picture or computer file that you
want incorporating on your sign or graphic work. We can work with
most types of artwork from a sketch on the back of a "fag"
packet to full designed artwork in a major graphics package such
as Adobe or Corel. Talk to us and let us have your artwork as
early in the process as possible. Our preferred artwork is Adobe
Illusatrator or Photoshop or Corel Draw native formats. To allow
us to quote we can use PDF files. Usually a non-compressed bitmap
is acceptable. Please try to avoid Microsoft Publisher or Word.
These can either be used very easily or can take several hours
to convert for use. Any graphics package that can export in AI
format should be okay.
Some points to bear in mind when signing your vehicle.
1) Don't forget that people may not see your vehicle for long. They may not have the means to write down your details. Your message must be
concise, memorable and above all clear.
2 We suggest that the three most important pieces of information on a vehicle are, what you do, who you are and how to contact you. Other information may be included but the three key pieces of informatiom must me easy to see and read. Do you for example need an email address if you have your website on the vehicle? Do you really need 5 phone numbers on the side (yes some people do!) ? Do you spend much time in a city where people can look down on your vehicle? If so then think about having your details on the roof!
3) If you are a major national company it is easy, all you need do is to show your name and logo clearly. If you want or need your own logo, perhaps reflecting your letterhead make sure it is clean, clear and fairly simple. An overcomplicated or fussy logo, apart from being more expensive to produce,will not be an asset and may put some people off.
4) Today when vans almost invariably come factory painted white, it is necessary to decide if a standard colour is acceptable or if it would be worthwhile to repaint the vehicle. Ideally talk to us before you order your new van so that the correct colour can be ordered to fit your sign and advertising scheme. It is also important to develop a design that suits the style and exact shape of the van. Some vans provide better scope for graphics than others, features such as sliding doors can cause problems when they are open or if they do not align perfectly, similarly some vans have flat sides others do not. Some vehicles have no horizontal lines or panels which means you have to decide to follow the van lines or reference all signwork to horizontal.
5) The overall livery style needs to reflect your business your sector and your target customers. For example, if you are an antique clock repairer the style adopted should reflect this sector of the market. Similarly if you are a builder or plumber this should be reflected in both colours and type design. A type style such as Old English may well be suitable for the clock repairer but be totally unsuitable for a plumber. Try to avoid following the fashion of the moment. When fashion changes as it surely will your vehicle will instantly look dated and out of place. Type sizes should be sufficiently large to allow the information to be read easily, if font size has to be restricted there is almost certainly too much information. |
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