Six more weeks of Winter or Spring?

It’s hard to imagine that just last week, on Tuesday, Aaron and I were outside installing four signs at Shadow Lake Apartments. Each sign that we were installing required a post hole to be dug and it was quite a lovely day, because thankfully that was one of the rare warm January days. It was in the high fifties, and there had been a nice rain earlier to make the ground moist for digging.

I was very thankful to not have to do the install in twenty degree weather, with the ground frozen and the snow covering my level before I can read it. I’m not sure how construction crews manage it, but I have a new appreciation for them now. I love winter and the snow, but more for skiing on it than to be working outside. So while Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, and we’re ‘expecting’ 6 more weeks of spring, I’m actually okay if it’s just a mix between the two seasons.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

It’s been a nice winter so far, enough snow to make it possible to enjoy the winter sports of skiing and snowboarding (which is a big thing for many of the people at the shop). I think there was enough for kids to have one snow day, so check mark on that wish list. On Friday we’re going to have a really warm day, high around 55 degrees, some are even thinking 60’s before we fall back into our winter weather. So if there’s anything you have that needs to be done outdoors, Friday is your day.

In the mean time when the winter returns to us, keep in mind that if you’re interested in vehicle lettering, we have a garage in which to work from. Now’s the time to get that off your checklist if you’ve always wanted to get your company name across your car before you get too busy to be able to part with it.

Ceasing the Weather

Today was the install of the new outdoor sign panels for Buckeye Vision & Aesthetic Center, located on West Wilson Bridge Rd, Columbus, OH. It was a bit tricky, timing it between the rain and the early nightfall. We have a scaffolding unit that we were able to build on the grass next to the existing stand, then it was a matter of placing the new signs in. The new sign is 6’x6′, it is a white polycarbonate material with a laminated hp print applied.

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The Importance of Being Enthralling

Author: Amanda

I found out today that one of the restaurants I enjoy eating at is undergoing financial problems, due to a lack of customers. I know what you’re thinking, not much of a surprise with this economy. Well, it wasn’t that much of a surprise to me either, but it wasn’t in relation to the economy. The restaurant is great, and absolutely stunning inside, the menu prices are more than reasonable for the large food portion you get, and the service is good and quick. Still, it wasn’t a surprise to me, because the outside of the building did not reflect the status of the inside of the restaurant.

The restaurant was originally built for another nationality of food than the one it serves now, and when it was bought by the new owners they did little to change the exterior. They removed the old restaurants dimensional lettering from the wall, but did not repair the wall. When they ordered a new outdoor acrylic lit panel, all they had was their restaurant name in a black font. There was nothing to express the quality of the restaurant to enthrall customers to give it a try. Especially when the outside demeanor would remind them of a different nationality of food than what was being served.

We’re told never to judge a book by its cover, but most often when it comes to money and food (in this day) we’re less willing to take a risk. Especially when we’re bringing along a date, significant other or our families. There’s an importance to setting an impression that shouldn’t be underestimated. Not saying that we should all go flashing neon lights, but a certain personality and style shouldn’t be absent from our outdoor advertisements.

Virtual Cosmopolitan

Author: Amanda

Google maps is a very underappreciated application. For its intended use, it’s very helpful, giving us a chance to use satellite imaging to see a location that we haven’t traveled to. Now, if you use Google maps you may have noticed the ability to use the satellite mapping from ground level. Instead of seeing the map from an aerial point of view, you drag the little gold stick figure located above to the zoom bar and place it on the map. Where the figure lands you are given a street-view of the area, in this map format you can ‘turn around’ and zoom in on different locations. What makes this such a wonderful application for the Sign shop is the ability to view existing signs.

Often we have customers arrive wondering how much it would cost to replace an existing sign. Most have just moved into the store location, they don’t know the size of the current sign, the material it’s made of, how high up it is, or how it’s bolted in, from the top of their head. Before Google maps there wasn’t much we could do to help our customers without having to do an initial site visit. However, with the new application we simply enter the customers address and zoom in on their current address. We’ve worked in the business long enough that we can make a valid guess of the material, and how it’s bolted in just by seeing an image. We can judge how high the sign is and whether or not it will need scaffolding for install. This saves us hours of travel from extra site visits, and we’re able to give more accurate quotes to our customers on their first arrival, e-mail or call.

I personally also like clicking on random places on the map to see how cities look across World. With just a small drag I can see Kyoto, Japan or Lyon, France over lunch break.