Surface/substrate preparation for vinyl application Neglecting to properly prepare the surface of a substrate could cause vinyl failure.If you ask any vinyl manufacturer or application expert what is the most common mistake people make in the vinyl application process… you will get the same answer every time: inadequate preparation of the substrate’s surface.Surface preparation is …
What are lightboxes? Lightboxes come in all shapes and sizes – as long as it has internal lighting, it is known as a light box. Illuminated lightboxes can be single or double sided, wall mounted, projecting, hanging or free standing and are used for indoor and outdoor signs. There are two common purposes for light …
Common channel letter – internal illumination The flexibility of channel letters allows them to be illuminated in various ways. The lighting source is encased within the letter. Front-lit channel letters Also known as standard channel letters, front-lit channel letters use LED (most common) or neon lights to illuminate the face of the letters. This is …
Illumination technologies There are three main types of lighting technology used in the sign industry; neon, fluorescent and most commonly – LED. Signs and displays, traditionally lit using fluorescent or neon lighting, are transitioning into longer lasting, energy saving and eco friendly LED lighting. Types of LED, layout and spacing Light Emitting Diodes, or LEDs …
Common graphics software used in sign making There are many different types of graphics software to create visuals for signage. Even Microsoft Word has even been used to create simple signage! Below is the three most common used for signage. Vector Graphics software Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics programme for creating drawings, illustrations, and …
Graphics for signage Images play a large part in visual communication. Anything from graphs and charts, photographs, illustrations, logos and symbols. Signage uses all sorts of graphics, including hand rendered (murals and paintings) vinyl graphics and digital graphics. They can be created through software, created by hand, or photographs taken on a camera or device. …
Intro to design fundamentals The elements and principles of design are the building blocks of any visual. Basics in design elements The elements of design are the things that make up a design – Line, shape, text, colour, pattern, texture, value and form. Line – The line is one of the simplest and most versatile design elements. …
Introduction to typography Typography is everywhere we look. It’s in the books we read, on the websites we visit, even in everyday life on signage, billboards, advertising, product packaging, etc. What exactly is typography?Simply put, typography is the style or appearance of text. It can also refer to the art of working with text. Typeface v’s …
What is visual communication? There are four main types of communication we use on a daily basis: Verbal (spoken), nonverbal (body language), written and visual. Visual communication is the act of using photographs, art, drawings, symbols, sketches, charts and graphs to convey information. Written communication is often included in signage. Some signs have no written …
Visibility of signs Every design choice in the design and construction of a sign has an impact on visibility, attention-grabbing ability, and readability. And every decision on how a sign is designed and built and where it is located can diminish the visibility and its effectiveness to communicate the intended message. Letter height is also …
Sign symbols Some signs are displayed as symbols and don’t have any words – these symbols represent something that most people will understand – regardless of their native language. Universal sign symbols You see them every day when you go to the restroom, cross the street, or look at a map. International symbols are intended …
Signage – what’s its purpose? Signs have become a cornerstone of modern society and are found in various sizes, shapes and colours. It might seem obvious, but most people take signs for granted. If you removed all signs from any city it will affect aspects of human life. Therefore, it’s important to understand the advantages and …
Evolution of signage Signage is defined as any kind of visual graphics created to display information to a particular audience. The sign making industry has evolved since the earliest signs in 3000 BC. Seventy-five years ago, the International Sign Association (formerly known as NESA) was founded. From the “tavern bush” to personalised digital signage, see just how …