What are Pre-Spaced Vinyl Letters?
Using a high grade vinyl similar to colored tape, our computer can create most any design by simply cutting the pattern that is in our computer. We then remove excess vinyl, leaving the prespaced vinyl letters on a wax backing paper. We then apply a layer of application tape over the entire area. When the application tape is lifted from the wax backing paper, the sticky side of the vinyl letters is exposed. When pressed to the sign surface with a supplied squeegee, the letters are permanently stuck to the surface. The application tape is then removed.
Can I make my own signs?
You Bet. What once required a talented sign painter, can now be done by you. Using any smooth surface that you have, simply apply vinyl lettering and PRESTO - YOU HAVE A SIGN for a fraction of the cost. We can also supply banners, magnets and corrugated plastic blanks for your signs.
Read more about installing prespaced vinyl letters at our Application Instructions page.
How long will the Vinyl Letters last?
Vinyl lettering has almost completely replaced sign painting because of its duribility. Vinyl letters have been tested against fading and peeling for years. We use 2 grades of material. The most common is 3-5 year vinyl which will perform well under most circumstances. If your work demands greater duribiliy, choose the more expensive 8 year vinyl (recommended for glass storefronts, boats and vehicle lettering). No special care is required once installed.
Where can I install Vinyl Letters?
Vinyl letters work well on most any smooth non-porous surface. Glass, vehicles, fiberglass, painted wood, plastic and painted metal are all excellent surfaces for pre-spaced vinyl letters. Application instructions are online here and a copy will be included with your order. An application squeegee is also included in the order.
How do I remove Vinyl Letters?
Its not easy, but you can peel the vinyl letters off when the sign is no longer needed. Remove any remaining glue with citrus based goo-remover according to the manufacturers instructions.
What about multi-color designs?
Each line of text or even indiidual letters can be different colors. You can even specify shadows, outlines and other effects - there is no limit to the number of colors that can be combined to produce eye-catching effects. Each color is supplied on its own backing sheet to be applied seperately. Start with the background color and align each layer with the previous layer.
Can you use my files?
Certainly! Email us your GIF, JPG, TIFF, BMP, AI, EPS, Word, Powerpoint or CDR files. Most programs can "SAVE AS' or "EXPORT" one of these formats. Please do not send other formats which can only be read by certain programs. If using Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator, be sure to convert all text to curves before sending.
What if I don't know what size letters to order?
That's not a problem. Simply give us the overall size of the sign area and we will fit the lettering to the area. You will aget n email with the proof design to see.
Do the letters go inside or outside Glass?
Normally, the letters go on the outside of the glass to maintain visibility even when there is glare on the window. If you prefer the lettering go on the inside to be read outside, please specify that the letters are to be MIRROR CUT.
What about Color Matching?
Our solid vinyl is available in certain colors only therefore we can not guarantee matching pantone process colors or your vehicle. Like TV sets at the appliance store each computer monitor may show our color chart differently. If the exact shade of the color is critical, please email us with your name and address and we will mail you an actual color chart.
Can you cut Graphics and Logos as well as Lettering?
We can cut most anything you can imagine. Although our artistic talent is limited, we can use clip art and artwork from computer files and faxes to create eye catching signs for you. We have most national logos already in our computer. Just ask!
How long will it take for my order to arrive?
Normal shipping times are shown in the map below. We also offer UPS overnite, 2 day and 3 day service.
Typically we have 1 full time person assigned to answer phone calls and 3-4 persons making and filling orders. The others take phone calls as their workload permits. We post our 800 number on the website but reaching us by telephone can be difficult due to the volume of calls we get.
In order to keep our prices low and to keep deliveries on time we can not simply hire more persons to work the phones. To be quite frank, the telephone is a very expensive way for us to do business compared to the internet.
Difficulties in providing unlimited telephone support:
- a) It is very difficult to "explain" a design and even harder for us to envision the picture you have in your mind - a picture is worth 1,000 words. We absolutely MUST send you a proof design for your approval before making an order.
- b) Verbal conversations give us little written documentation - it is very hard to decipher notes or remember all the things we discussed during a phone conversation. A written email allows us to copy/paste and clearly review all that you requested.
- c) Telephone time takes 100% attention of our staff - basically we must stop work to answer the phone. While answerring emails, we can pause to feed stock into our printer and keep other machines running. This keeps our costs down.
- d) We've found that returning calls is even less productive - waiting on hold and playing phone tag is very costly to you and us.
- e) Typicaly we can answer 3-4 email inquiries in the amount of time it takes to answer one phone call.
Although we try hard to provide a high level of service, we are basically a discount shop. We can point to many shops charging 2 or 3 times what we charge for similar proucts. At those rates they can afford to spend an extra 10 to 20 minutes on the phone. Heck, they stand to make an extra $100 on the sale. We've considered raising our prices and hiring more phone people, but that wouldn't be fair to our core clients who have been so loyal in helping us continually grow over the last 11 years.
Instead, we've invested a great deal of time and money to provide the latest tools on our website to assist you in creating your design and ordering our products online. If you find that these tools do not work for you, please feel free to type your message into an email and we promise to answer it quickly. We try very hard to answer simple questions in one hour or less and simple design issues 2-3 hours. Complex design issues and very involved custom quotes can take 24-48 hours to be answerred. We often spend evenings and weekends asnwerring inquiries. Thanks for understanding.
Your question still not answered? Email us.
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