Graphic Impact Tucson AZ 520-795-7446

New Flat Bed Printer With Clear and White Ink

2010-04-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

Graphic Impact has added the most advanced flatbed printers for producing awards and promotional products. The new Mimaki system allows up to 9600dpi printing onto materials such as acrylic, PVC, metal and glass.

Not only do we print in full color (CMYK) but white and clear have been added. You have to check out this WOW factor!

Graphic Impact Awarded Contract by Regional Transportation Authority

2010-01-31T14:14:00.000-08:00

Graphic Impact has been award a fabrication and installation contract for signage throughout Pima County, Arizona. The project calls for Graphic Impact to design, install and maintain a significant number of signs throughout Tucson and surrounding areas.

Graphic Impact Designs New Sign System For UMC

2010-01-20T18:24:00.000-08:00

Proving that ADA Braille signs and other architectural signs don't have to be ugly, Graphic Impact designed a new sign system for University Medical System. The Tucson, AZ hospital required a system that was easy to change, had a fast turn-around time for additions and modifications and saved money over the previous system. To find out more call us at 520 795-7446 or visit our Tucson sign and graphic showroom.

Use Printed Shirts to Get the Message Out

2010-01-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard the latest buzzzzzzzzz....businesses are starting to use printed full color shirts (front and back) to deliver messages. Employees are even getting a couple of extra dollars to wear shirts on weekends (in malls and other public places) For the cost of a shirt, think of the exposure.

Graphic Impact prints vivid color, no minimum, hi-resolution shirts and other apparel. We can help you with the t-shirt design and can even provide graphics or photographs.

If Californians pay to wrap vehicles, it seems that shirts are a great inexpensive alternative.

Last Minute Ideas

2009-12-18T20:14:00.000-08:00

So let's say it's almost that time and it's for a very special person. Here's five ideas....

We'll print family pets or other favorite scenes on tiles that are used as coasters
We'll print a t-shirt or jersey in full color that you can present to mom, dad or grandparents
We'll take your favorite photo and print it to stretched canvas....ECONOMICALLY
We'll take a jersey and frame it for you...just for the good old days
And Finally .....Give your friends canvas shopping bags, personalize them with a favorite photo and saying (something they'll use for a long time to come)

Graphic Impact has plenty of creative ideas. Stop in soon and try us out on your next project.

Graphic Impact Supplies Unique Awards for Major Collegiate Teams

2009-12-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

Unique awards are a specialty of Graphic Impact.

Recently we completed end of the year awards for the University of Minnesota. The acrylic awards were produced from one inch acrylic in the shape of the State. Once cut the awards were back printed using our flat bed printer and then lasered on the back.

Be sure to contact us for your next donor award project.

ADA Compliant Signs Don't Have to be Ugly

2009-12-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

Graphic Impact fabricates ADA signs with raised letters and braille made to government specification. (and at a reasonable price) Chances are, if your happy with your current design, we can duplicate what you have now and make it compliant at the same time. That's because we fabricate directories, wall signs, desk signs and almost any other type you can think of, locally, in our facility.

The technologies we have available include photopolymer, raster bead, and laser routed. As the go to guys we produce more ADA signs than anyone in Southern Arizona.

Note: Follow this link to find out what is needed to have ADA compliant signs.

Using Full Color Digital T Shirts to Make a Point!

2009-11-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

Since entering the digital print t-shirt and other full color apparel printing market, we have come to realize the application for making your point (in a big way) on a t-shirt. A good maximum area to work with is 13nches wide by 15inches long.

Use this space to advertise, post a message, brand and a lot more. It is the first thing a client sees when entering a store and a great way to introduce a new product. Because there is no minimum and each shirt can be different. The bright colors and durability are out of this world. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

Graphic Impact Produces 11x11 Foot Scoreboard Insert for UA Basketball

2009-11-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

Do you catch the UA game last night? Graphic Impact fabricated the eleven foot banner that fit into the suspended scoreboard. It was a big hit with the broadcasters who took every opportunity to show it off to the TV audience.

Graphic Impact is the largest fabricator of banners in Southern Arizona and produces vinyl and printed banners of all sizes and shapes including football field wraps and billboards.

Agaves Are Green and So Are We!

2009-11-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hey, did you know that we've been doing Green Things for over 20 years?

At Graphic Impact, we are responsibly aware of the amount of materials like plastic, plexi-glass, and metal we use in order to create the products we sell - think signs, banners, name tags etc.

That’s why we take care to use materials that are comprised of recycled plastics and metal wherever possible. We are fanatical about using every square inch of material we can – we store cut pieces because we know we can use them for smaller jobs. Especially coroplast for signs, aluminum for metal signs, and even banner material. We only throw out the snippets of material that are too small or damaged to use again. And, we recycle all of our waste materials from plastics to metal.

We’ve been recycling, reusing, and re-purposing our materials for over 20 years – just because it’s the right thing to do. Where possible, we buy our materials from companies that are environmentally responsible like us. If that's important to you, come see us first. Great quality banners, signs, printing and more - with a Green Attitude!

A Great Way to Apply Graphics to Windows

2009-11-10T15:23:00.000-08:00

Perforated window covering is fast becoming a favorite way to apply graphics. The graphic shows thru to the outside and offers tint to the inside of the facility. We've been using the same material on bus windows for several years now and feel confident of the durability. Call us at 520 795-7446 to learn more.

800 Foot Construction Fence by Graphic Impact

2009-11-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

University Medical Center during its largest construction project in history (Children's Medical Center), has made it possible for people to see this impressive site as it begins the second phase. Be sure to visit UMC soon to view full color lettersthat change colors, murals and much more all provided by Graphic Impact.

Graphic Impact Enters Apparel Printing Market

2009-10-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Graphic Impact announced today that it has added ebroidery and custom digital shirt and hat printing to its expanding list of capabilities. A recent technology innovation, digital shirt printing acts much like any other high resolution printer. Special inks guarantee extended life and vivid full color process output is achieved.

Just a few of the benefits include:

There are no minimum requirements as far as quantity is concerned.
Screens and special set-ups are now a thing of the past.
Full color is available at ultra-high resolution. (600dpi and above)
Next business day delivery can be provided.
Each piece can be personalized.

We also print entire hats (including hat bill and sides) and can even customize shoes.

We have loads of designs that you can pick from and design you own unique creation on line.

2009-10-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

175 Full Color Banners today. Not a record, but it sure kept a couple of our people busy. Today is our 20th anniversary. Party time!!!!!

Attend Cops and Rodders Car Show October 31

2009-10-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

Graphic Impact has been given the opportunity to produce all of the awards for the Cops and Rodders Car Show to be held October 31. If you've visited Graphic Impact you know that nothing we do is ordinary. Will you be the winner of a Graphic Impact award? We look forward to seeing you there!

Color Theory

2009-09-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

RGB refers to the primary colors of light - Red, Green, and Blue - that are used in monitors, TVs, and computer screens; CMYK refers to the primary colors of ink pigment - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black -that are used in four-color process printing.

RGB color combinations cannot be exactly reproduced if your file is converted to CMYK via automated preflighting. As a result, if your artwork was created in RGB, we strongly recommend that you convert your file to CMYK before uploading. After you convert your files to CMYK you may need to make color corrections to the file to match your colors to the original colors you desired.

UV flatbed printers are moving in on the screen printing industry

2009-09-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Graphic Impact is the leader in high quality digital printing of signs and banners in Tucson. Here is our secret to why we are a leader in the industry.

UV flatbed printers are moving in on the screen printing industry. We found the The Acuity HD 2504 offers you the latest breakthrough in wide format UV digital imaging technology. Specifically designed for print applications requiring fine detail, high resolution images, the Acuity HD 2504 delivers both rigid and flexible point-of-purchase signage that hold up visually, even at the closest of viewings. At the heart of the Acuity HD 2504 is a new imaging technology that enables each print head to produce variable size dots as opposed to traditional fixed-droplets. The printer’s ability to jet droplets as fine as 6 picoleter produces sharp, precise images with smoother transitions and quarter tones: while jetting larger droplets up to 30 picoleter delivers denser, more uniform solid image areas. The result is image quality usually seen at resolutions of 1,200 dpi or higher with crisper, more legible type, even as low as 6pt. Smoother skin tones. Finer line definition. Plus the best solid color coverage of any other printer in its class.

Well it is not going to threaten any screen shop as of now, but in the coming years it will begin to take a chunk out of the lucrative short run market that they use to monopolize. It will still be cheaper to go to screen printing or litho for runs in excess of several hundred pieces, but if you are only running prototype graphics, or need to have a print on demand system with variable data or custom graphics for each site you may want to look into direct to substrate UV flatbed printers.

What is the advantage of going digital?

The advantage of this solution is that you can print directly to just about any substrate in 1 pass. The full color image is applied all at once to the surface, and once it exits the machine it is ready to be cut, and packaged for shipping. Traditionally graphics had to be printed, then laminated. Once the pieces was laminated if it did not already have an adhesive layer on the backside one needed to be applied, and then it could be decaled to a substrate. Each one of these steps makes for 1 more potential problem for failure, or mistake by the finishing dept. Thus the high cost for a traditional method output. Now with UV flatbed you image directly to the board, so if you have a blemish in the board you only lost the cost of the board and the ink. There is no need an over laminate or additional adhesive layer, so your COGS (cost of goods sold) is lower, and your productivity has increased almost 3 fold by cutting down on the additional finishing steps of traditional methods.

When would you use this type of process over screen printed graphics?

5 quick reasons why digital is an advantage:

1-Resolution, digital graphics are far superior in print quality than screen printed pieces
2-Set-up - It is cheaper and faster to set-up a digital printer
3- Color accuracy- print after print you will have the same color, there is no �screen build up� that can contribute to inconsistent color output
4- Quick turnaround- for short runs of 500 or less turnaround is typically only a few days
5- Customization- ability to customize text or copy areas on each print if needed

Here are a few real world scenarios that would cause you to go digital as well:

1- A retailer who is distributing a new product line and wants to test it out in specific market before they bring the entire line on board at all their stores
2- An agency that is testing a new slogan, or concept with their client and needs to test it in a smaller demographic to gather market research
3- If you are reconditioning stores throughout the US but at different times, and you are unsure of how many of the stores will require complete change outs, so you want to hold off on printing everything for every site, in an effort to limit your scrap or wasted prints.
4- You have only 200 sites and you do not have enough time to wait for a screen printer to gang the art together with other jobs
5- you or your client requires high resolution output with accurate color rendering print to print

There are many other reasons why you would choose to go digital, but these are some of the most typical reason people choose to use digital presses over traditional screen printing.

How can you compare pricing? Call Graphic Impact FIRST! 520-795-7446

Well one thing is for certain if you need 200 prints in a short turn around you need to seriously consider digital, the set up on digital output is only a few minutes, and there is no additional costs besides a set-up or RIP fee that is usually negotiable depending on the size of your order.

Digital screen printers or UV flatbed printers are usually located at sites where they are familiar with screen printing, or have screen printing services to offer you. In most cases they will give you advice on which solution is best for you. However if you find yourself bidding on a project and you are getting all different types of bids ask yourself and your vendor what process are they using, and why. Like before mentioned, there are good reasons to use both processes, but if you need short run custom graphics or quick turnarounds or potential reprints on damaged pieces in the future, digital is your ideal solution.

Vehicle Magnetics - Care and Maintenence

2009-09-24T08:56:00.000-07:00

Follow these simple tips and you should get years of service from a set of our vehicle magnetics.

Most of the time a problem will be caused by either a dirty vehicle or applying the magnetic when it is cold. Magnetic material becomes stiff and relatively inflexible when it is cold. When the sign is applied while it is cold and stiff, it does not properly grip the vehicle surface.

You can order your magnetic vehicle signs here.

It's OK to put the magnetic sign on in cold weather, but the sign itself must be warm. That means you must store your magnetic signs in a warm place during cold weather or you must take the time to warm up your magnetic signs before applying them to your vehicle.

Also, the magnetic rips and tears very easily when it is cold. Always be careful when handling a cold magnetic sign.

Always apply a clean magnetic sign to a clean surface. It's a good idea to wipe off the area you will be placing the magnetic sign on with a soft damp cloth to remove any loose dirt that might be there. It's also a good idea to wipe off the back side of the sign too. If both surfaces are clean, then you should have no problems getting a good strong bond between the magnetic and the vehicle.

It's also very important to store your magnetics flat. Don't toss them in the trunk or the back of your pick up truck and pile other stuff up on top of them. Magnetic signs tend to take the form of whatever they are up against. If yours is in a folded, crumpled heap , you're going to have trouble flattening them out the next time you want to use them. If they are not flat when you apply them, they will not properly grip the vehicle surface.

Have more questions about signs in Tucson?

Call Graphic Impact now at 520-795-7446 or visit our web site at http://www.graphic-impact.com/.

Design banners, signs, vehicle magnetics, name tags and plaques on our web site.

2009-09-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

Yes! Graphic Impact's exclusive web designer tools lets you design banners, signs, vehicle magnetics, name tags and plaques. We've put together some templates that help you get started. This is a fun and easy way to communicate ideas for you company or organization.

Many times you can save money by using one of our designs and simply modifying them yourself to create a custom banner or sign. Most of these products are printed in full color with ready to be used indoors or outdoor. Go to Graphic Impact to check it out!

Lettering size chart for signs

2009-09-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

Click on the picture below to view a larger size.

Call Graphic Impact to get your sign order started today!
520-795-7446

Tips for Cleaning & Storing Vinyl Banners:

2009-09-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

Tips for Cleaning & Storing Vinyl Banners:

* Wash your vinyl banner with mild regular soap and water using a soft cloth.

* Dry the vinyl banner with a cloth or towel.

* When storing vinyl lettered banners, always roll it. Do not fold vinyl banners .

* If banner has been produced with vinyl letters and graphics roll the banner to the outside. If the banner has been printed, roll the printed side of the banner to the inside.

* Store banner in a cool dry place.

* Always store banner standing upright, never fold or lay banner on its side.

Call Graphic Impact to order your next banner. 520-795-7446

Been Wanting an A Frame Sign in the City of Tucson?

2009-08-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Recent changes in the Tucson city code have now made it easier for you to get a sign permit.

The other good news is Graphic Impact produces A frame signs in house. This means you can get them fast.

According to the City of Tucson, an A frame or portable sign is a non-illuminated sign temporarily authorized for 1 year to advertise the location, goods or services offered on the premises. Nothing is allowed to be attached to the sign, i.e. balloons, ribbons, or speakers. The portable or A-frame sign must be made of durable, rigid material such as, but not limited to, wood, plastic or metal.
They can now be use for commercial and residential uses.

Call Graphic Impact at 520-795-7446 for details on theses specifications.

We can make one for you an have it ready in 48 hours! You can even have magnetic or dry erase face plates for the signs. These can be printed in full color, and are weather resistant.

Some more details you should know are:

The signs must be placed 6 feet back from the face of the curb and not placed in a median, driving lanes, parking aisles or spaces.

The signage must also be placed 4 feet clear of a pedestrian walkways and be on grade level.

The sign must be removed from the street at the close of business each day.

The size of the sign itself (in the open position) can not be greater than 30 inches from ground level, and 30 inches wide.

Here is the the City of Tucson A Frame permit application form for you.

Click here for the City of Tucson Sign Sign Code Page.

Give us a call so we can start your A-Frame sign today!

Graphic Impact Tucson Arizona

2009-08-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

Graphic Impact Produces High Resolution Outputs For Both Indoor And Outdoor Sign, Banner And Graphic Applications And Supplies These On Almost Any Flexible (rolled) Or Rigid Material.

Installing Vehicle Lettering

2009-08-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

Be sure you use a high quality vinyl (produced by Graphic Impact of course!) when installing permanent lettering and graphics. The term "cast" refers to the manufacturing process of this type of vinyl. Cast films start out as a liquid that is "cast" onto a moving web, known as the casting sheet. This process allows the film to be very thin (most cast films are 2 mil), which helps with the conformability of the product. Cast vinyl is considered to be a premium product with excellent durability and conformability characteristics. Material manufacturers recommend the use of cast films on substrates such as vehicles where the customer wants a "paintlike" finish that will last a long time (usually five to eight years).

Proper Cleaning - an Important First Step
A clean substrate is essential for a quality vinyl application. Consider the substrate your foundation: If it is not prepared properly, you cannot be sure that anything that is placed on top of it will be secure. If you are applying film to a dirty vehicle, the adhesive from the graphic will adhere to the dirt and not the vehicle itself, which will result in failure down the road.

Most material manufacturers have technical bulletins that provide instructions on how to prepare substrates for graphics applications. These bulletins generally can be obtained from the manufacturer's Web site or by contacting its technical support department. While the instructions below will serve as a good guide on how to clean your vehicle before applying graphics, it is always a good idea to check with the material manufacturer to make sure you are following its recommendations.

Begin cleaning by removing all dirt and grime with a commercial detergent solution and water. (Note: If you take the vehicle to the car wash for this portion of the cleaning, it is important to make sure the vehicle is completely dry before applying the graphics; this may mean allowing the vehicle to sit indoors overnight.) If grease, oil, wax or other contaminates are present, wipe the substrate with a solvent like Prep-Sol or Xylol. I then like to do a final cleaning with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to make sure that no oily residue from the other solvents is being left behind. A word of caution though: Before using any solvent on a vehicle, test it in an inconspicuous area to ensure the solvent won't harm the vehicle's paint.

As you clean the vehicle with IPA, I recommend using two lint-free towels. One towel should be soaked with the IPA and used to clean off the contaminates (dust, dirt, wax, etc). The second towel should be dry and used to wipe away the excess IPA before it has a chance to evaporate. Also, be sure to thoroughly clean in all the cracks and crevices of the vehicle. I recommend wrapping an IPA- soaked towel around a squeegee to get down into the crevices, as shown here.

Measure Twice, Apply Once
Once the vehicle is clean, it is time to start positioning your graphics. It is always a good idea to take a few extra minutes to position the graphics on the vehicle before you actually begin to install. Remember that once you take the liner off the graphic, you have one shot to get it right. So the time spent on positioning the graphic will be well spent. This step also allows you to make sure you have received everything you need and make any necessary adjustments to the placement of the graphics. An example would be moving the position of a decal to prevent text from being cut off or applied into a contour, which could make a word difficult to read. It is also possible that the templates used by the sign shop were not 100 percent accurate, so you may have to reposition a graphic to make it work. Begin by taping the graphic in the general area you plan on installing it. Then, using a tape measure, make sure the graphic is straight and centered. In the examples below I used two different types of decals. In each of these I used the body molding as my reference point for measuring.

With the graphics taped into position, step back and take a look at the layout. Taking the contours of the vehicle into consideration, it is important to develop a plan on how you want to apply the vinyl. Since vehicles are not perfectly flat like a wall, this step is important. When doing vehicle graphics, just starting at the top of the graphic and working down isn't necessarily the best approach. It is important to spend a few minutes finding the best place to start. Once you have your plan, it is time to begin applying the graphics.

Tools and Techniques for a Seamless (and Bubbleless) Application
Vinyl manufacturers typically recommend application in temperatures of 50 F to 90 F, with 70 F to 80 F being the optimum range. Whenever possible, apply graphics indoors in a controlled environment, which will help control temperatures as well as reduce the amount of wind and dust you have to deal with. The room and substrate temperature can greatly impact your application. A high temperature will make the film softer and more pliable. The higher temperatures will also make the adhesive more aggressive, which can lead to pre-tack and increased stretching if you try to reposition the film. Lower temperatures will make the film more rigid and reduce the tack of the adhesive. Applying in either of these extremes can make your application more difficult.

There are a few basic tools you will need to apply graphics. They are:

a tape measure - for positioning

an air release tool - for removing air bubbles
masking tape - for positioning

a squeegee - for applying the graphic
a razor-knife (preferably one with break-off blades) - for trimming away excess vinyl

a heat gun or propane torch - for heating the vinyl on complicated applications

At this point you should have decided on your approach to applying the vinyl. If possible, remove the liner (backing paper) a little at a time to prevent the adhesive from prematurely adhering to the substrate. In this first example, I used a top hinge and pulled the liner down a little at a time. First, I removed approximately six inches of the liner. I also kept tension in the film by holding the bottom edge of the graphic. This tension on the film will help prevent the graphic from touching the vehicle before you squeegee it into place. As I squeegeed the graphic down, I positioned the squeegee so that the air pushed down and out, and I also made sure that I overlapped the squeegee strokes. Both of these steps helped to avoid air bubbles.

UA Soccer

2009-08-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

We'll it's University of Arizona soccer season once again. And we were honored to produce two important projects. The first is a banner that spans the entire length of the soccer field. (almost 400 feet that brands the field with logos and full vivid colors)

The second part of the project were street banners on the inside of the stadium which honor the UA seniors. I hope you'll have the opportunity to view these two projects close up and at the same time to route on our women's soccer team.

What Should I Consider When Ordering A Sign?

2009-08-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

Graphic Impact has put together a check list of things to consider when ordering a sign

1. Display time and conditions: Temporary or permanent? Indoors or outdoors?
Image you want to project: Professional? Sophisticated? Youthful? Fun? How should it coordinate with your other graphics and advertising?

2. Your target customers: Whose attention do you want to attract?
Viewing distance and time: How far will readers be from the sign? How long will they have to read it?

3. Mounting your sign: Where will the sign be displayed? How will it be attached? Will you need the approval of a landlord or local sign code authority?

4. Sign copy and layout: What message do you want to communicate in your copy? Do you have special logo or layout requirements?

Let Graphic Impact help you make the best decsions.

What Resolution Is Required For My Printed Material?

2009-08-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Resolution impacts printing quality since it determines the visual sharpness of your artwork. Since most computer monitors display images at 72-96 DPI, you may not be able to accurately view resolution of your printed piece from your computer screen. As a result, Graphic Impact checks your file for low resolution issues during the preflighting phase of the printing process. Ask Graphic Impact for help!

For larger products such as large format signs and banners, we recommend sharper resolution which can range from 80 to 200 dpi, depending on the intended use of the printed piece. Our automated RIP software then raises the apparent resolution to at least 600dpi.

If an image was originally created at low resolution and you manually increase the resolution up to over 100 dpi, this will not improve the quality of the image. Your artwork will still have poor clarity. The file must be originally created and saved at over 100 dpi for the truest quality.

How Do I Care For My Magnetic Vehicle Signs

2009-08-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Follow these simple tips and you should get years of service from a set of our vehicle magnetics. Visit Graphic Impact.com for more information.

Most of the time a problem will be caused by either a dirty vehicle or applying the magnetic when it is cold. Magnetic material becomes stiff and relatively inflexible when it is cold. When the sign is applied while it is cold and stiff, it does not properly grip the vehicle surface.

It's OK to put the magnetic sign on in cold weather, but the sign itself must be warm. That means you must store your magnetic signs in a warm place during cold weather or you must take the time to warm up your magnetic signs before applying them to your vehicle.

Also, the magnetic rips and tears very easily when it is cold. Always be careful when handling a cold magnetic sign.

Always apply a clean magnetic sign to a clean surface. It's a good idea to wipe off the area you will be placing the magnetic sign on with a soft damp cloth to remove any loose dirt that might be there. It's also a good idea to wipe off the back side of the sign too. If both surfaces are clean, then you should have no problems getting a good strong bond between the magnetic and the vehicle.

It's also very important to store your magnetics flat. Don't toss them in the trunk or the back of your pick up truck and pile other stuff up on top of them. Magnetic signs tend to take the form of whatever they are up against. If yours is in a folded, crumpled heap , you're going to have trouble flattening them out the next time you want to use them. If they are not flat when you apply them, they will not properly grip the vehicle surface.

Installing Vinyl Lettering On Walls

2009-08-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

To find out more visit Graphic-impact.com
Step 1 Prepare Your Wall
Wash your wall with a mild household cleaner. Rinse and dry the wall completely.
Decide where you want your graphics to be placed and lightly pencil small guide-lines on your wall.

Make another small guide-mark indicating where you want the center of your graphic.

Step 2 Prepare Your Graphics or Lettering
Unroll your vinyl. (It may need to lay flat in a warm area until it no longer curls.)
Lay your expression on a table or other smooth surface (so that you can read your vinyl). Rub over the entire surface of your vinyl with an applicator (try a credit card is you don't have an applicator). This will ensure that the lettering adheres to the transfer tape.

Place a level or straight edge on your vinyl and line it up with the bottom of your lettering. (If the font does not have an even baseline, choose a repeating letter and place the yardstick at the bottom edge of these repeating letters.) Using the straight edge as your guide, pencil a line along the bottom of your lettering. This guide-line will match up to the guide-line you have penciled on the wall.

Step 3 Position and Tape Vinyl Lettering
The small arrow indicates the horizontal center of your expression. Line this arrow up with the center guide-mark you placed on the wall earlier.
Match up the guide-line you penciled on what you're applying with the guide-line you penciled on the wall.

With the vinyl in the desired position, place small pieces of painter�s tape or masking tape along the top of edge of your expression. These pieces of tape act as "hinges" and should be placed approximately every six inches.

Step 4 Remove Backing Paper
Flip your lettering or graphics up and slowly peel the backing paper away from the transfer tape. (The lettering will adhere to the sticky transfer tape. The backing paper will be blank.)
Carefully lay the vinyl back down into position on the wall and smooth the entire surface.

Step 5 Burnish Your Lettering or Graphics
Using an applicator, firmly rub the entire graphic, giving special attention to the edges of each letter.

Step 6 Remove Transfer Tape
Slowly peel the transfer tape from the wall.
Remove the arrow from the wall and erase your guide-lines.

How to Choose an IT Service Provider

2009-08-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

A reliable information technology (IT) service provider can be a cost-effective way to minimize hassles by keeping your computing environment safe, reliable and up to date. Look for an IT support partner that:

Specializes in working with small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Supports the computing platform you use
Can customize services to meet your company's unique needs
Often, a technology partner begins with a comprehensive audit of your system to determine the reliability and stability of your computing environment. Thereafter, a monthly retainer usually covers regular work such as:

Proactive, preventative maintenance of desktops and servers
Email protection, including spam, virus and phishing filtering
Regular monitoring of key network elements
Desktop and server backup
Other services you may access through a technology consultant could include:

Strategic IT planning
Procurement consulting, whereby an IT expert would recommend and/or procure hardware, software or other technology products
Security, backup and disaster recovery strategies

Selecting and implementing new technology for your business and/or your industry
Special IT projects or disposing of obsolete technology
SMEs are typically unable to attract and retain high-level IT professionals who can handle all their technology needs. With a good IT support service, you have access to support from an entire team of experts.

How to Create an Offer That Customers Can't Resist !

2009-08-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

A good offer is a deal that tilts the scale so that value outweighs cost in a prospect's mind.

In today's economy, people often view price as the most important factor in an offer.

Yet customers are actually more likely to balk when the value of products and services isn't apparent to them.

An offer must reflect genuine value to a customer. Graphic Impact can help! Use graphics and photos of your product or service in brochures, signs and banners.

How can you help prospects understand the value of your offer?

Relate the value to the problem they want to solve.
Express the value in the customer's own words.
Relate the value to something specific.
Articulate both the short- and long-term value of the offer.
Tell your prospects exactly what they're going to get.
Compare the value of the offer to the opportunity cost of not taking the offer.

Getting Attention

To get customers to pay attention to your offer, make it instantly recognizable and state it succinctly.

Use strong, simple, bold language and dramatic colors.

Timeliness is critical, so you should carefully consider your launch dates and follow-up during the offer's duration.

A versatile offer that includes a variety of products at different price points will appeal to a range of customers and allow you to obtain maximum revenue.

You need to give prospects a convincing reason to act.

The offer should tell your prospects exactly what you want them to do

Here are some tips on signs and banner care

2009-08-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

Q: What things should I be considering in the design of my sign?

A: There are many factors of course, but you should definitely think about the purpose of the sign (e.g. directing, informing, selling). These answers will help determine the amount of copy, whether a photo or other illustration is appropriate, etc. Do you want an image that is professional, fun, sophisticated or something else? Does it need to tie in to the rest of your signs, your image or color scheme? In addition, you'll want to think about whether it's a permanent or temporary sign. Don't forget that Sign Age offers an experienced team of designers to assist you with any sign project.

Q: How can I maximize the impact of my sign?

A: There are lots of ways to get your sign noticed and read. Consider adding a graphic, not just your logo but a photo, illustration, even clip art. Borders around signs also help signs to get read. Studies show that using a second color improves reader retention by 75%. Make sure you use high contrast colors, usually the lighter color for the text and the darker color for the background works best. Try using an unusually shaped sign to help it stand out. Sign Age can rout a sign into just about any shape you can come up with.

Q: How do I know how big my letters should be in my sign design?

A: A good rule of thumb is that the optimal distance a letter can be read is 10 feet for every inch of letter height. For example, a 5' tall letter will work best at 50 feet. While the maximum readable distance may be three to four times that depending on conditions, it is not recommended as the best viewing distance.

Q: Will my sign require a permit? Can you help me in getting a permit?

A: Permit requirements will vary from city to city and from city to county. In most cases, we'll be able to advise you on whether or not your sign would require a permit, and we can complete the permitting process for you if you desire.

Q: Does Graphic Impact do installations? How much does it cost?

A: Yes, we are a licensed contractor for the installation of signs. We always quote the installation portion of your sign job separately so you can see the cost broken out.

Q: Can I install the vinyl myself?

A: Yes, although it's not always easy.

Q: What's the best way to care for my banner?

A: Cleaning banners with warm water and soap is best. Never fold the banner but always roll it, and make sure the letters are facing out. Do not store banner in a hot car for long periods of time. When hanging, make sure to weave the rope through the grommets so that the weight of the banner is supported equally.

Q: What's the best way to care for my magnetic signs?

A: You should remove your magnetic signs once per week for cleaning. Use soap and warm water and allow to dry completely before replacing them. Always install signs on a flat surface. Avoid placing over molding or other irregular surfaces. Likewise, when not in use, they should be stored flat.