As part of a national sign organization SignWorks is sometimes called upon by sister sign companies to provide site survey work for our sister sign companies.  This happens when a local sign company is working with a larger company that has multiple locations nationally.  The sign company in question will take on the project but will need to gather some intelligence about the remote location in order to size and fabricate the signage.  As such, SignWorks will do the sign survey work and provide photographs and diagrams of the location so that out sister company can develop and fabricate the signs.  In some cases we will also perform installation work as well.

Currently we are working on two such projects.  One for a new kiddies’ gym that will be opening in Southland Mall in Hayward, and the other for a sign company based in Wisconsin who is working with a company that has a location right here in San Leandro.   These surveys are very important especially for larger sign projects that have a large installation component.

The site survey will allow the sign company to view the site, determine the installation parameters, as well as evaluate the surfaces that the finished sign(s) will be mounted to.  SignWorks is always careful to point out where underground utilities are located so that concrete pads and footings for any monument signs are placed far enough away as not to create unintended problems.  Accidently puncturing a water or utility line could have potentially disastrous consequences. In the case of signs that require an electrical power source we will note the proximity of the electrical outlet and the existing/required voltage. Permits and other building inspection sign offs that are required will also be noted.

Site surveys allow for a more accurate assessment of the installation time, the number of installers and any specialized equipment needs, such a boom truck or scissor lift.  Smaller sign projects can often be managed via a photographic exchange and direct communication with the client, e.g.  Small wall mounted or simply interior signs.

If you are in need of site survey assistance or are planning to upgrade your signage, open a new business or relocate an existing one, give SignWorks a call at 510-357-2000 or email us at info@signworks.us.com.  We are happy to help!

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One of our favorite non profits, Friend’s of the San Leandro Library, has been bringing their street sized banner to us for the past four years to have the event date updated.  They host two events, one April and the other in October which means that for the past four years we have serviced the banner twice a year.  Needless to say that over the years the banner which was 5 or 6 years old had taken on a worn look typical of white banner material with contrasting colored lettering.  We mentioned last year that it was time for a new one.

One of the strategies we explored was to move away from the traditional white color which shows every bit of dirt and was making the old banner look even older than it was.  We settled on a red one this time.  Another option we considered to extend the life of the banner would have been to use digitally printed lettering (except for the changeable letters in the date).  Due to time constraints and the increased cost, the client opted to stay with cut vinyl letters.  To make the banner last longer we used an upgraded vinyl which would be more durable and less likely to peel up and curl over time.

The resulting 4 foot by 25 foot street banner with rope/webbing extending 25 additional feet on each end, (from both the top and bottom of the banner) is pictured above.  Proper venting slits were also a crucial aspect of the design to ensure that the banner would not blow away in the wind.  Festive Street sized banners are great tools for getting visibility on highly trafficked city streets.  They are best used for promoting special events, including festivals, fund raising events, concerts and the like.  And, they are useful promotional tools for both summer and holiday season events.

If you are looking for ways to promote an upcoming event, a street banner might be a high visibility tool you should consider.  For these and other high visibility sign products, contact SignWorks at (510) 357-2000 or send us an email at info@signworks.us.com.

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Many companies choose to spell out there names across the front of their building, but depending on the size of the building those lettering choices can vary greatly.  Often local guidelines, especially for multi-story buildings, will determine what is possible and many municipalities will have a specific sign criteria expressly documenting what the city will accept.  Depending on the size of the building the letters may need to be very large and substrate materials can vary from simple formed plastic letters like those pictured in the Beltmann Group Relocation picture to 3 ft. large powder coated steel like those used on large metal building some months back.

Fonts can vary widely and may include a logo.  And, custom fonts are far from unusual in the signage business.  The letters themselves can take on an architectural quality like the custom lettering we developed for Souls Restaurant in Oakland, where the “L” is transformed into a ladle for additional effect and branding purposes.  For the majority of our lettering projects we use Gemini letters because of the lifetime warranty the company offers.

If you are moving to a new facility or planning an exterior building lettering project contact SignWorks at (510) 357-2000 or send an email to info@signworks.us.com to explore your exterior lettering options.

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Evacuation maps are signs which allow people and safety personnel to locate where they are in a building and to find the closest way to exit a building in an emergency.  All multi-level buildings are required to have evacuation maps near every stair-well and elevator and depending on the city, there may be other locations that evacuation maps are required to be placed. Evacuation signs are so essential that certain cities will not allow you to open a business or building without having approved evacuation signs properly installed.  There are online sign companies that can provide generic evacuation maps, but these may not comply with the fire department standards.

The only way that a graphic designer can accurately design and produce a city approved evacuation signs, is  to physical walk the building and take plenty of pictures and detailed notes regarding the facility. With the pictures, notes, building plans and evacuation plan guidelines in hand a designer can create accurate evacuation maps.  Once the designs are created they have to be submitted to the city fire department.  Once approved the signs will then have to be fabricated and installed exactly where the signs indicate they need to be placed.  If you want more information about evacuation maps or would like a quote please contact us at (510) 357-2000 or e-mail us at: orders@signworks.us.com or info@signworks.us.com

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