Sign Design Colour Choices

One of the things to take into consideration when you're designing a vinyl sign is colour choices. Although vinyl comes in an almost limitless array of colours, that exact match may not always be attainable. To solve this problem, one of the methods I use is I took my colour samples provided by my vinyl supplier and scanned them into my computer both flats and glosses and saved them into a custom colour pallet. Using these as your fill colours can make a world of difference when creating your design because you will have a relatively accurate representation for your customer. Verify with your supplier as well that they have these colours in stock as well. The last thing you want is to be on a very limited timeline to only find out that although the sample is available, it is a special order item or can only be purchased in a full roll not a partial. Having all of this info sitting on the table will also save you alot of aggravation as well as an upset customer because of an unknown factor that could have been avoided. If you do have to special order some vinyl, verify the time frame from your supplier. If they say 4 to 5 business days for delivery, allow for 5 to 10. Things happen and again, your customer will be alot happier to hear from you early stating that their sign is complete early than getting a call saying there has been a delay.

As always, stay creative my friends.

Sign Shapes

I've had a lot of people ask me about how I come up with some of the elaborate sign shapes and borders that we design. To be honest, my favourite designs kind of created themselves. I complete the overall layout of the sign and create a basic contour around it. This is especially useful in designing older heritage style signs. Many of the small towns where I live are very strict when it comes to the signs that are allowed and the protocols that designers must adhere to. Using this method I've never had a design rejection from the various boards I've submitted to.

This is my most recent design.

All sign makers and designers should have an array of basic templates in their arsenal as well, but I rarely use them any more. For the most part I find they restrict the creative process and limit my designs. Stay creative my friends.

Selling yourself short?

I came across this picture the other day and it got me to thinking. How many of us who have our own businesses in a creative field have fallen into the trap of giving away free work to get ourselves noticed?

I know that I personally did it on a regular basis when I started out. I was under the impression that if I made signs at an extremely low price to undercut everyone else, I would gain notoriety and exposure. The exposure is good but at what price. I was suddenly seen as less than professional because I didn't value my work or my abilities. Unfortunately it took a long time to get myself out of that public perception. Don't get me wrong, I still do charity work on a regular basis. That is a totally different ball of wax. I charge what my work is worth now. I provide a level of quality and customer service that is second to none so my customers are more than willing to pay my prices. I gain exposure because of the quality of my work and my love of what I do. So my friends, in closing : If you feel your work is worth less than everyone else' then by all means charge less. If you're afraid that you won't make sales because your price may be too high, by all means lower your rates. But please, don't undervalue yourself. The moment you do, you set yourself up for failure. Hope this post inspires you and as always, stay creative my friends.