If you’ve dealt with a sign company and are currently shopping for another, your selection criteria will likely address your last sign company’s shortcomings. The purpose of this article is to help identify additional criteria to consider when choosing a sign company to partner with.
Interview
Before partnering with a sign company, ask them about their business model and what distinguishes them from the competition. This will help you determine if there’s a match between your needs and their capabilities. Are they a franchise or independently owned? If your company has multiple locations, are they able to service your remote or branch locations?
Showroom Tour
Visit their showroom and tour their production area. Is it orderly, clean and well maintained or is it cluttered and dirty? A cluttered shop may reflect poor internal process and organization. If you went to a restaurant that was filthy, you probably wouldn’t look forward to a meal from their kitchen. If a sign shop is messy and cluttered, what sort of product, process and project management would you expect from them?
Responsiveness and Reliability
A good sign shop will always respond promptly to email, return phone calls and deliver on commitments made. Do they offer consultation? Do they seem to rush you, or are they willing to invest the time to ensure your needs are adequately met?
Attention To Detail
Review their website with a critical eye. If you find spelling and grammatical errors, this shows carelessness that may be evident elsewhere in their processes.
Consistency in Color
Consistency in color output is especially critical for ad agencies working with corporate entities. By way of example, there’s only one color that correctly represents the Golden Arches. If consistent, predictable output of color is important to you, ask them to describe their color management workflow. If you get something more than a blank stare, you’ve found a true rarity! Sadly, very few sign companies have any understanding of color management. Most don’t have the hardware, software and knowledge needed to calibrate a scanner or monitor, or to profile their print media to ensure consistency in printed output. The best shops will be able to clearly articulate how they manage color end-to-end.
Consistent Quality
If you’re in the market for cut vinyl signs, ask them what brand vinyl they use. Better shops will generally use a name brand such as Oracal, Avery, Arlon, 3M and similar. Many shops will use whatever house brand their wholesale supplier offers at discount. While there are some good house brands, many are made overseas, and the actual manufacturer may change yielding inconsistent and unpredictable results.
Value
Certainly price should be a consideration, but price should not be the only consideration. The old saying “you get what you pay for” is true when shopping for signs, so be sure to compare and investigate before jumping on a bargain. The cheapest sign is seldom your best choice, especially if you end up needlessly spending money time and time again to replace a cheap sign.
Be cautious of a vendor who consistently undercuts competition – there’s likely a reason. A sign manufacturer that uses inferior materials to reduce cost doesn’t have your best interest in mind. You probably wouldn’t want to buy from a company that will be out of business in a year. If price is your most important consideration, make sure that comparisons are for comparable product and materials.
If you are in Mission Viejo or Orange County California, we invite you to call or stop by to see what distinguishes Spectrum Signs when considering a sign company.
For more information, contact:
Spectrum Signs
23382 Madero Suite L
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 297-3800
