Signage Education | Storefront Lettering and Graphics

Storefront lettering and graphics allow businesses to promote their business and communicate effectively with customers. In this week’s article, we present options and best practice for incorporating graphics on your window or storefront.

Vinyl Lettering
The simplest and least expensive form of window graphics is vinyl lettering cut from solid color vinyl film. Vinyl film comes on rolls in a variety of colors. The film is adhesive and comes with a backing sheet that is slick, similar to what you might find on a peel and stick decal or sticker. The outline of your lettering or design is cut with a computer controlled plotter that cuts through the film but not the backing sheet. Once cut, the excess vinyl around your design is removed – a process called “weeding”. The lettering remains in place on the backing sheet. Though inexpensive, vinyl lettering is limited to solid colors, and the choice of colors are limited by the manufacturers and the stock your sign company has on-hand.

Digitally Printed Vinyl
If you need multiple colors, drop shadows and other effects, solid color vinyl may not be the best choice. If full color or gradients are needed, the use of solid color vinyl isn’t an option at all – you must opt for digitally printed vinyl that can also be cut and applied.

Digitally printable vinyl is available for a variety of applications and print technologies. For the smooth surface of a storefront, many vinyl types are suitable for installation, so performance and longevity are considerations of greater importance than ease of installation. Calendared vinyls are less expensive, but don’t perform as well as Cast vinyl. Lamination should generally be included to provide protection from scuffing and reduce the damaging affects of UV in sun light. Cast or Calendared, with or without lamination, your digitally printed design can be contour cut as an alternative to having a simple rectangular graphic. The concept is similar to that described for solid color vinyl. A computer controlled plotter cuts your design after being printed and optionally laminated. The end result is a contour cut decal or sticker.

Application
To install the lettering or graphic, a method is needed to transfer the weeded design from the backing sheet to the installation surface while still retaining the intended spacing between letters and graphic elements. This is accomplished with transfer tape, also called application tape. Application tape is similar to masking tape. It’s relatively low tack, enough adhesive to lift the vinyl design from the slick backing paper, but not so aggressive it will lift your design once installed on the installation surface.

Sizing
The optimal sizing for you lettering or graphics should follow the 80/20 rule, meaning that the width should not exceed 80% of the available surface. You don’t want your lettering too small, nor should your graphics look over done or out of place. Any glass surface will have a frame, so graphics that are too wide will won’t be completely visible from an angle as the frame will obscure the edges. A message that’s only visible to customers straight on at right angles isn’t as effective as a properly design graphic.

To incorporate the 80/20 rule, measure the width of the installation surface and multiply by .8 to determine the recommended maximum width of your graphics. Prior to fabrication, you’ll also want to check applicable ordinances, signage criteria and rules imposed by your property manager if applicable.

Though vinyl graphics are considered permanent signage, these types of graphics are easily removable which is an added plus. For example, you can change your business hours relatively inexpensively, while leaving other product and service messages in tact.

Though there’s a lot to consider in designing the most effective communication, we’re here to help. Working with the design staff at Spectrum Signs, you have access to our extensive clip art and font libraries to design a unique look that lets you and your business stand out from others.

About Spectrum Signs
Spectrum Signs is an independent, locally owned, full service sign manufacturing company located in south Orange County – Mission Viejo, California. We are affiliated with over 240 independent sign companies with access to resources nationwide. This affiliation provides significant discounts from sign suppliers, and allows us to offer competitive pricing without compromising in quality and service.

For more information, contact:

Spectrum Signs
23382 Madero Suite L
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 297-3800

Spectrum Signs