We had what I thought was an unusual request the other day. A client of Designs Phoenix wondered if we could provide a painted sign for their new location. Being a supplier of vinyl signs, and knowing the material capabilities and print detail possible with today’s design applications, I had assumed that hand painted signs were no longer used. But since Designs Phoenix is a full service signs and graphics company, I agreed to see what I could do.
The first item of business was to understand the client’s requirements. The client is USA Pawn and Jewelry. They are an upscale establishment with multiple locations in Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. We have done elaborate window graphics for several of their Arizona locations. Each location also has extensive channel letter signage with a distinctive look. The current need was for a new location in Phoenix that was so large that customers were having difficulties locating the entrance. Therefore, the need was for an entrance designator, and it was required to be painted in a red to match the horizontal double stripe that highlights the fascia. The sign was to be in-scale with the stripes and the channel letters, so relatively large.
We did a bit of research and found a sign wholesaler who specializes in hand-painted signs – not the temporary bright-colored window signs often seen in the Phoenix area, but permanent painted signs executed to specific artwork. As it turns out, there are still many hand-painted signs done in Phoenix, and with good reason. In the Desert Southwest, outdoor vinyl, even with UV laminate, is semi-permanent at best –one to three years of useful life is typical. A painted sign using sign-specific paints will last five years or more. The complexity level available for painted signs is not as high as those digitally printed, but with painted sign templates being typically laid out on a computerized plotter, there is detail available. The analogy would be cut-vinyl signs of various designs and complexity. With skillful execution, a panted sign can look very professional and as mentioned, is very durable.
So we designed an entrance designator in Adobe Illustrator consisting of a thick arrow with the word ENTRANCE incorporated in the shaft. The overall size was nine feet by two feet. A template was made from the resulting file and the installation was scheduled.
Another advantage to paint is the fact that if the painter can handle the Phoenix summer heat, the paint can also. Vinyl is very difficult to install outdoors in the Phoenix summer, often requiring very early morning or night-time scheduling. The sign was painted in July on a late morning schedule. The paint color was matched on-site to the red stripes, and installation using the template was accomplished in just over two hours. The sign looks great and will serve its purpose for many years to come.
