Typically customers approach us for their signage needs.  Sometimes they need something simple, like a banner...but then some customers need a custom sign that requires plenty of thought before the sign ever takes shape.  These signs, although not complicated, canvery easily become complicated if the wrong parts are chosen. There are literally dozens of substrates you can choose from.  Everything from aluminum, to chloroplast, to PVC, to Maxmetal, to foam board, and the list can goes on and on.  It is our job to know which substrate will work best with a particular application.  This knowledge sometimes is gained by making mistakes.  And yes, mistakes happen, and it is our job to find out what went wrong and how to make it right. For instance, if you purchase a 3/8" sheet of aluminum, say 8' x 4', and you get the aluminum powder-coated to match a certain color, the aluminum may be returned to you bowed because of the powder-coating process.  And powder-coating isn't scratch resistant.  Lesson learned. This business isn't taught in a textbook, it is learned by doing and trying different things. It is learned by communicating with your peers and vendors, and asking plenty of questions.  And when something doesn't work, or fails miserably, we mark it up to education and try not to repeat that on our future projects.