See the difference our triple strike method produces, everyone else in town prints backlit like the frog on the right, Signs for Success produces full color like the one on the left, come see us now for a fast quote

How to Get Perfect Backlit Signs Day and Night

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See the difference our triple strike method produces, everyone else in town prints backlit signs like the frog on the right, Signs for Success produces full color like the one on the left, come see us now for a fast quote

Signs for Success triple strike backlit sign test

Driving around Spokane, you may not see a whole lot of full color backlit signs.  That’s because full color outdoor backlit signs present a special challenge: constantly changing ambient light.

In the beginning of sign making, backlit signs were hand painted with translucent paint that looked great when lit from the front by the sun as well as at night when lit from behind.  The transition from hand-painting to cut vinyl made the process easier, and translucent vinyl worked well for both day and night settings.  The downside to the vinyl was that it was and still is very expensive compared to other options.  In addition to a high price tag, the vinyl could only produce spot color, so images and text had to be simple. Photos, gradients and special effects were not possible.

Digital printing has solved both of these problems, but naturally, it leads to some of its own complications.  Digitally printing a sign face is more cost effective than either hand-painting or ordering and cutting several colors of translucent vinyl.  It also allows for a multitude of nearly unlimited color choices, and digitally printed gradients produce a realistic, vibrant image.  The complication arises when different lighting – from the outside by the sun, and from the inside by electrical lighting – hits the print.  Backlit signs have to not only look good at night when they’re lit from behind, but they also have to look good all day long when the light source comes from outside. “Traditional digitally printed backlit signs look washed out at night.  One option is to bump up saturation, which makes the sign too dark during the day,” Signs for Success owner John Bogensberger explained.

Balance Eternalle Day Spa in Spokane wanted more visibility at night, so this backlit signs light up great and shows hot stone massage

Balance Eternelle Day Spa Backlit Sign during the day

The solution?  Over several weeks of testing, we found that the best combination was printing the image in color, then a layer of 50% opacity white ink, and finally another layer of color.  These three layers make it possible for the image to shine through no matter what direction the light comes from.  “During the day, the white backs up the outer layer, and during the night, the second layer of color comes through due to the backlighting,” John explained. “This allows the sign to look great day or night.”

In the picture above, we printed the same image using three different processes.  The image on the right shows a “single strike,” or just one layer of ink.  This type of printing is great for most signs, but as you can see, the backlighting washes out the image at night.  The image on the left shows the same image printed on the front of the sign face, then printed in reverse on the back side.  This “double strike” method gives better color, but can be very difficult to register exactly on both sides.  The center image is a “triple strike” with color, white ink, then color printed on the sign face.  Our test image is printed with 100% opacity white ink, but by lowering the opacity to 50%, the image is bright and clear.

Change the faces for the backlit signs logo and readerboard on pole signs in Spokane, done fast by Signs for Success

Spokane First backlit sign

Even with the extra ink and extra printing time required for a triple strike, this is still the most cost effective option for vibrant full color backlit signs that look great in any lighting conditions.  The color will be sure to last at least 3-5 years, and if the sign is laminated, you can expect 5-7 years of life.

We coined the phrase “backlit triple strike” – since perfecting the method, we just don’t do backlit signs any other way.  “Triple strike” refers to the three trips the material takes through the printer, first receiving the sign graphics in full color, then a layer of white ink, then another run of the graphics in full color.  This technique allows the intended color and saturation to show through whether the light source comes from outside the sign or from within, creating great backlit signs day or night.

See More Back-lit or Illuminated Signs or Request a Quote today.

You can even hide the mess next door with custom printed chain link privacy slats like this Spokane Business did, by Signs for Success, call now for a fast, free quote

Fence Slat Signs Turn Chain Link into a Giant Sign

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You can even hide the mess next door with custom printed chain link privacy slats like this Spokane Business did, by Signs for Success, call now for a fast, free quote

Hide the mess next door with fence slat signs

Ever thought of Fence Slat Signs ?

Chain link fencing is everywhere.  It’s a great advertising space, but the biggest problem we see with fence signs is wind damage.  When heavy gusts come from behind the fence, a banner becomes like a sail, and over time, the sign will tear or blow away.  Mesh banner material allows the wind to filter through, but with very strong winds, even that’s not enough to keep a banner in one piece.

Custom printed plastic inserts solve this problem.  They slide into chain link fence, and because individual slats have much less surface area than a large sign or banner, they’re not susceptible to wind damage.

up close view of Chain Link Fence Slat, Fence Slat Signs, for privacy fences, printed with whatever message or high resolution image you want, Signs for Success can do the design as well

Close-up of Chain Link Fence Slats

The idea for fence slat signs first came when a neighbor decided to dismantle a motorhome in their front yard.  The banging and pounding was bearable but the eyesore was not.  So we decided to create some privacy between our property and theirs by printing custom chain link fence slat signs.

Chain link fence slat signs can be printed on both sides, offering twice the advertising space, so our next question was, “what should we print?”  We used the opportunity to showcase text sizing so clients could get a realistic idea of how big 8″ to 24″ tall letters and numbers look at a viewing distance of 140 feet – the distance from our showroom to the fence.  On the side facing away from our property, the slats are printed with a serene mountain scene.

Custom Chain Link Fence Slats, Fence Slat Signs printed with this daycare children's artwork and sponsor logos for a unique advertising that the parents and local businesses love in North Dakota, by Signs for Success

Decorated custom chain link fence slats

Chain link fence slats can be used to:

  • Advertise
  • Inform
  • Add decoration
  • Create privacy

Signs for Success can help you get your message or image on virtually any surface.  Just give us a call and we will make it happen!

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Realtors and homeowners can get a great sign at affordable prices, even just for one from Signs for Success Spokane

Coroplast Yard Signs are Still #1

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Realtors and homeowners can get a great sign at affordable prices, even just for one from Signs for Success Spokane

For Sale by Owner real estate sign

It may not be the latest and greatest, and it’s certainly not the most glamorous sign, but corrugated plastic, or coroplast signs, have held their place as our most popular product for over a decade.  Coro signs are most commonly used as yard signs or lawn signs, although they can be used in almost any situation, indoors or out.

As outdoor signs, they work best in mild weather conditions and out of direct sunlight.  But even in wet or sunny spots, coroplast yard signs can last several months.  Custom lawn signs are commonly utilized by:

  • Political campaigners
  • Real estate agents
  • Construction companies
  • Contractors
  • Churches
  • Schools
  • Sports teams
  • Youth leagues
  • Non-profit organizations, and more!
Realtor Real Estate sign for Keller Williams on Spokane with rider, grommets added, printed by Signs for Success on coro

Keller Williams Real Estate sign with rider

Coro yard signs are transportable, replaceable, easily mass-produced, and best of all, extremely cost-effective.  It’s no wonder these simple signs are so popular!

Any sign company will tell you the most popular size for yard signs is 18” x 24”.  At this size, lawn signs are very cost-effective because they use the exact amount of material required for printing.  This is also true for 6”x24” real estate signs, 12”x18” lawn signs, and 24”x24” signs.

Custom sizes and custom shapes are also available to really make your yard signs stand out.  We’ve created coroplast signs that are custom sized and shape-cut to look like a person, animal, vehicle, and even a giant vegetable!

Pro Asphalt needed affordable coro corro corrugated yard signs with stakes in Spokane and Greenacres

Pro Asphalt corro yard sign

We’ve also gotten creative with installation, now offering giant wind-proof signs that span a chain link fence.  Instead of using a stake to place the sign in the ground or zip ties to attach a sign to a fence, simply slide the custom printed fence slats through chain link for a unique outdoor sign solution.

Here are some ideas for your next coroplast yard signs order:

  • Use full color
  • Add a logo or graphic element
  • Use a bold font and simple text
  • Mass produce your coroplast signs to always have some on hand
  • Go for a unique size or shape
  • Try fence slats to cover a chain link fence
  • See other sign material options

Our experienced designers can help put together an effective sign design.  Contact us: Call, email, or stop by our showroom to get started!

Settlers of Catan custom printed game boards for groomsmen gifts

Settlers of Catan Custom Game Boards

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Settlers of Catan custom printed game boards for groomsmen gifts

Settlers of Catan custom printed game boards for groomsmen gifts

These particular printed custom game boards were created for a groom-to-be with a love for Settlers of Catan.

“My son Jim just graduated from Gonzaga and will soon be stationed as an Army officer in Hawaii with his wife Hannah. They were married this past weekend and he wanted to make something truly unique for his groomsmen gifts,” Signs for Success owner John Bogensberger said.  “Since Jim has been working around the sign shop since he was a kid, he’s got a good feel for what we can do.  With our state-of-the-art design and printing technologies, we can come up with a solution for just about any project.  Even though it was our first time working on a project like this, Jim knew it could be done, and with style.”

Digitally printed wood game boards with shape cuts, custom game boards

Digitally printed wood game boards with shape cuts

Jim came up with the idea of printing the game on a thin 1/8” wood board and personalizing the games to each groomsman.  Signs for Success designers Vanessa Bogensberger and Will Oakley created the designs.

After purchasing raw wood, Jim applied a layer of clear finish to the entire printing surface.  Then the graphics were printed with our HP FB500 and covered with another layer of clear finish.  He then took the boards to Decade Awards where Ted & Adam laser cut the shapes out of the board.  Jim used transfer tape over the surface to protect the graphics from the laser.

Next, he printed a parchment background on the back side of Marine Grade vinyl upholstery fabric to give the fabric the look of Parchment.  On the face of the vinyl fabric Jim printed the cover and back, each of which were customized with a nickname and the event date. The custom game boards were then attached to the parchment side of the fabric.

Custom printed wood game boxes, custom game boards

Custom printed wood game boxes

To take it over the top, Jim decided to make custom wood game boxes that required a lot of cuts and finishing.  The custom game boards box lids were printed with our HP FB500.  Because the inks are translucent against a non-white surface, we utilized the white ink channel and put a layer of white ink, also called white ink underflood, under the graphic in order to maintain the color.

“There was no money in this project but it was great fun working with my son and learning new things that can be done with our equipment.  We learned we can laser cut wood after printing on it and we can print on both sides of the Marine Grade Upholstery fabric,” John said.  “Kudos to his mom and one of our designers Will Oakley for working out all the print and cut files. That alone took many hours.”

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a short video about the project:

 

 

Eloika Pines reflective highway sign in daylight

Custom Reflective Signs for Highway

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Eloika Pines reflective highway sign in daylight, custom reflective signs

Eloika Pines reflective highway sign in daylight

Custom Reflective signs are used for highway signs, stop signs and other important landmarks so they can be clearly seen day and night.  When business signs are positioned near a road, reflective vinyl can be a good choice for these too.  This far North here in Washington, from November to March most businesses open before sun-up and are still open hours after the sun sets.  One way for signs to remain viewable at night is to use reflective vinyl.  It’s less expensive than a backlit sign and just as clear when illuminated by headlights.

Eloika Pines Mobile Home Park had an old highway sign north of Riverside, WA that needed to be remodeled.  It was more than ten years old and was also ineffective at night.  Loren Acuna from Eloika Pines, managed by Summer Creek Properties, wanted to not only update the sign but have it visible at night.

Eloika Pines reflective sign at night, custom reflective signs

Eloika Pines reflective sign at night

These large custom reflective signs are made up of three 4’ x 8’ panels and stands sixteen feet above the ground.  The adjacent highway runs eight feet above ground level, and with vehicles passing at the same height as the sign, the headlights shining on reflective vinyl create the look of an illuminated sign.

After performing a site survey, we recommended replacing the three 4 ‘x 8’ MDO plywood panels with a single 8 ‘x 12’ FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plywood) panel.  Applying reflective vinyl to the sign offers an opportunity for low cost additional impressions through the winter months.

The redesigned custom reflective signs graphics were printed on our HP FB 500 printer, then laminated for greater outdoor durability.  Then the laminated reflective film was installed on the FRP panel.  There was a slight delay for on-site install because of a record snowfall in November.  After a couple weeks of warmer temperatures we were finally able to get to the site for installation.  To attach the sign to the existing post we used 1.5″ angle ironon both sides of the sign. The angle iron was painted, attached and sealed at our shop.

Signs for Success has a great solution to virtually any sign project.  Our experienced design and production teams can assist with everything from layout and material selection through production, installation and maintenance. See more rigid signs, or better yet, contact us for a quote.

See the whole project, watch the video!