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GLOSSARY

We take great pride in making our clients feel confident about their jobs during the production process. To help you gain a better understanding of what’s happening with your project, we’ve compiled a glossary of terms common to the signage industry. Download Glossary

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What does ADA mean in Signage?

The term “ADA Signs” has come into common use in the architectural, construction and signage industries with the advent of the Americans With Disabilities Act, or ADA. The Americans with Disabilities Act regulates accessibility; and includes requirements for signage that is conveniently located and easy to read both visually and through tactile touch. “ADA Signs” are sometimes misunderstood as being synonymous… Continue Reading →

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ADA Guidelines

Thank you to the U.S. Access Board for use of the above animation.

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Building a Font Library

Fonts are to printing what specialty accessories are to car enthusiasts. If used properly, they can really add a touch of class. When used in excess, however, they can turn into fuzzy dice and gaudy chrome hubcaps. From the days of the monks and their elaborate manuscripts to the thousands of font styles available today,… Continue Reading →

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Developing Effective Logos

Sharing Your Vision Logos have a unique way of catching attention and lodging themselves into our subconscious. As a business owner or the head of an organization, that’s exactly where you want to be — inside your customer’s head. A good logo design should reflect the universal feeling of your company. Ask yourself, what is… Continue Reading →

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Fonts & Typesetting

The advent of desktop publishing has provided graphic artists with a seemingly endless collection of digital fonts to work with. Designers can also manipulate these fonts to create additional typographic forms. They can be layered, extended, overlapped or condensed, just to name a few. Although this is a dream for designers, these advanced typographic fonts… Continue Reading →

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Guidelines for Font Usage

Presentation is crucial to all forms of communication — most of all when dealing with written communication. Unlike information conveyed personally, a written message is static. It must speak for itself. To achieve truly effective communication, one must pay equal attention to content and presentation. In written communication, the fundamental presentation element is the font…. Continue Reading →

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Preflight Preparation

Preflight preparation is the process of collecting, updating and sending files or applications to a printer for production. Preflight preparation uncovers missing data or fonts, misplaced illustrations, trapping errors, incorrect sizing and other important details. The first thing to include is the primary document, whether in Illustrator, PageMaker, QuarkXPress or Photoshop. Check with your printer… Continue Reading →

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Raster Images vs. Vector Graphics

Computer graphics can be created as either raster or vector images. Raster graphics are bitmaps. A bitmap is a grid of individual pixels that collectively compose an image. Raster graphics render images as a collection of countless tiny squares. Each square, or pixel, is coded in a specific hue or shade. Individually, these pixels are… Continue Reading →

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Conducting Market Research

The Importance of Market Research Brochures, tear sheets, business plans, marketing campaigns, direct mail, catalogs, reports and sales information sheets need to land in a writer’s in-box first. Researching the product or service before writing is the most important step, and is often ignored. So, what information should be studied prior to writing? – What… Continue Reading →

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Customer Retention Strategies

People tend to do business with companies recommended to them by their friends and colleagues. Regardless of the product or service, a consistent client list and a positive referral file will inspire confidence in a new customer. Recruiting new clients is only the beginning; keeping client files current and maintaining positive customer relationship is what… Continue Reading →

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Determining Your Target Audience

Knowledge of your target audience provides focus for marketing and advertising campaigns and makes it possible to measure results. Research is the foundation of a marketing plan. Using an existing database is one approach to researching target audiences. Databases house information about what customers have purchased, when, how much it cost and what promotional offers… Continue Reading →

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Developing Your Corporate Identity

A corporate identity will span the course of your entire business, from your logo to your business cards and letterhead. It’s designed to create a brand identity for your company, product or service, and evoke an emotional response from your audience. Whatever your size, whether you’re a mom and pop or an international megacorporation, a… Continue Reading →

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Effective Direct Marketing

Lance landed a direct marketing campaign for Super Toaster Ovens in April. After researching their target audience and conducting a focus group, he designed a tri-fold brochure. Using a list he obtained from a marketing firm, he dropped a bulk rate mailing the second week in June. Later, Lance received a phone call from his… Continue Reading →

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Making Presentations

In business, the first 30 seconds of a presentation determines whether or not an audience is going to listen. Proper preparation is the first step to winning an audience. Making a positive first impression and dressing for the part is second step. Be consistent with the introduction and conclusion, focusing on objectives, advantages, benefits and… Continue Reading →

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Newsletter Development

So, What’s the News? That’s how a colleague of mine recently approached me and asked how I was doing. Because we had little time, she basically wanted the bullet points on my life in a quick summary. It’s likely that your clients want the same thing from you. If you’ve wondered how best to reach… Continue Reading →

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Proofing Documents

The process of producing an accurate sample of a document or printed piece for internal or client review is called proofing. Composite proofing, also known as comprehensive proofing, is used in commercial printing and produces an output of the document’s images, line art and text elements. Off-press proofing checks for a document’s images, pagination and… Continue Reading →

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Working With an Advertising Agency

Developing a solid relationship with an ad agency will greatly benefit your product or service in the marketplace. That statement might seem overly simple, but in fact, it’s the first step to planning a successful campaign. When responsibilities are unclear on either the firm or client side, relationships break down and campaigns can suffer as… Continue Reading →

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Writing a Business Plan

The purpose of a business plan is not to evaluate the business and move forward, but rather to sell its purpose to prospective investors. Essentially, a business plan is a sales document. Business plans are sometimes confused with marketing plans, known as the blueprints to a business. Marketing plans are detailed documents about business planning,… Continue Reading →

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Writing a Sales Letter

The headline is the first information a potential consumer reads in a sales letter, so give some thought as to what it will include. What is the benefit of using the product or service? For example, an appropriate heading for a business sales letter could read, “48-Hour Turnaround or It’s On Us.” The heading is… Continue Reading →

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Writing Effective E-Mail Copy

Many e-mail users go through dozens, even hundreds of spam messages mail (unsolicited commercial e-mail, the online equivalent of mass direct mail) every day. And just as many people throw away junk mail, Internet users often delete spam e-mail without reading it. Though it’s nearly impossible to craft direct e-mail that everyone will read, there… Continue Reading →

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Writing Press Releases

Press and news releases are integral parts of a press kit, in addition to profiles, photos, business strategies, mission statements, testimonials and press clippings. Each part of a press kit provides an information byte for the media and general public to learn more about your business. That’s why it’s so important to have an organized… Continue Reading →

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Yellow Pages and Listings

Listings are an integral medium of advertising for small businesses. The Yellow Pages, business directories and notification ads are examples of listings. The difference between listings and traditional advertising mediums is that consumers seek them out. For example, consumers looking for a plumber are likely to look in the Yellow Pages. Whereas traditional advertisements are… Continue Reading →

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Copyright Laws

Copyright laws protect original works of expression including, but not limited to, novels, short stories, fine and graphic arts, photographs, software, films, paintings, and recorded musical performances. For copyright laws to protect a work of expression, it must be original and an independent, creative effort of its author. Then, depending on when the work was… Continue Reading →

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Fair Use Rule

The Fair Use Rule, a component of copyright law, allows individuals to use an author’s work without their direct permission. This hinders the copyright owner’s rights to a small degree, but doesn’t lessen their protection under the law. Professors, authors, printers, photographers and publishers should understand what constitutes fair use, and what spells a copyright… Continue Reading →

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Rules for Legal Advertising

So what determines if an advertisement is unlawful? If it misleads or deceives consumers, it is considered unlawful. Both federal and state laws regulate advertising in conjunction with the Federal Trade Commission. Furthermore, the FTC doesn’t have to prove that an ad deceived even one consumer, just that it has a deceptive characteristic or approach…. Continue Reading →

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Trademark Laws

Trademark laws protect specific words, phrases, domain names, slogans, logos and other symbols used to distinguish between different brands on the market. A trademark allows consumers to identify a specific brand in the marketplace, because most consumers use trademarks to make purchasing decisions. Federal and state trademark laws protect the duplication and misuse of a… Continue Reading →

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File Compression

At one time or another, every computer owner has run into the problem of large files, and insufficient hard drive space. Despite thinking that you would never run out of space when you purchased your computer, you’ll soon find that the applications and documents can quickly consume a hard drive. Before you know it, your… Continue Reading →

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File Transfer Times

As technology continues to advance, Internet users have become increasingly accustomed to fast connection speeds. Although download times are affected by many variables, the most critical is the connection speed of both parties. Not all modems, though, are created equal. Some are fast and some, though once considered fast, are now very slow. Commonly-used modems… Continue Reading →

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Macintosh vs. the PC

Macs and PCs are like apples and oranges. Both are computers, and perform similar functions, but they look and operate quite differently. However, like apples and oranges, comparisons between the two are highly subjective. Whether to use a Mac or PC is matter a personal taste and the operations you require. IBM named its first… Continue Reading →

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Scanning Different Media

The process and applications of a scanner are relatively simplistic. It acts and functions much like a copier. It has the same little scanning bar that blinds you if you look into it, and instead of feeding paper (though a rare few do) it transmits the scanned object into your computer and allows you to… Continue Reading →

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Selecting Domain Names

Deciding to go online is definitely an important step; but it’s only one of many. After making the initial decision to go “virtual,” the next and possibly most important step is choosing a name for your Web site. In Web parlance, this is referred to as selecting a domain name. Name recognition and recall is… Continue Reading →

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Understanding Computer Viruses

The first tenet of warfare is this: know thy enemy. So what exactly are computer viruses? Computer viruses are devious little computer programs that attach themselves to legitimate program-hosts and then engage in rampant self-replication. It’s easy to be fooled by their small size. Don’t be. They’re never small for long. Computer viruses propagate like… Continue Reading →

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Understanding PDF Files

Adobe PDF is a dynamic and versatile file format that can dramatically simplify and expedite document viewing, transfer, storage and output. The letters P, D and F comprise an acronym which stands for Portable Document Format. Adobe PDF is widely used by publishers, Web programmers and graphic designers, and generally accepted as the preeminent format… Continue Reading →

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File Saving Guidelines & Accepted Formats

Our team of professional Graphic Designers is here to help and can offer advice and assistance when needed. We also offer design services at a competitive rate. Guidelines For Saving An Electronic File: *** NEW for 2016 *** WE RECOMMEND SENDING A PDF FILE SAVED AT PRESS QUALITY. The art board should be desired finished… Continue Reading →

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Graphic Support

In this section, you’ll find useful information to help you stay current with the ever-changing landscape of graphic design programs. As new versions are released, you’ll find updated information here to help you continually sharpen your skills. If you’d like to see resources added for any graphic design applications that are not listed here, please… Continue Reading →

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Vinyl Lettering Installation

SURFACE PREPARATION All surfaces should be considered dirty and should be cleaned prior to application of vinyl lettering or graphics. Wipe dust off of painted surfaces. Clean the area where the vinyl will be applied. Windex is fine to clean glass then dry the window area. APPLICATION (PRE MASKED BY INSTANT SIGN) Horizontal Hinge Method:… Continue Reading →

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Quick Tips

In this section, you’ll find a variety of tips and tricks to help you better understand our industry and to build your base of knowledge on a wide range of topics. If you have ideas on other tips you’d like to see added here, please let us know.

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Tech Tips

Keeping up with technology is kind of like driving your Volkswagen Beetle across the country. Every time you start to get anywhere, you have to stop and fill-up. Technology changes so fast, we have no choice but to continually re-educate ourselves. This section includes technology tips that will help you stay on top of trends…. Continue Reading →

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What is a “proof”?

A proof is a way of ensuring that we have set your type accurately and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof which will be sent to you online or printed on paper which can be viewed in our store or delivered to you in person. On multiple… Continue Reading →

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Why do I need a proof?

A visual proof is our way of ensuring that we have set your type accurately and that everything is positioned according to your requirements. You are responsible for making sure that spelling, sizes and quantities match your desired request. We will email your proof to you within 48 hours of receving your order. If necessary… Continue Reading →

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How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote, give us a call and talk with one of our customer service representatives.

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