Digital graphics play a huge role in signage, from window graphics, wall graphics, and even logo signs depending on the logo. Depending on the sign type, we use different methods to display graphics. For window graphics we digitally print onto vinyl, whether it is clear, white, colored, etched, or perforated vinyl, and that gets applied directly onto the glass. For wall graphics, we digitally print onto car wrap material as opposed to vinyl because it stays on the wall better. Vinyl will stay on a very smooth surface like glass, but a regular painted drywall still has a little bit of texture so regular vinyl tends to not stick to it very well.
When it comes to logo signs, there are many different types but we typically digitally print onto vinyl and adhere it to aluminum or acrylic. If the sign is going to be illuminated, we would use translucent acrylic and translucent vinyl. Digitally printed vinyl works great for most signs, especially since we laminate it for UV protection. However, there are some cases where we need something more resistant. In this case, we use direct printing, where the graphics are printed directly onto the substrate. This is what we did for the hot dog roller inserts pictured in this blog. We’ve made a couple of window graphics for Chevron gas stations in North Hollywood and Culver City. They were very happy with our work and asked us to work on another project, which was to replace the inserts for the hot food display cases at the gas station shops. Since the signs would be exposed to a lot of heat, we direct printed the graphics onto .032 aluminum. The reason we used such thin aluminum was so the inserts could fit into the existing holders.
Our Designer worked with the client on the artwork for each product, and we were able to create vibrant signs for many of their locations. We ended up making 500 inserts in total, 50 each of 10 designs.