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How does the design of my vinyl decals attract more business in Charleston, SC?
Vinyl decals have become a very popular method of advertising here in Charleston, SC. They are inexpensive, colorful and a great way to get your message out as you drive around town. On the flip side, because they have become so popular it is hard to stand out. The way to make a lasting impression with your vinyl decals is to do your homework and plan out your design for the most effective results.
First assignment - understanding how vinyl decals are made
When and decals are being made it starts with the material. At TheSignChef.com in Charleston, SC 29418 we recommend using a high performance vinyl. This vinyl is rated to last for 7 - 10 years outdoors, and even through car washing. There are alternatives to this vinyl, and a sign specialist will be able to help you make the choice that works best for your needs.
Once you have decided on the vinyl that is right for your application and the design has been approved the production department swings into action. The vinyl used to make is similar to the material used to make bumper stickers. You can choose to have your decals printed on clear or white vinyl. This doesn't mean that you have to have a white background on your decals. You can have the entire piece covered in color inks and specially cut if you choose.
The vinyl sheeting is fed through the printer and prints out directly on the vinyl. The printer can print at various DPI, but typically car decals are printed at 600 DPI. The ink that is used a solvent, meaning it does not need to be laminated to protect it. Rain, washing, and other activities will not cause the colors to run. To give additional UV protection to keep your car decals from fading, you can have the decals laminated before installation. Once the decals have finished printing they are cut out by hand in the production area where they are now ready for installation.
Assignment two - making design decisions for your vinyl decals
The design of your vinyl decals will be what sets you apart from the crowd. Many people think of the design as the graphic and the words, but much more goes into the design than that.We have a "Bakers dozen" list that we hope will get you thinking about all aspects of the design of your vinyl decals.
- What are you trying to accomplish with your vinyl decals?
This may seem like a silly question, but people use vinyl decals and other types of signs for many purposes. You could be trying to attract more business, or hoping to "brand" your company with a specific logo, you may want to focus on a specific product or service, or there may be another purpose. - What should your decals say?
Put together a message that says what you really want to say. - What kind of look do you want?
If you have a restaurant that specializes in Chinese food it probably isn't wise to go with a look that has a Mexican flair to it. - Choose a legible font When it comes to a vinyl decal not all fonts are a good choice. You want to choose something easy to read and also projects the image you want for your business. A day care probably doesn't want to use "Times New Roman", they would want to consider a font that looks friendly and "kidsy"
- Consider using Kerning
Kerning is the process of adjusting spacing between letters. The human eye is quick to notice breaks in regular patterns. You can actually create your own distinctive, stylized logo type by overlapping letters or "over-kerning". A well known example of this would be Ebay. - Choose the right colors
Colors send a wide variety of messages to the brain. The contrast your eyes see also sends a message. Find a color that promotes your image, and use contrast to attract interest. Just don't overdo it! - Combine small visual details
Using different fonts, colors and sizes for different parts of your message can create additional interest - Add visual interest
- Use borders
Borders help draw the eye to the center of you vinyl decal and make it easier to read - Add graphics
Clip art and photos are a great way to make your decals memorable - Choose the right shape
The right shape can make or break a terrific design
- Choose the right size
There are, of course, size constraints when putting vinyl decals on, but you can choose the right size for the area you want to cover and choose a text size that will allow your message to be read
- Don't crowd your decal
Trying to put too much information in one decal will be unattractive and hard to read. Choose your words carefully and leave plenty of open space to allow the eye to read the message.Final Exam - Are Vinyl Decals the right choice for me?
With all of the expertise that we have at TheSignChef.com we cannot tell you the answer to that. We can guide you through the design and even guide you in your decision about the vinyl decals. You, however, need to examine your budget, what you want to accomplish, whether your vehicle is the right place to advertise your business. Once you have these answers we will be more than happy to help you get the right vinyl decals (or any other type of signs) for you!
Visit Our Vinyl Decals Page For More Information
- Choose the right size