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I got a phone call today from a good ole customer, who was inquiring about getting a sign done for our local mall, the question was, can i do a sign for him up there? it's gotta be signfoam (which I've never used, always wanted to, but I have a lumber yard up the street that carries MDO, I can have it in minutes of a request) so now the question, the mall will provide him with a 3 dimensional sign, which is obviously only a 2 panel job, but at a price of $250 to $450, approx 36" x20", should I go for it, or let my customer get away?? how does signfoam bond to each other?? any suggestions?? thanks for the help
------------------ Ron Blake Rapid Signs Pittsfield, MA Spiccoli44@aol.com
Posts: 25 | From: Pittsfield, MA | Registered: Feb 2000
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I can give you some help but I need to know a couple of things...
how thick do the letters need to be? and how are they being mounted? and on what?
sign foam comes in different thickness...mostly available in 1,2,3"
Then I can send ya in the right direction...just note the cost for this stuff is high and unless you plan to do a bunch...it might be the cost of the entire job!
Drmwvr
------------------ Robert Beverly Dreamweaver Studios Arlington, Texas
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Well, this is why i posted the message my friend, it's only 1 sign, and all the mall ask's is that it's 3 dimensional, which means double faced, they have no requirements on thickness, just keeping it all along their look, which somebody does all their signs for $250-$450, I'd love to get in there, maybe make a friend, Just gotta make sure I don't lose $$ whaddya think? Would love to hear back from you all
------------------ Ron Blake Rapid Signs Pittsfield, MA Spiccoli44@aol.com
Posts: 25 | From: Pittsfield, MA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Hiya Ron, For something dimensional, your high end is about as low as I would go for anything nice & dimensional. For sandblasted HDU or redwood my minimum is $85 per sq ft. That would be a simple sign with 2, maybe 3 colors. Anything else would be an additional charge. Another option to explore, foam or plastic letters from Gemini mounted to some sort of background. Take a walk through the mall & see what the others have done. That would give you an idea of what you should be working with. If you're really stuck, break out the sign mags & start researching. Unless your client is patient & understanding, I would go with something you're familiar with. Otherwise, explain the situation & have fun. Be prepaired to loose a few dollars though. Trial & error normally doesn't mean profit the first time around Havin' fun, Checkers
------------------ a.k.a. Brian Born Harrisburg, Pa 717.652.9073 members.home.net/sign-it/ This isn't Burger King, you can't have it your way.
I think Gemini is an excellent choice and they have reasonable prices on their flat acrylic. You can paint the edges of the letters in a contrasting color, thus keeping the price down by the thickness. I also visualize a backboard, and an addtitional layering effect with a smaller board on top. You can glue the foamboard or rigid pvc, or wood on top of your main surface, creating the depth. The corners can be cut in a shape, leaving an area on the backing to use shapes or cornice effects to correlate with the design within the sign. just some thoughts on the issue, Deb
------------------ Deb Creative Signs
Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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once again a lot of helpful ideas, I'm meeting with the client tomorrow AM and I'll contact the head cheese at the mall, and get down to the true nitty gritty, I'm not saying I'd like to work for free, but if it gets me in the door, it's a feather I want in my cap, I'll keep y'all posted, thanks again Ron
------------------ Ron Blake Rapid Signs Pittsfield, MA Spiccoli44@aol.com
Posts: 25 | From: Pittsfield, MA | Registered: Feb 2000
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So you want dimensional but need to keep the cost down?
How about "extruded insulation foam"? This is the standard insulation sheeting that is available at any building supply store. 2" thick 4'x8' runs about $20. 1" runs about $10. It can be sandblasted (gently and quick!), carved with a surform rasp, razor blades, knives and various grades of sandpaper. Also it can be stacked and glued, using epoxy.
I like to finish these with faux stone, which comes in spray cans (my favorite is formby's, but krylon also sells it), clear coat after the stone spray coat cures overnight. No primer is necessary, just spray over the raw sign after blasting and shaping. Then you can outline and airbrush or even gild on top of the clearcoat. Be sure to use the clear that comes with the stone spray. (Krylon's comes in a two can kit, Formby's sells the stone spray and clear separately.) The effect is awesome and the material cost is next to nothing.
A finished foam sign is very light and can easily be installed using double side tape.
Maybe one of these days I'll do a step by step on how to make this type of sign.
In the meantime, here's a couple examples. Both are about 3 feet wide and are 2" thick, though the rock sign has 1" foam letters shaped then attached to the face with epoxy.
The Jack Daniels sign is sandblasted. I do not remove the sandblast stencil after blasting these, as the adhesive will pull the letters off. The lettering and foo foo on the Jack Daniels sign has a 1/8" raised piping, which is created by cutting out the center of the letters etc, from the sandblast stencil after blasting, but before spraying the faux stone effect. The spray stone unifies the shape, making it look like it was carved that way. I used bronze powder for the gold effect to hold down the cost. Blast is about 60 seconds total to do 1/2" deep.
The background of the Rock sign is blasted, as is the word "bottom", which is blasted in reverse. Paint in addition to the stone spray foundation is one shot.
Each cost about $20 in materials and sold for around $300 each.
(ps. Don't give me any grief over the Rock Bottom layout...it was the customer's logo and they didn't want it messed with. I did layout the Jack Daniels sign and you guys can give me a hard time over that one if ya need to )
------------------ Don Coplen aka "SaintPete" Coplen Designs St.Petersburg, FL dcoplen@mindspring.com
[This message has been edited by Don Coplen (edited February 08, 2001).]
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