Large Format Printing Guide For Letter Visibility & Distance

Large format graphics will not help your business if the letters on the sign cannot be viewed by your audience. Large format printing can ensure that the desired marketing message of your wide format printing banners or signs is the largest and easiest to read aspect of the sign or banner. As a rule, the letters on the large format graphics need to be printed in a size that provides ease of reading by the intended audience. Large format printing makes sure the letters are easy to read whether the sign or banner is being viewed up close or at a distance. In general, letters on wide format printing materials should be approximately one inch tall per ten feet of viewing distance.

Large Format Graphics & Signage Factors

Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind for signage with large format graphics:

• The letters should have a good amount of thickness as thinner letters are often harder to read. In addition, a simple bold font on large format printing can make the letters stand out.
• White space is the open area that surrounds the copy. In general, the copy should be around 40% of the sign while the remaining 60% should be white space. The open white space on the wide format printing gives the words “room to breathe” and makes the copy easier to read and stand out on the sign.
• Kerning is the space that is located between the letters. Take care with the spacing of the letters to make sure they are not too close together or too hard to read.

Letter Size Formula For Large & Wide Format Printing

When it comes to determining the perfect size for letters, there is actually a letter-size formula for large and wide format printing that helps determine the ideal size of the letters. The letter size formula for the letter height is:

The Letter Height (in inches) x 10 (for readable distance for maximum impact) = The Maximum Readable Distance

It’s said that, for every one inch of letter height, the letters provide 10 feet of readability.

For example, letters that are 3 inches tall make a maximum impact when they are 30 feet away. However, the letters can still be seen and read from up to 100 feet away.

Installed Graphics Large Format Printing Installation Services

Installed Graphics large format printing installation services ensure the letters on your banner or signs are installed for maximum visibility. Wide-format printing makes a big impact on consumers but you want to make sure that the impact that is made is a positive one where your target audience is able to easily view and read the copy on the printed materials. Letters that are too small or too close together will not deliver the desired marketing message and will not properly brand your business thanks to the confusing letters on the large format graphics.

Learn more about large format printing for letter visibility and distance when you contact our team today.

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Why Is Color Contrast Important On Automotive Wraps?

Automotive wraps brand a business as other drivers on the road view the graphics on the vehicle wraps on a daily basis. When it comes to designing commercial vehicle wraps, colors play a big part in the design process and this includes taking color contrast into account. Design elements such as color contrast help to differentiate key information such as the name of the business or any contact info. However, combining such elements as red lettering on black vehicles can make the intended message hard to read instead of standing out against the color of the automotive wraps. High contrast colors enable a message to “jump out” at viewers and make a big impact. Colors that are too close to each other in their tone can make the marketing message hard to read or hard to process by other drivers.

Color Factors In Vehicle Wraps

It is vital to keep color factors in mind when designing vehicle wraps. Your design needs to consider how the two colors contrast with each other as the LR (light reflectance) of the colors sets the contrast.

Some of the top contrasting color combinations include:

• White on Black
• Black on White
• Black on Yellow
• Yellow on Black
• Blue on White

The color of automotive wraps can create a feeling of trust as well as make a company seem bold and imaginative. Research has shown that up to 90% of snap judgments that are made about products are based on color alone (this statistic depends on the product). Plus, consumers make judgments based on what they “see” as appropriate colors for the brand.

In other words, color contrast plays a big part in the design of commercial vehicle wraps.

Commercial Vehicle Wraps Installation

The installation of commercial vehicle wraps gives a professional look to the fleet vehicles that have automotive wraps placed on them. Professional installation of vehicle wraps takes the entire vehicle into account to make sure the graphics do not have any air bubbles in them as well as making sure the message of the commercial wraps is not interrupted by door handles or side mirrors on the vehicle. Vehicle wraps are a big investment that need to be properly installed to maintain a professional look over the life of the vehicle.

Discover the best color contrast options for your fleet vehicles by contacting our design team today.

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What’s The Difference Between Half and Full Vehicle Wraps?

Vehicle wraps brand a business whenever a company vehicle is on the road or parked in the company parking lot thanks to the combination of graphics and text that market the business. Fleet wraps can cover half of a vehicle or it can cover the entire company vehicle. A half wrap only covers certain parts of the vehicle such as the entire back part of the vehicle and (maybe) under the windows of the doors. On the other hand, full vehicle wraps cover the entire surface of the vehicle and runs from the back of the vehicle all the way up the hood of the vehicle. The wrap installation process is the same for half or full vehicle wraps. The final decision of what type of vehicle wrap to install is determined by the needs of the business.

Fleet Wraps From Partial Wraps to Full Wraps

Fleet wraps are available in partial wraps and full wraps as seen below:

• Partial wraps only cover a certain part of the vehicle. Businesses often wrap the back area of the vehicle because it is easily viewed by people that are behind the vehicle in traffic. The design usually starts around the front tires and goes all the way to the back of the vehicle while keeping the graphics located below the line of the windows.
• Full wraps cover the entire vehicle. A full vehicle wrap is exactly what it sounds like since they cover the whole vehicle including the hood, windows, roof and any area of the vehicle that can be seen from a standing point of view by a consumer. The larger display area allows designers to include more info without making it seem too crowded or “information-heavy”.

Professional Wrap Installation Services

Professional wrap installation services ensure that vehicle wraps are professionally installed on vehicles of all sizes. Wrap installation services makes sure the vehicles are professionally cleaned and free of dirt and debris before the fleet wraps are installed on the vehicle. In addition, wrap installation services keep the full wrap or half wrap free of bubbles or wrinkles while also making sure the wrap does not go over the car handles or side mirrors on the vehicle. When done properly, professional wrap installation services help vehicle wraps last for years while maintaining their eye-catching appearance.

Not sure if you need a full wrap or a partial wrap? Contact our experienced vehicle wrap team today about installing fleet wraps on your company vehicles.

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What Types Of Services Does Large Format Printing Provide?

Large format printing is growing in popularity for businesses of all sizes thanks to its ability to print large materials filled with eye-catching graphics. Large format print projects require the use of specialized print equipment to create posters, banners, trade show displays and other large format printing products. Large format printing accommodates rolls of paper that are larger than the paper used by normal printers. Materials created using large format print increase brand awareness, promote the products or services businesses want to spotlight to consumers or promote a trade show or other special event. Large format print projects can be printed using almost any material including glass, wood, vinyl, metal, corrugated plastic and cloth. The results are eye-catching, durable products that allow your branding message to stand out to the public.

Large Format Print Products

Popular large format print products include:

• Banners that share information about your company and attract people to visit your business
• Trade show displays that catch the attention of those attending the show because you will be competing for attention with other trade show vendors
• Wall murals can promote your business while also sharing your company history or setting the tone for your company culture
• Event signage shows people where to go when they arrive at the event as well as shares information about the event and its vendors
• Point of purchase displays spotlight the particular products you are trying to sell to customers and shares information about the product
• Floor graphics direct people through the store and they increase foot traffic to certain areas or products you are showcasing
• Posters and yard signs, of all shapes and sizes, market your business and build brand awareness through repeated viewing

Graphic Installation Services

Graphic installation services are the final step in the large format printing process. Graphic installation services make sure your large format print projects are professionally installed to withstand any type of weather conditions. In addition, graphic installation services take the sight lines of a building or event into account to ensure your marketing message is easily viewed by anyone that is attending an event or visiting your store or business. Graphic installation services give your large format printing products a professional look that is free of wrinkles and bumps while securely staying in place for the lifetime of the signage.

Put large format printing to work for your business by contacting our experienced design and installation team today.

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Why Weather Affects The Time For Vehicle Wrap Installation?

A vehicle wrap is a dynamic marketing tool that allows companies to market their business 24 hours a day thanks to high-quality graphics that are placed on the vehicle. Experts in placing car wraps agree the best temperatures to successfully install fleet wraps are between 60 and 80 degrees. The vinyl wrap film will adapt to the temperature of the workspace and it can become too stiff or too soft if the temperature is too hot or too cold. A professional vehicle wrap company will install car wraps in a facility that is dry and temperature controlled. By controlling the temperature of the workspace, the company is able to ensure that the fleet wraps are installed in the perfect conditions for high quality, long-lasting vehicle wrap.

How Vehicle Surface Temperature Matters With Car Wraps

Just like the three bears and their bowls of porridge, it matters if the surface temperature of the vehicle is too hot or too cold when it comes to installing a car wrap:

• If the vinyl wrap material, as well as the vehicle and workspace, are too cold, the wrap vinyl will become stiff and difficult to properly conform to the shape of the vehicle. It can also have an impact on how the self-adhesive vinyl is able to bond and adhere to the curves and surface of the vehicle.
• If the workspace and vinyl are too hot, the vinyl will become stretchy, soft and pliable which makes it very hard to handle. The vinyl wrap can overstretch and cause color variations in the overstretched areas.

As mentioned above, the best temperatures for successful fleet wrap installations are between 60 and 80 degrees.

Why Professional Fleet Wraps Last Longer

Professional fleet wraps last longer for the simple fact that they are professionally printed and installed. A vehicle wrap is not a “do it yourself” project that can easily be completed by the average person. Car wraps can cover the full vehicle or only half of the vehicle. In either case, the person installing the fleet wraps needs to take the entire vehicle into account including the curves, door handles and other areas of the car that have an impact on the way the vehicle wrap looks and fits on the vehicle. Professional fleet wraps last longer because the installation team knows the proper conditions to install the vinyl wrap and how to make sure there are no ripples or bubbles after it is installed.

Contact our experienced installation team about installing a vehicle wrap that can handle any type of weather.

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What Are The Latest Large Format Printing Trends?

Due to the downward trend in the popularity of magazines and newspapers, the printing industry has seen a decrease in the demand for these services. On the other hand, wide format printing has grown in popularity and this printing method includes a wide variety of services including corporate wall lettering, advertising banners, and graphics on the sides of buildings such as the image of the Stanley Cup on the outside of the Enterprise Center. Large format printing trends, such as wide-format printing, are in huge demand. In fact, the demand for this printing trend was recently spotlighted in an article in the St. Louis Business Journal. According to the article, wide format printing is up 58% this year and it is expected to grow an average of 9.4% over the next two years.

Wide Format Printing Market Trends

Wide format printing market trends include:

• New applications such as fabric-based signage and nonwoven wall graphics are rising in popularity. Soft signage is popular because it is lightweight and flexible. Printed fabric based media can be used for flags, banners, trade show graphics, and wall murals.
• Customization is in demand as printers execute shorter print projects to meet client demands as well as transition smoothly between media rolls.
• Mobile apps allow printers to remotely monitor print projects, as well as receive alerts, so their employees can multi-task and work on other projects.
• Illuminated displays are bright and eye-catching advertisements that are also cost-effective. The LED technology, combined with print media advancements, make this a very popular advertising choice.
• Advancements in printing technology have resulted in faster turnaround times. Faster printers, with automated processes, have helped the print industry meet the growing demand for quicker turnaround times.

Installed Graphics Printing Services With Installation

Installed Graphics provides high-quality printing services for businesses of all sizes. In addition, our experienced installation team makes sure your printed graphics are installed and displayed in a manner that makes the maximum visual impact on consumers. The installation process is an important step because the installed graphics need to remain durable over time. When installing wide-format graphics outside, our printing services team makes sure the graphics can withstand any type of weather while remaining colorful and eye-catching at all times.

Put the latest large format printing trends to work for your business by contacting our experienced printing team today.

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Will A Car Wrap Hide Hail Damage And Scratches?

If you are going to invest time and money into a car wrap for your business, you will want to keep it free from damage and scratches to the body as well as the paint on the vehicle. Thankfully, vehicle wraps can be applied over a car even if it has suffered any type of hail damage or scratches. This includes hail damage and scratches in the paint of the vehicle. Automotive wraps can be applied over the scratches and hail damage as they are designed to shrink down and form a tight contour around the hull no matter the current condition of the vehicle. While a car wrap can be placed over damage and scratches in the hull of the vehicle, there is a good chance that the damage will show through the vinyl wrap. In fact, the vinyl wrap attaches so closely to the hull that it can make hail damage and scratches even more noticeable to the public. Automotive wraps adhere so closely to the vehicle that it will eventually conform to the groove in the vehicle created by the damage.

Should My Car Be Repaired Before Applying The Vehicle Wrap?

Here are the reasons your car should be repaired before vehicle wraps are applied:

• A vinyl vehicle wrap is really just a big sticker. Car paint scratches are often visible under car wraps since they follow the contour of the car including any scratches or hail damage. You don’t want the damage under automotive wraps to catch the attention of customers.
• A vehicle that has peeling paint can be a challenge for vinyl vehicle wraps as the peeling paint can cause the wrap to not properly stick to the vehicle. This can result in air pockets and wrinkles in the vinyl vehicle wrap.
• Once a vinyl vehicle wrap is professionally installed on a car, it will prevent the vehicle from suffering any future damage by protecting the original paint job from any further dents or scratches.

Automotive Wraps Will Protect Your Vehicle

Automotive wraps protect a vehicle from outside forces such as dirt, dust, oil, road debris and hail damage that can stain a vehicle as well as dent or scratch its exterior. In addition, vehicle wraps help to keep the resale value of the car from decreasing thanks to the protection it provides the vehicle from dents and scratches on the original paint job of the vehicle. Once the decision is made to remove the car wrap, the appearance of the vehicle under a car wrap will be in the same condition it was when the automotive wrap was placed over the exterior of the vehicle.

Put a car wrap to work hiding hail damage and scratches on your vehicle by contacting our design and installation team today.

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Matte Vs Chrome Car Wraps? What’s Trending?

Vehicle wraps continue to grow in popularity and two of the most popular options are matte and chrome. Each option has advantages over the other choice.

• Matte vinyl vehicle wraps do not give the traditional shiny look of a vehicle wrap. Instead, matte wrapping has a sleek and non-reflective appearance that gets attention because of the understated overall appearance of the vehicle.
• On the other hand, chrome car wraps are shiny to the point that they are almost mirror-like thanks to their reflective appearance. A professional installation team can make the finish of chrome car wraps look almost exactly like real chrome.

The care of both types of vinyl wraps involve certain tasks to keep them in their best condition:

• Matte vinyl vehicle wraps need to be cleaned about twice a month to get rid of dirt or dust or road debris that can damage or stain the wrap. Hand washing is the best option since a car wash machine can damage the wrap.
• Chrome wrapping is resistant to substances like oil and dirt but chrome car wraps can be damaged by scratches or cuts that are hard to remove.

While chrome car wraps look fantastic, matte vinyl vehicle wraps are a better option if the vehicle is going to be a primary mode of transportation and not a vehicle that is mostly used for display purposes.

Pros And Cons Of These Types of Vehicle Wraps

When it comes to these two vehicle wraps, each one has pros and cons to their use:

• Pro – Matte vinyl vehicle wraps are the better choice when heading out on the road because any dirt or road debris is easy to wash off and does not damage the wrap
• Con – Matte vinyl vehicle wraps are not as “high end” in their appearance and their appearance is subdued enough that some people only regard this vehicle wrap as a simple advertising method
• Pro – Chrome car wraps give the appearance of luxury and provide a sleek appearance that makes the vehicle wrap look more expensive than its actual price
• Con – Chrome car wraps can be damaged easily by scratches that appear in the vinyl since they are not able to easily be removed

Vinyl Vehicle Wraps For High-End Cars

Depending on the type of high-end cars having vinyl vehicle wraps placed on them, the cars can look even more expensive thanks to the vinyl vehicle wraps. They can give the cars a look that is expensive, sexy or professional and vinyl vehicle wraps can even make a car look brand new because vehicle wraps cover the old paint job on the car as well as any scratches or cuts in the existing finish of the car. Vinyl vehicle wraps for high-end cars can completely transform the look and feel of any type of vehicle on the market.

Contact us today to determine if matte vinyl vehicle wraps or chrome car wraps are the best options for your vehicle.

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Where Can I Buy Car Wraps?

Car wraps make a big impression on customers as well as a positive impact on sales for a company. However, not many people know where to buy car wraps for their fleet vehicles. The easiest way to buy car wraps is to visit an experienced graphics company (such as Installed Graphics) that handles the entire vehicle wrap process including the design, printing and installation of the car wrap by experienced wrap installers.

An equally valid way to buy car wraps is online. It is important to know the overall goals and specifications for the wrap before making a purchase. Is the vehicle wrap being used to brand a business or is it being used to promote a sale or a product? In addition, will wrap installers place the vehicle wrap on the same type of vehicles or different makes and models? Your design options might be limited if you are not a graphic designer since ordering a car wrap online often does not include graphic design services. Plus, do you have the skills to install the car wrap once it is delivered or will you need to find someone to handle that task for you?

Find a graphics company that offers customer consultations for online customers to get the best design possible. Also, find an online company with a clearly defined design, printing and installation process to make sure your vehicle wraps are professionally designed, printed and installed.

Vehicle Wrap Printers Will Design, Print & Install

Here are the reasons it is important to find vehicle wrap printers to design, print and install car wraps:

• Having a car wrap installed on a vehicle is not as simple as placing the vehicle wrap on top of the fleet vehicle. The car wrap needs to be trimmed once it is placed so it will properly fit on the vehicle.
• The design is key to a successful car wrap because it needs to contain the desired information but not be so busy that other drivers on the road cannot process the information.
• It is best to find one company that will design, print and install the vehicle wrap because there will be more quality control steps along the way instead of multiple hands, and companies, handling the vehicle wrap installation process.

Professional Car Wrap Installers Notice The Little Details

It is best to choose an experienced company because professional car wrap installers notice the little details when it is time to install the vehicle wrap. Professional car wrap installers know how to make sure the car wrap does not cover the car handles or the side mirrors of the car. In addition, professional car wrap installers know where the gaps are located on the design of a car and they make sure the design of the vehicle wrap takes those gaps into account so the car wrap looks smooth in appearance when it is placed on the vehicle.

Learn more about the process of buying a car wrap by contacting our expert design and installation team today.

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