Using the Internet for personal or business projects can be very helpful for you, especially when it involves sign printing. Google itself can help you find ideas for graphic designing, let alone images that you can use for these designs. It is not uncommon for graphic designers, especially amateurs, to search images on the Internet that they can use for sign printing.

The Internet provides you thousands, if not, millions of results when you search for one particular image. And when you find the image perfect for your project, there is one common thing that stands between you and the image you want to have for your signage and that is the fact of whether you may use it.

Copyright

Images you find on the Internet are covered by copyright. This frustrates most people who are looking for images for them to print. Usually, what’s perfect for their printing project is also the one with a watermark, and that’s not ideal for most. Although many websites have copyright information often placed at the bottom of their pages, it is not required that their images be protected. You normally find that out on your own.

If you do not know whether an image is copyrighted, you must examine the source of the image for a copyright symbol. Sometimes, logos of the creators or owners are placed on the image itself. If you can’t find out if an image is copyrighted, you are most probably risking yourself for breaking the law.

Images for printing

Many company's stock photo sources offer free images that you can download via the Internet without violating the copyright law. However, it will require you to sign up an account before you can download, but they won’t charge a penalty. There are also images from sources that give them freely with a simple copy and paste. For some sources, they charge a certain fee in return for access with their images. Prices may differ.

Here are some photo sources that offer free images:

• Morgue File
• Photo8
• Unsplash

It is important to know that the image you will use for personal or business purposes is legal. It is not only the copyright you will worry about. It can also be the quality of the image.

Image quality

Five best scanners for image documents:

The first scanner is Contex, where it offers a solution that includes the art digital copying and large format scanning. It is the world leader in large format scanning. This scanner takes pride in producing highly advanced technology and innovative scan and copies software applications.

The second scanner is Colortrac; it is capable of providing imaging solutions for color and monochrome scanning needs in a cost-effective manner. It considered as the pioneer of cost-effective full format imaging solutions.

Next is the HP Designjet HD Scanner, which offers the easiest of in-house copy and scanning with a single touch of a button with HD scanners from HP. Innovative digital imaging systems make it easier for the user to create digital copies from original documents by scanning and copying through HP scan-copy-print systems. 

The fourth scanner is KIP 2300 Scanner; it is the latest production to rock the high resolutions, is a high-speed imaging system that combines enhanced color scan and world-class monochrome imaging quality. The KIP 2300 scanner set an exceptionally high standard for high productivity by embodying the fast speed, flexibility, and quality. 

Lastly is the Graphtec; it provides solutions for Mapping, CAD, Reprographics, Document Archiving, and GIS applications. This scanner is one of the primary providers of quality imaging products in the world for quality scanners that use Contact Image Sensor (CIS) technology to provide high speed and quality. This enables users of large format scanners to enjoy higher accuracy in geometric scanning, enhanced reliability, and high-speed capture together with other performance advantages at a lower cost.

Here in The Graphics Shop, not only do we help you in finding the perfect photos for you, we can create them! With our team of professional graphic designers, they will surely meet your needs.

If you have questions, submit your message below or you can contact us today!

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In materials, sign printing can offer a lot of options. Each material has special features and benefits that can make it suitable for a specific situation. Here are some commonly used materials we have tested and compared for your reference.

• Medium Density Overlay - Popularly referred to as ‘MDO’, is made of plywood panels with a resin fiber fused to the surface. Commonly used in sign designs, because of its tough quality.
• Glass–glass applications can be found almost everywhere. This material is used as a canvas to apply graphics for signage and marketing purposes.
• Aluminum–A perfect material for any permanent outdoor sign, this material will not rust with tough enamel that will not flake or peel like other painted materials.
• Fabric- Printed fabrics are relatively new to the sign industry but are making a huge name thanks to digital printing. Fabrics can be printed for banners, awnings, flags and fine art, including canvases.
• Acrylic This tough, transparent, versatile thermoplastic is used in many applications, especially in visual communications, design and architecture. This material is also very resistant to shock, flexing, scratching and weathering, which comes in a variety of colors and finishes and is recyclable.
• Gator board is a hard but lightweight display material that has a thick inner foam core and a wood-fiber veneer exterior. It is water, scratches, and dent resistant. Thanks to its portability and toughness, gator board is ideal for signs that will need to be frequently moved around.
• The foam core is a thick, inexpensive, and super lightweight display material. It has a dense foam core sandwiched between two layers of thick matte paper. Because it is so low cost, foam core signs are a great option for temporary displays and presentations.
• Ultra-board is a heavy-duty, all-plastic panel used for vivid prints and high use displays.
• Vinyl and painted wall graphics –creative designs with bright and colorful details can be achieved using this material. They are adherent and can be applied directly to walls.
• Wood–Wood can be used when it is important to match the surroundings. But not only just woods, good quality wood can have excellent durability and looks high end.
• Textured wall coverings–or without the technicality, the ‘wallpaper’. It adds intensity and interest with a huge range of visually pleasing looks and feels.
• Steel and stainless steel–Strong, durable and versatile, this long-established construction material is made from mixing iron and carbon in the right proportions at high temperature, but other additives give it qualities.
• Stone–Whether a just a normal-looking stone or slate can be cut it to size and shape. Great for traditional architectural signage with natural surroundings, this signage also gives the feeling of permanency and solidity to any environment.
• Coroplast is ridged polypropylene with a limited exterior life. These materials readily accept stress0-sensitive vinyl graphics, screen inks, and digital images.
• Polycarbonate- this material is clear, shatter-proof plastics that provide more durability and more flexibility than conventional acrylic plastics. They are widely used for exterior sign faces in areas that are subject to vandalism. Polycarbonates are also used for light box graphics.

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Here at Hackworth, we offer a wide variety of different sign and banner printing options. We can produce all different signage types such as back-lit, way finding, entrance, point of purchase, site signs, wall graphics, and window clings as well as ADA (American Disabilities Act) signs. With all these printing options, there are two ways of producing these signs: vinyl and digital print.

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on what type of signage. However, in comparing how long they last in serving your business, you must know their differences.

Vinyl-made Signs
Vinyl is a kind of adhesive that can be cut into shapes and letters. It can be used in printing shirts, window and floor decals, vehicle wrapping, and many more. Vinyl can be made with materials that differ from one another, which means they can have different effects. Either way, they are made to withstand a range of environmental conditions. When using quality materials, most users look into a material’s longevity, and vinyl has just that. Although the sun can gradually fade vinyl as time goes by, vinyl-made signs are expected to last at least 5-10 years. However, it should be noted that while this time range may seem extensive, its lifespan will rely on the vinyl the user have chosen.

Here are the types of vinyl and their life expectancies:

• Calendared–this material is common and is recommended for businesses that do not require bigger printed materials; lifespan is about 3-6 years
• Cast–this is a much higher quality of the calendared type of vinyl; this material often has the longest life expectancy ranging from 5 to 12 years
• Metalized Polyester and Fluorescent–this vinyl material is designed for flashy ad decorative graphics which is why their life expectancies are not that long, and often last after 2 years
  
  

Digitally Printed Signs
Digitally printed signs can print color-specific, unlike vinyl that has its limitations when it comes to colors. It can print all the shades and fades of today’s complex designs. Despite that, when compared to the life expectancy of vinyl, digitally printed signs will not last as long. These signs usually last about 3 years, especially when exposed to the elements. However, you can add about 2-3 years of its life span when the sign is laminated.

Ultimately, your decision will rely on what kind of business you have and what goal you want to reach when advertising with these materials. Although one can clearly compare each other’s life expectancies, it is the goal of the user how long he or she intends to use the sign.

If you have questions please leave a message below or you can contact us today!

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Here are 5 tips on making your signs effective:

Purpose

Before anything else – before putting up a sign outside your store, you must decide what that sign is for. What do you want potential customers to know? Is it a promotion of discount sale or the launching of a new product of yours? It is important to answer these questions so you would know what information or message to convey before focusing on the design, colors and layout.

Brief

Signs are more effective when they have a word limit. When deciding what message you want to display on your outdoor sign, the saying “less is more” should be applied. Too many words can be distracting and unattractive. Always remember that almost half of your views are people in vehicles who only have seconds to read the signage. Therefore, you must display the essential information only such as your company name, phone number, website URL, slogan, call to action, or a simple “Summer Clearance Sale!” to emphasize what your customers need to know. The more text you put, the less chances your sign will be read, and that will defeat the purpose of your sign. Keep it simple, brief and informative!

Big

Outdoor signs should be visible especially if you’re creating roadside signs that will be displayed at a reasonable distance. They should be large enough for people near and far to see. This also includes the style of the fonts. They should be clear and big so they can easily be read especially by those who are stuck in traffic or just passersby. Too many font styles in one design can be confusing and can spoil a perfectly good sign.

Branded

Purportedly, 85% of potential customers pass by your business every month so that means having a sign outside your store is the perfect place to promote your brand! If you want your brand to be recognized, increase its exposure because the more they see it, the more recognizable it becomes! Don’t forget to include your logo and company colors on the sign. Stick with your signature fonts and overall style so people would know it’s you. The key is just consistency!

Bold

Graphics add visual interest to people. As a matter of fact, full-color graphics create the highest awareness. The use of a photo creates 300% greater recall than signs without photos. So take advantage of these, and do not be afraid to add high quality images on your signs! Studies show that being exposed to extra color will improve a reader’s retention by 78%, which is why you should use big and bold colors too! Know how to properly contrast them by using a dark background with a light-colored lettering or vice versa. By doing so, this will increase the readability of your sign from a great distance. Never settle for a boring a board with boring text. Show your store off with big graphics and bold color!

Here at Hackworth, we can help you design and print signs that will truly help your business. From clarifying the purpose to printing the final product, we can help make your outdoor signs a true asset for your business. Questions or comments? Submit your message below or you can contact us today!

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