FAQs

1. What is the normal turn around time for a banner or sign order?

The turn around time depends on the order.  For an average job, the turn around time is 1-2 business days, but it all depends on size, quantity, availability, etc. We always try to meet any of your deadline requests.   [back to questions]

2. Do you ship to our location?

We can ship to anywhere in the United States using our common courier UPS. 

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3.  Does Sign-Ups accept credit cards?

Yes.  We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. 

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4. Can you make a sign/banner from a digital photograph?

Yes, and we do often. The better quality the photography, the better your digital image will turn out! 

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5.  If I am getting a sign installed on my vehicle, how long will by car/truck/van be out of service?

Most vehicles can be lettered in one business day.   [back to questions]

6. What is Computer Cut Vinyl?

Our plotter cuts shapes, graphics and text from rolls of adhesive vinyl: a self-colored adhesive-backed vinyl film that has a removable paper backing material.  [back to questions]

7. What is Vector art?

Vector art is composed strictly of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves and polygons to represent images. It can be reduced or enlarged without any loss of resolution and is the only type of art that can be used with a vinyl plotter. Vector is the preferred type of art for most jobs.[back to questions]

8. What is a Raster Image? 

Raster images are representations of graphics through points of color, called pixels. These images are usually printed as 4 color process prints and cannot be cut out of vinyl without re-designing or tracing the image on vector-based software.  [back to questions]

9.  What programs let me save in vector formats? 

Adobe Illustrator, Freehand and Corel Draw are some of the most used vector-based software.  Adobe Photoshop can export paths and some other raster-based programs may also have that ability. Vector files extensions are usually EPS, PDF, or AI.  [back to questions]

10. When do I save a raster image, and when do I save as Vector?
    

Vector files are mainly used for vinyl cutting, but vector is always the best choice when designing. It is usually easy to change and will keep its resolution at any size, since it is based on shapes and lines rather than points of color. Keep in mind that certain effects are often based on resolution, even when designing in vector, and may lose resolution when enlarged. Vector images are usually easier and quicker to modify. Raster images should be used for photographic material. It is possible to have a mixed file, designed in vector (text) with some elements in raster (photos). When saving the file, vector graphics can be saved as vector or raster art, but raster graphics can only be saved as raster. Vector is always preferable to raster for its higher flexibility when it comes to changing information or resizing the art.  [back to questions]

11.  How should I give you my artwork?

Vector art is always preferred for its smaller size and higher flexibility. EPS, PDF and AI are the most common formats. For 4-color process prints, a high resolution raster file such as TIF, JPG or BMP will do. (Recommended resolution is 100 - 150 dpi at final size). All text should be converted to curves / outlines and any pictures used in the artwork should be embedded in the file and not just linked to it. If you can't convert the text to curves / outlines or embed the pictures, you will need to send us the font files and any pictures used in the job along with your file. Once text is converted to curves they are no longer editable, so make sure you keep an original back-up in case any information needs to be changed in the future. [back to questions]

12.  Do you accept "Zip, Jazz, CDs, or Super Disk"? 

We accept CDs, DVDs and flash drives. We are sorry but at this time we do not accept Zip, Jazz, Floppy or Super Disks.   [back to questions]

13. What's the largest file size I can email you?
 

We can accept up to 8 megs through our email. If you have a larger file, we suggest burning it on a CD or using our FTP site to upload the file. Call us for our FTP site information at (713) 682.7979.   [back to questions]

14. Why shouldn't I use my web site images for signs?

Web images are often produced for speed, not quality. Web designers reduce picture resolution so websites will load quickly. Pictures found in websites are generally low-resolution raster files that will not produce acceptable graphics when enlarged for print. Unless the web graphics are large high-resolution files, they will not produce good results.  [back to questions]

15. How should I save my artwork files?

Vector is the preferred format. Raster files work great if the art will be printed in 4-color process (75-150dpi at final size). When designing in Vector, ensure that all text is converted to outlines and any pictures used in the artwork are embedded in the file and not just linked to it. Please call us at (713) 682-7979 if you have any questions, and one of our knowledgeable staff will help you with your artwork.   [back to questions]

16. Can you put my logo on my banner or sign?

Yes!  If you are ordering a vinyl lettered banner or sign with graphics, we require a vector format file. We will be printing your logo on the banner/sign and can use almost any high quality logo artwork.   [back to questions]

17. What size should my banner be?

We can make banners to almost any size that you need.  The best way is to determine how far away your viewing audience will be and make sure the lettering is large enough for reading.  (See distance & Sizing chart )