big idea

Photo of the week

2012-01-16T08:00:00.001-06:00

Mississippi Reflections

©DavinBrandt - Big Idea

The uniqueness of this image is that it was shot on January, 10th 2012. In Downtown Saint Paul, MN

Photo of the week

2012-01-10T09:05:00.001-06:00

"Busy Evening in Saint Paul"

©copyright - Big Idea

Display Signs - a neat trick for seamless displays

2012-01-09T12:01:00.002-06:00

Have you ever had a need for a display sign that exceeds a substrate dimension?

Most sign sheet materials come in 8' or 10' lenghts. The exception of which is rolled lexan. When working with signs that need to be seamless, and over the 10' there are few options. Now, add in that the sign needs to be rigid and you just about ruled out all your senseable options. Sure lexan seams to be the first bet here, but it is not rigid and can bow or flex if not supported on all sides evenly.

Here is a solution we created for the project pictured here. First, produce a rigid sign base substrate. In this case we are using a dibond product. It is super smooth, rigid, easy to fabricate, and lightweight. We then mount the dibond to the wall surface. In this case we used 3M VHB double sided tape - super strong.

Second, we produced our graphic image onto a vinyl film with a special over laminate designed to keep the vinyl rigid. This vinyl is then applied to the dibond surface. The laminate used is the key that holds this project together. Without the special laminate, you would be able to see the seam between the two dibond pieces. Using this special laminate makes our seam virtually invisible, giving us the illusion of a continuous sign header spanning over 16'!

Trade Show Banners - The simple solution.

2011-12-22T09:21:00.000-06:00

Do you have plans to represent your company at a trade show exhibit this winter? If so, do you have your display in order? If not, you have several low cost solutions available that can be extremely effective in gaining increased exposure, the most popular of whic is a backdrop banner.

The most important aspect of a trade show booth is getting your business noticed. many trade show booths have a good start at this. We all have seen them, big, colorful, lots of cool graphics, lights, and even 3D props. These can all be effective, but they must be used properly otherwise the most important message is lost - your company name.

Too often trade show marketing company's fail to keep the focus on the business, rather the focus on the frills. Keeping a company's name as the main focal point is first on our agenda. You can have all the bells and whistle you want in your booth, but all promotional attempts are lost if the customer can't easily identify your company and what you do. Stay focused on you!

So, here is what we do - provide clarity on your company name first. This is offen done with some sort of backdrop banner, raised flag banner, or show headers. Sometimes it is really simple, like the banner shown here, other times it can be pretty elaborate, it is all dependent on needs and budget.

Once we have your company's identity taken care of, we provide simply clarity on the who, what, where. This part usual is a combination of a tag line, bullet points and product samples and props. The key here is making sure there is balance between name recogniton and your visual props and samples.

Banners and signs are only one portion of many options for your next trade show exhibit. They do however provide a great way to have your company name displayed boldly for all to see. Click here for more info on banners from Big Idea.

Picture of the week

2011-12-21T19:07:00.001-06:00

Moon over Miller

Product Photography at Big Idea

2011-12-12T19:58:00.000-06:00

One of the more creative things we provide here at Big Idea coincides with most of our product development projects - product photography. The subject matter we have photographed is really diverse. We have shot everything from chemotherapy treatment devices to fishing lures, all of which is photographed by Big Idea employees.

Pictured here is one of several image in a series of merchandise items for local brewery, Bank Brewing Co. To help keep the tone of the product and the brand it represents, we decided our "set" needed to be afield.

This particular shoot was produced entirely on location on the prairie country of South Dakota, tricky stuff if you are familiar with SD weather. Though the image portrays a nice warm hunting feel as planned, the temperature was a crisp 20f with bone chilling 25mph winds. Our tough-guy model was quick to put the gloves and fleece beanie on after this series. The up side is he was able to shoot at plenty of Roosters!

Photo of the week

2011-12-12T07:22:00.003-06:00

Up on the Roof
©Big Idea - Davin Brandt

2011-12-05T09:03:00.020-06:00

An evening in Rice Park

Customer feedback

2011-11-21T17:05:00.001-06:00

Here is some nice feedback we received today from one of our clients - Vertin Youth & Family Services. You can find more customer feedback at our website or by clicking here.

"I worked with Davin at Big Idea Signs. I am a first-year business and was in need of an outdoor and smaller indoor sign. Davin was kind enough to consider my position as a business in its first year, and the fact that I had no experience in selecting or purchasing signs. Davin met me at my office to assess my needs. He was personable and kind, and always gave me his full attention during our exchanges. He sent me a few options from which to choose, and offered his guidance every step of the way as to what might look best and which sign was the best choice from an advertising perspective. Once I decided and received the estimate, he installed my signs immediately. They look amazing! I am very pleased.

It is always a relief to receive a solid, beautiful product, but it means even more when the money is paid to someone that you feel cares about you and your business. That was my experience with Davin. I would highly recommend Davin and Big Idea Signs to anyone looking for signage. I know I will utilize Big Idea Signs again for any of my future advertising needs."

Event Signage

2011-11-02T13:38:00.002-05:00

Pictured here is a display sign we recently produced for the SMIRLS Uncorked Fundraiser.

The display signs of today not only shine over there predecessors, they usually are less expensive too.

The sign pictured here is 22" x 28". 15 years ago this sign would have had to have been produced by screen-printing or utilizing cut vinyl films with multiple overlays. The cost, back then, would have run easily in the $100.00 range.

Today, we have technology that not only can produce the vibrant colors and fine graphic, it is also much less expensive. With our direct printing process we are able to offer unlimited colors at no extra charge too - pretty sweet deal.

Davin with Kent Hrbek Outdoors

2011-09-22T09:22:00.001-05:00

With fall fishing on the minds of many of us here, we thought we would post this link we found of our owner, Davin Brandt. He was the special guest guide on KHO a couple years ago as they fished steelhead on the North Shore of Minnesota's Lake Superior.

If Davin is not in the shop or working on location with clients he is usually on a river or lake somewhere. This time of year you may also have to look to the fields of South Dakota. Hey, has anyone seen him yet today? Oh, wait, his truck is still here, but then again it is only Thursday.

The link below should take you to one of the videos. If you look hard enough (YouTube) you may also see his appearance on Cook What you Catch with Randy Meier.
http://minnesotasteelheader.blogspot.com/2011/08/videosfinally-online.html

Interior signs

2011-09-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

OK, so this picture from a phone is not the greatest, but you get the idea, don't you?

This project has been a sort of work in progress that we have been working on with our friends at Webknowledgy. These 2' x 4' signs are proudly displayed at Calvary Lutheran Church and are a great exhibit of the professional fine-art quality of our printing.

Each picture involves our direct print digital print process. You can't tell in the image here, but the red and white identical signs are directly printed on our 1/4" thick white sign grade plastic. The other 3 signs were done last year and produced on a removable, adhesive backed window film. They are applied to clear 1/4" acrylic panels. Stay tuned we will have close up images so you can see the incredible detail we are able to reproduce.

Picture of the week

2011-09-08T10:24:00.002-05:00

"Saturday Stroll"

Coroplast Yard Signs

2011-09-07T10:20:00.000-05:00

Pictured here is a project we just finished up this morning - ready for delivery.What you see is a stack of digitally printed coroplast (corrugated plastic) signs. The picture does not quite do the detail justice but the individual recycle items pictured printed superbly!

Note that when you get signs like this digitally printed, not all printers print with the same quality. This is a prime example of you get what you pay for. What you will often find is that some outfits will reduce the print quality in order to speed up the production line. We don't. If you want cheap and fast, expect a less quality graphic, and you have plenty of sources online to order direct. We stick with printing that will maximize your image or message brilliantly.

Oh, and this project was not crazy in price either. In fact it came in less than our close competition... sure you can get them cheaper on line - buyer beware.

Photo of the Week

2011-08-26T13:24:00.000-05:00

Photo of the Week

"High Falls"

Taken in Northern Minnesota

© Big idea

Backdrop Event Banners

2011-08-06T09:39:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple shots from the Jack Brewer Foundation blue carpet event held last month. The project involved creating two separate backdrop step and repeat banners, one for the blue carpet runway, the other for the MC stage.

This particular banner was produced on a special fabric banner material ideal for this exact application. The size of this was a whopping 8' x 10' fit specifically to a portable backdrop display frame system.

Backdrop step and repeat banners are a great way to expand branding opportunities and highlight sponsors/contributors, especially for events that have any media coverage. There are several types of banner materials used for these backdrop banners. The key: understanding the displays function, installation method, and project budget. A grasp of the prior gets us focused on the best material for each specific project.

Dimensional wall logos

2011-08-05T11:24:00.000-05:00

Pictured here is a 3 dimensional wall logo project we recently completed. What is unique about this particular project is that we did not install this, our client did!

What you see here is our 1/2" thick PVC plastic. The face has a 1/16" brushed aluminum laminated to the surface giving this project a really sharp look. Once the Aluminum is laminated to the PVC, we router out the image, clean up the edges, and prepare for installation. For this particular project we needed to prep the image for a simple as possible installation as this project was getting shipped 1800 miles to its final destination - Hollywood, Florida.

Thursday we received this picture and a note from the business owner saying, "it looks AMAZING". Our client installed this project himself. With some common sense, a bit of patience, and the aid of our installation template, he had this wall logo up well under an hour. Having never installed anything like this before he said it actually went up rather easily. On top of that, he saved over $200.00 not having to hire a local installer to do the work for him!

We have produced many dimensional wall logos over the years. They are a great way to enhance company branding as well as dress up an interior wall, conference room or reception area. The options are endless, from simple black our white plastics to a patina finished solid brass, and a boat load of options in between.

Check out our website for more sample and material options.

Event Signs - More color for less...

2011-08-01T11:51:00.000-05:00

Yes, it is possible - more color for less than you paid in the past! How is this possible? Technology is making the printing and sign world more economical.

Fifteen years ago or so, a sign similar to what you see pictured here would have cost approx. 3 times what is would today, and the imaging would not even come close to what today's technology can provide.

The sign pictured here was a quick-turn project for us that needed to be produced on a rigid material yet be lightweight, low cost, able to withstand rain, and above all have sharp, smooth color imaging. Seems impossible that all this could actually be produced at one time. This was right up our ally. We have a material that we use especially for this type of application.

As you see in this image the sign stands nice and rigid and displays the fine print and color gradations brilliantly. The secret here is in the sign substrate and our really awesome direct to substrate color printing. No gluing laminated posters to fragile art boards or vinyl sticker applications to plastic sign boards. This printing process that we use is clean, resilient and cuts out all those expensive old school steps.

With direct printing, the right substrate, and a creative thinker, troublesome event signage is a thing of the past... at least it is at Big Idea.

Funny Sign

2011-07-29T11:48:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of a funny banner we discovered. I can't help but wonder what is on the other sided of this ...

MDO - Still a great choice for signage

2011-07-28T10:08:00.001-05:00

Pictured here is a before shot of a clients exterior main building sign. What you don't see is that this business is right off a major highway - thousands of passersby everyday. What you do see is a sign that is failing. Not only is it much to small for the needed viewing distance, it is not clear what this business actual does or it's name.

Upon a few conversations with our client, creating a logo, generating layout concepts, and material selection, we finalized on what you see below.

Wow! It is pretty darn crystal clear what this business does now. The new sign is not only easy to read, it cleans up the store front and emanates a professional quality that DK's hold true with their craftsmanship.

This 4' x 20' sign was produced using our MDO sign grade wood coupled with 3M pressure sensitive vinyl. Many would have produced this using direct digital printing rather than vinyl. Sure, digital would look awesome today, but 4 years form now we would have an unhappy client returning wondering why his graphics faded. Now, nothing is safe from the sun's UV rays, but the 3M vinyl, for this application, will give us the longevity our client is looking for.

Working through the design process is standard stuff in this industry. It's the added forward thinking and secondary details that we get involved with on projects to ensure each client receives the right product for their needs.

Transforming visions into brilliant identity. It's what we do.

Corporate Portraits at Big Idea

2011-07-26T17:09:00.000-05:00

One of the more unique service we offer here at Big Idea is our corporate portrait photography. This covers a pretty wide swath of imagery including product images, employee's, business development, and virtually any imagery used to help promote a business in print or online. It really is diverse!

Illustrated here is a image taking on a recent shoot for professional walleye angler, Eric Olson. This shoot was done on location out of our clients home marina on the Mississippi River out of Red Wing, MN.

The purpose of this shoot was to produce some cool imagery to be used on his personal website. and too provide his sponsor, Bank Brewing Company, with professional quality images of the boat wrap that was recently completed. The sponsor brews walleye chop beer, a local growing micro brew. If you look close you can see the boatwrap background is an image of a frothy beer. Oh, and yes, Big idea also designed the boatwrap too!

You can find Eric fishing the National Guard FLW walleye tour. Stay tuned for more great info on walleye chop beer and Bank Brewing Company in the weeks to come. We will have some exciting things to post about!

Value Proposition, with value!

2011-07-25T10:46:00.019-05:00

Hopefully your business has a value proposition in place. If not, well, that is subject for another posting. If so, displaying the proposition to your clients and visitors can be done several ways.

Our client was looking for something bold, clean and easy to read. This was not only too be viewed by clients and visitors, but as a reminder to the employees... we had a Big Idea. What you see here is the result of some creative collaborating with our client to produce an eye catching wall display version of their Value Proposition. The project would be displayed in a strategic location to accent wall space and present the proposition elegantly.

In producing this project we had to watch a tight budget and yet create some display signage that was still full of some WOW. What you see in this picture is the use of 3 different mediums: digital direct printing, CNC cut dimensional lettering and 3M matte white vinyl wall lettering. The combination of these three mediums along with proper sizing not only adds some interesting depth to the project, it reduced the overall project cost in materials and installation time.

The client loved it so much they ordered two!

J. Walkers - AM Heart Association HeartWalk 2011

2011-06-02T16:06:00.000-05:00

Hot off the press...literally!

If you watch FOX 9 news you may have caught a special report last night as to what this project is all about. This is year 2 for Big Idea's involvement with this cause. We created the team name and the cool logo design for this great team that will walk in this weekends American heart Association HeartWalk.

Check out this link to read more about the report.

Go J. Walkers!

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/health/target-field-to-host-heart-walk-jun-1-2011

Retractable Display Banners

2011-05-18T07:48:00.001-05:00

Pictured here is a display banner campaign we produced for Hazeltine Golf Club - each at 3' x 7' tall. The banners, in retractable aluminum stands, are part of a display campaign to be used at events and trade shows.

We used a combination of supplied photos and images taken by our staff here at Big Idea. Coupled with some creative verbiage and these banners become effective marketing tools.

The stands used are one of our favorite retractors. They come with a solid base, sturdy vertical supports and two means of attaching the banner to the stand. Most stands use only a two sided tape. Our stands combine a two sided tape and a pressure plate to allow options and extra security.

Custom Yard Signs

2011-05-17T16:30:00.000-05:00

Pictured here is a custom yard sign we recently produced. The sign is produced using our state-of-the-art print system and a unique aluminum exterior grade 3mm sign board.

The frame is one of our standards that you will not see very often as most sign makers stick with the standard square or rectangular frames.  A simple change in sign shape can really have an impact and help your image pop out from the rest.

Oh, this frame system does not use screws!  A lot of frames require the sign to be screwed to the frame, leaving screw ends to scratch sign surfaces when transporting or storing. Screws are also notorious for rusting and leaving those awful rust streaks on your signs.

Our panels simply slip into place with this unique design. We have about a dozen or so different shape frames available for your next sign project.

Photo of the Week

2011-04-29T09:50:00.017-05:00

The yellow moss road

A truly biodegradable banner

2011-03-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

Pictured here is an event banner that was produces for last weeks St Patrick's day celebration held in Downtown St. Paul, MN. The banner was a whopping 20' long and prominently displayed on a Private party tent.

what is unique about this banner is not the size, or the vibrant printed colors, or even the discreet way it was hung. what makes this banner unique is actually within it's environmentally friendly make up.

We call this banner materials our Bio13. It contains no toxic materials and more than 80% of the content of this material is derived from sources other than petroleum.

What sets this material apart from other "Green" materials is that the BIO13 will decompose when properly disposed of in a well managed landfill. When exposed to the darkness, high heat and moisture of a landfill, this material attracts microbes that break down the PVC and turn it into dust.

There are lots of banner options available these days. If you are looking for a "greener" solution then our BIO13 is perfect for those projects requiring high print quality, durability and truly recyclable.

Photo of the Week

2011-03-16T16:00:00.001-05:00

Event Signage and Displays

2011-03-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

Conference Signage is a big part of what we do here at Big Idea. Pictured here in the background is a popular display stand that has been featured here at Big Idea for the last year. There are tons of stands like this on the market today. For this style we use only one - it's a quality thing.

This particular compact unit is very versatile. The image you see is a full color, single sided digital printed vinyl banner. Notice how rich the terra cotta look is. No post processing of the image either - came direct from our client. The stand is a retractable unit that can adjust from 29" to 83" in height. It utilizes a unique stand that conveniently is stored along side the display during storage. On top of all that we supply the unit with a durable carrying case.

This system is I deal for the company that has a display that needs to be mobile and easy to set up. Stay tuned as we will have pictures up soon of a current display system in the works.

Fishing For Knowledge has a new look!

2011-02-18T09:58:00.003-06:00

Shown here is a logo we recently completed for Fishing for Knowledge, a group that was created by the Finlayson / Giese Sportsman's club and the Hinckley / Finlayson school district. Their goal is to share their love for the outdoors with others through education.

The folks at Fishing for Knowledge came to us looking for assistance with some of their identity issues. After a few discussions and review of their current program, we proposed a new strategy and direction for the group. The challenge for Fishing for Knowledge was trusting in us that our proposal of a new logo would improve their image. The identity we developed was based on creating a professional image that was bold, easy to reproduce over a wide range of print and electronic mediums, and visually appealing to both youth and adults.

We successfully accomplished the task. The logo is currently in full use. This simple design was very cost effective in producing vehicle graphics. The simple colors are breeze for screen printed and embroidered apparel. The bold look allowed the groups banner to be easily identified from a great distance, and the clean look of the logo looks great on the various social media outlets available.

Reflections from a photo shoot

2011-01-13T15:53:00.000-06:00

Here is a fun shot from one of our corporate portrait photography projects. If you know corn you should be able to even tell what time of year this was shot.

Our Corporate Portrait Photography will take us just about anywhere and to just about any situation or climate. The problem with going just about anywhere is getting out of photo-mode while in transit - almost impossible. Quite often we see something that just can't be passed up, leaving us to pull over and shoot. This is why we always allow plenty of time from point A to point B.

In this case we could not pass up on some interesting scenery. I believe this was point A5 on this particular excursion. Stay tuned for what was actually shot by the photographer.

Step and Repeat Banner Solutions

2010-12-28T21:09:00.000-06:00

Pictured here is another one of our Step and Repeat backdrop banners. What you don't see is the portable frame system that we also provided.

This system is really pretty cool. The banner frame system works on tension to expand the frame up to 10 wide and 8' tall, yet it all collapses into a nice carrying bag. The banner is a light weight material that is specially designed and manufactured to work with this type of support. Heavy vinyl banners are destine for failure under this particular display application.

This particular project was completed for our friends at Brewer Sports International. The step and repeat banner and frame show here was used at the Wellness 10k™ Launch Party Hosted by E.J. Henderson & Sidney Rice.

Our Latest Website Client

2010-11-12T11:44:00.001-06:00

Paula Elert Photography.

Pictured here is a screen shot of her new website home page.

We began working with Paul this past spring developing a logo and working on an outline for her online marketing plans, much of which focuses on her website and online social networking.

Her new website consists of several custom designed link pages that her clients can easily navigate. It also also includes the "behind the screen" effective keywords and website data critical to search engine discovery. Today we will be submitting her website to all theh quality search engines and online directories to further improve her online search ranking.

Honoring a Veteran

2010-11-11T10:49:00.002-06:00

I hope you found time in your busy day to reflect on the importance of this honorable day. We sure did and we are thankful for all who have served this blessed country of ours.

Over the years I have meet many who have not known anyone who has served this country through one of our military branches. I have also meet many who have never walked up to thank a solder or veteran for the service they gave or our giving.

With so many great heroes out there I thought it would be appropriate to share with you one Medal of Honor recipients citation, this one from a not so popular war. His name is Ed Freeman.

Not only has Captain Freeman received a Medal of Honor for his valiant acts of heroism in Vietnam but he also lived to receive it. Captain Freeman also fought in WWII and in Korea, most notably at the horrific battle of Porkchop Hill where he was 1 of the 14 of 256 soldiers who survived the first stage of that battle.

Here is how Captain Ed Freeman's official Medal of Honor Citation reads:.

"Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, without which they would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers -- some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman's selfless acts of great valor, extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army."

May Captain Freeman and all who have served this great country be eternally blessed.

Large format Banners

2010-11-04T09:58:00.000-05:00

This picture gives you a bit of reference to the size of banners we are capable of. Yes, that guy breathing fire in the background is printed on our indoor smooth banner material
This particular banner was one of two produced for the Eye Believe fundraising Production held in Florida. The fire and ice (not shown) were a whopping 8'wide x 10'tall. They were installed using banner poles at the top and bottom of the banner, allowing each to freely suspend.

What we are particularly proud of is the continued quality of the detail in our printing capabilities. Note too that it always helps when you start off with a good high-resolution photograph.

Retail Counter Wraps

2010-10-13T08:45:00.000-05:00

Retailers have generally overlooked one of the key locations for marketing - the counter face.

Sure we have all seen the easel-backed signs and acrylic displays that accompany most retail checkout counters, but what about the counter face?

Displayed in this picture are great examples of counter-face marketing pieces. These graphic displays are at each checkout and are clearly visible to every customer that walks in the door.

The nuts and bolts behind this project are pretty basic. We utilized an adhesive-backed 3M comply vinyl that has been digitally printed on a high resolution printer. Upon printing, we applied a clear laminate to the printed image. This added laminate not only helps in the installation process, but also acts as a protective coating, giving this marketing piece a few extra years of life if needed.

You are welcomed to visit our friends at Great Harvest Bread to get an up close view of this project. Warning: it smells pretty darn good in this bakery.

Step and Repeat backdrop Banner

2010-09-26T21:52:00.001-05:00

Here is a picture from the Minnesota Monthly Annual BEST of the Twin Cities Celebration Party held at the W in Minneapolis a couple weeks ago.

What you see is another example of our popular step and repeat backdrop banners being displayed behind some lovely ladies. This particular project came complete with the designed display banner, custom hem work and an elegant display frame system. Models not included...

we invite you to check back in Mid October as we are working on a really cool large Backdrop banner campaign for the EYE Believe Benefit being held Oct. 15th in Dania Beach, FL.

This will be a great representation of the quality of our photo reproduction capabilities on a grand format scale.

Light the Town Pink Posters

2010-09-22T15:45:00.002-05:00

Here is a picture of a poster project we recently completed. The posters were printed on both a photographic poster paper, single and double sided, as well as 12pt card stock (pictured here). The quality on the print process is really something else.... you really have to see the poster to appreciate.

The posters are being used at retail point of purchase (POP) displays to help Promote the "Light the town Pink", a campaign to remind of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

You can find our handy print work at your local ACE hardware stores as Superman did today.

You can find more information on this campaign from our friends at WCCO Radio

Backlit Signage

2010-09-10T09:15:00.000-05:00

Pictured here is a project in the works, somewhat of a before and after I guess you could call it. To be more specific, I am referring to the white space on the lower half of the sign. The top half is a project completed several years ago for a long time client, Greater Frogtown CDC.

What you are looking at in this picture is a translucent white pan style sign face that is secured in a cabinet frame. What you do not see are the ballasts and fluorescent tube lighting that will illuminate this sign during the low light and evening hours.

Back in the day these graphics would have been either screen printed or painted on the sign surface. Today, or I should say 6 years ago in the case of the graphics shown, we use a specialty translucent vinyl film to create the graphics and lettering. Most of the films we use are made by 3M but there are a few other manufactures that produce a similar product. As you can see from the photo, the colors are rich and vibrant. In this case the colors are also spot on with logo color matching.

We are currently working with a new client that will be using the white space for their business logo. We will help our client develop a layout that obviously fits the space but also displays their corporate identity in a clear easy to read format. Stay tuned to see how we go about adding the new graphics to this sign.

If the current sign has you curious about what Greater Frogtown is all about you can find more on our client and their Gala in the Garden event on Sept. 16 in St. Paul, MN by clicking the links.

Window Identity - part 2

2010-09-01T15:25:00.001-05:00

Here is another interesting piece of window identity we produced. This was an interior display project at the KARE 11 studio. The overall size of this glass structure is approx. 4' x 8'

Window Identity - part 1

2010-08-21T15:13:00.005-05:00

Illustrated here is some of our custom interior window identity. We have created everything from simple company logo awareness to elaborate designs and imagery.

Stay tuned as we bring you more pictures of some of the creative solutions we have produced.

Photo of the Week

2010-08-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

an interesting picture from a client photo shoot this spring.

Banners that workout!

2010-07-14T20:32:00.006-05:00

Here is a shot of a banner that works for two.

With the never ending need to watch spending, a business owner and building owner combined their efforts to cover up a sore spot, advertise a summer special, and market some available office space.

The old Boulevard Theater recently had a need to remove some prior tenant signage. This signage involved back lit channel lettering that had been place on the marquee face. removing these will most likely leave a real eye sore to the surface. Our goal hear was not only to provide an effective advertisements and marketing solution but to also cover up some unsightly sign wounds.

After determining what the individuals needed to display we put our heads together and came up with the clever solution to combine the two messages into one banner. The trick though was not to confuse people into thinking that Anytime fitness was leasing space. This might alarm people into thinking Anytime was going away.

As you can see from the picture we came up with a simple solution involving two contrasting color fields, giving the illusion that there are two separate banners on the marquee. Combining these two message on one banner not only saved on print cost it also saved on the installation time and expense.

Sand blasted signs

2010-07-09T09:26:00.000-05:00

With more an more people turning to digitally produced signage these days it is no surprise that the uniqueness factor of this technology may soon start to fade.

One such sign process is still going strong and has not lost its classic and elegant look. Pictured here is a sand-blasted sign we recently produced. Notice how nice it looks compared to a steel sign with red text and outline. This not only is a very effective sign but it looks good with the landscaped architecture as well.

We have all see our share of vehicle wraps, full color parade banners, and large banner murals at stadiums. Though there is a place for the digital, there is also a place for the sand-blasted look.

Sand-blasted, or sometimes referred to as routered signs, fit several identity needs.

• First - they flat out will out-live a digitally printed sign. the paint with fade in time, as does the finish on your car, but the sign can easily be repainted. Digital cannot.

• Second - the cedar, redwood or foam we use is ideal for exterior use - all weather.

• Third - We call it elegant dimension. It is the only sign type that can give you a natural single or double sided dimensional sign. With the raised or recessed letters and graphics, sand-blasted signs give you an eye catching effect that the standard 2D signs cannot.

We have all seen these signs around. Next time you see one take a close look at the detail and if you get a chance, ask the owner how effective it has been in presenting a positive identity. I bet you will be replied with a smile.

Full print now available for Drum Heads!

2010-06-18T13:33:00.004-05:00

Here is a shot of a recent printed Drum head we produced. No that is not a sticker.

What is unique about our printing method is our ability to print directly on the head itself. This is a tricky process due to the dimensional shape and the flexibility of the actual head material not to mention the cut-out and raised gasket.

Though the majority of the graphics we do for drum heads are still in vinyl, we are pleased we can provide cutting edge band logo reproduction without having the look of a decal. With our state of the art print process and a bag of print process tricks, we are proud to be the first that we know of to offer this reproduction process - a direct print to head process. What added bonus to this process is the translucent effect you also get. A cool option on a dark stage - only thing seen is the rear illuminated drum head.....

This process may not be for everyone but it sure adds a professional image second to no other. Whether you are looking for a simple logo or the full flood option, we are here to help you and your band get noticed!

A thanks from team J walkers

2010-06-11T13:22:00.000-05:00

Here is a thank you picture we received from team J.Walkers at the recent American Heart Association Heart Walk event held at the MN Twin's Target Field.

It was reported that the J. walkers had the best T shirts out of all that were seen. Some of the praise came from other teams, some from corporate representatives and most noted, from the target field staff.

We were honored and happy to have created such a well received logo for the team and look forward to be apart of the team in the future.

Window Lettering

2010-05-18T15:16:00.000-05:00

Pictured here is a project we recently completed to an interior office space at the International Market Square Building, Downtown Minneapolis, MN.

This was a fun and challenging project for us. The client was looking to make a bold branding impact yet not get obnoxious. She also needed to have the colored vinyl to be able to let light and color pass through.

After working close with our client's designer we came up with what you see pictured here. We incorporated 3M translucent, opaque and the dusted crystal (etched looking) vinyls. The results turned out beautifully and have been well received. Look close at the left side windows and you will see the subtle "swan" produced in the dusted crystal vinyl - really cool and contemporary impression.

From concept to final product

2010-05-11T14:51:00.001-05:00

Do you ever wonder what is involved in the process of getting a banner made?

Actually, it is quite simple. We typically meet with our client's via phone or in person, sometimes simply just my email. Upon reviewing the needs, including how the banner will be installed, we incorporate all the design elements into a proof - see sample proof above. A color proof is then emailed for approval, returned back with any revisions or an approval, then off to production.

Banner options today are not what they use to be. We have well over a dozen available fabrics alone. Most recently added to our line is our Eco-banner stock. Click here for more information on this cool product. We also have a relatively new direct full color process of printing our banners. This method of printing is illustrated in the above picture.

Concert VIP Passes

2010-04-30T10:50:00.008-05:00

Pictured here is a unique project we recently completed - VIP concert badges for a corporate event.

We were approached to produce a hanging VIP badge that would be comfortable yet classy to wear. The result was this nice lightweight VIP badge accompanied with an all black lanyard. The badges were printed on both sides.

As you can see from the picture the VIP Passes turned out perfect!

Ranger 620 Boat Wrap

2010-04-20T19:50:00.006-05:00

Here is a series of images shot from a Ranger 620 boat and trailer wrap we completed today for a tournament walleye angler. The picture at top (green surface) is the original painted boat surface, the following images display our digitally printed 3M comply printed graphics during and after installation.

The graphics we designed here incorporated the clients request of a clean looking diamond plate theme along with the sponsors name boldly represented. Design-wise this was a fairly standard type of graphic. Having said that, this is a Ranger tournament series walleye fishing boat. Ranger's are tougher to wrap than most other fishing boats because the manufacture requires that the 3 Comanche stripes are incorporated into the boat wrap graphic. This gets extremely tricky if you do not know how to design these elements into a printable graphics. As you can see though the several hours of design & prep work produced some eye catching results.

Heart Walk 2010 - Team Logo

2010-04-17T09:59:00.004-05:00

We were approached early this week to produce a Heart Walk 2010 team logo for Larson • King, LLP. They have created this team in memory of an Attorney they recently lost, Jennifer DeKarske. The team will be raising money during the American Heart Association Heart Walk in June.

After meeting to discuss the logo T-shirt idea with Larson • King staff, our designer produced the images you see here. We took into account Jennifer's personality, and created this fun logo in honor of her memory. We will be printing the two color graphics on some nice white T-shirts in hopes to really stand out in the crowd. Check back in June to see the final results of this wonderful project.

If any of you wish to learn more about helping with the battle of heart disease through the Heart Walk 2010 click here.

Drum Head Follow up

2010-03-29T22:12:00.004-05:00

Pictured here is the same drum head being worked on in the previous post only now it is installed on the drum and ready for action.

Business Identity - not just for the corporate world

2010-03-12T08:10:00.000-06:00

Some of the business identity we produce here may not be consider "business" to some but for our clients it sure is.

Pictured here is a great example of a not so mainstream identity project yet a niche we have been known for in the music world- drum head logos. What you see here is a 24" clear bass drum head. We were contacted by it's owner and band member of: we became actors. With a big show coming up there was a need to get the band name noticed. Time was critical on this project. We developed a quick solid logo that would be easy to read yet fit the style of the band and drum kit. What you see here is the final product, a matte finished black vinyl, being applied to the drum head. The whole project took about 48 hours from logo design to final application and just in time for last nights gig.

Just what is Business Identity anyway?

2010-03-02T20:26:00.012-06:00

Providing business identity is really the foundation of our business. Most people think that Identity is just coming up with a good logo. Though that is a key component, it is not the only aspect of a company's identity.

I will Use Paula • Elert Photography as an example of what Business Identity entails through Big Idea.

Paula contacted us in need of some business identity for her new Photography business. After some one-on-one consulting we outlined a plan to approach what she felt was an overwhelming task. We started first with creating her image - A logo. The logo, pictured here, displays an elegant professionalism along with a bit of Paula's colorful personality. With a solid logo we were off to a great start. next on the agenda is putting this logo to good use, getting it in front of potential clients. We have developed a business card, envelope & letterhead layout as well as the beginnings of her website for starters.

It doesn't stop here. We have plans to create some vehicle graphics that will add to her visual presence 24/7/365. We also have plans ready for postcard mailers and a brochure. When the time is right and Paula takes part in trade events we will move forward with our booth design complete with back drop banner, easel signs and large format prints of her work.

As you can see, business identity is not really just about a logo, it is a process of creating and producing your professional image in a way that will create curiosity and intrigue in the eye of potential clients. Sometimes it is a logo other times it might be a simple directional sign, office directory or maybe even a product lable. Whatever it may be you can bet we have a Big idea ready to be seen.

Small Business Rewards

2010-03-01T16:46:00.001-06:00

Most of our clients here at Big Idea are small businesses. Some of who have been at it for decades and some just starting out. What they all share in common, unlike Washington, is working with tight budgets and keeping expenses under control.

Pictured here is a store front of Forte Drums. The guys at forte are just opening up shop. They came to us in need of some exterior sign face replacement - one of our specialties. Since these guys are handy with tools and ladders they were willing to do a bit of work to help keep the sign project within their budget. They decided to supply their own sign grade polycarbonate sign face and install it themselves, something we had no problem with. What we provided was some design consulting, translucent vinyl lettering and on-sight vinyl application.

After getting to forte, and moving some of their hand made drums, our installer laid the sign face right there on the floor and carefully worked around the shops inventory. Upon completion of the vinyl application and packing up the truck, our installer turned to snap this shot...the guys at Forte Drum had their sign up and working in no time.

By the way this sign came in at less than 50% off the original estimated project cost. This was done simply by being creative and having a Big Idea.

As you can see the end result turned out great!

Fishing with MN Twins #14

2010-02-11T09:27:00.004-06:00

Update for the fishing fans out there. Our owner, Davin Brandt, can bee seen fishing on Kent Hrbek Outdoors this week. In fact it airs tonight on the FSNorth network at 7PM.

The show is about fishing the rivers of Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior for the elusive Steelhead, a migratory Rainbow trout. Learn more about the fishery at minnesotasteelheader.com

This picture was shot while scouting a few rivers a few days before the filming.

Shop Time

2010-02-10T14:10:00.003-06:00

Today we have a picture of a custom sign we recently finished for Heartland Animal Hospital.

This sign is a great illustration of our ability to produce custom shapes to our signs. This particular sign is 13' long and just under 4' in height. The material used is a 4mm Dibond® material. Click here for more info on DiBond®

What is unique about this sign is the combination of print and graphic applications. It would have been real easy to have just printed this sign, cut to shape and send off to our client, but that is not how we work. After conversing with our client we determined that the best fit would combine a digital printed background of beige and a light navy border. The graphic and text was produced utilizing 3M high performance opaque and metallic vinyl films.

The reason we went this route was to improve on the sign life, retain an eye catching appeal with the metallic highlights, and to reduce costs. Doing all this required several mock ups and conversations with our client. In the end we were able to produce an outstanding sign while saving our client a few hundred bucks.

Banners can be a nice alternative...

2010-02-08T13:22:00.001-06:00

In today's world businesses are really tightening their marketing budgets, often looking for alternative sign and print options that can produce similar results to the higher-end desired products.

Pictured here are some signs from the Minnesota State Fair. At a glance the large blue overhead sign appears to be a nice hard sign panel. However, it is not. It is actually a custom sized large format digitally printed banner. With accurate dimensions and our precise printing and finishing, custom banners like this can often substitute a hard sign under light duty exterior situations.

This particular banner has been in use now for approx 5 years. What keeps this huge banner working so well is that fact that it is only up for 2-3 weeks out of the year thus minimizing the amount of wind stress and harsh elements mother nature dishes out to us here in the Twin Cities.

Another key factor here is proper installation. I will say it again - proper installation. You can produce signs and banners using the finest materials but without a good installation you are sure to witness sign failure. This banner has been screwed directly to the building face. No ropes. No fancy adhesives tapes. With screws you can see just how tight and flat a banner can be installed.

Next time you are in need of some economical exterior signage, consult with a sign professional and ask if a banner can fulfill your needs.

Dimesional Signs

2010-01-21T20:12:00.003-06:00

Dimensional signs are really any sign that has a 3D appearance. This could be the individual raised letters that you see above a retail store. The logo on a wall at an office reception area, or even blade signs hanging in front of a boutique.

Dimensional signs come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and materials. We have produced signs in everything from sandblasted cedar wood to etched brass and just about everything in between.

Pictured here is a portion of an exterior building sign we produced late this past fall. It incorporated a custom painted aluminum panface with 1/4" thick custom cut and painted aluminum letters and tenant suite signs. The advantage producing this sign with the raised suite signs is twofold: it adds a bit more visual appeal and allows the building owner to easily replace a sign should a tenant move out or need to update there information.

Not only does this sign look great but it functions creatively well and will allow the building owner, and tenants, to save hundreds of $$$ on future sign replacements.

At Big Idea, you get what you pay for.

Window lettering in the winter

2010-01-08T14:47:00.006-06:00

Working in the State with the Northern most point in the lower 48 requires us to deal with winter. In the sign world this can pose some real problems, not so much with hanging signs but more specifically with applying adhesive backed vinyl graphics and lettering outside.

Pictured here is some exterior window lettering we did before Christmas. With the single digit temperatures we had some cold weather obstacles to overcome. The main issue was with the adhesive-back vinyl that we use, it requires temperatures well above freezing before application is recommended. This is obviously a non issue several months out of the year. However, in God's country waiting for warmth in the winter is not always possible. The business shown here needed to have hours and they needed them now.

We have been working with cold weather graphics for nearly 20 years and have developed some tricks to help get graphics like these applied even during the below freezing days of winter. Though we always recommend waiting for the warmth, you can get vinyl like this to stick but there are some steps that the end user must follow in order for the lettering to stay in place. Note too, there is a degree point were the graphics just won't stick, usually around 0° and below.

Feel free to contact us for more information on getting graphics to stick during the winter months.

Traffic Signs from Big Idea

2009-12-30T08:18:00.000-06:00

Traffic and directional signs may not be the fanciest signs out there but they do have a very important role.

Here we are pictured in our shop assembling several large traffic signs. The primary material we use here at Big Idea is a thick, highway-grade aluminum. The surface is coated with a prismatic reflective yellow vinyl for added visibility. The lettering and borders are designed from client specifications.

When creating traffic or direction signs it is important to understand the viewing audience. Signs viewed at 70 mph use a different design concept from those signs used in a parking lot. Likewise signs for fowl weather viewing should incorporate different design elements than signs for an interior parking ramp.

Nearly all of the exterior traffic and directional signs we produce have three similar elements. A strong, lightweight, non-corrosive substrate, a reflective background, and high contrasting san-serif text and graphics. With these 3 elements, and a good designer, you are sure to find signs that are easy to see and quick to read.

Photo Shoot

2009-12-11T09:54:00.003-06:00

Here is a shot of one of our friends, Eric Olson. Eric is an established professional Walleye angler. You can find more about Eric here.

Pictured here is Eric modeling some sponsorship gear. This shot was taken by our owner Davin, good friends with Eric, on the Friday after Thanksgiving. "25°f and 64 mph on the open Mississippi River is wind chill"!

Our shoot consisted of some technical Evinrude shots, tackle & lures, sponsor gear, and of course fish. Though it was a cold challenging day for a shoot, the 24+ Walleye/Sauger day made it all worthwhile.

Photo Shoot

2009-12-07T16:34:00.000-06:00

Part of our day here at Big Idea was spent on a product photo shoot. The subject was the EZ Gripper vinyl installation tool.

Here you can see this tool in action, gripping a large format digital print. Notice how taught the vinyl is. This tool is a rather unique device that really helps a person installing large vinyl graphics, keeping the graphics tight and straight for an easier application.

We had a lot of fun on this shoot and a special thanks to our hand model, Ben for helping out.

Billboard worth sharing

2009-12-07T09:57:00.002-06:00

This billboard was not produced by Big Idea though we felt it was worthy of sharing with our audience.

Store Front Identity

2009-11-30T10:00:00.002-06:00

Here we are spotted putting the finishing touches on a sign cabinet installation we completed last week in the Highland park area of St. Paul.

This sign cabinet is a custom made light-box that was designed to match our clients logo colors. With the nice paint job and translucent vinyl logo and lettering, this sign will surely be noticed illuminated or not.

Budget Sign Deja vu

2009-11-24T14:40:00.005-06:00

What a great picture!

Do you recognize who is in this picture? Let me give you a clue, they use to work together... still don't know?

Pictured here is the owner of Big Idea Signs, Davin Brandt, and former owner and founder of Budget Sign in St. Paul, MN, Wayne Blossey. Davin Worked as general manager for Wayne and subsequent owners of Budget Sign for nearly 16 years. Today was a sort of reunion in the field.

This picture was taken today after a couple of site signs were installed for Wayne's Church, Arlington Hills Lutheran Church. "Big Idea sure gave us great designs." The signs serve as a community notice for a Christmas tree lighting event held Dec. 5th.

"It was sure great to see Wayne again, it reminded me of the good old days we had together installing signs all over the twin cities." Davin was pretty excited about this project and is anxious to see Arlington's awesome tree lighting this year.

Construction Site Signs

2009-11-23T14:41:00.008-06:00

Pictured here is a unique construction site sign we installed today in the Frogtown area of St. Paul, MN. just prior to Mayor Chris Colman's address to the crowd and media.

What you see here, at this ground breaking ceremony, is an example of our direct, full color MDO sign board. This install utilizes our metal post and bracket above ground sign system. This system enables the construction site crew to maneuver the sign to different locations as needed during the construction project. It is also the installation method of choice during the winter months due to deep frost in the ground.

This sign is currently facing North during this ground breaking but will soon face south, toward the intersection of dale & University. Feel free to visit the site to see for yourself the high quality print process we are so often complimented on.

Step and Repeat Backdrop banners

2009-11-16T09:00:00.005-06:00

Pictured here is a backdrop banner we recently produced for a Red Carpet event. This type of banner is what we call a step and repeat banner. The idea here is to repeat a logo or series of logos so that during photo or video coverage a logo is always visible somewhere around the subject in the foreground.

This particular project was approximately 8' x 8' in size and digirally printed on matte finish vinyl banner stock. It was produced for Dr. James Beranek of Beranek Optometry in Hollywood, FL. He is the producer of a pretty neat annual event: Eye Believe - a benefit for The Children's Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

Helping Joseph's Coat

2009-11-14T14:08:00.006-06:00

Here is a picture that our owner, Davin Brandt, takes great pride in. This was a project he coordinated with Joseph's Coat to help increase the curb side exposure and appeal. Being a non-profit organization, the cost for this needed to be fine tuned. He was able to exceed there expectations and came way under budget for them.

What you see here is the Joseph's Coat logo created using colored 3M translucent vinyl film. This adhesive-backed film was applied on site, by Davin, one color at a time. The result is a wonderful work of art that has a stained glass look on bright sunny days. What you don't see here are the two-toned accent stripes that are on the remaining 5 windows as well as another identical window logo.

Joseph's Coat is one of the local St. Paul charities we support here at Big idea Signs. Their main objective is to dispense donated clothing, household items and hygiene products to those less fortunate than most of us. They do this for free. The staff of only 3 is supported by about 100 volunteers whose main purpose is to sort through the donated goods each Tuesday and Thursday. At the time of this post, Joseph's Coat is helping approximately 500 adults and 80 children each shopping day ( Monday and Wednesday). That is nearly 1200 people each week. Did we mention that these individuals and families get to shop at Joseph's Coat for free? We invite you to visit their website at: www.josephscoatmn.org for more information.

Table banners

2009-11-02T16:23:00.002-06:00

Here we show you an example of a banner table wrap we recently produced. The banner served two functions. One, was to hide and secure the property that was shelved under the table. Secondly, it provided a great way to help brand the business space.

Table banners offer a great option for inexpensive branding of your business or products and services. this example was used in a restaurant environment, but can work equally effective for events, trade shows, radio broadcasts, festivals and fairs and so on.

With standard reinforced sides and grommets as our standard finishing, our banners come ready to install making life a bit easier on your next project.

Photo of the Week

2009-10-26T21:21:00.000-05:00

©copyright - ninemile images

Awesome window lettering

2009-10-23T21:09:00.002-05:00

Pictured here is a great example of exterior window lettering.

The vinyl lettering used here was produced using a high performance 3M® translucent film. Our owner here at Big Idea has been working with Dr. Bierbrauer, of Bier+Brauer Chiropractic, to help his business develop a little more "curb appeal". With eye catching lettering and graphics like this it appears that our window lettering goal has been meet.

Photo of the Week

2009-10-12T21:07:00.000-05:00

Interior Office Signs

2009-10-02T22:40:00.000-05:00

Here is a sample of an interior reception desk logo sign recently created and installed.

The sign is made from a custom fabricated piece of acrylic. The graphics on the face have been created using adhesive-backed high performance vinyl films. On the back side of the acrylic is a flood coat of our dusted crystal film, giving the illusion of an etched glass look. Note too the mounting system. We used our standard barrel and puck mount system to secure the sign approximately 2" from the wall surface.

This stand-off acrylic sign system is a great option for business looking for a more visually creative way to present their image. Not only is the dimensional shape stylish but the design and mounting combinations are endless.

Need a lift?

2009-09-25T08:38:00.002-05:00

Zappa's Towing is a good choice if your vehicle needs a lift, Big Idea is a good choice if your business needs a lift.

Pictured here is Tony, the owner of Zappa's Towing. He came to us with a need to lettering up a new member of his towing fleet. With no artwork available for us to start from, but still needing his logo duplicated, we had our designer dig into the creative cap for a big idea. The results were a near perfect reproduction of the company logo and vehicle branding motif. Judging by the look on Tony's face, it appears our client was happy too.

Mesh Banners

2009-09-15T17:01:00.001-05:00

Are Wind-holes a thing of the past?

When a banner is displayed so that both sides are moving freely (free hanging), wind-holes have typically been used to help displace the wind load. Without the wind-holes to help relieve the stress at the hanging points, usually brass grommets, a banner can be subject to enormous wind loads, looking like a sail without a ship. When was the last time you noticed a sailboat anchored with it's sail up? Never. This is primarily due to the fact that the sail and/or its support mast would surely be damaged. Same is true with free hanging banners.

The whole concept behind wind-holes is that the added holes will let some of the wind pass through the banner thus relieving the amount of wind load tension the banner is forced to withstand. By relieving this tension the banner is more likely too "weather the storm" and survive to be viewed another day.

Today we still cut wind-holes in banners but only under specific situations. For the most part, our mesh banner material has replaced our standard 18oz. and 20oz. vinyl banner stock for free hanging banner situations. Our Mesh material is just that, a mesh vinyl coated banner stock. We print directly on the Mesh surface using long lasting inks. This Mesh banner material can also be hemmed in a variety of ways to fit just about every custom hanging situation.

Pictured here is an example of a mesh banner we recently produced. Notice how vibrant and legible the text an logo are with our digital printing.

Green Banners

2009-09-10T13:30:00.001-05:00

Green, eco, environmentally friendly... these are all common words in today's earth conscience society. For us it is not about being green, blue or aqua, it is about being responsible. In fact our owner tells us how he learned about environmental responsibility as a child back during the global cooling scare of the 70's when being green wasn't the "in thing" to do. " I remember annual collecting of newspapers for our school drive and buying recyclable glass bottled beverages... remember the pop shoppe?"

Here at Big Idea Signs our philosophy is simple. Be smart and respectful, and do what you can to keep from wasting and polluting. With that said check out this banner that was shot hot off the press this afternoon. Go ahead and click on the image and get a close up look, it is cool stuff! It is not our typical banner but is fast becoming the runner up - meet our Eco-fab.

The eco-fab banner material is a wonderful product that is made from 100% recycled plastic drink bottles. It is incredibly lightweight and fabric-like in texture, not stiff like some other banner materials out there. This is a great product for interior and light exterior use. It is waterproof and holds up well to the harsh elements.

Stayed tuned, we will be highlighting our other innovative environmentally friendly products over the next few months.

Scroll Bracket Sign

2009-08-28T10:59:00.001-05:00

Today we installed some signs for our client: Little Bean Photography

Pictured here is Elissa, the owner of Little Bean Photography. Along side is her new Sign, a project that we have been fine tuning over the past couple of months.

This was a fun project for us here at Big Idea. With limited store front space for signage, tight city codes to follow, and a busy highway out the front door, we had to dig into our creative bag of big ideas to come up with a sign system that not only fit the technical requirements but capturing the eyes of future customers for Little Bean Photography.

The result (pictured) is our scroll bracket sign system. This heavy duty metal material has a two sided message that is positioned perpendicular to the highway out front, visible from both the east and west bound traffic. Notice how the magenta contrast nicely next to the green on the building, allowing this sign to really pop!

Feel free to stop by and see this sign for yourself. Contact and location info is on the website here.

Minnesota State fair Signs

2009-08-20T17:12:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year again - the great Minnesota get together!

Here we are hanging a few signs at the WCCO Radio State Fair booth. Over the years our installers have hung everything from 40' roof top building signs to simple menu board lettering. Here we are hanging a schedule of events sign.

This particular sign is made from a semi-rigid plastic that hold up extremely well for exterior use and has a nice non-glare finish. This plastic also hangs flat and is extremely lightweight.

Notice the size of this sign...it's a biggie. A lot of booth owners opt for the printed banner option in this case. We are not 100% sure why this is but it most like has to do with their vendors limitations or a sales approach. Though banners are a great choice in a lot of large exterior situations, they are not always the best looking once installed. In this instance we took into consideration the installation surface before deciding on the best product for this use. Given the unevenness of the wood fence, and the close proximity to guests. This 4mm thick plastic was the best choice, and it came in under budget. Notice how flat it lays and how there is no pleating or sagging as often seen in poor banner installations.

Creative Business Identity...

2009-08-15T18:28:00.009-05:00

is not just for brick and mortar businesses.

Big Idea works with quite a few musicians and performers, helping them to improve upon their visibility both on and off the stage. Pictured here is our good friend Art "Elvis" Kistler. You can find out more about him at: http://www.elvistributeartist.com/.

Elvis performed for a nice crowd today at St. Paul park's Heritage days Festival. Pictured with the King during his performance is a quick last minute sign we created to display during his parade drive down Main Street. We created this sign to help bring more awareness to his performance.

When it comes to business identity, sometimes the little things that we do have the greatest impact.

Wrap it up?

2009-08-14T09:10:00.003-05:00

The picture here pretty much spells it out, but for those of you new to vehicle wraps, the graphics you see pictured are produced on a vinyl film. This is actually a white truck!

Wraps have really hit the market strong over the last 5 years as a means to offer a little extra eye catching effect on your vehicles. Now we have all seen wraps around town on buses and trucks and even the big semi trailers, but how about boats... You bet! Pictured here is a truck wrap for a professional walleye angler, Eric Olson. The matching 22' Ranger boat was busy on the water but you can find shots of the boat at: www.getonthewater.com

When wrapping a vehicle there are several things you, the client, should be aware of prior to making your investment If you are shopping around for wraps, first, make sure you are having the graphics installed by an expert. Just like every ting else in life quality craftsmanship is Worth it in the long run. Trust yourself on this. 2nd, ask questions! What kind of material is used? What is the warranty if any? Will you be cutting graphics directly on my vehicle? what is the life expectancy? What If I need to replace a portion of the graphics? What is the back end cost to remove?

Though vehicle wraps are not suited for all businesses or graphic message, they sure do help if you are looking for that added identity edge. you can visit our website or contact us for more info.

Interior Business Signs

2009-08-11T08:51:00.001-05:00

This is were Big Idea really has fun, working on interior business identity projects. Pictured here is a great example.

What you are looking at is a 3 dimensional logo that is displayed behind a reception desk at the St. Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau within the Xcel Energy arena.

A combination of materials were used to produce this eye catching effect. The SAINT PAUL portion utilizes an adhesive back vinyl. This is actual applied right to the finished wall surface. The rest of the logo uses a 1/2" plastic that we painted to match the logo specifications. These shapes were then carefully and methodically adhered to the finished wall. Note the interesting natural shadows that are casted with this type of sign.

This type of dimensional wall logo is an affordable way for businesses and organizations to get there brand or business name in front of people. Some key locations that we have installed these types of signs are: reception areas, clinics, conference rooms, elevator lobbies, restaurants, and retail space.

Contact us for more information.

Screen print your traffic signs?

2009-07-21T14:25:00.003-05:00

Screen printing is still the preferred method for large quantity exterior traffic and directional signage that require printing a repeated message. Sure, digital printing is the latest print technology but, it just won't stand up for the long term needs of traffic and directional signage... our screen printing will.

Our traffic signs come standard on aluminum. Steel is available, we just prefer the light weight and rust-free characteristics of aluminum. We have several thickness of aluminum available from the thin real estate aluminum blanks to the highway grade traffic signs.

All painted signs have either a baked on enamel finish or use the efficient technology of powder coating. The inks we use are specifically formulated to hold up in tough conditions for years of use. Looking for reflective? Not a problem. Reflective, glow-in-the-dark, fluorescent, metallic, custom shapes, logos and, short runs are all in a day’s work.

Big Banners at Big idea

2009-07-20T16:43:00.004-05:00

Today we spent some time in the shop working on a large format banner update. The banner was originally digitally printed onto a vinyl banner material . With time, the business had changed their phone number and revised their web address. Not sure what to do, our client contact the Big Idea sales staff for some creative consulting. After a brief meeting our staff provided them with the most economical fix - a vinyl decal patch. Since the original digital print process is permanent, this is about the only option shy of a redo.

The customer brought us the banner, within a few days we sized it, designed it, printed it and applied the adhesive-backed decal. Pictured here you can see that we really get into and onto our work.

Stay tuned, we will post pictures of the final banner once installed.

Coroplast yard signs

2009-07-19T14:58:00.002-05:00

Careful! Not all coroplast signs are created equal.

You have seen the coroplast (corex) sign product for years now. They have pretty much been the standard for political signs during the past several years. Though popular for political campaigns they are also quite extensively used in the building and contractors world.

From roofing and siding companies to yard services and window cleaners, it seems as though the coroplast sign are fast becoming the go too sign material of choice. What makes coroplast so popular is it's low cost, light-weight yet extremely rigid construction and it's outstanding weather resistant make up. What makes our corolast signs shine above the rest is in the product we use and print process.

Not all corolast is created equal. For instance, we use 3 different white coroplast sign boards, each has it's place in the sign world. When you contact Big Idea we will ask what you are using the signs for and what type of life your signs will need. Couple that information with the text, logos and colors on the sign and we will determine the best product and print process for your needs. All our signs are printed to last out in the harsh UV light...they won't fade in 30 days as some others will. In fact, most of our coroplast signs will last for years and years, wearing out before fading appears.

Next time you need yard signs consider coroplast. When calling around for estimates remember to make sure you are getting quotes, apples to apples. As with anything in life if it appears to be to good of deal, beware.

Window Lettering

2009-07-17T14:38:00.002-05:00

Window letter can be a bonus or bust for your business.

Lettering a window or series of windows can be a great way to promote or identify your business. From the simple business hours to detailed graphics marketing your products, good window markings can be extremely effective.

The most important issue to address when thinking about window lettering is whether the graphics or lettering should be place on the front (first surface) or back (2nd surface) of the glass. Both options have there pro's and con's. We recommend consulting a sign professional to point out the options for your specific needs.

From our experience, there are too many situations we come across were poor advice or no advice was given. Did you know that most glass for exterior use has somewhat of a tinting to it and all glass has reflective qualities? Take a look at the picture shown. This is lightly tinted glass, not mirrored glass. Due to the lighting on the day the picture was take you can see the role ambient light plays on the reflective quality of the glass. Remember the glass is not mirrored. The lettering pictured was placed on the outside of the glass. The reason: readability. If the lettering was on the inside, the reflective nature of the glass and tint would "diffuse" the legibility of the lettering.

In a nut shell, most graphics and lettering designed for an exterior audience should be applied to the exterior surface of a window when possible. Feel free to contact us for more information. We have decades of experience with all sorts of window lettering and would be glad to assist you on your next project.

Decals and labels

2009-07-16T14:31:00.001-05:00

Labels, or maybe you call them decals, stickers or clings are all basically the same idea: a flexible base material with an adhesive backer. Our decal and labels page on our website illustrates a wide variety of decal and label types that we produce. With elections around the corner and football starting next month, our political campaign decals and team sports helmet decals are right on schedule.

The pictured decals show our continuous roll print and kiss cut capabilities. Please visit our website for more decal and label information

Photo of the Week

2009-07-13T08:27:00.000-05:00

Retractable banner stands

2009-07-10T10:44:00.001-05:00

Banners are a great way to display your message to a target audience, but hanging can be a bit of a trick.

Check out our retractable banner stand. We offer several different models to accommodate your promotional display needs. The item show is the Barracuda model with a full color digital print vinyl banner. The banner is attached to a retracter and easily rolls up into the aluminum case. The banner, when extended, is supported by a telescopic pole. When not in use, the pole stores conveniently in a compartment within the base. This unit also comes with a carrying bag.

This is just one of several banner display solutions we offer here at Big Idea, one sure to get you noticed.

Contact Big Idea for more information

Photo of the Week

2009-07-06T17:53:00.003-05:00

New MN tax rate begins today

2009-07-01T09:19:00.006-05:00

Everything in the state of Minnesota will cost you more as of today... yes even your signs.

As you recall, the majority of Minnesotans voted this past election in favor of increasing our sales tax in order to fund some projects. The additional 3/8 of a percent will go towards funding the following:

• protect our drinking water sources
• protect, enhance, and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game and wildlife habitat
• preserve our arts and cultural heritage
• support our parks and trails
• protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater.

Yesterday the Minnesota state general sales tax rate was 6.5%, today it is 6.875%. Though it is "only 3/8" of a percent, it brings the sales tax total in Minneapolis to a whopping 7.775% - more if you plan to buy liquor. St. Paul is not to far behind at 7.625%. Why the difference from the state rate? Well, Mpls has it's own .5% rate for the city, and hennepin county voters want to also pay for a stadium, that's another .15%. Oh, and we can't forget the transit tax we all get to pay... another .25%.

Next time our politicians and special interest groups ask us for only a 3/8% increase of taxes remember that it all adds up, and you get to pay for it.

Lightbox alternative

2009-06-30T10:35:00.002-05:00

Sign cabinets like the one we have pictured here are seen nearly everywhere. These are most commonly constructed from some sort of metal into a sign cabinet and faced with any number of plastics, translucent vinyls or metals. They also come in a great variety of shapes, sizes and lighting effect.

Most of what we see out there are the light-box variety. This consists of an aluminum cabinet with fluorescent tubes set inside. The sign face is either a flat or a raised pan style acrylic plastic. This light-box style is ideal if you are looking to illuminate your sign during the dark hours of each day. If illumination is not important to you then we have the perfect solution.

Our friends at TCM were looking for a sign that would stand out and easily mount to the uneven surface of there building. They were not interested in having the sign illuminate at night so the aluminum pan sign was a perfect fit. Our pan signs consists of a heavier gage aluminum with a fabricated folds on all 4 sides creating a "pan". The folds vary from 1" to 2" and are reinforced for added durability and structural support. Installation with this type of sign is relatively simple too. With our basic hardware kit, the installation of this type of sign can be tackled by the average handyman.

The real bonus with aluminum pan style sign is the cost savings it brings our clients. In today's market who is not looking for a savings?

Photo of the Week

2009-06-29T21:24:00.000-05:00

From pop bottles to banners - 100% recycled!

2009-06-24T13:33:00.002-05:00

Banners made from 100% recycled pop bottles!

From post-consumer PET packaging to a premium recycled fiber, our Eco-banner material is truly a revolutionary product.

Hard to believe but it is true, our supplier has created a way to make a heck of a great banner material for interior or exterior use, here is how it is done. First, your recycled pop bottles are picked up at curbside and brought to a recycling facility. Here they are sorted by type and color then cleaned, crushed and chopped into tiny bits. These little plastic bits are then melted, liquefied, and extruded into the usable fibers which are woven into a fabric for use in our banners....and now tote bags too!

Some refer to this as a green product. We simply refer to it as an ingenious way of reusing someones trash. Check out our banner page for more info and sample photo. Feel free to contact us for more info about this great new product.

Signacade Signs

2009-06-19T10:06:00.001-05:00

Signacade signs are becoming more and more popular these days.

Our staff started working with the signicade A frame signs back in the early '90's, when they were first introduced into the sign market. Actually, to set the record straight, the signacade was not introduced until the late '90's, it was the plasticade A frame that was first introduced. This was a great product but it did not have a full sign face. It was actually a barricade product that found a useful niche as a sign product as well.

Now days, you see the signacade at just about every retail outlet. Constructed of a virtually indestructible plastic, it has a built in handle and a ballasted reservoir, it even has the ability to be secured to a fixed object for anti-theft protection.

Here at Big Idea, we have years of experience working with signacades. Our staff has worked on hundreds of these and knows this product well. Do you have a message to display? Try a Signacade from Big Idea Signs today.

Photo of the Week

2009-06-15T10:13:00.000-05:00

Something about hinges

Large format Banners

2009-06-09T09:37:00.000-05:00

Banners are a big hit for quickly getting your message visible to your audience. For the size, they are not only economically attractive. they are extremely versatile. You can install them to just about any surface: wood block walls, light poles, chain link fences, you get the idea. Because the material is light weight, it also drops the installation difficulty factor by several notches,

keeping clients below budget.

Pictured here is a banner we completed last week. Looks are a bit deceiving on this picture. The banner is whopping 4' tall and 18' wide. We digitally printed this banner and installed directly to the wood surface of the building.

Photo of the Week

2009-06-08T09:56:00.002-05:00

This was a shot taken while on a homestead documentation shoot . We were documenting the original buildings of a family farm, settled over a century ago. Wind, rain, hail, snow and dust are a wonderful medium on the "canvas" of prairie buildings.

We are looking forward to the gallery showing of this series later this year. Our owner promises he will share the date and location with us. IN the mean time, check back for a few more interesting shoots form this project.

Panface signs

2009-06-03T17:14:00.001-05:00

Today was a day of installations.

We installed several signs and an 18' long banner for the new Terry Time Adventure Park. Pictured here is a 4' x 8' backlit Polycarbonate panface sign, and a colorful one too we might add!

Panface signs are great for displaying your message during the day and night. By using the proper translucent graphics, backlit signs can turn your average daytime display into a head-turning marketing magnet in the black of night. With the long light hours of June, we have yet to see this sign at night, but we are convinced this is a sign that will get Terry Time noticed.

big idea

Photo of the week

Photo of the week

Display Signs - a neat trick for seamless displays

Trade Show Banners - The simple solution.

Picture of the week

Product Photography at Big Idea

Photo of the week

Customer feedback

Event Signage

Davin with Kent Hrbek Outdoors

Interior signs

Picture of the week

Coroplast Yard Signs

Photo of the Week

Backdrop Event Banners

Dimensional wall logos

Event Signs - More color for less...

Funny Sign

MDO - Still a great choice for signage

Corporate Portraits at Big Idea

Value Proposition, with value!

J. Walkers - AM Heart Association HeartWalk 2011

Retractable Display Banners

Custom Yard Signs

Photo of the Week

A truly biodegradable banner

Photo of the Week

Event Signage and Displays

Fishing For Knowledge has a new look!

Reflections from a photo shoot

Step and Repeat Banner Solutions

Our Latest Website Client

Honoring a Veteran

Large format Banners

Retail Counter Wraps

Step and Repeat backdrop Banner

Light the Town Pink Posters

Backlit Signage

Window Identity - part 2

Window Identity - part 1

Photo of the Week

Banners that workout!

Sand blasted signs

Full print now available for Drum Heads!

A thanks from team J walkers

Window Lettering

From concept to final product

Concert VIP Passes

Ranger 620 Boat Wrap

Heart Walk 2010 - Team Logo

Drum Head Follow up

Business Identity - not just for the corporate world

Just what is Business Identity anyway?

Small Business Rewards

Fishing with MN Twins #14

Shop Time

Banners can be a nice alternative...

Dimesional Signs

Window lettering in the winter

Traffic Signs from Big Idea

Photo Shoot

Photo Shoot

Billboard worth sharing

Store Front Identity

Budget Sign Deja vu

Construction Site Signs

Step and Repeat Backdrop banners

Helping Joseph's Coat

Table banners

Photo of the Week

Awesome window lettering

Photo of the Week

Interior Office Signs

Need a lift?

Mesh Banners

Green Banners

Scroll Bracket Sign

More creative identity solutions

Minnesota State fair Signs