Retail Counter Wraps

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

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.

More info on all our banners can be found at: http://www.bigideasign.com/banners.html

Light the Town Pink Posters

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

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

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

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

an interesting picture from a client photo shoot this spring.

© copyright ~ Big Idea

Banners that workout!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!