Skip to main content

Is there an advantage to using sign frames instead of vinyl graphic ads?

What are the Pros and Cons of using 
Sign Frames v. Self-Adhesive Graphics?
You may be just starting out or a seasoned graphics, sign or marketing pro, so if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

First, the basics.
Outside bus and transit advertising is generally divided into one of two types:
Self-adhesive graphics printed on vinyl, or printed signs on rigid panels in a sign frame.
Whoa- aren't sign panels and frames from the 1960s?

If Ad Frames are so "60s" why would anyone want to use sign frames?
Yes, metal sign frames have been a low-tech solution used on city buses and trolleys since the 1960s- that's half a century ago. 
Full-wrap graphics WITH a changeable frame

Here are the pros and cons of these two ad systems.
Self-adhesive graphics:
This is usually printed vinyl with a removable adhesive backing
Pro: May be applied to almost any smooth and clean non-porous surface.
Surfaces must be non-porous because the adhesive needs to fully contact the surface in order to cling without blowing off in the wind.
Pro: May be used to "wrap" a bus entirely, sides, top and back.
Pro: May be purchased perforated to go over windows.
Con: Must be removed by a trained graphics or sign person 
Con: Surface must be cleaned and detailed prior to installing graphic.
Con: Installation must be carefully measured and applied by a trained graphic/sign person.
Con: Vinyl is easily damaged or scratched.

Printed Panels and frames:
Frames generally are push-up, drop down (PUDD) or snap-open styles (the snap-open style is quickly overtaking the old fashioned PUDD style, as the snap-open frames are considered more secure at highway speeds).
Pro: Sign panels can be changed out and replaced within an average of ten minutes per frame, by a person with a basic skill set.
Pro: Sign frames can now be made in almost any size.
Pro: Sign inserts may be printed both sides so a simple "flip" of the sign reuses the panel.
Con: Frame size dictates the size of the sign inserts useable.
Con: Some care must be taken to maintain or repair frame if damaged.

So to say this another way, it's cheaper labor-wise to use frames?
That's true. It's much cheaper to use frames and printed panel.

An average installation of vinyl graphics, including removing the existing graphic, preparing the surface (cleaning, prepping) and alignment and application of a new graphic averages 2-3 hours per graphic of Sign Company or Graphics person time at an average hourly rate of $45 per hour. That's $90 to $120 to change out the average graphic up to 120" x 36".

The average installation and replacement time for a snap-open or old-style PUDD frame is 10 minutes per sign for an average $2-$3 per sign by a current staff person, mechanic, driver or administration person.
Different frame "profiles" available at this manufacturer

What is your point of view?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How to make a simple Do-It-Yourself foam letter sign

Here are a few easy-to-follow steps for making a foam letter sign. Before you start, here are some basic descriptions to help you plan for what you need. You may want to print this out and save this or forward it to someone looking for guidelines. Contents : What are foam letters? Where can I order foam letters? How can I find the cost? How large do the letters need to be? available space (for your sign) how far does the sign need to be readable? aesthetics What do I need to have to make this turn out well? Using the yardstick Before you glue or cement anything in place You're almost there! What are foam letters? By "foam', I refer to the dimensionally stable extruded plastic "foam", which is cut into letters usually from a 4x8-foot master sheet. The sheets are usually available in 1/2", " and 1-1/2" thickness, so for the sake of this brief article, I'll refer to 1" thick letters when I mention foam letters. Foam let...

Concrete letter casting basics

This is a beginner's guide to the basics of casting concrete   For specific details, search online for how to create concrete casting forms. To cast concrete with lettering and a logo if desired, you need a form, concrete and letters. The form can be on a flat surface, into which you can pour your concrete, or the form can be erect with a bottom, sides, a front and a back. Be sure to mix sufficient smooth concrete so that a spill or leak won't scuttle your casting pour. Stir and poke the concrete to reduce incidence of air pockets. For the sake of simplicity, this article focuses on using a flat form or pan for making pavers. After deciding on the form or pan shape and size, follow the basic preparation instructions. I Reverse-cast metal letters with a 7-degree draft for casting f you're casting pavers , especially those with a pattern, design or wording combination, you'll likely want to have a reusable form with multiple-use letters. Letters made to be ...

Fast Stencil Tech compared to Self-Adhesive Paint Mask

Which is Better? Paint Mask or Stencil? This is a brief article to determine the best product for your project, using a side-by-side comparison of features and drawbacks to each method. Let's start with Stencils. What's a stencil?  Stencils were made of oil board, a resin-impregnated paper card stock, roughly from the 1920s to the 1990s. At that time, several specialty plastics and metals became more popular replacements for the paper and not as easily damaged. Currently, most street markings like the word "STOP" or turn lane arrows are made in sections from metal panels due to their size and the need for flat storage between uses. Polycarbonate plastic and styrene have all but replaced the original oil boards for stencil material. Stencil shows letter bridges to keep letterforms intact. How is it used? A stencil is essentially a panel with cut-outs in it, which mask the non-paint areas. The cut-outs are the place where paint will be brushed, rolled or...