11/12/11

About Vehicle Magnets...

So, you buy a pair of vehicle magnets to promote your business. You get them, place them on your car and proudly drive around town so the world can find out who you are and contact you. How long do vehicle magnets serve their purpose? How long until your magnets fall off or begin to crack and peel, obscuring the image you are trying to maintain for your company?

Vehicle Magnetics usually last 2 to 3 years before starting to naturally peel and crack, or fade, due to weather and general wear. The HomeWorks and RoofWorks magnets shown here, were brought to us, Gulfside Signs, to be replaced after 2 years worth of use.

While we did not make the original magnets for this client, we did recreate them --- painstakingly matching logo proportions, fonts, and scale---at no additional cost to the client. You can see in the picture at the right, the difference in their worn-out, faded logos on their magnets and the fresh, newly recreated logos...

Vehicle magnets do not typically come with any guarantee of how long they will last, from any sign company. Ours have lasted years for the majority of our clients who order them, though recently we have had our first---rare---case of magnet loss within a week of the client's purchase. This is the first time in several years of our operation that our magnets have came off a vehicle, yet it was not due to the material or grade magnet we use...in this situation, it was due to the curvature of the vehicle the magnets were being placed on. At Gulfside Signs, we do our best to assess your vehicle and make sure we make the right size magnet for you, so that it fits properly on your car. We observe whether the contour of your make and model vehicle, along with any dings or dents won't interfere with you getting the most out of your magnets that we produce for you. There are times, however, that we have to blindly trust the client in scaling, proportion, or shape of our standard-size magnets fitting your car properly---like in cases where the vehicle isn't present or we are making multiple pairs of signs for different vehicles. In those situations, we are trusting the judgement and opinion of the client who knows their car or truck more than we do or would. We prefer the vehicle be here when the order is being placed so we can best make your product for you, though we realize this is not always realistic or practical for you, the client, and your also busy schedule. This, among other factors being discussed here are definitely something to keep in mind when ordering vehicle magnets from us or anyone...

No matter who makes your vehicle magnets, keep in mind that they may stay on your car for a day, a month, or for years. Our magnets, and any sign shop's magnets worth their salt, carries an industry caliber stock of magnet that will stick to your car for the long haul. There are thinner, cheaper magnetic material out there, though that is usually used for other products than magnets to place on your vehicle. The industry standard vehicle magnets will be with you until the end, for the most part, but at times---rare times---even the best is known to fall off or come down. This typically is due to the car body itself, the way it's curved, or even a dent that allows air or trapped water to get between the magnet and the vehicle, causing it to loosen and...eventually fall off. Sometimes, the magnet size can be an issue. While this isn't anyone's fault per se---yours nor ours---we at Gulfside Signs take such events on an individual basis assessment and will work with you on possible, realistic discounts on a new pair.

Ultimately the care for your magnets is up to you, but we are understanding when life happens, but we cannot be held fully responsible for all of life's occurrences outside our shop. We are here to help and offer tips and guides for better care of magnets so that you may continue to drive around town, proudly getting your company name out there with signs from us. If we are at fault, however, we more than stand by our service to you, our valued client, rest assured.

Below is the full view of the magnets---old and newly recreated---that we produced for HomeWorks/RoofWorks, Inc.

10/14/11

Before & After Magnets

To begin, I'm writing this as an example---not as anything ill-intended toward Vistaprint. Having been "the Sticker Guy" in many malls across the country, I've ran across clients who came to me to make what some internet companies producing signs and stickers could not. This is a really good example, so I present a before and after glimpse into using online companies verses a local shop, in this case, Us: GULFSIDE SIGNS & Wraps.
Marco of Marco's Pool Service came to us because he had set out to make magnets for his new business on a limited budget. He showed us the magnets he had made with Vistaprint---using an automated system online---and I knew he would definitely fair better with us. The main reason being, that with the automated system used by companies like Vistaprint.com, there isn't really any quality control. Someone made that magnet for Marco and didn't really look at it and think about what quality they are sending out with their stamp on it. Plus, if the design wasn't enough, if you look at the before picture in this post, you'll see the cracking and chipping of the design as it is peeling off of the magnet.

So, with that in mind, not only did we redesign the magnets for Marco's truck, but we also offered him a more well-rounded advertising solution; we gave him a package deal. We listened to what he wanted and designed magnets accordingly as well as provided him rear window lettering to maximize those seeing his message and company name on his vehicle. We also made him license numbers that are required by law, separate and placed directly on the vehicle, on the spot, so that Marco didn't run the risk of receiving a ticket while waiting for us to complete his magnetics.

10/6/11

CLIENT REVIEWS

  • From Rhonda Patterson, a Broker-Owner, Waterfront and Preferred Homes, LLC...
"I order all of my embroidered office shirts and hats from them, as well as all of my real estate signs. All of Tim's people are pleasant to work with, knowledgeable and produce great work. I will continue to work with them in the future, and I have no problems recommending them!"
Rhonda first hired us in 2010 and has returned for more of our great service. She went on to label us as having  "Great Results, Good Value, High Integrity". Thank you Rhonda for your kind words and for your business.


  • From Jay Pasqua, a Landscaper of Jay Pasqua Landscape Service...
    "Awesome service, great and friendly people, I recommend them highly."
    Jay not only operates his own Landscape Company, he also supports Faith7gear.com, from which he purchases t-shirts, window decals, and vehicle signage from it.


    • Marco, of Marco Pool Services says of us,
    "Excellent customer service, prime work and good prices... I recommend them for sure."

    Marco came to us wanting affordable vehicle magnetics and signage to promote his new business. We met his needs with reasonable pricing & same day service. Thank you for giving us the chance to be there for your newly developing company, Marco.



    Want to comment on our service, a product we made for you, or your experience with us, feel free to share in the comment box below or email us. We appreciate your business and your recommendations.

    10/5/11

    CAR & BIKE CLUBS

    Gulfside Signs & Wraps caters to Car Clubs as well as Bike Clubs!
    We can design your logo or take your already designed logo to print as WRAPS on your bikes, cars, trucks, or...we can make WINDOW DECALS for your ride! You can place any of our signage on the vehicle itself or on the rear windows of your cars, trucks, or vans!

    Window decals or digitally printed partial wraps are great ways to show your club or team pride, Especially at motorsport or show events!

    We can also embroider, heat transfer, screen print, or make direct-to-garment SHIRTS for your club or team!
    We offer Bulk Discount Rates & VERY FAST TURN-AROUND-TIME on your CLUB STICKERS or SHIRTS!
    Stop by our show room today, to see what we can do for you, or call: 727-862-1960! We're waiting to hear from you!

    10/4/11

    Digital Print Vinyl vs. Die Cut vinyl

    [Click the above image for a larger view]
    Which type of signage is right for you: Digitally Printed Vinyl Signage or Die-cut Vinyl Signage?
    As you can see in the above, left magnet is designed for digital print as it has lots of gradients (shades and variations of color), glossy styles, and is all of a flat surface.

    To the right, the colors are very simple with no hues or shading whatsoever. Though, with multiple colors, the surface becomes somewhat raised. If your logo or company message is a very basic one, with few or singular colors, then die-cut vinyl is more appropriate for you and costs less than the digital printed signs. However, Digitally Printed signs require less production time than do die-cut vinyl signage.

    So, In review:
    Go With Die-Cut Vinyl Magnetics, Yard, or other Signage if:
    • Your logo is basic in design with only a few colors or is of one color, and is solid (no transparencies). If "Simple is More", for your promotion.
    • If you want to spend a little bit less overall for signs, but don't mind waiting a little longer for them.
    • If having a very slight raised surface (if multiple colors are used) isn't important where you are placing your signs.
    Go with Digitally Printed Vinyl Signage if:
    • You want your signs produced faster; There is definitely less turn-around time involved with Digital Printing.
    • If your logo or company message is more complex in design, with lots of various colors or styles, graphic overlays or varying opacities (some transparencies). Graphically, you can take your promotion a lot further with Digitally Printed Signs!
    • If your signage placement requires or needs a completely flat surface (no matter how many colors you use).
    Keep in mind, however, that when ordering Banners from us at Gulfside Signs, we ALWAYS digitally print ALL banners we produce.

    9/29/11

    A SLICE OF LIFE!

    GULFSIDE SIGNS & WRAPS just completed another great job well done for SLICE of LIFE Pizzaria in New Port Richey, FL.! We're certain you've seen this vehicle around town!
     
    [Click on the Image above to view a larger version...]

    9/23/11

    GULFSIDE SIGNS now on the WEB!

    Welcome to our new web blog where you can keep up with the latest and greatest jobs & Projects created at GULFSIDE CUSTOM SIGNS & WRAPS!
    Not only can you check back here to see what we're up to on a daily basis, you can also see examples of our work, read descriptions of what we offer, and you can also talk to us directly using the comments at the bottom of each page and each post! Ask your questions, speak your opinions, or simply follow along as our company grows and expands!

    Also, you can find us on FACEBOOK, where we have photo galleries and updates for specials and activities going on at a regular basis!