Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know how large the letters or images will be on a sign?
Can I select materials other than those that are shown on the site?
Are there other colors available in addition to those shown in the color chart?
Will the final sign have the exact same colors shown on my monitor?
How long will the signs last?
Do you offer signs with pre-drilled holes? Can I specify where I want holes drilled?
Do you offer a guarantee?
How can I know that my order was received and is being processed?
What if I didn’t receive the emailed order acknowledgement?
What if I need to make a change after I have submitted an order?
Can I cancel an order, once I have submitted it and provided my credit card information?
What kind of image should I use for a photograph?
How can I get a high quality image to use on my sign?
How can I tell if my image is good?
What are "Client Specific Signage Programs"?
Can I change the size or shape of designs offered on the site?
The sizes and shapes shown represent the entire current offering for purchase on the web site. If you have need of sizes or shapes not offered, please use the “contact us” feature, and we will be happy to provide a custom quote.
How do I know how large the letters or images will be on a sign?
Sizes are proportional to the size of the sign. So, if you are ordering an 18” high by 24” wide sign, and one line of copy occupies approximately 1/3 of the height, then that line will be approximately 6” high on the finished sign. Keep in mind that the layouts have been done by our professional sign design staff. Relative size of copy and images have been carefully considered within each design template for maximum message delivery.
Can I select materials other than those that are shown on the site?
We have carefully selected the available sign materials to provide the best fit for the final sign product. If you have need of a specific material not available on the site, please use the “contact us” feature, and we will be happy to provide a custom quote.
Are there other colors available in addition to those shown in the color chart?
For “Client Specific” accounts (see icon on home page), we will match whatever color is specified. For all other web based orders, the colors on the color chart represent the entire offering. If you have need of specific colors not available on the site, please use the “contact us” feature, and we will be happy to provide a custom quote.
Will the final signs have the exact same colors shown on my monitor?
Color representation is one of the most complicated issues in the printing world. Without consistent and repeated calibration by an expert, even different monitors will show different representations of the same colors. On our site, we have employed selections from the “web safe” color chart, which was designed to come as close as possible to showing the same colors on different monitors. We have then made every attempt to match the final output color to the web safe color chart. There is no way to guarantee that the monitor view and the final sign will be exact, but in the vast majority of instances, they will be extremely close.
How long will the signs last?
The life of a sign is dependent on many factors, including wear and tear, exposure to the elements, and material used. Consequently, no blanket assurance of longevity can be offered. Our best way to estimate sign life is based on how long it will take the components of the sign to degrade, under average circumstances. To that end, the following is informative. We use UV resistant inks which have an estimated outdoor life of between 3 and 5 years. Our vinyl materials are rated also rated at a 3 to 5 year outdoor life. The hard substrates (corrugated plastic, magnetic material, aluminum, banner material, etc.) vary in estimated life, however, all will outlive the ink or vinyl which was applied to them. We have been using these exact same materials and inks in our land based business for many years, and historically signage of this variety has lasted for that three to five year period.
Do you offer signs with pre-drilled holes? Can I specify where I want the holes located?
If you select the “drill holes” finishing option, we will drill holes in standard pre-determined positions (1” in and 1” down from all four corners). With the exception of “Client Specific” accounts, we do not offer an option for the client to specify drill positions.
Do you offer a guarantee?
We guarantee all products against manufacturing defects for a period of 90 days. In the event of such a defect we will, at our option, replace the sign at our cost, or return your purchase price. You may be requested to return the defective product for review by The Sign Place, to insure that the claim is within the spirit of this guarantee. The guarantee does not extend to normal wear and tear, acts of God, or misuse of the product. See “Product Guarantee” in the Terms of Sale Section for a more detailed explanation.
How can I know that my order was received and is being processed?
Upon receipt, all orders will be acknowledged via email.
What if I didn't receive the emailed order acknowledgement?
First, check your junk folder, and any spam folders. If it’s not there, use the “contact us” feature, and we will research it for you.
What if I need to make a change after I have submitted an order?
We make every attempt to process orders upon receipt. Consequently, there is a very small window of time within which an order can be stopped from entering production. If you realize that you have made an error immediately after submitting an order, call our toll free customer support line at (866) 970-7788
Can I cancel an order, once I have submitted it and provided my credit card information?
Please review our cancellation policy, in the TERMS OF SALE section.
What kind of image should I use for a photograph?
For photographs, a good resolution JPG image is required. Use the highest quality image with a file size less than 5 Megabytes (5 MB). You will want the density of the ORIGINAL file to be a minimum of 150 dpi. Low resolution images will produce grainy or fuzzy images, due to the large size of the image on the finished sign.
NOTE: Taking a file that is less than 150 dpi and saving it as 150 dpi will not change the quality.
How can I get a high quality image to use on my sign?
Check with you internal graphic design department or outside contractor to see if one already exists. Or, contact our in-house graphics professionals and we will be happy to give you a very competitive price on capturing your existing art work, or creating new art work, in a high density format. See the "contact us" page for contact options.
How can I tell if my image is good?
If you are uploading a .jpeg (digital camera shot or etc.) you will want the density of the ORIGINAL file to be at least 100 dpi, but 150 dpi or more is preferable.
NOTE: Taking a file that is less than 150 dpi and saving it as 150 dpi will not change the quality.
What are Client Specific Signage Programs?
Many companies and institutions have very specific design standards which are enforced in all areas of graphics communication, including signage. By restricting the design options of the user to those which meet the approved design standards, we are able to insure that every sign ordered will comply with company or institutional policy.
How does a "Client Specific Signage Program work?
The design professionals at The Sign Place work with the client to develop the appropriate designs. Fonts, colors, location of text, and all other relative restrictions are embedded into the various sign templates. They are then loaded to an area of the site, which is unique to that client, and is only accessible by those with the appropriate password. From that point forward any authorized client personnell can access a template, and make any changes that are permitted. Upon completion, the finished design can be emailed for approval, proofs can be printed, and the signage can be placed on order. Obviously, the needs of each client in this environment are somewhat unique. If you are interested in exploring this program further, please contact us for an in depth review of your needs.
How can I change the resolution on my screen to a higher pixel density, in order to see as much of the screen content as possible, without having to use the scroll bars?
Go to your desktop screen and right click somewhere on it. Then click on "Properties" from the drop down box. Click on the "Settings" tab, and move the screen resolution slide bar to a higher resolution. Click on "apply", and the system will attempt to reset to the higher resolution. If it is unable to change to your desired resolution, it will reset to the original settings. You can then use the same process to try a different resolution, until you find one that works. Once a setting has been successful, you will have the option to accept and apply it to your system. You can then return to The Sign Place screens, and have a much better user experience.