By signcraft
Posted on Friday, April 28th, 2023
In every issue, SignCraft gives a few sign makers an imaginary project. We ask them to do a sketch of the sign they might have produced, and to quote a price for the job. Most of the details are left to the designer’s imagination. The object is to see how different sign makers approach the same project.
Here’s the scenario these sign makers were given:
The owner of a local courier service who is just starting out in business contacts you; she has one van, no logo and a limited budget. She likes the idea of a full vehicle wrap but understands that her money is best spent on a logo that will help identify her business.
When she looks through your portfolio, she points out that she likes designs that include retro-style cartoons. Make a sketch of the design you might have designed for the customer, and quote a price.
This appeared in the March/April 2010 issue of SignCraft. While the prices have been adjusted for inflation, they may not accurately reflect current pricing for such signage.
Malcolm Gieski
Identity Group, LLC, Slatington, Pennsylvania
Design: 4 hours @ $95 per hour: $380
Printing: 3MIJ180Cv3 film with 8518 gloss laminate, 184 gross sq. feet @ $11 per sq. ft.: $2024
Installation: 6 hours @ $95 per hour: $570
Total: $2974
Joe Ryan
Adventure Advertising Design & Sign, Rockport, Maine
Design and layout for partial vehicle wrap:
5 hours @ $102 per hour: $510
142 sq. ft. of high-performance vinyl and laminate @ $13.61 per sq. ft.: $1933
Install wrap: 5 hours @ $102 per hour: $510
Total: $2954
Brian Gavek
Gavek Graphics, Centre Hall, Pennsylvania
Time:
Meeting and design time: 2.5 hours
Printing, laminating, trimming and cutting: 3.0 hours
Installation on van: 4.5 hours
Total time, 10 hours @ $70 per hour: $700
Materials:
3M 180c with 3M 8519 laminate Gerber high-performance vinyl films
Total materials: $950
Total: $1650
Jeff Redding
Signs & Stuff, Southaven, Mississippi
This design would be created by our in-house graphic artist and would be based on customer’s comments and requests. All decals are made in-house and installed at our location. We can install these graphics within five days of final approval and deposit.
Logo design: $170
3⁄4 Vehicle wrap: $3097 (includes logo design fee)
Decals/lettering only (no background and does not include logo design fee): $1157
Total: $4424
