Online Exclusives

It’s hard to beat a sign for value

October 25th, 2016 by

When it comes to long-lasting advertising, a well-made sign is hard to beat. Compare it to the longevity of other types of ads…. Read More

Storm: Dan Seese, Dan Seese Studios, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado

6 easy ways to set your layouts apart

October 6th, 2016 by

It should be easy to make signs that stand out from the crowd, right? Not really. All sorts of things get in the… Read More

Here’s how others price their signs

September 21st, 2016 by

Last week we asked Trade Secrets readers to help us out with a survey to find out how sign shop owners price their… Read More

5 steps to more effective truck lettering

August 25th, 2016 by

When it comes to sign design, vehicles are much more of a challenge since they must be read while they’re moving—and often by… Read More

Overcoming sticker shock when you quote a wrap

August 4th, 2016 by

There’s no doubt about it. Well-executed vehicle wraps pack a lot of potential for high-impact advertising. They are also potentially quite profitable for… Read More

Take a look at what others charge for 3 x 10 banners

July 8th, 2016 by

Though it’s important to know your production costs, it also helps to know what others charge for certain types of work. Last week… Read More

Letter the truck, not just the doors

June 16th, 2016 by

Surely the most captivating thing about a vehicle wrap is that it turns the whole truck into a sign. But not every small… Read More

Boring rectangle? Cut it out!

May 18th, 2016 by

Sign substrates come in nice neat rectangles. Panel cutters and table saws precisely cut them into smaller rectangles. It’s quick and easy—but does… Read More

How others finish HDU board

May 3rd, 2016 by

John Ralph, Quail Run Signs, Hamilton, Virginia, suggested we ask Trade Secrets readers how they handle some of the processes sign shops use… Read More

Nice sign, but what did it sell for?

March 10th, 2016 by

Ever see a photo of a great-looking sign in Trade Secrets or SignCraft magazine and wonder what it would sell for? You’re not… Read More