vinyl signs

The lifespan of a sign is versatile and varied, depending on its use and your preference! Some customers want a permanent storefront sign that will withstand the sun and elements for years, while others may only need a vibrant banner for a one-weekend event.

So, how long should your sign last? The answer is as individual as your order.

How Long Will My Sign Last?

To make a long answer short: it depends. This is not a marketing tactic or a way to avoid answering your question—there truly are a number of factors that determine the lifetime of a sign or banner! Here are just a few factors to consider:

Is the sign painted, printed, or made from cut vinyl?

Dimensional letters and logos are usually painted with a durable, UV resistant finish that will last for many years. Some even come with a lifetime guarantee.

Flat, two dimensional signs are usually printed or made from contour cut, adhesive backed sign vinyl. There are two main types of vinyl on the market today: cast and calendered. Calendered vinyl is rolled out from solid form until it is a few millimeters thick. Cast vinyl is created from a liquid pour. Cast vinyl is often referred to as “high-performance” vinyl. It has a higher price point, but also provides nearly double the lifespan of calendered vinyl in many situations.

Printing is a great choice for intricate logos or multicolored designs. However, ink fades faster than solid-colored vinyl, so keep in mind that your printed signs may need to be replaced more often than a solid vinyl sign would. Inks used for printed signs are UV stable and can last up to three years unlaminated and may last twice as long with a quality laminate.

The substrate

The substrate, or base material that the image is printed on or vinyl letters applied to, varies, depending on how the sign is being used and how long it needs to last. When we first started our business almost all signs were made from vinyl letters cut with a plotter from rolls of adhesive backed vinyl,which were then applied to the substrate with transfer tape.

Thankfully, the signage industry has come a long way! Even though we still make many signs using cut vinyl letters, we make most of our signs by printing directly to the substrate.

Common sign substrates include:

PVC/Coroplast — best for indoor or short term outdoor use.
Acrylic — best for backlit outdoor signs.
Aluminum or Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) — best for long-lasting signs.

For example, a printed Coroplast sign might last a few months in a particular location, while an aluminum sign with high-performance cast vinyl could last for many years. The type of sign you should choose depends on your preferences and needs.

Location

Sun is the top factor in a sign’s lifespan. Western-facing signs fade the fastest, so if you can choose your sign’s location (or at least its direction), consider north, south, or east-facing signage. If direct sunlight is a concern, ask about our metal exterior sign options!

How to Prolong the Life of Your Vinyl Sign or Banner

Want to prolong the life of your vinyl sign or banner? These three tips can help.

1. Choose quality materials.

If you’re looking for a short-term option, we’d be happy to talk you through our most affordable sign solutions. But if you’re hoping for a l sign that stands the test of time, opting for materials that are designed to last can really make a difference. We like to think in terms of value instead of cost.

While your initial price may be higher for top-quality materials, your value over time will actually be better, because you won’t need to replace it nearly as often!

2. Use good transportation habits.

Buying a sign that you want to use again next weekend — or even next year? Temporary banners are reusable many times, depending on care and use! When you pack up your banner, remember to roll instead of fold.

This keeps your sign from getting permanently creased, which can eventually cause weakness. For the best results of all, get a tube to transport your banner from place to place.

3. Consider your location.

Today’s signs are made to last, but placement can greatly affect your sign’s lifespan! Remember that western-facing signs receive the brightest and harshest sunlight, and elevated or open spaces face higher winds. Placing your sign with these factors in mind could extend its life significantly.

Your Custom Sign and Banner Solution

No matter what kind of sign or banner you need, Optima Signs & Graphics is here to help. Our team has decades of experience in helping customers create signs that last, and our on-site design team can bring your logo and your vision to life.

We provide fast turnaround times, with same-week delivery for many vinyl banners and signs. And if you’re looking for even more signage options, we aim to be your one-stop shop! Ask us about our vehicle wraps, window graphics, custom decals and labels, and more.

We love creating unique products and solutions, both locally in Georgia and across the country. Start your next project with Optima today!

Have you ever stopped to consider what your potential customers’ first impression of your business might be? It isn’t great customer service, a perfectly laid out storefront, or even the quality of your product or service. Most people are introduced to your business through your signage before they ever interact with any of those other aspects of your business.

If signs are the first line of communication between your business and your dream clients, the signage you choose matters. To create the right signs, you need the right signage partner. There are lots of generic, templated sign options available today, but custom signs can give you the edge in your industry and catch the attention of your customers.

At Optima Signs & Graphics, we’ve spoken to countless customers who felt like custom signs were out of reach for them, only to discover that they’d been believing some myths and misconceptions. It’s time to set the record straight about custom signs.

1. Myth: Custom signs take a long time to create and install.

When clients stop into our storefront or give us a call, we often hear, “I thought this job would take weeks or even months!”

We quote every custom project individually, because each timeline depends on job volume and preferred materials. Depending on your needs, you could have a sign designed, created, and installed by our team in less than two business days!

We offer our fastest turnaround times for vinyl signs and banners and A-frame signage. Metal signs and other materials that involve a third party manufacturer can take longer to create, but chances are, you can still have your custom signs designed and installed before you think.

2. Myth: Custom signs are too expensive.

While custom signage can cost more than templated options, we work with a wide variety of materials to accommodate every budget. Plus, you’ll receive a product that doesn’t look like anything else on the market, which gives you the competitive advantage in a crowded world of visual advertising.

Even more importantly, working with a professional sign expert can help you avoid costly mistakes. There are many ways sign design can go awry in the wrong hands, from errors in artwork to the wrong type of material. Even if your sign looks good in a mockup, it may be illegible after printing due to miscalculated size, color or font selection. Working with an experienced company can help you avoid all of these issues, saving you money with quality signage in the long run!

3. Myth: Sign shops aren’t design or branding experts.

When you invest in custom signs, you should work with a signage partner who knows how to bring your vision to life. Our team is full of printing and installation experts, but we also have the graphic design experience needed to partner with you to create signage that works.

We can build on inspiration from signage you love, create something new from scratch, or work with your existing brand to create a sign with the best dimensions, color selections, and typefaces for your needs.

4. Myth: Custom signs need to list all of my business’s information.

When it comes to great signs, less can be more. We’d be happy to discuss your sign needs with you and help you decide which pieces of information belong in your design. An overcrowded or “busy” sign can actually overwhelm potential customers.

Instead, opt for something that provides everything they need—and nothing they don’t. Once we’ve determined what elements belong on your sign, we’ll help you choose a design that looks great.

5. Myth: Custom signs aren’t better than templates.

Signs are everywhere these days. From scrolling social media to driving down the street, people are constantly looking at branding and advertising. If you want to stand out in a crowd, your first point of contact can’t be generic and bland.

Instead, we’ll help you create signage that perfectly encapsulates your business and your brand, catching the eye of potential customers from the start. Custom signs connect you with your ideal customers in a way that templates never could. Generic options may save you a few dollars, but custom signs provide you with the highest value.

Your Custom Sign Partner in Georgia

If you’ve wondered, “Are there any custom sign companies near me?”, we’d love to introduce ourselves.

At Optima Signs & Graphics, we love to work with local businesses, and we even create and install signs for clients nationwide! We hope to be your full-service signage partner, offering custom signs for projects of every size and budget. We offer:

No matter what your signage needs are, give us a call or stop by our Marietta storefront to see how we can help. We’d love to make your custom sign dreams a reality!

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How Long Should My Sign Last?