Bob Torrington, President

Meet Bob The PresidentHaving started in the sign business over 38 years ago, while routing wood signs in Grand Bend, Bob’s original company Torrington Wood Signs Inc. eventually spawned Quick Signs–and now also GlobalSigns.ca.

Bob has been through dozens of industry evolutions–and through it all retained a pride in his work.  He is your man if you have a variety of complex signage needs that require particular attention to installation dynamics and / or smart problem solving.

Bob@GlobalSigns.ca

Decal Demo – Wet Apply Method

Wet apply your decal with a little soapy water and a soft straight edge.

Place print face down on wet surface, peel wax backing, spray, flip and gently flatten.

Globe & Mail Video Profile

In 2013, The Globe & Mail traveled to London to interview us.

They profiled a family run business transitioning into the digital age.

Golf Tournament Signs

Coro w/ H-wireWe make coroplast with H-wire golf tournament signs regularly with a very quick turnaround.

Some standard sizes are 18×24 and 12×18 but we can make any size to fit your needs and desires.

Simply send us the info, logos, sizing and whether 1 or 2 sided and we will send you quotes and a proof.

Proofs are unlimited and we can meet any deadline you require.  These are often last minute events.

Teardrop Flags

In many sizes and shapes, outdoor flags are a fantastic way of drumming up attention along your front property line.  Some areas may require permits from the City.  Some businesses get licensed to put up many.  We can quote you on several or just one including layout or with your own files.  Many types of base assemblies are available.  This standard tear drop flag depicted is most popular.  Catch the wind and sail to profits today.  Flags are famous.

Tent With Emblems

Tent with option for walls, great for outdoor branding

9.5 foot x 9.5 foot exhibition tent with your company logo emblazoned on all 4 sides.

Comes with 4 weights and option for printed backwall and side walls.

Mount bar fixes to tent poles with half wall brackets.

Fabric slips onto mount bar via stitched pocket.

Secure fabric to pole centre by hook and loop.

Contact us today to move your brand outdoors.

Sintra

sintraThis material is strong for outdoor use, yet it is lightweight for convenience.

It is rigid and resistant to inclement weather as well as UV rays.

This is a premium Sinalite product we drop ship to your door.

For the ease of outdoor signage without the cost of sophistication, try Sintra.

E-mail us at your earliest opportunity to begin a dialogue regarding this product.

Large Format Posters

large_posterThis premium oversized poster print at 60 by 90 is handled by our remote site sister printer trade dealer Sinalite.

Simply send us your files and we will format them properly for uploading and drop shipping directly to your address.

The splash of such a large format poster is exactly fitted for those with massive wall space or window real estate.

E-mail Info@GlobalSigns.ca to ask about all our poster size options and whether or not you wish to print with us.

Put your latest ad adventure onto the big screen with a huge movie poster themed splash event that inspires.

Get it right the first time without breaking your budget since paper is cheaper than proper substrate mounts.

 

Magnets Made for You

magnet_bMagnets are the route to take when you want to go incognito on the weekend–or perhaps when you have multiple businesses and you want to change up your vehicle’s look for each job you go on or tour about you make.

Create your magnets of many different sizes.

Any size under two feet in one direction and unlimited length is possible at custom pricing.

Keep in mind as with all of our product, the more print ready your files are–the more economical becomes the printed product.

We also make vinyl cut magnets which have their suited duties particularly in durability and or the aesthetic and feel of it.

The truth is digital prints last just as long if you opt for UV lamination.

Rounded corners where available are good for peel prevention.

Removal for highway driving is advised.

We also provide high run fridge magnets and much more in the magnet department.

E-mail us today to talk about what kind of magnets you want and how much it would be: Info@GlobalSigns.ca

 

Full Color Envelopes – Snail Mail 2.0

envelopWhat a way to get your story straight to the reader with full color envelopes.

This revolutionizes paper trail industries by giving you quicker eye candy.

Not any longer will the blank white envelopes slip through customer care.

Now you will grab their attention and hold it for your pitch to have a chance.

Consult us today by emailing info@globalsigns.ca for more info on this product.

Numbered Tickets are a Snap!

numbered-ticketsHave an event you are trying to sell Numbered Tickets for entry?

Perhaps you are hosting a dance or concert or some other event.

Numbered Tickets can be printed up for you with ease and fun!

We can ship these tickets to you directly without additional charge.

All we want is to see your Numbered Tickets printed effortlessly.

We are ready to receive your e-mail regarding getting these now.

Pocket Folders at PrintSigns.ca

pocketfolder_bPocket Folders are great for presenting your business cards and portfolio in one impressive package.

Let us design something very special for your branding needs in the Pocket Folder department.

If you stand up the Folder on end for tradeshows as a table top display it will appear inviting.

Information packages and product price lists are popular uses for these Folders in industry.

Anytime we are brought pocket folders in our own shop we always put it on the reference shelf.

Imagine that any business you deliver your Pocket Folder to will likely keep you on file for future.

E-mail services are open at all hours so contact us today to begin the conversation on Pocket Folders.

Info@GlobalSigns.ca

Get Your Greeting Cards

greetingcards_bGreeting cards can lend a custom creative touch to your seasons pleasantries.

Try printing some personalized cards this year with us and you will love it!

Enjoy our diverse printing services for all kinds of innovative approaches.

We cannot wait to get you started on surprising recipients with such fun print jobs!

Two sided folded full color with design and layout options give you it your way …

These cards are available in myriad sizes.  Contact us now Info@GlobalSigns.ca

Flyer Printing

We offer flyer printing services.

Many sizes are available.

Flyers are superb medium for communicating special sales and deals to your customers.  Consider monthly notices of your current price points in order to keep people up to date on how they may benefit from staying loyal to your company.

Print Calendars

calendar100_bMake your own calendars with PrintSigns.ca

All you need is an idea for the cover and month photos.

The calendar is 28 pages long.

Contact us for more info on printing your own custom calendars.

Calendars are fantastic way of promoting your business everyday.

Give them out to customers or family for a unique holiday gift.

E-mail us at Info@GlobalSigns.ca for more info …

Posters

Posters are available in all sizes up to forty seven inches in one direction and any length.

High run of units under thirty six inches require two weeks lead time.

poster_bTwo sided is available up to three feet.

As usual here at GlobalSigns.ca purchasing this product bundled with any other products automatically brings the price down.

Reach out to us today to discuss your needs for promotional poster printing or fine art print products.

Paper poster prints are excellent for temporary advertising campaigns and low cost alternatives to fine art giclee on canvas.

Tent Cards

Tent Cards are available in a few different sizes and formats.

We make them out of coroplast when over five inches tall.

They usually come with double-sided tape for securing the base after unfolded or for lesser price no base just the two sides.

tentcards_bThe small size versions under five inches are made of card stock and require two week lead time.

These cards are a great way for applying temporary advertising tactics to your meeting or seminar.

Make the cards snazzy enough for people to want to take them home and you suddenly have oversized traveling business cards.

For smaller quantity units in other words one or two tent cards at a foot or more high made out of coroplast these units can be constructed with velcro for repeated use.

These are a great way to spruce up your tradeshow table and give it more eye candy.

Tent signs are the nice intermediary between full pop-up stands other table top stands and lesser brochures and pamphlets that lie flat upon the table top.

Contact us today to get started on laying out your new tent or table top sign.

Business Cards

businesscard_bWe offer some of the best pricing on business cards in the city, especially if you already have some file designs and purchase them with other signage or print product orders.

Two sided, matte or gloss, uv lam, full color–the works are available, serving you up your cards just the way you like them hot off the press.

You can pick up at our shop or have us drop ship the box to your address either way for the same price.

If beyond even design files, you already have actual print ready files for cards plus you are interested in other signs or print products, then you can get your cards with us for next to nothing!

The benefit of loyalty and repeat business at GlobalSigns.ca is extremely slashed pricing on valued added services.  We look forward to proofing and printing your business cards today.

This service operates out of our sister company in Toronto, so expect 5-10 business days to see completion of the order.  Be ready for a new year with cards to hand out and spread your word.

Western Signage Dealer

Global Signs has been acting as a remote dealer for Western University for several decades now–and we pride ourselves in being the first and best solution for on-campus consultation and quick and effective signage solutions.

WESTERN DEALERWe have served a variety of departments over the years, from main campus to King’s College and Huron College.

We have provided tradeshow displays, poster boards, calendar walls, directory signs, wayfinder signs (indoor and out), business cards, design services, bannerstand units, banners, billboards, 3D lettering signage, entrance signage, vehicle decals, garage door decals and much more.

All Western University associated customers receive automatic discounts across the board on all of our services.

When contacting us, please simply alert us to the face that you are on campus and we will flag your order in the appropriate channels.

 

Fall Fair Banners & Table Throws

If you live in London, Ontario, you likely have visited the Western Fair Grounds at one time or another, when you have walked past the many different vendors pedaling their wares or spreading news of their cause.

Otherwise, perhaps you have ventured out through Ribfest or Sunfest at Victoria Park in the summers and seen the same.

Have you ever wondered where they get those banners and table throws?

BABY AND EVENT 002-1Look no further than GlobalSigns.ca to help you out in a pinch regarding your festival and fair displays.

We offer all manner of bannerstands, banner hangs, satin table throws and the like that will help you to get your message across and make a good impression on the passerby.

There are many factors to consider for grabbing attention fast and keeping it.

You want to employ as few words as possible, as especially in today’s modern age, people’s focus spans are short.

You want to have a bright, catchy logo that sums up your business–and have as many hi res pictures incorporated into your layout as possible.

We recently did a 2 ft by 12 ft double sided hem and rope banner for the Canadian Forces, a long with a bannerstand for them.

These are the standard baseline media you need to consider–then you may build up your advertising arsenal from there.

How about a podium?  Perhaps some table-top displays.  Do you have cards and brochures yet?  We supply those as well.

We are here to round out your branding portfolio at economic rates with professional execution.  Talk to us today: Info@GlobalSigns.ca

Arena / Rink Banners

We fabricate arena banners, incorporating pole pockets into a top and bottom hem, in order to be hung by rods and easily interchangeable.  Currently we supply Ilderton and Komoka arenas with this type of design.  These arenas sell advertising to local clients who then come to us for layouts and production.  The arena then picks up the banner once completed and installs it for the customer.

bannerTypically with arena banners, since viewers may be reading from clear across the facility, you want to ensure that your copy is as large a possible.  Generally 5 inch letters should be an absolute minimum.  Graphics should also be maximized for high contrast and vibrant or memorable impressions.  If you have a website that contains all of your contact information, consider only displaying that website alone.  People cannot retain too much info in a short time span, so your goal is to have a catchy message that will linger in their minds.

Rink banners are an effective way to utilize your arena’s wall space, provide a venue for local advertisers to reach their immediate target audience more efficiently–and bring in some extra revenue for the facility.  Please contact us today to discuss discount rates for exclusive banner production at your rink.  We also will quote on rink board advertising and other modes of media in a package deal.

 

 

 

 

New Year, New Truck … New Truck Lettering!

Truck LetteringWhether you are trading in your vehicle or purchasing a new one outright for your fleet, be sure to employ the best for suiting it up with new lettering and logo decals.

We offer turnaround service and very competitive quality, speed and rates.

If you simply want vinyl cut lettering along the sides and rear, or something more sophisticated with full color graphics and the like, we are here to serve your needs.  Simply e-mail us at Info@GlobalSigns.ca to begin the process of quote, design and installation.

We will need proper measurements from your vehicle in order to prepare the graphics in advance, so if you are in the Hyde Park neighbourhood, feel free to stop in so we can determine the appropriate sizing for your lettering and turn back a quote to you the next day.

Then it is simply a matter of fine-tuning the layout until we have your vehicle branding looking the way you want it.  Once that has been accomplished, then we can set up a day and time, dependent upon the weather, in order to finalize your fresh fleet flourishes.

We may choose to laminate your decals with UV protectant for longevity, add trim and striping–and many other details which will be outlined for you in your options package.

We letter and decal vehicles of all sizes, from car to truck to cargo van and long haul.

If you cannot make it in to our shop for initial measurements, feel free to send us pictures and general measurements via e-mail in order to obtain a preliminary estimate to determine if we will be meeting your budget and an installation is likely to be green-lighted.

Truck lettering is the fastest most effective means of gaining new business as it generates millions of customer impressions every year simply by sitting and driving in traffic or leaving your vehicle parked in a high visibility location outside your business.

The passive advertising that is also mobile is unmatched in its ability to push your business to the next level at the most affordable cost possible.

Heritage Frame Signs

VinylCladHeritageSignFramesfortheweb

These classy vinyl clad sign frames employ two sleeves with caps that slide down over 4’x4′ posts, standing 8′ off the ground.

The face may be 1 or 2 sided depending on positioning.

These signs are permanent so heavy duty substrates are employed.

Locates must be appropriated, then our installer will erect your new storefront commercial or private Heritage Sign.

There are a few different options of color and the caps that adorn the posts.

If you look around town you will see these signs are used everywhere from churches, to schools to businesses and beyond.

If you are looking for an ultra sophisticated look at economical pricing, please consult us today to begin designing your beautiful new Heritage sign.
Info@GlobalSigns.ca

A-Frame Sandwich Boards

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Every storefront needs some portable display to set out day by day or leave out, as needed.  Two foot by three foot is the maximum size allowed for London, Ontario businesses, but you may get away with bigger sizes in more remote areas, set back on your property a distance–perhaps chained to a post for the day or weekend, so the City does not steal your signage.

These signs need as few words as possible, with as much bright, colorful, eye-catching imagery you can muster to stop traffic and swing your clientele in to visit you.  Perhaps they drive by your place everyday, always needed your product–but never knew you handled it.  Perhaps they have been trying to find you for months, but kept going in circles until they say you setting that board out.  However you slice it, setting out an A-frame will improve business.

Our standard frames are made of powder coated steel, with two sides for inserts.  You may opt for the second side depending on your budget or skip it if your board is always going to be facing the road, not facing both ways.  If your logos are suitable for printing and you just need us to do the layouts for you, a typical 2 sided sandwich board would cost $250 + tax, depending on how many proofs are required.  Discount quantities apply above one unit.

If you wish the frame to last your lifetime and never rust–or you plan on setting it in a high moisture environment–then you may opt for stainless steel frames which cost more but will endure.  These frames also come with clear protective covers on either side, to further lengthen longevity.

If you still do not have an A-frame for your business, please consult us today so we can get this advertising method jump started: Info@GlobalSigns.ca

Car & Truck Vinyl Wraps

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Vehicle wraps around the world garner billions of impressions from people in traffic and on the street every year.

A car or truck graphic grabs attention fast and becomes your company’s personal traveling billboard.  Then when you leave it parked in front of your shop, it continues to advertize, without the need for bylaw permits and the like.

Without wrapping your fleet, you will be hamstrung to get a roll on the vehicular billboard business.  You would be better off allowing a non-competitor to advertize their own ware on your fleet, for a monthly fee, rather than doing nothing with your wheels at all.

But of course the best thing for your business will be to immediately begin designing your wrap and getting it under production at your preferred print and install shop.

There are economical and expensive approaches to getting graphics splashed on your fleet, which range not just from lesser to greater square foot coverage, but also from the type of vinyl used–and whether or not you have your own designer.

Generally, here at Global Signs, we would prefer to see you maximize the space on your vehicle, so we will go to every length to ensure your wrap meets your budget, but remains impactful and does not sacrifice strength for saving a few bucks.  Imagine going to the ballet without a tux on.  That is how you appear everyday you drive about town without your brand emblazoned big.

We can also keep the cost down by not laminating the vinyl or using 2mil in more strips than broad strokes.  If you have designs please email them to info@GlobalSigns.ca for inspection or  you may upload them to our site.  We accept most files from .pdf, .ai, .tiff, .jpeg, .cdr and more.

Think about what you want people to know first about your business and keep it down to very few words.  Remember, your customers only have a few seconds as they zip by you in traffic to see and later recall your brand, unless they are sitting behind you at a red light.  Keep your most lengthy info on the back of your car for this reason, so they may check your website from their phone as they sit there and perhaps even call you directly to order a new product.

Wraps should have big photos or colorful graphics that are writ large and bleed off the contours and sides of the vehicle.  Names and numbers will be kept to the center or well away from the edges, either added after as cut vinyl or included in the original print.

If you need our design services or would like to see a quick mock-up of some creatives before making your decision, please contact us and we will accommodate.  Ideally, send us pictures of your vehicle with some rough measurements or at least provide us with the make and year of each in your fleet you would like quotes on.

From design to production to installation, timelines can be met, whether tight or open-ended.  The quicker the service the cost goes up a bit, however, so if you plan well in advance, giving us time to prepare, then that will save you some money as well.  But in the end, just remember, that it is signs and particularly autowraps that pay you back in the end through the rich returns of customer markets properly capitalized upon.

 

Sticker Printing

coexist-bumper-sticker

Global Signs offers sticker printing of all variety, color, quantity, shape and sizes. Get your decals done with us and enjoy the benefit of high quality Mutoh prints with low cost affordability and design assistance if you require it.

Some customers have their logo file already but would like to add some text or tweak a certain aspect of that design and we are quick to meet these needs. Simply send our graphic designer the file and it will be returned to you for proofing with the changes.

Stickers can be printed on all manner of different vinyls, from removable, laminated, to perforated, to air release, matte or glossy and more. Let us know what your application is and we will be glad to inform you of the price and best vinyl for the job at hand.

Some use stickers as bumper stickers, car decals–or bedroom wall adornment. Some use stickers to add a splash to their otherwise drab interchangeable letter mobile sign–while others use stickers to update their billboards with new information.

Some use stickers to spruce up old model cars–while others use them to hand out as a merchandising gimmick. We can do high-run orders of sticker prints, contour cut out to the exact shape of decal you are after–leaving you merely to peel and apply.

Stickers can be solid colors or full color gradients–whichever you prefer. Stickers and large decals come as usual with a wax backing to protect the sticky layer before application. If you opt for the air release vinyl, you will have any easier time applying the sticker without leaving bubbles behind. If you pick the removable vinyl, it will be a bit easier to remove down the road.

When applying the stickers, if they are small you can get away with dry mounting them–but the larger decals, even the ones with air release channels, may require some soapy water for application just to ensure you get a smooth flat lay without any bubbles.

If you need someone to design your stickers for you, please contact us (info@GlobalSigns.ca) and we will return your inquiry promptly. We love printing stickers for all your needs and look forward to meeting you and producing decals for you soon.

Billboard Decals

kleine-verbrechen

Whether you are looking to reface your entire existing billboard with a giant decal or just update some information on it with a smaller sticker, we can accommodate your needs.

You can either choose to install the decal yourself or have us do it for you.

The best way to move forward with acquiring your new sticker is to send us a picture of the billboard with the dimensions of the addition you are looking into getting printed.

We will send you a proof of what it would look like and a quote for the print.

Billboards are an excellent means of garnering attention to your business, but wording should be kept to a minimum as drivers have only a few seconds to remember what they are seeing. Pictures and photos are also a good way of making an impression quickly that will stick in the person’s mind. Send us any high resolution photos or logo files that you have if you wish to incorporate imagery into your sticker.

Our decals come printed on digital air release vinyl for easier application. The channels of air embedded in the print allow for you to reposition the sticker before finally firmly pressing it down, especially if you use a little soapy water to aid the process. Clean the surface of the billboard and then spray the face where you are making the addition with clean water. Next, unroll the giant sticker face down on the board. Next, peel away the wax backing and spray the exposed sticky side with soapy water. Finally, with the help of a few extra hands, flip the sticker over and position it how you want it. Finally, use a hard edge wrapped with paper towel to push the decal down into place permanently. Swipe from the center out, up and down and side to side, then finally pushing out all the remaining soapy water in consecutive, overlapping swipes until the image is secured. Now you have your refaced billboard complete.

You may email us your files at info@globalsigns.ca or upload them to our homepage. There is an upload function on the right hand side. Simply click on the global and arrow that say upload then select your files. Finally email us to confirm we have received it.

London Ontario Signs: Locally Owned, Globally Minded. Go Global Today! Globalsigns.ca

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If you are seeking the comfort of knowing you are working with an independent sign supplier local to London, not a franchisee or out of town outlet, one that is just as professional as the best, but with the added bonus of hands on guidance and careful attention to the relationship of business, success and basic work ethics–then you need look no further than Global Signs London.

Our central concept is to bring you the best in signage that the world has to offer, right here on your doorstep in London, Ontario, Canada. Located in Hyde Park North, we cater to every corner of the city, providing free estimates and on site consultation–plus unlimited signage advice, there is no better place to trust your media advertising than in our local little shop. Come on in to have a chat with us at any point, for we always love to see our customers face to face, to discuss with them their branding needs and print targets.

The “Global” in Globalsigns.ca also of course refers to the fact that there is no type of sign simple or sophisticated that we are not willing to tackle, so give us consideration for every project from your leading sales grunt workhorse billboards, to your oft underestimated sandwich boards and business cards.

If you browse our Sign Menu, on the homepage of GlobalSigns.ca, you will see every category that we cover–and if what you are after is not listed there, simply drop us a line at info@GlobalSigns.ca and we will look at your project details and see if we can meet your needs.

If for any reason your signs are not under our canopy of skill sets, then we will refer you to the best outlet in town that we feel will be able to handle your requirements. But be prepared to be impressed, for we have 35+ years of experience in this field–and we pride ourselves on finely crafting any custom sign required.

London Ontario Signs–or Global Signs London–is our new alter ego, not replacing but supplementing our longstanding brand Torrington Quick Signs London. For those of you who are familiar with us, you will know we are a family run business with a stake in making sure each and every customer is satisfied and receives a long-lasting product of high impact and sustaining advertising power. We want you to come back year after year with your different projects, so we have no interest in anything less than the best in signs.

If you are driving North on Hyde Park Rd., as soon as you cross Gainsborough simply make a left at the first side street called North Routledge. From there you will see a parking lot immediately on your right. The address is 1674 Hyde Park Rd. North. Pull in to the back corner of the industrial building there and you will see our canopy sign–Quick Signs–and below that GlobalSigns.ca.

Enter our shop around the back corner and experience our plethora of product first hand.

While here, you may speak to one of our signmakers regarding the best move forward for your print campaign–and you may take away with you any samples or free advice that we can provide. We will show you the banner, vinyl and substrates that we may use for your project. We can demonstrate the quality of our Mutoh printer and do designs on spot.

Signs in London are like anywhere else, they need to be visual and short on words, informative yet memorable–and at Global Signs we have much expertise in cutting to the core of what matters about your message in order to get across to your customer what is important to take away.

Once those sales cues are in place, it is simply up to the sign to begin turning back traffic toward your business, all you must do at that point is do what you do best–in whatever profession you so happen to be in. We believe the advertising should be left to the experts, to free you up to do the work you were trained in–where your passion lies.

Driving around London, you may see many different sign shops of different varieties. There are some more geared to high run printing, while others more experience in big box signs–while still others yet may specialize in business cards or merchandising. But at Global Signs we run the gamut, so you may consider us your one stop place to put your trust in for your ever key ad drives.

Global Signs London will never forget its roots in Quick Signs, Wood Signs–and the humble beginnings of painted signs and the like–but we also know the future of digital media signage and internet advertising are fast becoming bigger markets–so we plan on expanding in every direction possible in order to meet your leading edge requirements for prompt, professional perfection in signs.

So just remember, while our brand is Global Signs, we will always still be your small, local signmaking service in London, Ontario.

Where to Buy Signs in London Ontario

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London, Ontario Canada is a mid-sized city with much to offer. Many businesses flourish here and they all need advertising in one form or another. No company can survive without a steady and well thought out media and branding plan, which begins in the conference room but ends in the print shop.

Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned businessperson looking for a new sign company to work with, you will need to begin by acquainting yourself with the different sign shops in this city and which can offer what services and why those skill sets might be the best fit for your signage agenda.

From the South end to the North, from the East end to the West, there are all manner of sign shops to visit, but which ones will benefit you and which ones will waste your time is of paramount concern to anyone looking for a quick and professional execution to their printing requirements.

Does your sign shop have in house designers? Does it have in house printers? Do the sales personnel promptly respond and meet all of your inquiries with attention to detail and concern for your thorough satisfaction?

Have you heard of your sign shop through word of mouth, raising their reliability and trustworthiness via the merits of past business deals with people you know? Will your sign company seek to fix any complaints or concerns and treat your order big or small with the same respect and importance across the board?

Does your company produce and ship to you in a timely manner without damage to the delivery? Has your print operator sought to ensure every order detail is nailed down?

All of these questions and countless more need to be addressed before you head into a business relationship with a printer.

IF you find the right match for your company, you may never need to go searching for a suitable sign shop again.

If, however, you fail to address any of the important criteria in the quest for good signage, you may end up wishing you had dug a little deeper before committing to the first graphic outlet that pops up in your search listings.

This is the time to nurture some patience and begin asking questions of your potential sign retailer. How close in proximity are they to you, in case you need to stop in to analyze a color swatch or confirm a sample print or test proof? How long have they been in business, in case next year your vinyl has begun to crack due to poor quality, but your print partner has disappeared? How big is their portfolio and how wide is their vision?

Have they demonstrated the capacity for creativity as well as common sense, straight to the point marketing. Do they know the basic tenets of grabbing people’s attention and holding it?

Do they know those colors which most attract the eye–and those lessons of graphical layout that most entice the gaze? Do they have good grammar and a way with words to help you on your way to your new slogan and advertising pitch? How far will they go to ensure your complete happiness with the job at hand and how it is handled?

One of the most glaring discrepancies between the many sign and print companies in London the experience of the staff and their craftsmanship and design promise. Many companies around town will employ a younger front line crew to handle the less important customers, leaving the experienced operators more behind the scenes where they handle the larger clientele. If you are just starting out, do you want a newcomer or a wise, well versed worker to handle your order?

If you stop at one of the tiny print shops that operate out of fifty square feet in the corner of a mall, then you will get compromised results. These tiny print spots typically have limited space and a younger crew on board, not at all prepared to handle the business community, but more geared toward shoppers passing by who think to get one t-shirt printed or some quick cards for their home business. But even these customers will not get the time and attention they deserve and would find at a medium sized company that caters specifically to serious printing needs.

Contrarily, if you step into one of the larger sign companies, usually out in the South or East end, you may find yourself in over your head. Some of these companies work with big purchasers only–while others have more general mandates to filter out the smaller clients in an effort to streamline their profits. Here at Global Signs we seek to satisfy all orders of varying complexities, so no matter who walks through our door they feel welcome and in good, trusted hands.

We supply 35+ years of experience in sign advice free via phone, email, text or in person. Please feel free to drop in at any time to go over what we can do for you–and we are confident you will find no need to keep looking for a print shop local to London ever again. Global Signs is your local solution.

One of the best ways to begin your journey toward sleuthing out a good sign store in London is of course through email, in order to save yourself potential wasted trips.

Of course at some point you may wish to come into the shop in person in order to meet with your operator and go over details, but in the beginning it should be satisfactory to start fishing around with the different companies for the best deal available to you, given the product being offered, the service being rendered–and the price being considered.

If you have dealt with a previous sign company in town, then you may still have some graphic files on your computer, which you should email to your sign shop so that they may more accurately quote or estimate you on your signage needs.

Signmakers base their pricing not just on the material and labor involved, but also the design side which is not pure and simple labor but often involves creative problem-solving, artistic flourishes–and piercing design prowess. So the more information you can provide your potential sign shop the better off will be the beginning of your business relationship.

Does your graphic house website have an upload function for your files? Does their website offer you a pleasing visual display of their products that they are offering you? Is your shop locally started or a franchise?

Often the family owned business will go the extra mile for your work and show you preference upon your return.

Does your graphic outlet freeze prices at previous rates for your future business? Will they perform minor touch-ups and tweaks to your existing signage in order to keep you a happy customer?

Do they offer free sample prints and will they show you some general designs if what you are seeking is unusual and you want to be sure they can handle the design’s direction?

You may find yourself thinking of new questions the more you begin to think about teaming up with a new printer in London.

One strategy to employ is perhaps begin by purchasing something small at the signmaker and see if that meets your needs. If you are happy with everything from the pricing to the service to the product, then you can move on to your bigger projects with more confidence that you will not be burned or burdened with mediocre advertising results.

Your sales and business depend for their lifeblood on your media campaign and your branding dollars must be spent with every possible corner not cut but carefully rendered, thus resulting in your increased profits and return business. You do not need a giant sign installation company when a mid-sized shop will give you more hands-on service and more attention to product detail and a lesser price. You also do not need a printer operating out of his or her garage to give you slashed prices but sloppy craftsmanship, poor punctuality and thus potentially disastrous results.

What you need is a mid-sized family owned sign shop with 35+ years of experience, that specializes in everything, yet will serve your order singly as the most important in the moment, with operators that respond to emails in real time and consider every inquiry as important and serious as the last and the next. All of these characteristics so key and valuable in a sign outlet retailer are available to be found in one London, Ontario sign company .. Global Signs.

Also known as Torrington Signs or Quick Signs, this shop has had several locations around London over the years, but for the past decade has settled nicely in Hyde Park, North London.

We are located at 1674 Hyde Park Rd. N, Unit 4, a block North of Gainsborough, just off Hyde Park on the side street North Routledge. There is a big box industrial building that sits on Hyde Park, and we are in the back South-West corner of that building. There is plenty of free parking here and we welcome anyone to come visit our store to see our product, our printer–our people.

Global Signs is the best all around sign shop service for the wide body of mid-sized businesses that exist in London–as well as companies smaller and much bigger too, for they all find our friendly staff and passion for signage refreshing and even relieving after experiences they have with some other companies.

Do not let yourself fall into the trap of trying to save too much money or not saving enough. Seek the service of a graphic supplier that cannot be equaled in experience and expertise and you will never have to worry about your upcoming advertising campaign again. The proof is in the results, so let us linger no longer–let us begin by supplying you with a quote and begin your new ad push today. Email: Info@GlobalSigns.ca to begin.

Whether you are after A-frame sandwich boards, banners, magnets, decals, design, digital printing, vinyl cut printing, coroplast signs, metal signs, parking signs, aluminum signs, bike posts, bag signs, screen printed signage, static cling signage, floor graphics, window graphics, perforated decals, bannerstands, tradeshow displays, outdoor flags, laser engraved door plaques, wayfinders, business cards, pamphlets, fliers, lawn signs, crane frames, aluminum frames, canopy signs, box signs, 3D channel letters, construction site signs, rent signs, children at play signs, traffic signs and more we cover the gamut.

What “Banner Ounce” is best for me?

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When considering the many applications of your new banner purchase, you will want to address certain scenarios as to time and location.

For instance, is your new banner going to be a permanent installation, temporary–or will you be putting it up and taking it down multiple times and multiple different venues or showcases? Are the locations your banner is going to be shown at indoors or outdoors, subject to high wind conditions or relatively sheltered–and will it be subject to much wear and tear handling or usually left alone?

All of these questions will serve to help us understand your banner needs better, in order that you may get the best product possible at the most economical rate in the quickest time allowed.

At Global Signs we deal with three different weights our ounces in our banner material, depending on the needs of the client.

At bottom is the 13 oz vinyl banner material, which we typically produce in-house. It is normally scrim-backed, giving it more strength–and we typically offer it in matte or glossy material. This 13 oz material is remarkably strong for being the base weight, for if you try to tear it with your hands you would be hard pressed to even begin a rip.

But do not be fooled, for the strength of some winds can be deceiving, and if your 13 oz banner is suspended between posts or against a chain-link fence, without at least reinforcing the edges or cutting wind holes, then it will likely be torn to shred within a few months of high wind season.

If you know the season and the duration will be short, then you may wish to opt for this more inexpensive material. Also, if the banner will be going against a wall where wind cannot get at it, then you will be okay with this material. We typically punch grommets every two feet around the edges so you can be sure it is fastened down and no lips will let the wind underneath. We can add extra strips of banner material around the edging before punching the grommets in to give it more strength at a marginal additional cost if you wish. If you banner is largely remaining indoors, this material is all you will need. Just let us know you would like the in-shop 13 oz banner material and we will process your order with precision and haste.

If you banner will be hung outside for extended periods, to brave inclement weather–or between posts or against fences that will let the wind through–then you will need some extra strength material and reinforcing in order to be sure that your display will last the greatest possible duration and hang together as it were long enough so as not to appear raggedy or torn, in turn reducing the prestige of your brand. You will want to choose between 18 oz or 23 oz.

23 oz will be for those highest of hardship banner hangs, whether across a road or between fencing etc.. You may also opt for a perforated 23 oz banner material, which will allow wind to pass through it and reduce the likelihood of tear. We have done this particularly for banner hangs that go up high on scaffolding and other such precarious positions. These heavy ounces banners come with hemmed edges and grommets.

You can also opt to have ropes actually sewn in to the hems for extra strength if you wish to secure or tie down the banner in that way.

If you are after an intermediary ounce, then choose the 18 oz and that will satisfy your banner needs if you anticipate medium wind, middle of the way weather conditions and other such challenges for you display.

All of these things considered for your banner hang will help you to avoid headaches and difficulties down the road.

We want your new banner experience to be most hassle-free and pleasant experience possible–so we will inform you of what we feel your best options are given your particular circumstance and needs. You may choose to drill these banners in with washers and screws, possibly with anchors if the wall is concrete.

Transporting banners is convenient since they can be rolled up, so that is definitely one advantage over their rigid substrate alternatives. Simply unscrew or untie the banner, take it down, roll it up and you will be on your way. Then at the other end of your route, rehang it according to the same methods–and voila your display will be up for others to see in a new location.

Another point of interest to consider in acquiring your new banner is that of graphics and how it will look.

If your logo is full of complexity or gradients–and / or you have pictures files you wish to incorporate into the display, then you will be looking at getting a digitally printed banner, which will ensure you get the visual results you require at the best rate.

Alternatively, you your logo is solid colors and not too complex, you may wish to opt for the vinyl cut method, which is slightly more durable and will weather somewhat better over time, particularly in the sense of not fading as quickly, since the inks are set into the vinyl rather than laid on top.

Pricing for these two variables differs, depending on whether your digitally printed banner will be incorporating a lot of design–and whether your vinyl cut banner will be incorporating many small letters or just big ones.

The labor and materials involved in vinyl cut banners can push their prices up a bit, while the design of digitally printed banners is where the bulk of the pricing variables can fluctuate.

But whether you choose 13, 18 or 23 ounce–and whether you opt for vinyl cut or digitally printed banners–we will ensure that you end up with precisely the banner hang to suit your needs–and get you on your way to new and improved advertising results.

Banner hangs a great way to generate impressions all across the spectrum–and their applications are numerous. Some choose to cover existing awnings with stretched banners. Some cover pilon signs with banners, to save a bit on the plexiglas alternative. Some hang their banners on billboards while others hang the on walls, fences and even between posts in a field.

Banners have myriad applications and uses and you will find them indispensable in whatever campaign you are running.

Let us consult you on your new banner needs and we will talk about where it will be going and for how long–what your company logo looks like and whether you will be wanting full color or basic lettering–then you will be well on your way to your new banner hang.

Retractable Bannerstands

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This tradeshow season, set yourself up with the best displays for your business, by allowing us to consult you on your needs for what you wish to accomplish in advertising.

The middle ground for entrepreneurs big and small in tradeshow displays is bar none Retractable Bannerstands, the most economical, convenient and impressive display unit dollar-for-dollar to get your marketing strategy off to a good and easy start.

The Spider Pop-Up Display units that cover 10 foot by 10 foot display spaces and tower over your potential clients and purchasers are definitely the thorough and sophisticated approach, but require much time and expense to acquire and employ.

The table-top displays, posters and merchandising pamphlets available also have their specific purposes and strengths.

It is definitely the case that a business should target the bigger displays in the long run and always have some paper hand-out’s, table coverings, etc to round out their show performance.

However, for those companies looking where to begin, needing something impressive yet that will not drain their advertising capital all in one purchase, who want to wow their audience but spare themselves the set up time that could instead be spent speaking to people and spreading word of their brand–need look no further than the ever popular Retractable Bannerstands.

Even in the category of Bannerstands, mind you, there is a wide variety of options that will either upgrade or downgrade you from the traditional retractable unit.

For those wishing to be able to interchange banners in the unit from year to year, there is an pressure release model that will allow this luxury, however it comes with the added inconvenience of having to roll the banner up by hand.

This might add 10 minutes to your set up and take down time, but in some cases some may not mind this added labor, while others would prefer to stick with one display splash and have the added ease of simply allowing the banner to retract itself.

For those wishing to have something much more dynamic, impressive and eye-catching, there are much more expensive varieties of these stands that range from double-sided units, to revolving units–to double-wide units and many more.

But again, these more sophisticated units will up your budget 2 to 10 fold, so there may be more wisdom in sticking with the medium units and potentially beginning to acquire several of them down the road.

It is an entirely feasible and smart strategy for a company beginning to set forth into small trade shows to have say 3 to 5 of these units surrounding your floor space. This would give your show the imposing features that the more expensive Spider Pop Up displays carry at a quarter the cost. This would also be a snap to set up, each stand unrolling in a matter of seconds, leaving you to consider other more minor concerns like your table set up and pamphlet strategies.

At Global Signs, our basic Retractable Bannerstand units are aluminum with a three-part collapsible pole and black carrying case. The display face of the banner is approximately 32″x78″ with the total unit standing at about 84″.

These are by far our most popular and economical units which we ship all over the country. In many cases a company like Planter’s Peanuts or Vector Marketing will choose to do business with us out of London so that they may acquire a dozen of these units at once and deliver them to their different branches around the nation.

Other smaller clients will purchase one or two for their in town needs and instantly have an affordable and impressive display for years to come. You will be able to walk into your tradeshow with this lightweight unit slung over one shoulder, saunter up to your floor space and minutes later walk away to admire your brand standing up for all to see.

Then when the show is done, simply unhook the top and carefully guide the banner back into its holding unit where it will await your next show. Some may also consider leaving their unit on display in their front showroom or display area, so as to allow it to carry on delivering their message year round even when they are not on the road at a show or event.

For indoor on site marketing purposes there are fewer better ways to advertise your business than the perennial Retractable Bannerstand.

To begin your journey toward acquiring a unit from us we must first determine if you have print-worthy logos files and whether you have a graphic designer available to do the set up work for you. If so this will save you some money, but otherwise we will be happy to do the layouts and any design work for you.

Simply email us your existing files for a survey of their state and we will advise you on what work may be needed done before production can commence. Let us know all the information you wish to incorporate onto your unit including bullet points, slogans, websites, phone and or fax numbers, email addresses and more.

If you wish to have a picture splash please do your best to send us a high resolution photo image. We will in turn send you a quote and proof of the how the banner will look once completed, at which point you may make any changes you wish until you are satisfied with the final look.

Please consult our blog on “General Layouts” for more information as to the three degrees of design services we offer.

Once the final proof is confirmed, and you have given the go ahead for production to commence, our operator will print the banner off of our wide format Mutoh printer, align it to the retractable unit, fastening top and bottom with industrial tape or pressure clamps–finally doubly securing each joint with extra clear tape and setting it up in our shop on display for a day to ensure it holds securely and firmly and looks according to the proof promised.

Once the operator is satisfied with the final product you will be notified of its completion and may come to pick it up during our business hours, at which point we will guide you through the set up and take down of the unit and how to collapse it into its carrying bag.

Alternatively, if you would prefer for us to ship the unit to your address please advise your operator and we will send it out.

The proofing process is the variable that cannot be estimated since it may take longer or less time depending on your graphical needs, but once the final image is settled on the product will generally be made within a day or two and ready for you to acquire. So if you have a show coming up this weekend, there is no need to panic, as we always have an operator on call 24/7, so all you need to do is touch base with us at info@GlobalSigns.ca, indicate your deadline and timeframe and we will have you equipped with your new Retractable Bannerstand unit in short order.

You can always count on Global Signs to deliver your top quality and strategic advertising signage in a time sensitive fashion with zero hassle.

So remember, if you do not have a Retractable Bannerstand unit in your arsenal of media branding, there is something missing and we will be happy to fill this gap for you before it becomes a handicap in your advertising catalog.

Not many companies out there do not have one of these units and you will soon learn of there exceptional convenience and remarkable performance power once you have taken that first step and signed on with Global Signs to produce for you one of the best instant display units on the market today.

What is “Wide Format Printing”?

Wide Format Printer

Global Signs operates an in shop wide format CMYK Ecosolvent Mutoh printer. 

This make carried with it a reputation for reliability when we acquired it, for the Mutoh brand was originally solely geared toward architectural drawing prints, so their quality had to be above par.  The nozzle head comes with a wave pattern functionality which discourages the banding effect to which some other printers are prone. 

We use this digital printer to run off everything from banners to vinyl to paper to canvas and more.

Color matching can be a headache for some print shops, but we use one or two color profiles alone that seem to cover the gamut of files that are out there, without much usual hassle. 

If ever there are discrepancies we readily reset the profile and reprint until the match is where it should be. 

We request files that are submitted to either be flat TIFF or Jpeg–or more preferably .ai, .pdf, .eps or other vector-based file, as long as all fonts are outlined, so there is no substituted text cropping up.

Production can be quite quick, often with 2 day turnaround–or overnight in a pinch–since we have a print operator on call every day of the year and our printer is always ready to go.  But production cannot commence before the proofing stage is complete. 

However long it takes to make sure the sign will look like how you want it is never too long–and once it is ready to go, the sign will be done before you know it. 

But that being said, some certain types of signs can take time. 

Digital wide format printing overall is quicker than the vinyl cut side of the business, when there is something of high detail being produced.  But vinyl cut wins the race when it comes to heavy ink graphics, for the digital print will need time to dry, especially if there is a lot of black in the picture. 

If you are producing a rich black graphic with us, then be forewarned it usually takes an extra day of drying time before the second half of production can finish.  This is unless you are purchasing a banner, since banners tend to dry rather quickly compared to plastic vinyl, for the material absorbs the ink better. 

Generally speaking, if there is not a lot of black, a digital vinyl coroplast sign can begin production in a morning and potentially complete later that afternoon, while a simple vinyl cut sign with little detail and not many words can be executed in a few hours.

But a vinyl cut sign with extensive detail or many words will take much longer than simply printing the project, so be informed that pricing takes these matters into account, for some graphics are exponentially more labor intensive depending on how they are made.

We will always advise you your alternate options, which is the most economical route–and which is the more expensive due to the increased time involved.

If you would like to see a sample print before production commences, to determine if the quality is suitable or the colors are preferred, then let our operator know and he will advise when a small print is ready for your viewing. 

It will typically be left on our pick up counter where you first walk in to the shop.  It should be marked FREE sample print and you can take it and leave if we are occupied with customers at that moment.  Then let your operator know via e-mail whether to proceed.  The production will complete and you will be notified the moment your sign is ready for pick up. 

Arrangements can be made to ship the sign to you–or for your pick up after hours via appointment–or if you are picking up during business hours, we will be glad to see you then.  We accept payment by credit card (all except AMEX), cheque, cash, Paypal and invoice.  If in the future you would like repeat prints of the exact same sign, you will receive a price freeze at previous rates.

So come put our Mutoh to the test, we would love to see your art prints, banners, posters, vinyl signs and more come to creation in our shop. 

After the material is run over the printer’s platen and the head fires down the graphic, the drying lip heats the sheet from beneath, drying the ink enough that it will not tack to itself as it feeds down over a take-up reel, on to a roll below. 

From here, the roll is then taken into the back, where the operator unravels it on a big cutting table and goes to work. 

He will trim the graphic back to its border and either apply it to a substrate like coroplast, alumapanel, painted wood or pure aluminum–or if it is a banner he will tape-hem the edges and/or punch grommets every 2 feet around the outside. 

Back to the printer then, he will release the roll and realign the sheet so as to be set for the next job.  He will check the ink levels to ensure nozzles do not dry out and clean the print head, spit tray and wiping station thoroughly with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol.  Regularly cleaning is necessary to ensure fuzz and ink do not end up on the printed projects. 

The shop is kept at a stable humidity to ensure our wide format prints are of the utmost quality–and our Mutoh lives a long and fruitful life, helping endless customers along their way to digitally printed signage solutions.

Just as vinyl cut signs were the kings of their day, so are digitally printed signs today–with 3D printers just around the corner ready to wear the crown. 

But all three will likely continue to be used now as much as before, if not more so due to increased access and reduced costs to purchase and operate.  For now, however, whatever are your signage needs, let us show you all of the options that are available to you–and what exactly our wide format Mutoh printer can do for you.