Frequently Asked Questions

For the best quality of your finished product, and no hassles fixing file glitches, we require saving your artwork as a 1-page 300dpi PDF file with any type/font and strokes converted to outlines.

File requirements:

• Vector files saved to 300dpi
• Flatten all objects/gradients/swatches/symbols/special effects/transparencies
• Your artwork file color mode should be CMYK, RGB or PANTONE for any vinyl graphics printing. For paper printing, submit your files in CMYK model only, or it risks a noticeable color shift, and you will not be happy with the finished product.
• For rich black color set your black values as follows:
  • for rigid signs and banners: RGB: 0-0-0
  • for vinyl graphics & wraps: CMYK 30-30-30-100
• Delete any crop marks, hidden layers, and registration marks in your artwork

Different scenarios in print jobs may or may not require bleeds with or without crop marks.  We suggest discussing file requirements with your Vital Signs project manager who will get those artwork file requirements for you tailored to how we’re producing your job.

If your artwork will need to be cut from the substrate or material its printed on, a cut path is required. In general, most large format print jobs require a 1/2″ bleed and vector cut path with a 100% magenta stroke.

Some jobs do not require a bleed, and usually just require your file be your artwork at the exact size with no crop marks.

The main difference between raster and vector graphics lies in how they represent and store images. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Raster Graphics:

• Made of Pixels: Raster graphics are composed of a grid of individual pixels (small colored squares), each containing specific color and position information.
• Resolution-dependent: Raster images lose quality when scaled up. The more pixels there are, the higher the resolution and clarity, but if you enlarge them too much, they can become blurry or pixelated.
• Common Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF.
• Examples: Photographs, digital paintings, and scanned images.

2. Vector Graphics:

• Made of Paths: Vector graphics are defined by mathematical formulas that describe shapes, lines, and curves (using points, paths, and strokes). These paths are not made up of pixels.
• Resolution-independent: Because vector images are based on mathematical equations, they can be scaled infinitely without losing any quality or clarity.
• Common Formats: SVG, EPS, PDF, AI (Adobe Illustrator), CDR (CorelDRAW).
• Examples: Logos, illustrations, and icons.

Key Differences:

• Scaling: Raster images degrade when resized, while vector images can be resized without any loss in quality.
• File Size: Raster files can be larger because they store pixel data for every detail. Vector files are usually smaller since they only store the mathematical descriptions of paths and shapes.
• Use Cases: Raster is best for detailed images like photographs, while vector is ideal for designs that require scaling, like logos, icons, and illustrations.

In summary, raster is pixel-based and resolution-dependent, whereas vector is path-based and resolution-independent.

We have a dedicated design staff to help turn your idea into reality. Our creative team can design you a logo and other branding elements – or we can use existing artwork you provide – and integrate into signage or a vehicle wrap.

Our production processes require artwork be set up a certain way. At times, a customer will furnish their own artwork for a project, but it’s not “print-ready” on our end. So if you’re providing artwork, it will save everyone time by having your designer to talk to one of our designers at the beginning of the design process. Our team will be able to provide the requirements for your artwork to be compatible in our system, reducing the billable spending time to make it compatible. 

If we’re assisting you with the design work for your job, we gather information from you on what you want included, branding elerments and colors, logos, etc. to have a good idea what your design will include. It’s ideal to provide examples and other visuals to help our designers get a good picture of what direction to take with your design. Not having much to go on can end up having more rounds of revisions, and add to your design cost.

Once you approve the latest proof, we’re ready to collect your desposit, send your job into production, and schedule installation (if we’re installing).

NOTE: Proofs are sent so that the customer can thoroughly review the design, contents and accuracy of the design. It is the customer’s responsibility to review the design proof and give approval. Vital Signs is not responsible for any errors or omissions that were not noticed during customer proofing, and the customer is responsible for payment for any reprints as a rusult.

We have a shop order minimum of $85 on in-house produced vinyl & sign projects, and various minimums for vendor ordered paper print jobs and display products. Give us a call for job minimums we have for the type of project you are looking for.

CAUTION: Vital Signs is not responsible for any damage to finished jobs when they are not installed by our installers. Keep in mind if you self-install any product from Vital Signs, the warranty is void and no refunds will be given.

Vital Signs offers installation for all of the signs and vehicle graphics we offer, and highly suggest you hire us to do so for the best installation and finished product. However, we have some tips we can recommend if you decide to do the installation yourself.

Firstly, installation should take place  in a dry, warm area. The temperature should be no lower than 45 degrees, This includes sticking a simple 4″ vinyl decal or bumper sticker. Anything less than 45 degrees isn’t optimal for adhesion and will come off.

Get a roll of masking tape and isopropyl alcohol. Using a clean rag, clean the surface using the alcohol. Position your decal to its exact location, making sure they’re level or follow heavy body lines. Run a strip of masking tape down the middle – hoizontally or vertically – to adhere the decal in position. Then, peel the backing of the decal up to the area the tape is on, and trim the backing off. Use your other hand to hold the vinyl away from the surface, and then squeegee the vinyl from the tape line out to adhere the vinyl to the surface and working out any bubbles.

Once the first half is adhered to the surface use one hand to peel the backer off this side while using your other hand to hold the vinyl away. Squeegee that side toward its edge and that’s it!

If your graphic has transfer tape on the face of the vinyl, just peel that off and that’s a wrap!

All jobs that have different pieces of artwork or has different artwork on a second side, need to provide separate files for each front and back. For example, if you have a file for a 2-sided corrugated yard sign that includes directionals, a SIDE A and SIDE B pdf file is required.

Another example is if you have a yard sign order for (20) Seniors of a High School Basketball team that are to be printed double-sided. In this case, you would make (20) different pdf production files for each of the (20) team seniors, which will get printed with their personalized artwork on both sides.

To provide you a quote for a sign, we need the following information:

• Type of sign?
• How many do you need?
• What size?
• What it’s going to be used for?
• Where is it going?
• What material should it be?
• Single-sided or double-sided?
• When do you need it by?
• Do you need us to do the design?
• Do you need installation?

Depending on the type of sign, we may also have other questions, especially if it’s a large outdoor sign. A majority of the time, us coming to you to conduct a site visit is required for our team to fully understand the scope of the project, get proper measurements and inspect the height of the sign and proper surface to secure a sign.

Design proofs are usually done within a week of providing direction, artwork and copy. Revisions can be 1-3 days typically. Feel free to call – or shoot your project manager an email if you would like us to check where we are with your design proof. 

*SPAM NOTE*
We email your design proof, so if you had expected to receive it by now, sometimes, our email ends up in customers’ email spam folder. So you may want to check there before making a call. 

If you approve the design proof, simply reply and let us know it’s approved, or if you need something changed.

The vehicle wrap process goes like this:

The process begins with taking straight-on photos of all sides of the vehicle and of the registration sticker. Then your project manager will have a quote worked up for the project, based on approximate design time, amount of vinyl material, and the complexity and time for the installation. Once you approve the quote, your project manager will ask you to provide us your logo and other design artwork and content for the wrap design.

Design time varies and is based on if you’re providing usable artwork or wrap design, number of revisions and the complexity of the design/revision process. 

Once you approve the design proof, the project goes to billing and you submit your 50% deposit. At this point, we schedule your installation and send your job to production.  Our schedule is usually booking out about 2-3 weeks from the date you approve the design proof.

Full wraps typically are 1-3 working days and sometimes a few days more in the winter due to the us needing to wash the vehicle when it comes in and keep a newly wrapped vehicle warm overnight to help the adhesion set in.

Overall, the whole process of getting a vehicle wrapped can be 4-8 weeks from introduction to a finished install.

Looking for a quote on a vehicle or trailer wrap? This is the information needed to give you an accurate quote for a wrap:

• Year, make & model and color of the vehicle?
• Full or partial wrap?
• Looking for a printed, branded wrap for a business or a color change wrap?
• If a color change wrap, what color? Gloss, Matte, or Satin sheen?
• Any rust or paint issues currently?
• Is the vehicle ceramic coated?
• Do you need us to do the design?
• Do you need the mirrors, door handles, and any chrome trim, etc. covered up?
• Are we going to wrap over any windows? Block them out or use perforated window film?

For corrugated plasstic yard signs, save your file as a 300dpi pdf file in full size and in CMYK color mode. If your artwork includes directionals on each side, you will need to provide a separate SIDE A and SIDE B file to have the arrows pointing the same direction separately.

Keep in mind we also offer heavy duty yard sign stakes for more durability and longer life. Ask your project manager regarding the price for this upgrade to your job.

We offer flexible mobile advertising options when it comes to vinyl vehicle graphics projects. Pricing is generated by how much material is needed, design time accrued, the time it will take to install, and installation difficultness.

The terms “wrap graphics” and “spot graphics” are often used in the context of visual design, especially in areas like vehicle graphics, signage, and branding. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between them:

1. Wrap Graphics:

• Definition: A wrap refers to a large, seamless graphic that covers an entire surface or area, often wrapping around it. In the context of vehicle wraps, it involves covering a vehicle with a full or partial printed graphic, typically using vinyl materials.
• Design Style: Wrap graphics are typically large, high-resolution images, often with gradients, detailed designs, and full-color photographs. They are designed to cover large spaces smoothly and can be complex in nature.
• Application: Wraps are most commonly used for vehicle wraps (e.g., cars, trucks, buses), wall murals, window graphics, and building wraps. They’re also used for product packaging that covers the entire container.
• Characteristics:
  • Large format and can cover the entire surface.
  • Requires precise fitting to the contours of the surface being wrapped.
  • Often printed on large-format printers and then applied in pieces.

2. Spot Graphics:

• Definition: Spot graphics (sometimes referred to as “spot colors” or “spot printing”) are smaller, isolated graphics or design elements that are typically used as accents or highlights. These are not continuous or large-scale designs, but rather discrete graphics, often composed of solid colors.
• Design Style: Spot graphics often feature solid, flat colors (sometimes using spot color inks) without gradients or shading. These can be logos, text, simple icons, or other small images that stand out on a background.
• Application: Spot graphics are commonly used for logos, lettering, decals, and small design elements on vehicles, buildings, or signage.
• Characteristics:
  • Smaller and more focused than wraps.
  • Often consist of simple shapes, text, or logos.
  • Can be printed using spot color inks (specific pre-mixed inks used to achieve consistent colors, often used in printing).

Key Differences:

• Size and Coverage:

  • Wrap graphics cover large areas and are typically more complex.
  • Spot graphics are smaller and focus on discrete design elements.

• Design Complexity:

  • Wraps often include detailed, full-color designs (including gradients and photographic elements).
  • Spot graphics usually consist of simple shapes, logos, or text with solid colors.

• Use Case:

  • Wraps are used for large, attention-grabbing graphics on vehicles, buildings, or other large surfaces.
  • Spot graphics are used for branding elements (e.g., logos, names, simple graphics) that are applied to surfaces like vehicles, storefronts, or packaging.

Example:

• A vehicle wrap might cover the entire side of a van with a detailed image, logo, and contact information.
• Spot graphics on the same vehicle might include the logo on the door or the company name on the back window—simple, standalone elements of the larger design.

In summary, wrap graphics are larger, full-coverage designs, while spot graphics are smaller, more focused design elements, often with solid colors and simpler forms.

If we’re helping you with an exterior sign project, for a fee, we can handle all the necessary communications with your local municipality and make sure you arte in compliance with local laws and sign code. We’re experienced in the sign permit process and working with the local municipalities, so if you choose to have us represent you in getting a sign permit or variance, you don’t need to worry about a thing.

For printing vinyl banners, save your file as a 300dpi pdf file at full size and in CMYK color mode

By default, banners come with grommets installed every 24″ or you can specify custom grommet placement. Banners can also be produced without grommets and instead, top and or bottom pole pockets. See our banner page for more details.

Before your job is even sold, thorough research is conducted to determine the type and size of sign your business can have installed. The city or town where your business is located will review and approve your sign permit. However, each municipality has its own sign codes, applications, and review procedures. Below is an overview of the permit process from start to finish.

Step 1: Code Research

The permit specialist identifies your business’s location and determines the appropriate city or county. They then begin researching sign codes. Sign size is typically based on the size of the wall where the sign will be mounted or, for freestanding signs, the length of the property frontage.

Step 2: Sign Design

Our design team creates a sign that meets your branding needs and the requirements of the relevant sign codes.

Step 3: Permit Application

The permit application is completed and submitted along with the sign design, building elevations, and site plan. Many cities now accept electronic submissions, though some still require in-person submissions and payment of permit fees.

Step 4: Permit Review and Waiting Period

Once submitted, the review process begins. Permit approval times vary widely. Some permits are issued immediately, while others may take 3–6 weeks.

After the Permit is Issued

Once the permit is approved, production and installation of your new sign can begin. 

Wrapping is less permanent, often more affordable, and allows for unique designs that would be more complex to achieve with paint. It also protects the original paint underneath.

Handwashing is best. Use a soft cloth, mild soap, and water. Avoid abrasive materials and high-pressure water (no pressure washing a wrap).

Individual sections of a wrap can often be repaired or replaced without rewrapping the entire vehicle. 

However, if you need a wrap replaced in full, we can assist in the removal of the old, and install a new full wrap.

Yes, wraps are designed to be removable and won’t damage your vehicle’s original paint when removed professionally. A wrap that’s been on the vehicle for 10+ years, comes off in small pieces and can be more challenging to remove and costly as we charge by the hour for removal. We reserve the right to decline a vehicle for removal if it’s been on the vehicle 10+ years and is cracking and peeling, and comes off in small pieces.

No, wraps adhere best to smooth surfaces. Rust or peeling paint may need repair before wrapping

As per the US Department of Transportation:

If you operate a truck for business purposes with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or a truck and trailer with a gross combination vehicle weight rating (GCWR) of 10,001 lbs. or more, you need a USDOT number.

How do I determine my GVWR or GCWR?

The Application Process and Displaying a USDOT Number

Regulations require you to display a USDOT number whether you operate wholly within New York (intrastate) or across state lines (interstate). Even if you operate more than one vehicle, you only need one USDOT number. The number is used to identify your business and is required to be on each commercial motor vehicle operated.

You can receive your USDOT number immediately, by registering online with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Unified Registration System . using a valid credit card. There is no charge for an ‘Intrastate’ number. The card serves as an electronic signature.

NYSDOT can no longer process applications for new USDOT numbers.

Updating Your USDOT Number Information

Both Federal and New York State regulations require a biennial update of the USDOT number information, based on the last two digits of the USDOT number. When the second to last digit of your number is even, you must update the information on even years. When the number is odd, you must update on odd years. To determine the month the number information must be updated, look at the last digit. When it is 1, January is the update month, 2 is February, 3 is March, 4 is April, 5 is May, etc.

Example: USDOT 01234567 – the update is required on even years (the second to last number is even), in July (the last number is 7)

To make updates, go to Updating Registration

Vehicle Marking

• The vehicle must be marked on both sides with the legal business name or DBA as it appears on the USDOT number registration.
• Lettering must be a contrasting color with the background color of your vehicle
• Lettering must be readable from 50 feet (minimum of 2 inches high recommended)
• Visual Example:

ABC LAWN CARE SERVICE
USDOT 123456

NOTE:

• There are additional marking requirements for vehicles operating in New York City. .
• Information provided by the NY State Division of the Department of Transportation