class="tag"Posts Tagged ‘High Density Urethane’
No Comments Custom Sign Letters For Velocity
Creating A New Custom Sign For Velocity
While many of you are familiar with the custom sign we created for Velocity Garage in 2012, they decided to rebrand their technology incubator to encompass all of their facilities. Their original sign was created with individual cutout high density urethane letters (otherwise know as HDU or sign foam),
so it HDU was the logical choice when it came to choosing material for this new batch of custom signs.
The custom sign letters were cut on our CNC router table but this time they were finished in black to give them a sleek and sophisticated look. The letters were prepped for pin mounting and different wording was used for each location.
Velocity Four Ways
Even though University of Waterloo’s Velocity had a different focus for each area, it was important to show that Velocity Garage, Velocity Residence, Velocity Science and Velocity Foundry are all connected and they used signage to establish this connection. You can see the similarities in the posts below. Each image shows the signs as focal points but lets the text speak for the space.
It's packed in the Velocity Science Open Lab! Don't worry, everyone will get a chance to see/hear about the new lab. pic.twitter.com/uqHpythejb
— Velocity (@UWvelocity) May 27, 2014Custom Signs Are Great Ways To Grab Attention
Velocity understands the importance of standing out in the startup community. Grabbing the attention of entrepreneurial leaders is always an important factor when it comes to creating a new business. Finding what makes you unique from others in your industry can get you well on your way to success. We specialize in attention grabbing custom signs. We want ensure your business stands out. Our custom signs create impact without looking intrusive or out of place. When you are opening a new establishment or rebranding an existing business always look for ways to grab attention in a pleasing manor.
Velocity managed to grab our attention by including The Sign Depot installers at the end of this video. They have certainly made an impact!
High Density Urethane Signs For School Of Rock Kitchener-Waterloo
School Of Rock Opens In Kitchener Ontario
Who could forget Jack Black’s performance as Dewey Finn in the film School Of Rock?
Well the School Of Rock Kitchener Waterloo Ontario steps right in where this film left off. Their mission is to inspire the world to rock on stage and in life and they wanted to make a big impact upon their arrival in Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario.
Custom Guitar Logo
The highlight of the School Of Rock’s branding is the letter “O” of the word “ROCK” customized to include a guitar in the letter’s centre
This was created with our CNC Router Table program and cut from High Density Urethane otherwise known as HDU or Sign Foam in the sign industry. It is a material that fully customizable. It can replicate wood, stone, and many designer looks. High Density Urethane can be used in both Interior and Exterior signage which makes it a substrate we use often for crafting our custom signs. The stylized guitar was added as an extra layer to give the sign dimension and finished in red to stand out from the other letters in the sign.
Ready To Rock
Once the School Of Rock sign was fully finished it was taken to the location and installed to building’s exterior, making it a recognizable landmark in that area.
The full signage package was brought together in time for their Grand Opening and as you can see from the pictures on their facebook page it was a great success.
For Those About To Rock We Salute You
We want to hear from you! Have you been to School Of Rock or are you planning to soon? Leave a comment below, send us a tweet or post on our facebook page and let us know if you’ll be rocking out there!
Long Live Rock!!!
Creating Custom 3 Dimensional Signs For The Next Big Thing – Thalmic Labs
Getting Geared Up
If you are following the #CES2014 twitter feed you’ll see that wearable tech gear is all the rage at this year’s event. While this may be big news out of town, here in Kitchener Ontario, Thalmic Labs makers of the MYO armband have made another big move in the marketplace by moving from the VeloCity Garage into a retrofitted building. This is making the tech gear company big news both North and South of the boarder.
Diving Into 3 Dimensional Signs
When you think of digital companies, you imagine the next piece of software that is coming to a screen near you. Thalmic Labs is taking your digital experience and adding dimension. Their MYO gesture control armband stands out from the typical tech gear by incorporating their users’ movements into the mix. They are standing out as the next big thing in modern gear and they wanted their custom exterior sign to stand out too. Below is a step by step look of how their custom 3 dimensional sign was created using High Density Urethane, LEDs and a Custom Paint finish.
To begin the process High Density Urethane (HDU) was CNC Router Cut into the shape of the Thalmic symbol.
The logo pieces were primed and given a custom finish durable enough to endure our ever changing weather conditions.
The HDU pieces were wired with LEDs and then enclosed with an acrylic piece
Make A Statement
3 dimensional signs give companies a way to add impact to their branding. The make a statement without becoming an eye-sore. As you can see in the image from Thalmic Lab’s blog their exterior sign is standing up to our Canadian winter. This gives them ability to stand out from the surroundings and brand their new location.
For additional photos see our gallery below. We’re gearing up for 2014 in a big way! Let us know how your business is getting in gear for 2014. Leave a comment, send us a tweet, or post on our facebook page. We appreciate the gesture.
Custom Vintage Look Wood Signs – Truth Beauty’s Business Sign Solutions
The Beauty Of A Distressed Wood Sign
When it comes to Business Sign Solutions we have lots of options to suit a company’s branding. Finding that perfect fit may take more than one type of material to make the establishment recognizable in busy areas. When the The Truth Beauty Company moved from their Olivier location, they took the opportunity to create custom business signs for this new business.
Their store front sign and reception sign was fabricated from repurposed wood to give the signs a vintage look. To add dimension to the custom signs, High Density Urethane (sign foam) letters and designs were CNC cut on our Router table. Those HDU pieces were given custom finishes and then attached to the distressed wood and framed. This gave the Truth Beauty sign 3 dimensional sign elements while keeping with the antique look of the wood.
Add Some Artistic Signage
In addition to the exterior entranceway sign and interior sign and additional artistic fabric wall hanging was created to further showcase the business’s logo. A stencil was cut to match the design and applied to the fabric. Next the design was airbrushed on the material and after the stencil was removed the result was an artistic sign in the form of custom piece of drapery for their location.
To read more about The Truth Beauty Company make sure to check out their article in the Waterloo Chronicle aptly named The Truth About Beauty.
Source: waterloochronicle.ca via Lisa on Pinterest
To learn more about The Sign Depot’s custom signs and business sign solutions take a look at our portfolio page and be sure to contact us.
Looking for more engaging ways to connect with Sign Depot? Make sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter that highlights our recent sign projects and upcoming sign features. You can also follow us on Facebook, check out our Sign Depot Pinterest page or send us a tweet! Have an inquiry specific to this post? Make sure to leave it in the comment section and we will make sure to act swiftly to answer it for you.
Have Your Custom Business Sign Made From Wood Or High Density Urethane
Using 3 Dimensional Signs To Stand Out From Other Businesses
Have you ever thought of your business sign as a landmark? When people give directions is your business often mentioned as part of the mix? These are signs that your business sign stands out from the rest. Your business is noticeable and recognizable to passers-by which means you are memorable to many. Dimensional signs are great eye-catchers and with the choice of Sandblasted Wood Signs or High Density Urethane (HDU), dimensional signs and structures can create a distinctive look for your brand.
Dimensional Cedar Signs
Custom western red cedar signs are a great choice when looking to create dimensional look. There are a couple of ways which wood can achieve the desired look.
- V-Cut Grove signs are carved by a router to sink the letters/graphics into the wood
- Sandblasted signs create dimension by blasting away the cedar to raise the wooden text and logos to make them the prominent part of the sign
Both the techniques are great ways to use wood for your business signs.
Dimensional High Density Urethane Signs (HDU)
High Density Urethane otherwise known as Sign Foam or HDU signs are becoming more and more popular in the business industry. Finding a Sign Company that can easily manipulate that material is the key to having the sign look amazing. By using a CNC machine and well designed sign file, High Density Urethane can be transformed into almost anything.
Either sign substrate choice will make your business sign stand out, and make your business look outstanding! Need more info on how dimensional signs and structural signage can fit into your business? Then contact The Sign Depot and one of our Award Winning Sign Experts will be pleased to help. Looking for more examples of dimensional business signs? Visit our photo gallery on our website and our facebook page.
Communitech HYPERDRIVE Hits Lightspeed With the Help Of High Density Urethane – HDU
What is Hyperdrive?
Well according to George Lucas’s 1977 movie STAR WARS Hyperdrive propulsion systems were vital starship components that allowed starships to enter hyperspace to traverse the vast distances of space at faster-than-lightspeed.
There is one issue, as you can see, without a properly functioning hyperdrive motivator the hyperdrive can break down.
Enter Communitech Hyperdrive
As listed on their website Communitech helps technology companies start, grow and succeed. Earlier this week Communitech launched Communitech HYPERDRIVE. This is truly the motivator requirement that many startup companies need. This functioning motivator helps new tech business owners gain access to industry investors and mentors. They find ways to make their companies grow quickly, or more appropriately send them into lightspeed.
Launch Party
Because of our long standing relationship with Communitech, Peter from Sign Depot was invited to the HYPERDRIVE launch. When asked about the event he has this to say
“The room had lots of energy with a young and vibrant crowd. The introduction of each selected company showed the diversity and unique business opportunities supported by HYPERDRIVE. The idea and mission of HYPERDRIVE is exactly what will continue to fuel a strong, continuum of start up companies, which in turn will be good for the economy.”
Sounds impressive indeed. Finding a way to impress the occupants of the already buzzing Communitch Hub was Sign Depot’s task. Their sign needed to be futuristic and edgy, while maintaining a professional look. The sign was constructed by CNC routering letters made from HDU (High Density Urethane) and creating a halo light effect with LED lights.
Being included in Communitech’s post was the nod of approval we were happy to receive.
To find more info about the next round of Communitech HYPERDRIVE applications, keep watch of the HYPERDRIVE blog. In the meantime we will the first round of recipients the best on their upcoming endevours. We’d also like to recognize that today July 13th is Harrison Ford’s birthday. Without Han Solo, we would never know what a hyperdrive was for.
Think Outside The (Cake) Box
Making The Move With A Little HDU – High Density Urethane
When The Cake Box changed locations it was an opportunity to create a look and feel that matched what they do. The Cake Box prides themselves on high standard cakes and their signage needed to reflect that. Being that they are set back from the street with a parking lot in front, the sign needed to be eye-catching to grab the attention of those travelling in that high traffic area. The inspiration for this sign came from decorative picture frames. Framing a sign is a way to make your info noticeable without it looking out of place. The key is to make it reflect the business it represents. In this case a gingerbread style frame fit the bill.
Frame and Fortune
When creating this dimensional sign we chose to work with High Density Urethane otherwise known as HDU. The design was carved on the CNC router table then given a high gloss UV finish. The Cake Box individual letters were pin mounted to a backer and we gave Sweet Indulgences portion of the sign the golden touch by finishing it in 23K gold leaf.
Final Finishing Touches
As you can see, the sign was installed and the project shows very well from a distance.
Creating ways to catch the eye of those already walking through the plaza was also considered. Using window frosting vinyl The Cake Box specialties were displayed and a bright banner brought attention to the corner window.
Finding ways to think out of the box are normal occurrences here at The Sign Depot. We hope they have encouraged you to get inside The Cake Box.
If you’re looking for ways to change the look of your business signage, or if you’re planning an upcoming move to a new establishment, make sure to contact us and we’ll help create something creative for you.
High Density Urethane Letters – VeloCity Garage
HDU And What It Can Do
High Density Urethane, often referred to as HDU is a material that we use quite often when creating dimensional signs. It can be manipulated in many ways to create the look you want to achieve. In the past we have made it look like wood, brick, stone and even fudge. HDU is a versatile substrate that can be routered, sanded and painted just like wood. You can be equally creative with the finish on a High Density Urethane sign. That is what VeloCity Garage decided to do with their space in The Communitech Hub. The idea was for a sleek look with a bit of an edge. The way that was accomplished was by using two different finishes on the same project.
Step By Step
The HDU sign letters were cut out on the CNC router table. Then after sanding and priming the letters, pins were attached with epoxy. These would be used for installation. Then they were ready for the paint finishes.
the GARAGE portion of the sign was given a rust finish while the VELOCITY part was painted to a high gloss look.
After the VeloCity Garage signs were installed, the two very different looks came together to capture the feel of this High Tech shared space inside a re-purposed Tannery. Finding the right mix of old and new was the key to artstic look of this uniquely crafted sign project. The result was a “best of both worlds” sign that tips the hat to the building’s historic past and fast forwards occupents to the bright future.
If you happen to be visiting VeloCity Garage we would love to hear what you think of the sign. Tweet a pic to @TheSignDepot with your thoughts or find us on Facebook to see more of our projects.
CNC Router Table Cutting For Dimension
Designing Dimesion
Have you ever looked at the logo on your business card and wondered what it would look like if it wasn’t flat?
By using a CNC router process we can give your logo/lettering the dimension it deserves. Take a peek at our CNC router table in action
This demo is just the base of the object. After the HDU (High Density Urethane) otherwise know as outdoor use foam, has been cut and stacked it will then it will primed and painted to give it that extra punch to make it stand out! Using a router table to CNC cut the HDU creates a custom carved sign that makes a impact. Dimensional signs that are created by CNC routering spark curiosity and often an grab the attention of prospective customers. These 3D signs are a great way to get your business noticed and they often serve as a memorable landmark that literally stands out from your competitors. You want your business to be easily recognized and CNC routered signs give you the opportunity create logo into a unique advertising opportunity. The next time you are in a busy downtown area, take note of what grabbing your attention. Is it because it is different from everything else around it? Is it dimensional? Would you like something like that for your business? If the answer is yes to any or all of these questions, then perhaps you are ready to make the leap to a custom carved sign. If you foresee a CNC sign in your future, make sure to contact The Sign Depot and we can walk you through our dimensional sign making process and find what fits for your business. You will be sure to carve out a niche with a High Density Urethane carved sign from our CNC router table.
HDU Signs – Making A Daisy Blossom
Delighted to Decorate the Daisy
We reside in the Access Storage/Doon Twines building and were delighted when our friends from The Frugal Decorator told us that they were moving into the building as well.
The showpiece of their logo is a Daisy & they wanted to make it the standout item of their front entrance-way as well. It was created using HDU otherwise known as High Density Urethane. HDU is a sign substrate that is cut in layers on a CNC router table and pieced together to create a dimensional sign. With the addition of LEDs the custom HDU sign will be visible from busy intersection in both daylight and night time hours. This makes The Frugal Decorator sign noticeably predominant on that side of the building which will increase walk-in traffic, something that everyone wants. Once people notice something new they often will stop by to see what you offer.
Now that they have a great logo adorning their front entrance it was time to add some final touches to their custom business sign.
The business name was made to match, vinyl graphics were added to the windows and the address post sign from the last location was re-purposed as a projection sign for this building.
Stay tuned for pictures of it lit up after dark
To see more examples of our Artistic Structural Signage make sure to pop in to 51 Borden Ave S. Kitchener or give us a call at 519-894-0890 or visit our gallery page and make sure to stop by the OPEN HOUSE at The Frugal Decorator happening Thursday July 28/11 at Noon! 50 Ottawa St. S Kitchener
Let us know what you would do with a brand new entrance-way to attract passers-by in the comment section. We love hearing your input and knowing what you think looks great!
