1. How soon can I get my order?
2. What form of payment do you accept?
3. Do you have a catalog?
4. What size Standard Panel Signs can you make?
5. What kind of material are the Standard Panel Signs made of?
6. Can I supply the photos and the descriptions I want used on my signs?
7. How many colors can you use?
8. Can I get a color background?
9. What is the best way to mount and display the signs?
10. How should the signs be attached to the post/pedestals?
11. Does the post/pedestal come with the sign for the one quoted price?
12. How long will the signs last?
13. Who pays for the cost of shipping?
14. What do the signs cost?
15. How can I protect the signs?
16. What quality can I expect?
How soon can I get my order?
Most of our orders are custom made by request, and there can be several days of email and/or phone exchange to arive at the final format and content. Once we know exactly what the customer wants, we can usually have the signs made and delivered within two weeks. Sometimes the process is simple and we can deliver in less than a week.
return to Table Of Contents
What form of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard and Discover. We do ship from purchase orders and accept payment after the signs are delivered.
return to Table Of Contents
Do you have a catalog?
We don't use a printed catalog, we do have web pages with examples Examples and Tree/Plant/Wildlife ID Signs
and if you are interrested in our stock images we will supply a web page of images based on a list of species which you send us. Please describe the format you are interested in, ie. 5" X 7" with photo and name or 4" X 9" with photo name and description.
return to Table Of Contents
What sizes can you make?
We can produce Standard Fiberglass Panel Signs up to 8" X 10" (80 sq. inches). For larger sizes see -High Pressure Composit Panels
return to Table Of Contents
What kind of material are the Standard Panel Signs made of?
We use two types of material: 1. Plastic, actually a fiberglass panel with a polyester coating. It is 1/8 inch thick and rigid enough that it will bend slightly but return to its flat shape. 2. Metal, actually a thin 2/100 inch thick aluminum with a polyester coating. It will easily bend and stay in the bent shape. We recommend the Plastic. We use a sublimation process to embed the pigments into the polyester molecules of the coating. The liquid pigments are applied to a reverse image transfer sheet and dry to a solid, the pigments are embeded under heat and pressure, passing from the solids on the transfer sheet directly into a vapor form which is embeded into the expanded polyester molecules. When the signs cool the molecules contract and trap the pigments inside.
return to Table Of Contents
Can I supply the photos and the descriptions I want used on my signs?
Yes, we can also suggest photos and descriptions based on your submitted species list. Custom designs for the 4"x 9" panels result in an added charge for graphic artwork.
return to Table Of Contents
How many colors can you use?
We use a process similar to digital photo development, with the capability to produce 256 million colors.
return to Table Of Contents
Can I get a color background?
Yes, but the prices quoted are for a white background which is the base color of our material. To get a color background we have to use pigments to cover the entire background and the pigments are our largest material cost. You may contact us for a quote on color backgrounds, the saturation level determines the cost, meaning a slight tint is much less expensive than a deep color.
return to Table Of Contents
What is the best way to mount and display the signs?
We have a web page with suggestions for mounting and displaying, including the aluminum post/pedestals which we can supply. ( Displaying your signs). We don't usually construct the wood post/pedestals due the cost for shipping the treated wood. Many of our customers have the post/pedestals made locally by their Boy Scout Troop. Many times scouts are looking for community projects and welcome the opportunity. It may only cost you the price of the materials and as a bonus you may have the scouts to install the post and signs for you. They can also be mounted directly to trees with screws and hold off springs. (We don't recommend this) They can also be mounted verticaly on fiberglass rods using an epoxy ie. JB Weld, etc.
return to Table Of Contents
How should the signs be attached to the post/pedestals?
We suggest either of two methods: 1. Drill a small hole in each corner and use stainless steel screws. or 2. Use an exterior grade construction adheasive such as Liquid Nails, available at your building supply store.
return to Table Of Contents
Does the post/pedestal come with the sign for the one quoted price?
No. We have a web page with suggestions for mounting and displaying and we do sell aluminum posts Display Mounting Recommendations. We don't usually construct the wooden post/pedestals due the cost for shipping the treated wood. Many of our customers have the post/pedestals made locally by their Boy Scout Troop. Many times scouts are looking for community projects and welcome the opportunity. It may only cost you the price of the materials and as a bonus you may have the scouts to install the post and signs for you. They can also be mounted directly to trees with screws and hold off springs. (We don't recommend this) They can also be mounted verticaly on fiberglass rods using an epoxy ie. JB Weld, etc.
return to Table Of Contents
How long will the signs last?
Like most things that depends on the care you give and the location and method of display. If displayed as we suggest, on the aluminun or treated wood post/pedesteal with the hinged lid cover, they will last indefinitely Display Mounting Recommendations. If placed open-face in direct UV sunlight (like gives you a sunburn) they will show some fading over time. (This is true of new automobiles, window dressings, furniture, and just about anything else left in direct UV sunlight). How soon and how much they fade is dependent on the amount of direct UV sunlight, mounted vertical with a northern exposure, or in a shaded area, will fade less. If there is no natural shade you can mount with a protective hood and/or side blinders, etc. The signs are not affected by heat, cold, rain, snow, or even flooding. If you are interested in signs with more UV resistance and a warranty against fading when displayed in direct sunlight see - High Pressure Composite Panels
return to Table Of Contents
Who pays for the cost of shipping?
We add the cost of shipping to each invoice. We usually ship via the US Postal Service - Priority Mail, with insurance and delivery confirmation. The cost to ship up to 14 4"x9" is $20, 15-28 $40.00, etc.
return to Table Of Contents
What do the signs cost?
Our most commonly used size is 4" X 9" (36 sq. in.) with photo, name, and description. We sell these fiberglass panels (white background) with our stock images for $29.00 each. Larger sizes are priced by individual quotes in sizes up to 8" x 13". We can produce smaller sizes but the minimum price is $29.00. We give a 2% discount for orders of 10 or more signs with the exact same image.
return to Table Of Contents
How can I protect the signs?
One of the best ways to ensure that the signs remain sharp and the colors remain bright is to spray them with a UV inhibitor or "Clear Coat Sealer". This is an automotive finish which is available in an aresol spray can from automotive and home improvement stores. It helps to protect aganist UV rays which can cause fading.
Occasionally wiping a cleaned graphic face with a polymer-based boat or car wax will assist in removal of graffiti and dirt.
Graffiti, spray paints, etc. can be removed with GoofOff.
What quality can I expect?
We strive to deliver a quality product. The fiberglass panels are made with a transfer process and not a direct print, therefore, the quality of the print will not be as sharp, with the defined edges of a laser print. We offer these economical panels as a lower cost alternative to our HPC product which you should consider if your intended use requires a higher quality display.
Tree/Plant/Wildlife ID Signs
Copyright (c) 2009 - 2023 David Arthur.
This page was last updated on June 5, 2023
_______________________________________________