1.WHAT IS THE
MATERIAL?
Signs are generally cast in a solid rigid polyurethane. This material
has thousands of uses including car bumpers, handles of pneumatic drills
and coatings for offshore oil rigs and under-sea pipes. Bronze and aluminium
are available where the application suits, e.g. floor fixed trail markers
are cast in bronze.
2. HOW LONG DOES POLYURETHANE LAST?
Polyurethane is an inert material that should
last forever.
3. DO YOU GIVE A
GUARANTEE? We try to guarantee
customer satisfaction. There are too many different
applications to offer
a general life guarantee of the product.
4. WHAT
IS THE BIGGEST SIZE OF SIGN YOU CAN MAKE?
The size we can cast is limited to the size
of our sand casting box which is 1.5m x 3m.
Signs
larger than this are usually
manufactured in two
or more pieces.
5. WHAT TYPEFACE CAN I HAVE?
Our standard typeface is Times Roman. We do have
some stocks of Helvetica (a non-serif typeface).
Most other typefaces
can be accommodated.
6. ARE THE LETTERS IN RELIEF?
Yes, unless they are very small on a logo or
coat of arms when they may be signwritten.
7.
WHAT SIZE WILL THE LETTERS BE?
Signs of the Times will arrange the letters in
the size most suited to the size and shape of
sign you have ordered.
You
can specify the size
required or leave it to us. We will advise you if we have any
difficulty.
8. CAN I HAVE MORE THAN ONE TYPEFACE?
Yes. Just specify what you want. There will be
a charge for non-standard typefaces.
9. WHAT
COLOURS ARE THE LETTERS? You
can have any colour on the letters. Our favourite
is Gold.
10. IS THE
MOTIF IN RELIEF?
Yes, this is the norm. We do add some painting
to the flat areas to make the motif shape fit the
space
available
or
just where it is more suitable
than raising.
11. IN WHAT FORMAT DO YOU NEED ARTWORK?
It depends. For the purpose of a quote a fax
will suffice. With order we will need a clear
B&W copy
with colour references (Ral or BS colours if
possible) or send
us the colour copy
by post or e-mail.
12. IS THE BORDER IN RELIEF?
Yes, usually, but you can ask us to make a sign
without a relief border if you prefer.
13. CAN
THE BORDER BE PAINTED?
Yes, in most cases. Some of
the oval patterns have a beaded border. In
some cases it is best to leave the border unpainted.
Call us
if you are
unsure.
14. WHEN SHOULD THE BORDER DEFINITELY
BE LEFT UNPAINTED?
When the sign is very full of text and detail.
When the border colour reduces the contrast between
the sign and background, i.e., a white border
on a black
sign will
only make the sign look smaller
on a white wall.
When a “clean, clear, unfussy” look is required.
15.
HOW ARE THE SIGNS FIXED?
Unless otherwise specified we drill for wall fixing
and supply with brass screws and plugs. If steel screws
are
used they
may rust and
leave unsightly
deposits running down the face of the sign.
16. CAN
THE SIGNS BE POST MOUNTED?
Yes. We can drill for through face fixing or
leave for you to drill on site. Just tell
us where the
holes should
go.
We can supply posts with
various methods of fixing.
17. DO THE SIGNS NEED
TO BE SUPPORTED?
No. Polyurethane is a solid rigid material
and can be fixed directly to the wall or
onto posts.
18. WHAT SORT OF PAINT DO YOU USE?
We have spent many years researching paints
and use the best available on the market.
We have
different paints
for different
applications. The
background is a cellulose, car paint system. Other
paints may be acrylics and signwriters enamels.
19. HOW LONG DO THE PAINTS LAST?
All paints fade a little over the years.
This varies with surroundings but car paints
last
for many
years. We have
many signs in our village
that we made nearly twenty years ago and still work
well. Some of our boundary signs have been
subjected
to the rigours
of
council cleaning
and the salt and grease spray from constant heavy
traffic for over ten years and still do the
job they
were made
to do.
20. ARE
THE SIGNS WEATHERPROOF?
All our signs are made to withstand outside
conditions regardless of whether they are
to be sited inside
or out.
21. HOW
DO I CLEAN MY SIGN?
A wipe with a damp cloth should be sufficient
but you can use a washing up liquid if required.
22. CAN YOU SUPPLY POSTS?
Signs of the Times can supply both wood and
aluminium posts.
Wood - Treated soft wood or green oak dimensions
to suit. Supplied with a wood stain or application
of linseed oil.
Aluminium. - 48mm and 76mm diameter are the favourites.
Supplied sand blasted, primer etched and painted
to match the sign.
23. HOW ARE THE SIGNS FIXED TO THE POSTS?
There are various methods. Signs can be drilled
for through face fixing. If there is only
one sign we
can supply
a concealed fixing. For a stack
of signs we can embed channelling on the reverse
for fixing with post clips.
24. ARE YOUR SIGNS
VANDAL PROOF?
We have had no reported trouble with our
signs. No-one can give a guarantee that their
signs
are vandal
proof but as
the text and detail is in relief
on our signs there is little to no room for adding
graffiti. The material is very strong but
would not stand
up to a sledge
hammer!
25. CAN
YOU SUPPLY AN ANTI-GRAFFITI
COATING.
We have done this
in the past but
do not recommend
it. If graffiti
is a real problem
the signs
can always be
sandblasted clean
and repainted
to look like new. Call us to discuss further.
26.
DO YOU HAVE STANDARD SHAPES AND SIZES OR CAN
I SPECIFY?
We can make to your design or you can choose
from over a thousand stock patterns of various
shapes
and sizes.
26. HOW DO I GO ABOUT
SENDING YOU
MY DESIGN.
You can send
us a drawing – even
a thumbnail
sketch will be helpful. Alternatively you can
call us to
discuss.
27. CAN I ADD
MY OWN LOGO
OR MOTIF?
If you send
us some artwork
by fax, post
or e-mail we will be pleased to quote to
make
your logo/motif.
28. WILL MY LOGO/MOTIF
BE IN RELIEF?
Yes. We are experts in realizing you logo
or motif in relief.
29. CAN I TAILOR THE MOTIF TO SUIT
MY OWN REQUIREMENTS?
Yes as all the
signs are hand
painted you can
ask the artist
to paint some
detail
around your motif
to suit
your house
name and make your sign
unique.
30. DO YOU MAKE COATS OF ARMS?
Yes, either on their own or to be mounted
on a sign.
31. DO YOU MAKE
OTHER TYPES OF HOUSE SIGNS?
Signs
of the Times can supply
you with most
types of sign.
We supply
many
slate signs
for individual
houses
and entrances
to large estates.
3mm aged bronze, brass and stainless steel
engraved or etched signs are also
a speciality.
32. DO YOU SUPPLY BRACKETS?
Yes. You can choose from one of
our designs or send us some artwork
to
make to your
specification.
33. DO YOU SUPPLY SIGNS TO OTHER COUNTRIES?
Yes. Some of our biggest customers
are overseas. We have supplied
to very hot
and very cold
climates.
