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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
        The Concord Signs website has been carefully designed to try to answer all of the questions that may arise.
        If, however, you do not find the information you are seeking, simply ask! Just
contact us however you prefer!
Questions:
 What is the normal turn around time for an order?
 What is Vector art?
 What is a Raster Image?
 What are vinyl graphics?
 What programs let me save in vector formats?
 What can I use vinyl graphics for?
 When do I save a raster image, and when do I save as Vector?
 Why shouldn't I use my web site images for signs?
 How do I apply vinyl graphics?
 How can I determine what size letter that I can use?
 Should I use all capitals letters or upper and lower case?
 How long will my vinyl letters last?  
 On what surfaces can I apply vinyl letters and decals?
 Will it hurt my car to put vinyl letters or decals on it?
 Will putting magnetic signs on my vehicle harm or damage it in any way?
 How do remove old letters and decals?
 Do you accept "Zip, Jazz, CDs, or Super Disk" ?
 Can you apply the graphics to a sign for me?
 Are your prices competitive?
 What programs and equipment do you use to print your signs.
 I have a question that is not listed here.
 How does a car wrap work...?
 How do I place an order...?
 Can you...?
 Special Characters...?
  
  What is the normal turn around time for an order?
  The turn around time depends on the order. In all cases, we get the job done as fast as possible. For  an average job, the turn around time is 2-3 business days, but it all depends on size, quantity, availability, etc. We always try to meet any of your deadline requests.
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  What is Vector art?
  Vector art is like line art. If you'd put a pen on a piece of paper and draw, the lines would be vector shapes. Circles and squares are simple vector images. Our "knife" blade plotter cuts vinyl film by following the trace of the vector images.
 
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  What is a Raster Image?
  Raster is more of a photograph, with gradients, soft meshes, textures, etc. Not just spot color shapes as described above (vector art). You could not cut out a raster image out of vinyl. Raster images need to be printed vinyl and transferred to our magnetic material. Raster images are usually printed as 4 color process prints.
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  What are vinyl graphics?
  Vinyl graphics are individually-cut letters or logos. These are the types of designs that appear to look like painted graphics at first, but are actually made of vinyl. Vinyl graphics are durable, versatile, and perfectly cut (better than any painter could ever do!). You find them on many signs, windows, commercial vehicles, boats, and airplanes.
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  What programs let me save in vector formats?
Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, and CorelDraw are the major software makers out there, Photoshop can export illustrator paths, and some other programs are also able to export their paths to illustrator file formats.
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  What can I use vinyl graphics for?
Vinyl graphics are ideal for almost any application, indoors or out, that could use paint. Check out our products section to see a few examples of vinyl graphics in action.
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  When do I save a raster image, and when do I save as Vector?
  Vector is the file format you use when the image is made with paths and fills, It's the only format you can cut vinyl from. Raster would be used for photos and all miscellaneous images. Raster images can only be printed.
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  Why shouldn't I use my web site images for signs?
  Well this is a wide statement. Web images can be great if they are high res. images and very large in size, but most are under 50k. 50 kilobytes is drastically small considering 3 sq. ft. should be 24 megabytes. Also they are bitmap, which means 4 color process prints. Basically web images are normally not a recommended source for art.
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  How do I apply vinyl graphics?

Vinyl graphics are extremely easy to apply! Watch our streaming help video in regular or high quality, depending on your connection speed. You'll need RealPlayer Basic, so if you don't already have it, you can get it here. Or you can just follow these steps:

1. Mix a drop of soap into a cup of water, and use a little of this solution to dampen the smooth surface you will be applying the graphics to. This will buy you a little time while you make sure it's straight. Don't use much though!
 
2. Peel the wax paper off the back of the sticker when you are ready to apply it. Now lay the sticker on the surface and align it how you want it. When it's positioned exactly how you want it, gently (but firmly) use a credit card or a squeegee to press the excess water out from underneath.
 
3. Let the graphics stand long enough to adhere a little, then gently peel away the application tape that is still over the sticker. This will leave behind the individually-cut graphics!
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  How can I determine what size letter that I can use?
  The general rule for letters is to figure the same amount of space for length of each letter as the letter height. For example, if you have a 5 letter word and you want to use 6" letters, you should allow for 30" in length [5 (# of letters) x 6" (letter height)= 30"]. Upper and lower case letters will be shorter than all upper case letters. If you are unsure about letter size, always include the dimensions of your available space (length and height) and we will determine the best size.
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  Should I use all capitals letters or upper and lower case?
  This is, of course, a personal preference. However, if legibility is a concern, in most instances, using both upper and lower case letters are easier to read. Also, some fonts do not lend themselves to the use of all upper case letters.
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  How long will my vinyl letters last?
  Premium vinyl has a 6 to 9 year life span. In our experience it has held up that long or longer. Our Standard vinyl has a 5 year life, however the surface it is applied to and the environmental conditions may cause it to have a shorter life.
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  On what surfaces can I apply vinyl letters and decals?
  Vinyl letters can be applied to most any surface that is clean, smooth, nonporous, and wax-free.
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  Will it hurt my car to put vinyl letters or decals on it?
  Putting vinyl on the surface of your car or on the windows will not damage it. Before applying letters or decals, make sure that the area is clean and wax-free. This will ensure that the vinyl adheres well and will have a longer life.
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  Will putting magnetic signs on my vehicle harm or damage it in any way?
  There are a few important things to remember when using magnetic signs. The area where the sign will be applied should be clean and dry without any protrusions or dents. This will help the magnet lie flat and help to prevent rust. If moisture is trapped under the magnet, rust can occur. A good coat of wax on your vehicle will also help prevent rust under a magnetic sign.
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  How do remove old letters and decals?
  Removing decals is a long tedious process. There is no set way to do it. Here are few pointers. Don’t use sharp or hard objects to scrape letters off. This will scratch the surface. Vinyl is brittle in cold weather. It is better to wait for warm weather so that the vinyl will not break off in tiny pieces. It seems to work better, when removing vinyl, if you pull the vinyl SLOWLY and perpendicular to the surface. It is more likely to come off in one piece this way. You can also use a heat gun assist in the vinyl removal, but special care must be taken not to over heat the area. A heat gun can cause paint to melt and bubble if held in one place too long.
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  Do you accept "Zip, Jazz, CDs, or Super Disk" ?
  We accept 3.5 inch floppies, and CDs. We are sorry but at this time we do not accept Jazz, Super Disk.
  Can you apply the graphics to a sign for me?
  We can apply your graphics for you if you are local, or if the sign is reasonably easy to ship. Our banners, small signs, and magnetic signs come with vinyl graphics already applied. Contact us if you need anything else and we'll get it done!
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  Are your prices competitive?
  When comparing apples to apples we believe our prices are very competitive. We always put out the highest quality for the same price as our competitors. We will never sacrifice quality for price.
  What programs and equipment do you use to print your signs.
  We use the latest FlexiSIGN-PRO v7.5 software, Anagraph 48" Plotters, the latest ENCAD 60" Digital Ink jet printer.
   
I have a question that is not listed here.
  We will be happy to answer any questions we can. Contact us
   
  How does a car wrap work?
  A car wrap is a large vinyl decal. It has many unique advantages over paint, in that it can be removed and changed out later without affecting the vehicle's body. Car wraps allow you to temporarily change the appearance of the vehicle, but allow you to return it to its original condition. It is important to note that it is not paint. A vinyl wrap cannot adhere to porous, textured, or rubbery materials such as window and body molding; moving parts such as hinges; greasy or dirty areas, etc. All vinyl manufacturers require a 1/4" separation from those areas to ensure proper contact with the body of the vehicle. Additionally, the vinyl panels are flat and can be molded to conform to gradual slopes and bends, but complex curves may require patching, overlaying or relief cuts -- all of which should be difficult or impossible to see from a reasonable distance, (say 10 feet). The notion that a wrap can provide 100% total coverage of all cracks and crevices is not accurate. The materials used to create a wrap are outdoor durable, and carry a lifetime expectancy of 1-3 years. However, the climate, treatment, and washing of the wrap are factors beyond the limits of the manufacturer and the installer. Contact us for more information!
  How do I place an order?
  All of our orders are processed by e-mail, phone, fax. Simply browse thru our website, select the Banner/Sign of your choice, call us.
  Can you?
  Yes! Anything is possible. Contact us now for answers!
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  Special Characters ...?

You can type special characters like ©, ™, and ® by holding down the ALT key (or OPTION key if you're using a Mac) while you press other numbers or letters.   For example, to make a copyright mark ©, hold down the ALT key while you press the following keys on the numeric keypad: 0169. If you're using a Mac, hold down the OPTION key while you press g. Shown below are popular special characters.  You can find additional combinations by looking at the character map in Windows or the key caps on Macintosh.

   

 

Windows
Hold down ALT
while you press
 

Macintosh
Hold down OPTION
while you press
 

cents sign

 

¢

0162

4

bullet

 

0149

8

copyright

 

©

0169

g

trademark

 

0153

2

registered

 

®

0174

r

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