New GREEN Latex Ink Technology

We are proud to formally announce on our blog, the addition of our HP large format latex printer and laminator combo !!! This new printer outputs amazing 1400dpi quality prints, utilizing environmentally friendly latex inks. No fumes, no vapors, no chemicals ! All of this, with no loss of quality or durability. This printer is extremely versatile. The laminator allows us to protect the prints with a 3M matched component system that is tried and true. The best quality and durability on the market. We try to give you nothing but ...



We can not only do graphics, decals and wraps ... but can also do large banners, poster prints, photographic films, wallpapers and textured graphic films that will apply to painted cinderblock and brick walls ! Whatever it is you are looking for ... we've got you covered ... in vinyl ! Our new printer also comes along with our new Graphtec plotter, that will do accurate print to cut decals in any shape. These new pieces of equipment allow us to do bigger

and better things with your graphics. Our specialty, still being lettering trucks and vehicles, is that much more enhanced with the quality of image and versatility of what we can now do. We can wrap almost anything with a smooth painted surface ... even sometimes on a heavily textured surface. We do it all. Please visit or website, send us an email or give us a call ... we are waiting and happy to help you. You will not be disappointed !!!

Why Blog ?

Well here I am again ... a sign guy mindlessly blogging. Why does a sign guy need to blog ? I do ask myself that question ! They tell me that every good business must have a blog, but that is my line ! It used to read ... every good business has a SIGN ! Clearly, in this new era of increased technology, it is a true "sign" of the times ... so to speak. Many traditional medias are going by the wayside as we speed through the internet highway. Searching online for products and services, social media websites ... it is just the way things are going whether we like it or not. Does anyone actually read this stuff !? Just curious ... but at least I guess I am getting information out there that may find somebody ! Or, if not anything else, these blogs can give you some insight into me, the person. Sharing some of my ideals and opinions may just give you a better feeling about doing business with me. Well, I sure hope so ... or I just shoot myself in the foot ! What can you do ... well ... BLOG ! I do believe that blogging about political issues, sports and such can be very engaging. Those topics continually have issues that demand discussion, but the sign industry ? Hmmmmm ... I wonder !? Nonetheless, here I am ... wiley ole sign guy ... blogging. At the end of the day, just remember this ...
If you need signs or vehicle lettering, I will do my very best to provide you with top quality design, top quality vinyl films, top quality fabrication and most important .... excellent service ! Give me a chance to help with your graphic needs and you won't be disappointed ! Check us out at www.richmondsigns.com !!! Thanks for stopping through .....

Random Blog and Rant on Business Today (Part 2)

Another rant on the economy as we know it today. What to do ? When you have a business that needs to STAY in business ... what do we do ? I have already adressed the value of vehicle advertising in my recent blog, Smart Marketing in a Sluggish Economy. So, of course, I subscribe to these principles and participate myself with both of my shop vehicles. But what to do when this isn't bringing in new customers ? When consumers just aren't spending, or even looking to spend. Of course there are all sorts of advertising and marketing techniques, but I consider many of them to be an uninvited intrusion. A way I prefer not to start off a conversation with a prospective client. Many will argue that the hit you in the face style marketing with due dilligence has its value and a proven track record. I just have issues with that. If I HAD to do something of this nature, I guess I would prefer to visit a business in person. So at least my intrusion comes with some genuine accountability for my actions. My intent being merely as an introduction and offering of services ... leave a business card. NO SELLING or sales tactics ! I sell by giving good information and honesty. I try only to give that information when expressly asked for ... we all hate a pushy salesman. So again .. what to do ? What can we do to keep our message out there (like vehicle advertising) that doesn't add to your monthly expenses, that doesn't intrude on potential customers. Well there is at least one thing you can do, one that I have been diligent with myself. Optimizing your website to be search engine friendly and relevant. What better way to start a dialogue than someone who is looking for you ! Someone who has already searched the great divide on the internet and decided to call you. If you've done a good job, they already like what they see and that is why they are calling you ! This is a great way to start a conversation and hopefully a long lasting relationship with the customer. As always, you have to follow through. ALWAYS do what you say you will, and in a timely fashion. Make sure your delivery is professional and consistent with what led them to you in the first place. Taking excellent care of your customers leads to one of the most important, FREE forms of advertising you can get ... REFERALS ! One good thing leads to another. So now we fall back to loyalty, morals, ethics and good ole honesty. Things none of us should forget. If we all practice some of these principles maybe we could avoid the next "bailout" from our greed !

Good luck to all the small business out there through these trying times. If there is any way I can help personally, visit me at Richmond Sign & Design Services, Inc. !!!

Smart Marketing in a Sluggish Economy

What do we do when business is slow ? We advertise ... right ? But what is the most effective way to do this when your business is slow and funds may be low. The yellow pages only come out once a year, and the costs for a large ad are very high and recurring every month. Sure, you get some business from it, but you also waste a lot of time trying to help potential customers who are looking at nothing more than the bottom line .... price. Customers only consumed with the cost are not necessarily the customers you want to grow your business. These are the customers that will leave you the quickest and give you a false sense of security with your business growth. You would hope that consumers would realize the value of high quality products and excellent customer service, but in a struggling economy, many times the overwhelming factor is price. The yellow pages do target your industry, but not necessarily the TYPE of customers you want to target. Many other forms of marketing also employ a "broadcast" technique, many times wasting your marketing dollar in areas where it is not needed or received well. I personally hate telemarketing. Do you like it ? Why smack your prospective customers in the face with uninvited intrusions on their valuable time ? And what about mailings ? Sure, they work too. But have you seen the return rate percentages ? High volume, low results ... also uninvited and many times simply disregarded. So how can you put a message in front of perspective customers every day without intrusion ? How can you get the public to focus on the quality of your service or product, and not the price alone ? How can you pay for a marketing technique ONE TIME that will reach millions of prospective customers ? One that will keep on communicating for you and your company for more than 5 years ? This is my favorite part ! VEHICLE ADVERTISING ! It is getting more and more popular and utilized, but not nearly enough ! There is a whole market out there you are not reaching if you underestimate this medium. Let's break it down real simple like for everyone. You pay anywhere from $2000 - $6000 for a full vehicle wrap, depending on the kind of vehicle. With a good designer (like myself!) you come up with an image that is completely unique in the world that strongly communicates YOUR message, and your message only. Every day you are on the road, heads turn to read your message (it took me a while to get used to it in my company vehicle ... i kept thinking people were staring at me ! ). With an effective design ... they continue to look and appreciate the graphic and create a lasting visual impression of your image. A well thought out design conveys to your prospective customers the attention to detail your company will provide.
One good phone call and new customer can easily pay for the entire advertsing effort. The beauty of it is that it continues to work for you as long as 5+ years !!! Wraps also help you build an image for your business in the community that is long lasting and memorable. Even if we are not the ones to help you with your project, this is an opportunity that should not be ignored. We hope we can be the ones to help and invite you to check out the video of our work samples at our http://www.richmondsign.blogspot.com/ and our other services at our website ... http://www.richmondsigns.com/ ! Thanks for reading and contact us if you have any questions we can help you with ! Thanks again ....