Blog

As proud supporters of the Seahawks, we’ve designed more than 170 signs and graphics for UNCW since 2008!

While the bulk of our projects has been for UNCW's athletic department, we’ve worked with nearly every department on campus.

Our goal in this post is to show you how we customize materials and manufacturing to meet all of UNCW's needs. First, let's look at a dimensional sign we recently designed for their new Shore Dining Hall.

The Sign Design

To achieve a natural look and use eco-friendly materials, UNCW requested a solid wood, dimensional sign that allowed its wood grain to peek through.

So, we picked cypress wood to bring this design vision to life– a perfect choice thanks to its light color, straight grain, and workability.

Next, we V-carved the logo.

V-carving allows for highly detailed cuts and precision of varying widths (due to the tapered shape of the bit). We also used v-carving to accurately cut the narrow, wavy lines of this design’s main element: a sun and ocean that forms the full “letter O.”

To finish, we gave this wood a bright white wash before painting on the logo colors.

Project Scope

The Shore Dining Hall is UNCW’s newest dining facility operated by Aramark.
As a Certified Green Restaurant ® and an Ocean Friendly Establishment, the team behind this facility’s construction prioritized every eco-friendly certification detail possible (right down to the sign we hung at the entrance).
This is why we designed a cypress wood-based sign, as this material is naturally carbon-neutral!

Additional UNCW Project Highlights

To review additional projects we’ve completed for UNCW, here’s a glimpse of our work featured in various UNCW departments.

Interior Halo-Lit Signs

In UNCW’s graduate school building, we created a Halo-lit sign customized to glow in a Seahawk teal.

Halo signs deliver a glowing effect because of its installation process, where the sign is mounted just a few inches away from the wall. These impactful signs always look classy, making them one of the most popular choices for illuminated signs.

Murals

For UNCW’s admissions office, we produced several adhesive murals that span the entire walls throughout their offices. We offer (and directly install) this option in adhesive wallcoverings. But, we also carry standard wallpaper options in several textures, which must be hung by wallpaper installers using standard liquid wallpaper adhesive. Regardless of which option you pick, print custom wallpapers or murals can brand your space and educate visitors.

Acrylic Wall Logos

UNCW Watson College of Education’s main office showcases an acrylic wall logo. Acrylic makes for an ideal entrance or lobby sign as this option comes in various colors (and can even be custom-painted to match Pantone colors).

Acrylic signs do come in a variety of thicknesses ranging from ⅛” to 1” thick.

We also design our acrylic signs with super-smooth precision to achieve a beautiful finish whether cut into intricate shapes or letter styles.

Directional Signs

For UNCW’s College of Health and Human Services, we designed multiple custom directional signs that are easy to read. Directional signs provide an organized system for high-traffic areas where people need to know which way to go. You can also use directional signs in schools, churches, and healthcare facilities.

Wall Decals

As used above to show UNCW’s Healthy Hawks motto, wall decals provide cost-effective branding and advertising. These decals are printed in custom colors, are easy to apply, and come in a variety of media types depending on the surface and conditions of the space.

A-Frame Signs for Athletic Events

For maximum advertising, try a Signicade® Deluxe A-frame as the one used here for UNCW’s Women’s Soccer.

These signs come double-sided and hold two 24″ x 36″ sign inserts up to 3/16″ in thickness. We offer stock these stands in white and black for a quick turnaround. They are durable polyethylene plastic for a long-lasting outdoor sign.

Plus, you can fill these signs with sand for extra stability during windy weather.

They’re super portable too. With top handles and hinges for a display lock and unlock, setting these signs up (and transporting them) is easy.

Frosted Window Media with Logos

To give the illusion of frosted glass, window media like this example for UNCW’s College of Health & Human Services appears translucent. Frosted vinyl works both indoors and outdoors and can be applied in full coverage, solid, or cut, revealing clear glass shapes.

However, frosted vinyl can also be printed in full color. We offer several privacy window-covering options to meet your taste and needs.

This sign is ideal for settings where you need privacy, want to display an image or message, and still want some light to shine through.

Acrylic Photo Prints

Printed directly on clear acrylic, polycarbonate, and PVC, these signs create a high-gloss, high-resolution photographic display. These prints are available opaque or translucent and can either run to the edge of a surface or have a clear, translucent border.

Floor Graphics

Cut to shape, this Seahawk Fitness Training Den graphic was applied on UNCW gym’s hardwood floors. Ideal for mixing in specialty vinyls, like reflectives and metallics, print and cut graphics save money on square footage of vinyl and installation (especially when applied to flat areas).

Vehicle Graphics

We commonly work with UNCW’s campus police department to wrap their vehicles with custom-printed reflective and emergency vehicle reflective wraps. Our vehicle wraps are long-lasting and tend to stay on a vehicle for an average of 7 years.

While wrapping emergency vehicles is essential, any business can benefit from a mobile billboard! Vehicle graphics do just that, using the highest quality media, printed in stunning color, and installed with precision. This ensures your vehicle graphics will look great for years to come.

We wrap cars, trucks, vans, boats, trailers, shuttles, buses, specialized work vehicles, shipping containers, and more!

Dimensional (or 3D) routed signs

One of our favorite signs to produce is dimensional logos that give distinction to your brand (like the one we designed above for Centro Hispano at UNCW).

These long-lasting signs come in many depths and finishes, including high-quality acrylic, high-density polyethylene (plastic), aluminum, brass, or bronze.

Though each material offers several benefits, we’re happy to discuss which material would be the best fit for your project needs and budget.

Through our various collaborations shown above, we’re grateful to call UNCW a long-standing client. We appreciate the opportunity we’ve had to fully use our wide variety of products and services to enhance UNCW’s branding.

Ready to draw attention to your business?

We’ll cover all your signage needs, from gorgeous mesh banners for chain-link fencing to custom illuminated display signs! Customize your sign’s design elements, including fonts, colors, sizing, and branding by contacting us today for a FREE quote!