Aztec Signs, located in Dallas Center, Iowa, is a small but uniquely versatile sign shop. We provide a full range of signage to our customers in and around the Des Moines metro area, from simple yard signs and truck lettering to illuminated signage.
Prior to our move to Dallas Center in 1999, we had many years of experience in sign design, fabrication, and the engineering of the bases, structures, and supports for freestanding signage to over 100 feet in height.
We create sign designs with the latest in sign design software, and we use the best professional sign materials available for our signage products. Having sign material distributors as close as a 10-minute drive means that everything we need to produce your signage is always readily obtainable.
The Sign Lettering and Graphics We Do
Yup, we still have our old sign lettering brushes, and nope, we don't hand letter signs these days; the "need for speed", at least in the types of signage we produce, just doesn't allow the time. Sometimes we miss hand lettering, but with the computer technology available to sign shops since the 1970's, hand lettering is not as efficient and economical as with other techniques.
Even though many of our sign designs start out as hand sketches, they are all finalized as computer graphics, and from those files, we produce the type of lettering appropriate for our sign orders:
Vinyl Lettering
We cut vinyl lettering and graphics on a computer driven plotter from many types of vinyl: Calendared, premium cast, translucent, reflective, metallic, ultra metallic, shade shifter, etchmark, and 22-carat gold.
The use of computer-cut vinyl in sign decoration is standard for vehicle lettering, window lettering, and small quantity sign orders requiring solid colors. Though "permanent", it is removable when it is time to change vehicles or re-word a sign.
Digital Printing
When a sign design requires graphics more complex than solid colors, we choose either digital printing or screen printing. Digital printing inks have a continuous outdoor life of about three years, and are printed at resolutions of up to 720x720 dpi. With digital printing, we can provide signs up to 4' x 8' which are printed directly onto sign surfaces such as aluminum, coroplast and plexiglass, no "decals" involved.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is the choice for large quantity orders, such as real estate and political yard signs. The screen printing inks used for outdoor sign printing have a much longer outdoor life, and screen printing is much more economical than other methods for orders of 25-30 or more signs.
The Types of Signage We Provide
Commercial and Electric Signs
Illuminated Signs: Backlit signs with routed aluminum faces, or with lexan, acrylic, or translucent vinyl faces; channel letter signs illuminated with neon or LED's, and neon signs.
Non-illuminated Signs: Framed and unframed signs lettered on corrugated plastic, pvc, sintra, foamboard, plexiglass, lexan, aluminum, aluminum composites, steel, magnetic material, mdo plywood, and vinyl-clad plywood sign panels.
Banners
Indoor and Outdoor Banners: Vinyl and nylon banner materials, decorated with computer-cut vinyl lettering or digital printing.
Sign Letters
Illuminated Letters and Logos: Channel letters, reverse channel letters, illuminated with neon or LED's.
Non-illuminated Letters and Logos: Cast or flat cut aluminum or bronze; flat cut, formed, or injection molded plastic, trimcapped plastic, and computer cut vinyl.
Metal Plaques
Cast Metal Plaques: Cast from high-grade aluminum or lead-free bronze, cast metal plaques are available with a variety of background textures, finishes and borders, and may include logos, emblems, or even portraits which are etched, bas relief, or as porcelain inserts.
Etched Metal Plaques: Chemically etched plaques are available in brass, bronze, copper, and stainless steel. Both recessed (standard) and raised lettering and graphics are available. The etching process permits ultra-fine detail in complex artwork, as well as ADA-compliant braille.