2017 was a great year for GrandMark Signs! We worked with clients in the KC metro area and beyond to deliver custom signage and graphics solutions. We pushed ourselves to grow both personally and professionally, making strides to settle for nothing but quality and customer satisfaction. Getting to know the hardworking men and women of Kansas City makes us feel incredibly privileged, and we look forward to delivering more in 2018. Here are a few select projects we especially loved completing.
Simmons Gun Repair
When Terry Presta, owner of Simmons Gun Repair, came to us looking for new signage and graphics, we couldn’t wait to get started. He had a vision of how he wanted his remodeled store to look, and we thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with him to come up with options that he loved.
Simmons has a longstanding history as a top-notch gunsmithing facility. Established in 1945, they are used by more than 470 dealers worldwide for repair and restoration. Terry wanted Simmons’ building to represent the prestige and excellence they deliver day in and day out. We provided them with a new illuminated building sign with their logo featured. To give a nod to the company’s midwestern roots, we featured vinyl graphics of a cowboy and cowgirl on their entrance windows. Terry especially put lots of hard work to make the interior of the building beautiful, and we wanted to compliment the new space. Echoing their exterior sign, we installed brushed aluminum dimensional letters and logo for the focal wall behind their counter.
Online Trading Academy
Online Trading Academy (or OTA, for short) was a great relationship that started off small and budded into something bigger. Outgrowing their current space, we first met when they were building out a larger office in their 7501 College Boulevard building. Chris, the owner, commissioned us for new monument sign panel inserts. While these were being completed Chris and Operations Manager, Courtney, had us turn our attention to their new office space. We applied frosted vinyl to the office doors with etched names, providing privacy while also looking professional.
One of our favorite dimensional letter projects was coming up with the look of the Power Trading Radio wall. A new space dedicated to their radio show, Chris and Courtney wanted to ensure that the studio represented OTA while also having some style. They felt the same for along the reception and waiting areas. We installed a large brushed aluminum logo on their wood plank wall that you can see as soon as you spot the entrance to the office. To represent the business and what OTA stands for, we then fabricated and installed their mission, purpose and values statements for their waiting room focal wall. We love the vision that Chris and Courtney came up with, and were privileged to provide them with custom signage solutions that fit their new office.
Truman Library Institute Office
When we got the call to do the signage and graphics for the office of Truman Library Institute, we were thrilled! For Joe, the chance to combine his two loves (history and signage), was a match made in heaven. Located on Troost Ave, the office front needed signage that would capture drivers and pedestrians alike. We installed a double-sided illuminated sign with bright red “TRUMAN” letters. This hangs underneath the awning perpendicular to Troost Ave, giving drivers passing by maximum visibility. On the windows beside the entrance to the office we put up large vinyl graphics depicting the late president and Missouri native.
Great Western Bank
The Avenue 80 branch location Great Western Bank built is proof that banks can have flair and style. Located on the bottom floor of brand new luxury apartments in Overland Park, Great Western Bank needed signage so that customers could see the branch from both Metcalf and 80th street. We installed two sets of illuminated channel letters with their logo for both sides of their awning. On the interior, we echoed their logo throughout the building with window and door vinyl. A focal element of their branch office is a large, beautiful wood wall. To give it a finishing touch, we installed brushed aluminum letters reading Great Western Bank. Day or night, inside or out, Great Western Bank customers will be able to identify the branch and enjoy the signage and graphics.
Art of Teeth
When we met Julia Heinrichs, DDS and owner of Art of Teeth, we instantly loved her fun and positive spirit. Having recently purchased her new office, she had just completed the interior renovation. The only signage element that she currently had was a banner staked on the lawn. Knowing that something more permanent was needed, we collaborated with her on a new monument sign.
Located just down the street from us off 95th, we provided Julia with an array of options for a new monument sign, including illuminated and non-illuminated options. After weighing through the proposals, Julia selected to go with a double-sided monument sign made of aluminum composite with vinyl graphics. To make sure the sign is seen at night, spotlights are located at the base and project upward. The aluminum composite is attached to two black posts with trim caps. Jake, our lead graphic designer, did a great job incorporating the Art of Teeth logo with Julia’s information large enough so that it is visible from both ways on 95th street.
KC Dawgz
KC Dawgz is a modern training and boarding facility located in Overland Park. Moving into a facility on Flint Street, they needed signage that would ensure customers (both two and four-legged) would be able to notice their new location. Being dog lovers, we knew we’d have to come up with signage that was both fun and informative.
We fabricated and installed a new monument sign for them utilizing their colorful logo and posts to match. We also carried their logo over to their awning entrance and dock doors. On the inside of their facility we applied a vinyl graphic of the Nelson-Atkins Museum’s lawn so dogs visiting the facility could enjoy green grass even in the middle of winter. To provide mobile marketing, we also applied vehicle graphics to one of the company’s SUVs. One of our favorite aspects of working in the sign industry is getting to see a project and space really come together. KC Dawgz was a pleasure to work with, and we enjoyed incorporating fun graphics and signage for dogs and owners alike.
Norterre
Norterre is not only a project we loved completing in 2017, but also something we look forward to working on in 2018. Located in Liberty, Missouri, Norterre is a multi-generational living facility complete with a fitness center. We first partnered with the team at Norterre to install a sign for their construction trailer that called out the opening date. After completing, we then installed illuminated channel letters for their sales office. On the interior of the office, we printed and installed a wall mural, as well as frosted vinyl for their offices and conference room. The mural was a beautiful way to fill the space on the wall leading to the office door, and really calls out how the facility is welcoming to all ages and seeks to provide a community where all can thrive.
Continuing our partnership with Norterre, we are excited to be doing all exterior and interior signage for the entire campus. Our working relationship with them that started off as a small construction site sign has now blossomed into a large project. We can’t wait to contribute to the finishing touches to the buildings, and have enjoyed working with them throughout their building process.
While we enjoy each and every project we work on, we look back at 2017 with a lot of enjoyment with these specific projects. Whether it was a memorable sign, or simply a client that was particularly fun to work with, we love how rewarding it is working on signage day in and day out. In 2018 we hope to continue working with new and existing clients in Kansas City as well as nationwide to provide creative and distinctive signage and graphics. Above everything else, we are excited to continue to provide excellence in customer service, responsiveness and helping our customers reach their target audience.
To look at more of our work from the past year, visit our gallery page.
Not sure what signage is right for you? Visit our contact us page, or give us a shout at (913) 245-0007. We are a full-service shop that provides design, fabrication, installation and permitting services.
