What’s Happening
2/17/12
Things are picking up at the shop lately, and we haven’t had time to update the website much in the last few weeks. Here is a sample of some of the jobs we’ve completed recently…
Mike hand painted, and gold-leafed this window for the Law Office of Ehlke, Bero-Lehmann & Lounsbury
We finished up a few projects for Ryan Funeral Home. Custom dimensional signs for their newest location in Verona. As well as touching up the paint and gold-leaf on their Madison sign to match.
A custom painted and airbrushed motorcycle helmet
We also completed a large project for the Zimbrick Buick dealership in Madison The project included custom cut and scratch aluminum letters for their four entrances. Also cut letters aluminum letters for various areas inside the building.
We also installed etched vinyl graphics onto the glass wall in the service bay
Completed some exterior signs for Wing-Stop both in Madison and Milwaukee. These are LED channel letters with halo-lit elements. We also did neon signs for the windows.
Another LED halo lit sign. Blue LEDs with aluminum background panel and PVC letters
We recently finished up some interior projects for the Memorial Union South on the UW Madison campus. We applied custom cut etched vinyl graphics to some of the interior office windows. To give the students inside some privacy, as well as block some of the light, and add the look of etched glass. In addition to the windows we installed various signs for different rooms in the building. Including aluminum letters for Varsity Hall.
Also got some better pictures of the sign we did for Avanti’s Steakhouse a few months back. The crushed glass background and gold-leaf letters are still shining bright.
2/8/12
Here are a few updated photos of The ICE POND at Waunakee. This sign contains various materials including HDU (high density urethane), 1/2″ & 3/4″ clear acrylic, LED’s, digital prints and several router techniques. Once we have received the missing information for the sign, the donor name panels will be finished, assembled and ready to be hung at it’s new home. Finished photos to come…..
12/13/12
We got a lot of projects finished up this week around the shop. Two vehicles we got that stopped in were Sheldon Plumbing of Verona and Appliance Service Unlimited of Middleton. Both featured vinyl graphics with Sheldon having digital prints. And Appliance Service Unlimited using black, red, and metallic silver vinyl.
12/5/2011
A few other projects we’ve completed recently in the shop…
A full trailer wrap for Home Works Remodeling. Custom graphics featuring photos of their jobs. He was very happy with the result, and he will get noticed everywhere he goes
We also completed a very large project for Heartland Credit Union in Janesville, WI. This sign features a LED message board which allows the owner to display custom messages along with the time and temperature. The upper part of the sign is an illuminated cabinet which comes on at night.
Also some custom pink graphics for a KIA Forte…
And finally some smaller graphics for Madison Landscape. This project uses Vision Film for the back window graphics. Vision Film is perforated vinyl that allows the driver to see out of the windows, while still using the space for advertising on the exterior.
12/5/2011
Began production today on The ICE POND of Waunakee Donor Board. This sign will be built using a variety of mediums and materials which include routed HDU, plastics and metals. LED’s will provide illumination for this interior sign. Here are some photos of the beginning elements. Stay tuned for more…..
12/2/2011
Finished another truck this week for Bullet Transit. Digitally printed, laminated vinyl lettering and hood graphics.
11/2/2011
Finished up a CUSTOM PAINTED goalie mask for Max at Edgewood High School. Go Crusaders! Also…..hand painted beer sign for Esser’s Best Cross Plains Brewery. Painted w/ One Shot Lettering Enamels and has PVC, routed lettering. King Gambrinus salutes the beer drinkers of Wisconsin! Cheers.
10/5/2011
Finished and ready for installation!!
Also, Vision Film and vinyl lettering on a full size van to keep equipment safe from outside onlookers……It doubles as advertising AND security for your equipment!!
10/2-4/2011
We have been wrapping up the dimensional signs for Resurrection and Mt. Thabor cemeteries. Glass smalt and 23k gold leaf are applied and they are looking good!! One more round of paint, and these are ready for installation at their locations in Madison and Beloit.
9/28/11
Some updated photos on the Mt. Thabor and Resurrection Cemetery signs…………………should have them wrapped up by next week.
9/27/11
We designed the logo/graphics for All American Services for the “retro” style they were looking for. Digitally printed vinyl lettering/graphics done in 3M vinyl and reflective vinyl.
9/15/11
Yesterday, the router was busy creating the first of 2 new signs for the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Madison. Mt. Thabor Catholic Cemetery is located in Beloit, Wi. The first photo is of the existing sign which is well overdue for a much needed upgrade. The sign is routed from 1 1/2″, 15 lb Precision Board and consists of prismatic, 23k gold leaf lettering/graphics and glass smalt background. Looking forward to working on this………
9/12/11
Another large job… this time for Mass Carpet Care. 3M Control Tac along with perforated Vision Film on the windows where used on this vehicle. Also white reflective on certain areas to really make the text pop!
Recently we also applied some custom vinyl stripes to a new Mustang. It turned out really sharp!
9/12/11
The hummer is all wrapped up, and back on the road. Here is the final product. 3M Contral Tac vinyl on the body along with perforated Vision Film over most of the windows. It was great working with Chalmer’s Jewelers on this one-of-a-kind project.
9/2/11
Here is some pictures of yesterday’s progress on the H2…
8/31/11
This week we have a big vehicle job in the shop, and we thought we would share the step by step process of turning a regular Hummer H2 into a eye-catching piece of mobile advertising. We’ll keep everyone updated on the progress over the next few days.
8-11-11
Last week, Mark painted yet another goalie mask for local netkeeper Jay Jurrens. Modeled after graphics on the Reebok “Larceny” goal pads, this one will certainly bring fear to the opposing team!!!………………….finished photos to come
Last week
7/27/2011
From THIS………. 
TO THIS!!!………. 
Reassembled and polished to a mirrored finish, this one was turning heads immediately after pulling it out to take photos. Many thanks to Todd Parizo for his time spent prepping and finishing this one off.
7/1/2011
Mark & Mike are busy finishing off the Chevy custom tribal paint job with some pinstripe outlines. Check out the videos!!!! Later today, we will be delivering the truck to be clear coated, re-assembled and buffed to a high polish. Finished photos to follow!!
7/1/2011
Summer is in full swing and it’s time to stand out from the crowd with some custom pinstriping and graphics. From trucks, to motorcycles, to beach cruisers……..we’ve seen them all in the past few weeks.
6/28/2011
Mike will be featuring his personal artwork at the Art Fair off the Square next weekend. His booth will be set up off the square on King Street in downtown Madison. It is going on at the same time as the Art Fair on the Square so be sure to stop by if you are in the area. Here are some of the pieces that will be displayed, along with many others.
6/28/2011
We’ve had some great projects come along the last few weeks here at Vital Signs. Here are some of the more exciting projects we’ve had recently.
We just finished another dimensional sign for The Great Dane Brew Pub. This Peck’s Pilsner sign features a black smaltz background, with gold leaf letters, and hand-painted accents.
Also currently working on putting some silver tribal flames onto a Chevy pick-up. This is the last step before spraying and clear-coating the graphics. Everything is all taped off and ready for paint. We will keep you updated with this project!
5/31/2011
Last Friday we were able to catch a break in the rain to install the Village of Arena welcome signs. Faux stone, changeable copy message board and routed/handcarved elements are used on this particular sign.
5/31/2011
A few more goalie masks for some local goalkeepers!
