When Glenn Zakany, president of G to Z Turf Services, Inc. came by to pick up a small real estate style sign needed by one of his golf course clients he took the opportunity to tour our facilities. During the tour Gary took note of some of our digital image samples and hit upon a marketing idea. By utilizing the network of clients developed by him and his partner, two former golf course superintendents with considerable experience in the turf business Glenn felt high resolution photographs of signature golf holes reproduced on high quality printable canvas could be sold to patrons at the pro shop of the course featured.

The first hole chosen was from a course at The Forrest Country Club in Ft Myers, Florida. A 4MB high resolution image was provided that the digital production department of Gulf Coast Signs sized, ripped and printed for the client.

This service can be utilized by designers for unique images in boutique hotels and inns as well as artists to produce limited edition or artist proofs.

Late in 2010 it was announced that Gilbane Inc., one of the nation’s oldest design and build companies based in Rhode Island had closed the deal to acquire the Lakewood Ranch based W.G. Mills Company which was then integrated into Gilbane’s current operations, becoming its 10th regional office and assuming the name “Mills Gilbane.”

Once all the logistical and operational elements of merging the company were completed, attention was turned to re-branding the Lakewood Ranch office.

Gulf Coast Signs was brought on board to help develop a three dimensional version of the newly designed logo and replace the existing reverse channel style identity with a similar design for the building’s facade. The solution was flush mounted non-illuminated channel letters with a twist. The corporate logo and the “Mills” copy were created as standard fabricated aluminum dimensional letters as was the letter “G” the balance of the identity was created as open style aluminum letters that were then welded to a routed aluminum rectangle giving a finished appearance of lettering excised from a solid mass.

The re-branded building has met with resounding praise from all who have seen it and mark yet another successful custom signage project executed by the Gulf Coast Signs of Sarasota, Inc. team this year.

When GNC Live Well relocated their store in Sarasota at Westgate’s Southgate Shopping Center fabricating and relocating signs was a strait forward endeavor, the owner of this store however, had one challenge left for Gulf Coast Signs to resolve. What could be done within the store to visually enhance some areas within the space and to lend support to specific merchandised display areas?

The answer was large format digital imaging. The design department created a graphics package to propose neutralizing the bland appearance of a structural pillar with a continuous image wrapped around all four sides running from floor to ceiling to draw attention to the retail merchandising units positioned there. An additional set of pillars that were located close together were treated to a graphic printed on a banner like material to be suspended between them and designed to be changed as seasonal or promotional needs occur thus creating a specialized merchandising area within the store. And finally additional images were presented to enhance a portable iced beverage unit and to provide the finished bridging of a void between a display wall and the storefront windows.

Working in harmony with both Westfield’s design director and the store owner, Mike Blunt the designer at Gulf Coast Signs obtained multiple high resolution photographs that were deconstructed, edited and then brought together as unique images. With approvals in hand Cos Colegrove provided the final color corrections and enhanced editing prior to overseeing the output of these images.

With the installation of these images Gulf Coast Signs has helped create a very unique environment within this GNC Live Well store, has obtained another exceptionally satisfied customer and continues to produce the highest quality results that Westfield demands at all their centers.

Gulf Coast Signs is proud to announce that we have just completed the identity signage for a new facility for South West Florida Eye Care at 6850 International Center Drive in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Recommended by Gulfcoast Consulting Group for this project Gulf Coast Signs developed the signage design based on extensive consultation with ownership. The chosen identity package consisted of laser cut, flush mounted non illuminated acrylic letters and a pin mounted aluminum logo panels decorated with a laminated digital image on two elevations of the building and a distinctive internally illuminated monument sign with routed copy. The primary body of the sign features copy that displays as black letters in the day and lights white at night, this effect was achieved by utilizing a 3M dual film technique.

Westfield welcomed the Middle Earth Olive Oil Company to their Countryside Mall in Clearwater Florida.

Gulf Coast Signs of Sarasota, Inc. was brought on board to help a client convert a logo illustration and translate this into a eye-catching storefront entry sign. The design team worked with the mall management team and business owners to develop the look they envisioned. We used our laser to cut half inch clear acrylic sheet into 11″ copy letters with 2” legs. The copy faces were treated to digitally printed color overlays leaving the legs clear. Letters were mounted to interlocking acrylic bases and installed on the ledge in front of the storefront transom. LED cove lighting elements were installed behind the copy to provide an uplight wash.

“This sign looks fantastic, so many compliments. Your execution flawless” commented Jim Needham of Westfield, sentiments shared by our client.

Gulf Coast Signs of Sarasota, Inc. has successfully completed in partnership with New York based Clever Devices and Ferrograph® of Newcastle, UK, the custom fabrication and installation of LED route status monitors at five locations served by the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) system. These monitors, produced by Ferrograph®, a world leading public information display brand, utilizing Clever Devices products engineered with an understanding of how transit systems work and how these systems can be improved, and installed on custom fabricated wall mount and ground mount structures provided by Gulf Coast Signs of Sarasota will allow the public to have access to up to date, on time schedule information. These monitors at the main Downtown Station, Gulfgate Station, Venice Train Depot, Westfield Sarasota Square and Southgate Malls will provide data enabling SCAT to evaluate and streamline its bus system, keep its buses on route and on schedule, monitor fuel efficiency and emissions all while keeping riders confident, comfortable, and satisfied.

Additionally, the units installed at Westfield Sarasota Square and Southgate Malls employ solar panels to provide their power which as a Sarasota Green Business partner we applaud.