Light Boxes
How does a light box work?
A light box is built with an exterior frame and internal lighting source designed to illuminate a graphic from behind. All our light box frames are manufactured in-house, with lightweight and extremely durable aluminum extrusions.
Regarding the illumination, we offer Edgelit or Backlit light boxes. On Edgelit, the LED bulbs are installed on the edges of the built-in etched acrylic panel, on which the graphic is placed directly, followed by the cover sheet. The Edgelit light boxes are more economical than backlit light boxes, for which the whole back of the graphic is illuminated.
Depending on the size of the light box you need, we will either recommend our Edgelit or Backlit options. In both cases, we will make sure that your graphic is evenly and harmoniously illuminated, as this is our primary concern.
Do you also offer fluorescent light boxes?
We do not offer any fluorescent illumination and have switched all our products to LEDs, as this is a more energy-efficient and durable lighting source.
LED light boxes can last up to 100,000 hours and can be made in ultra-slim sizes less than 1″ thick.
What type of light box should I purchase?
There are many considerations when choosing a light box including the application, installation site, graphic size, and aesthetics. If you want or need an ultra-thin light box, then an LED Edgelit light box is preferable to a Backlit light box.
We are happy to answer any questions you might have to help you pick the right one.
What's included with a light box order?
LED light boxes include LED lighting, built-in etched acrylic panel, clear cover sheet, and power supply.
What type of graphics can be used with a light box?
Graphics printed on a backlit film 8ml substrate such as Kodak Universal Backlit Film are acceptable for use with our light boxes. Graphics can also be printed directly onto an acrylic sheet, however, if you’re considering this, we strongly recommend that you contact a local printer to assist you. Our frameless fabric light boxes can use direct print or dye sublimation fabrics.
Do you print graphics?
Yes, we are a one-stop shop for a finished product that includes the illuminated display and its graphic. We work with you throughout the entire process, from graphic sizing and approval to printing.
We can also help with graphic updates, either by shipping you a new graphic when you are ready for a change-out, or through a subscription model. We can print out and send graphics monthly, bi-monthly, whatever works for you! We ensure high-quality, on-time graphics made for your LED light boxes.
What's the warranty on DSA light boxes?
DSA Signage warrants all its product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for twenty-four (24) months from date of shipment, under normal operation, for the use intended.
The warranty timeframe varies on our Value line, from 6 months to 1 year.
Do you offer reseller or volume pricing? What about credit terms?
Yes, we do. For reseller pricing, you will need to provide a copy of your resale certificate. Please contact us directly if you are interested in volume pricing. We offer significant discounts on purchases of 6 or more light boxes. If you would like credit terms, please contact us for a credit application.
Digital Signage
What is Digital Signage?
Our Digital Displays are composed of a digital monitor, and, in some cases, an in-house made enclosure that can integrate various interactive features.
When using a Digital Display or Digital Menu Board, your content is displayed on an LCD or LED monitor instead of being printed on a graphic.
These monitors enable you to add moving content and videos to your display, which will create a more dynamic and engaging customer experience that is not possible with static, backlit signs.
How do I update content on my Digital Menu Board or Digital Display?
Your content for the digital menu board or digital display is uploaded and managed digitally through media players locally, or through the cloud remotely. There are several models of media players available, and DSA teams will be able to recommend one or the other based on your planned usage and type of content. We will provide you with basic instructions to connect your Digital Display to your media player and to upload and manage your content.
What is the benefit of Digital Signage?
When compared to traditional print advertising such as static displays and billboards, digital signage has several benefits. Digital signage attracts more attention effectively compared to traditional signage methods because there is better contrast and more vivid colors. Interactivity becomes possible and this can lead to an enhanced customer experience. Motion graphics and video catches the eye and draws customers in.
Static signs require printing graphics every time they need to be updated. With digital signage, you can always create new content any time you want with no cost. Messages can be changed easily according to the time of the day, day of week, or week of year. Real-time advertising and information are possible, and you can make use of your space effectively by showing a variety of messages on one screen.
Digital signs allow unique and changing content, to keep your viewers’ attention. You can easily tailor messages for your target audience and AI software can provide real-time demographics and targeted advertising. You can use your Digital Displays or Menu Boards to advertise promotional content, up-sell additional products or services, and share important announcements with your audience.
Does Digital Signage cost more than traditional static signage?
Digital signage, like digital menu boards and other digital displays, is a long-term investment that helps to increase business sales and drive revenue. Basic digital signage costs can be compared to traditional static signage costs for indoor applications. Adding features such as audio, outdoor rated and cloud content management will increase initial cost.
Outdoor digital signage may have more upfront costs than a static sign, but in the long run, it could save your business a lot of money. Changing the content on the display does not involve any additional cost associated to labor that traditional static signage has, as it can be done remotely from a computer. There are no print costs or wasted materials, and no employees on ladders to change out messages or prices. This saves you from printing, shipping, processing, and hourly labor costs.
What sizes are available?
Standard signage monitors range anywhere from 32 to 100 inches diagonally. Larger signage is accomplished by using multiple standard monitors in a grid to create a video wall, or by using direct view led tiles to form a single bezel-less image. Custom sizes, shapes, and contours are available with direct view LED and the sky is the limit when it comes to possible sizes.
How do I upload content onto my digital monitor?
There are many ways to get your content onto the screen. The most popular three are listed as follows:
- If the monitor has an internal, built-in media player, connect a USB thumb drive to the USB port and navigate the menu with the remote control to play content directly from the thumb drive.
- Use local network content management. This capability is built into some monitors and allows connecting to the display through a local network and uploading content with a personal computer. If this is not a feature of your monitor, an external signage player connected to the monitor via HDMI will be needed. Plug an ethernet cable from the local network into the monitor or signage player for best results. Wireless options are available but not recommended. Note that this requires that the computer connecting to the monitor is connected to the same network as the player or monitor.
- Use cloud content management. This is the same as the above number 2 but the computer does not have to be on the same network and could be anywhere in the world for remote access. There is usually a small yearly fee to host your content on the cloud.
We will help you navigate through these options and determine which one works best with your needs and space requirements. Please contact us for more information!
What is a media player?
Media players have most or all of the following features. They allow users to organize their multimedia collection, play songs, movies, and images, listen to Internet radio, download online content, and stream content directly from the Internet. Your Media Player could be a software that plays audio, video, still, or animation files stored on a separate device, or a hardware that stores and plays audio, video, still, or animation files.
We can provide you with a hardware media player device, that connects to any type of monitor and makes content hosting and management easy! Please contact us for more information.
Car Wash Signage
What type of signage do you offer for Car Washes?
We offer indoor and outdoor signs, that you can use to display your price list or information about your membership packages or about your business in general. Outside, our signs are also used to direct the flow of traffic by signaling the entrance and exit of your drive thru for example.
DSA signs are either digital or static illuminated. Static illuminated car wash signs use an edge-lit LED or backlit LED, and a printed graphic is inserted for display. Digital signs include a digital monitor that is rated for the intended environment to guarantee the best performance over time. We design and manufacture enclosures in-house for outdoor signs, to guarantee that your sign will resist weather elements and remains waterproof under all circumstances. Your Car Wash signs can be wall-mounted or free-standing, and we can customize the enclosure based on your specifications, if needed. We can powder coat it any color to match your brand’s identity.
What is the difference between DSA Static Signs and standard poster frames?
Our static signs for car washes are made with backlit or edge-lit LED strips, placed in the back of the light box, behind your graphic. They provide a bright, uniform illumination of your graphic to make sure that it is visible by your customers. The backlit illumination provides a glow that catches your customers’ attention and makes the content easy to read at any time of the day, which is great for your menu signs. They are also hardwired and are able to perform for more than 10 years without any maintenance needed, thanks to the performance of our LEDs.
Regular poster frames are not illuminated, which does not highlight your content and makes it difficult to read when the sun has settled down. You might need to use illuminated, static signs if your car wash opens early in the morning and/or late at night, to provide the best experience possible to your guests. Our illuminated signs are available to use for both indoor and outdoor menu signs. Illuminating your outdoor signs is a great way to stand-out from the crowd and make your business visible for people who are driving by.
How can I update content on DSA Digital Signs?
Several options exist to upload and update your content on your digital signs. Most of the digital monitors we offer have a built-in memory or a USB port. You can simply download your content into this internal or external memory, and update it as needed.
If you have several car wash locations or several menu signs in a same location and you wish to update all these menu boards’ content at the same time, we recommend purchasing a media player. A media player is an external hard drive that contains your content and is connected to your cloud. Once you have all your media players connected to your cloud, you will be able to access the cloud from your computer and upload/update your content for all your locations within seconds. But please note that you will need to purchase one media player for each digital monitor that you have. We can provide you with the media players you need, based on your usage, and help you set it up for quick, real-time content updates.
How can I update content on DSA Illuminated Signs?
First of all, we would like to mention here that you will need to print your graphic on a backlit film to be able to let the light shine through it, once installed into the illuminated, backlit sign. DSA can provide you with a turnkey solution, as we have abilities to help you design your graphic and print it, so that once you receive your sign the graphic is already installed. Just like regular poster frames, your graphic will be maintained in place thanks to a snap frame, that opens very easily from all 4 edges. If you wish to update your graphic with a new menu printout, you can update it within seconds by opening your frame and changing out the content. But please, feel free to contact us if you need further assistance.
Do you cover installation?
We have designed our car wash signs so they are very easy to install and do not require any specific installation teams. We recommend that you ask your General Contractor and Electrician to help you install your menu signs and confirm that you have the required power running through the conduit. DSA teams will help you with any technical drawings or information they might need to complete the installation.