When I think of a pharmacy or drugstore, I usually think of a cabinet sign; an embossed, formed-face building sign; or, where codes allow, an electronic-message center touting specials on cold medicine or toilet paper. To compete with well-established chain drugstores that boast easily recognized brands, independent pharmacies benefit from signage that bucks convention.
Owners of the Philadelphia Professional Compounding Pharmacy, an entity that mixes various drug components to create customized medications, sourced the graphic job to Hatboro, PA-based All-American Signs & Promotions (a unit of Sign Biz Inc.). Curt Difurio, the shop’s owner, said window graphics comprise 10-15% of the company’s business.
“The pharmacy is located in the midst of a thriving business district, and they wanted something colorful that would stand out,” he said. “We decided a large graphic with multi-colored capsules would gain attention. We enjoy working as consultants to help clients achieve their goals.”
All-American adapted vector art of capsules into printable files using Adobe Photoshop, and printed the graphics with 54-in.-wide Oracal 3651 on its Roland DGA VersaCamm VP-540i eco-solvent-ink printer. The capsule concept stretches across the pharmacy’s 22-ft.-long storefront; the graphics were printed in sections, with only two seams necessary to join sections. To reinforce the printed-capsule design, the shop also plotter-cut text and logo graphics, which it generated on a Graphtec America FC-8000.