Leading by Design at 413 Signs & Graphics

Sometimes, the best-laid plans get sidetracked … by a pandemic. “We had been planning our shop opening for almost a year. When we finally opened in 2020, COVID hit,” says David Hoffmann, owner and art director for 413 Signs & Graphics in Tulsa, OK. 

We talked with David about how 413 Signs & Graphics managed to survive throughout the COVID shutdown, what products are helping it grow, and what lies ahead for this exciting shop.

What made you decide to open 413 Signs & Graphics in the midst of a pandemic?

David Hoffmann: I’ve been in the sign industry for 30 years, and my partner has a large network of clients. When the shutdown hit, we were considered an essential business. We got busy right away producing tons of safety signage and banners. As the economy opened back up, our business trended up too.

Please tell us about your business today.

Hoffmann: We’re located in a 5,000-sqft building with two installation bays that can accommodate even busses and semi-trailers. We have five full-time employees, three part-time employees, and several kids who like to help out when they’re not in school.

How did you choose your production equipment?

Hoffmann: I’ve been using Roland DG (Booth C8930) printing equipment for nearly 20 years. My positive experience with Roland DG printers, the high quality of their prints, and their integrated print/cut capability led me to purchase a TrueVIS VG2-540 54" printer/cutter for our new shop. I also opted for the new Orange inkset. The TR2 ink colors are the most vivid I’ve seen among any of the printers out there. 

What are your shop’s specialties? 

Hoffmann: Basically, if it’s a sign, we do it! We specialize in vehicle graphics, exterior signage, decals, and wall wraps, as well as channel letters and interior wayfinding signs. We also offer apparel, custom artwork, and promotional items. 

We serve customers in retail, restaurants, hospitals, governments, and service industries, construction firms, landscaping companies, real estate offices, and dozens of marijuana dispensaries. 

Tell us about some of your recent projects.

Hoffmann: It seems like everything we do is a tight turnaround project. For example, we recently completed a job that encompassed more than 8,0000 sqft of printed vinyl for Oklahoma Travel Information Centers (OKTIC). We had zero issues with production. The VG2 really earned its keep on that one.

We also had a project for Tulsa Tech that required hitting very specific red and grey colors. We nailed it on the first try. I credit that in part to our expertise, but also to the advanced capabilities of our printer. 

What do you see for the future of 413 Signs & Graphics? 

Hoffmann: We see ourselves as being a one-stop shop for businesses — providing everything from logo design to that monster 50′ display on the highway. We only use top-of-the-line printing equipment and materials to produce the highest quality results. We are proud of what we’ve been able to do so far, and we’re looking forward to the future.