our blog
Starting the conversation
We've found that when people understand what's possible, they come to us with better questions and bigger ambitions.
Through this blog we hope you can get to know us better, learning about signage, awnings and printing along the way.
Read below and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
Fleet Graphics: Branding Your Entire Fleet
Turn your whole fleet into one consistent, rolling billboard. Here is how fleet graphics work, wrap options, the ROI, and materials that last in the Gulf South.
Safety and Regulatory Decals for Facilities and Fleets
Safety and regulatory decals keep your facility and fleet compliant. Here are the main types, the standards they follow, and how to make them last.
Custom Signs in New Orleans: A Buyer's Guide
Buying custom signs in New Orleans? This guide covers sign types, how to choose a company, what drives cost, and permitting, so you invest with confidence.
Construction Site Signage: What Your Jobsite Needs
From safety signs to fence wraps, here is what a construction site needs, and how OPA's turnkey, ready-made systems get your jobsite compliant and branded fast.
Bank and Financial Institution Signage: What Every Branch Needs
Bank signage is a trust signal before a customer walks in. Here is what every branch needs, exterior to interior, and why one partner keeps branches consistent.
Campus and University Wayfinding Signage: A Planning Guide
Big campuses are easy to get lost on. Here is how to plan campus and university wayfinding signage as one consistent system, from the parking lot to the room.
Hospital and Medical Office Signage: ADA and Wayfinding Basics
Patients get lost in healthcare buildings. Here is how to plan hospital and medical office signage, combining ADA compliance and wayfinding from the start.
Monument vs. Pylon vs. Monolith Signs: What Is the Difference?
Monument, pylon, and monolith signs explained. Learn the difference, how to choose the right freestanding sign for your site, and what lasts in the Gulf South.
How to Plan Signage for a New Building
Planning a new building? Here is how to budget, schedule, and permit your signage, and why bringing in your sign partner early saves time and money.
What Is a Channel Letter Sign?
A channel letter sign is a set of custom, lit 3D letters mounted to your building. Learn the types, how they mount, and if they fit your storefront.
Not All Vinyl Graphics Are Created Equal
Breaking down vinyl quality to help you choose the right material (and price) for your goals
GUIDE: ADA ROOM SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS
We cover primary ADA requirements for room identification signage and how to personalize your signs within compliance.
Better Accuracy, Better Signs: CNC Routing Explained
Walk through a large sign shop and you’ll see a range of equipment: paint booths, welders, wide-format printers. CNC routing is where fabrication truly begins. It delivers exact parts and pieces to the floor, ready for assembly.
Vector vs raster: Keeping logos sharp & pictures crisp
We explain the difference between vector vs raster graphics, why vectors scale cleanly, and how proper file prep ensures your logo or photo stays sharp.
OPA Story: From Blinking Letters to Big Ideas
We’re proud of our history as a family-run New Orleans sign company. Learn about our journey from humble 1973 beginnings to the 40,000 sq ft facility of today.
What is Large Format Digital Printing?
Large-format printing transforms bold ideas into graphics that command attention at grand scales. Maybe it's a 30-foot construction site banner, wallcoverings for a hotel lobby, or a set of exhibit-spanning museum panels. It starts with one question: what is large format digital printing, and how can it help my vision come to life?
OPA Blog: 50 Years of Signs
It only took us 50 years to start a blog. After five decades of building signs across New Orleans and the Gulf South, we’ve collected more than projects. We’ve collected stories. It’s time to share them.