Our transom art is something that I get asked about a lot.  I'm no graphic designer and am only a novice when it comes to free programs like Inkscape or Google SketchUp.  So, as much I'd like to take credit I can't.  We just kinda set a theme direction for the artist. If you're interested in classing up your boring transom lettering in this article I'll explain how we got the art work designed and applied to our boat.

After letting our cat pick the boat name.  We wanted to do something a little more sexy than  regular transom lettering for our boat.  Something that would give her a theme.  As a H.P. Lovecraft fan and due to Colleen's fondness for squid we were leaning toward a tentacle theme for our design.  Enter 99 Designs.  This website has graphic artists at the ready to provide submissions of anything from logos to wrappers to book covers.  The first thing to understand about 99 Designs is that it's a competition market that runs on fees charged to the winning artist.  You set a prize purse in increments of $250 and the website will host the competition for you.  Usually, the higher the prize the better the artist is.  To some of you even just doing a $250 purse might seem like a lot but there's a couple things to consider.  The average submission rate is around 30 designs.  That's a lot of creatives working for just you at a rate of $250.  You won't find that from a brick and mortar sign store or ad agency. At the end of the competition you're getting original art and the legal creative rights to it. So, compared to other options out there it's a fantastic deal.  

Once you decide on a comfortable purse amount, you'll want to start a "logo" competition.  There are ways to increase the submission results of your competition. The contest write up is first and foremost.  This is the trickiest part you'll have to engage in.  You have to explain what you want even if you don't know what you want. But, no worries here's a boilerplate example to help you, just replace the sections in (parentheses):

 -I'm looking for a design to complement my new boat's name.  The logo must incorporate the boat's name which is (blank )  and the hailing port which is (blank, blank ).  The hailing port lettering needs to scale up to at 4" or larger while including the name design within the following dimension (60inches long x 36inches high )  {size of the area on your transom you want to cover with the name & hailing port} .  I'd like it to include a (your choice ) theme into the logo design. The logo should be optimized for vinyl sign printing including a white perimeter, with solid colors preferred to shading.-

You can suggest colors, font types and include pictures of themed objects you like.  But, this isn't necessary. Once you submit the funds and parameters the contest will start.  I'll tell you that nothing will happen right away.  You may get a submission or two within the first 3 days but they most likely won't be very good. Usually a good artist will think about what they want to do for a couple days and then complete a submission.  You will get some submissions that are copies of others (you should report these if one artist is ripping off another), that are 3rd grade basic in design, and a handful that the artist didn't read the submission guide lines.  Hang in there, the further the contest runs the better the submissions will get.   Along the way you're encouraged to work with the artists and make suggestions.  This helps but I've found that the rating system works best to direct the flow.  The rating system is a 1-5 star thing.  As you rate submissions the other artist tend to watch and follow suit on the design ques.  It's important to not worry about hurting the artist's feelings when you rate their art.  They'll understand that it's just not for you when you turn down a design.  By trying to offer constructive criticism on designs you don't really or kinda like, you can stop the creative process. The artist tends to get comfortable in their attempt and can go into a "tweak to suit" mode.  Instead of trying something new.  

 Once the contests wraps up and you've picked a winning design.  Ask the artist to do multiple color versions for you.  You'll be surprised by how color swaps can make a difference in the look. They're also nice to have if you change your mind on the color scheme to your boat later on.  The artist will then give you rights to the design and several file types with the logo on them.  99 Designs will release the funds at your concluding of everything.  Now you can take the files on a usb drive to the local sign printing place.  You'll need to give them the dimensions of the mounting area and request marine grade or better vinyl.  They'll probably charge you a setup fee and alter the picture to make it more printable.  This is the usual.  At this is where you should consider getting a couple copies made.  Vinyl doesn't last forever in the sun and it will eventually fade and crack or could possibly get damaged.  That might be 5 to 7 years into the future but having an extra will save you from another setup fee, wait time and a trip.  Plus, bulk equals discount in signage.  You can also get different sizes.  Say if you want to get small ones for a dinghy, dock box, car, etc.   Also a good time to check into getting boat cards (business cards with your boat and crew info on them, you'll see why you'll want these later down the road)

Vinyl in hand, you can have a yard install it or you can do it yourself.  If you plan to do it yourself, I'd recommend going on YouTube to watch vinyl sticker removal and installation techniques.  Installing fresh vinyl is a relatively easy task. Removing the old stuff, not so much.  Very important tip: make sure you or the yard machine polishes the area before applying the new lettering.  This is important for one, it will remove the shadow left by the old lettering and two, you will not be able to machine polish over the vinyl once it's installed without damaging it.

Once complete, sit back and enjoy the complements because you just made the world of white fiberglass that much more beautiful and unique.  

Cheers, Mike

Life's a port