This is Not Your Dad's Bumper Sticker!
Are political bumper stickers effective? Up until recently my answer would have been no, bumper stickers are not effective. As a matter of fact I have never placed a sticker on the bumper of any car I’ve owned because I didn’t want the hassle of removing a stale message after the political campaigning concluded. In my estimation the time it would take me to remove the sticker outweighed the benefit derived from “getting out the message.”
Times have certainly changed my outlook. The fear of socialism has motivated me to do more than just complain about left-wing policies. I started attending Tea Party protests, but I thought that I had the capability to do more. As one who believes in the virtues of conservatism and individual self-determination I felt the need to ratchet up my personal effort and make my voice heard in a more public manner. Thus, I came to the conclusion that I’m going to use the bumper sticker strategy to advertise my disdain for all things socialist. Businesses that advertise can impact people’s thoughts and perceptions. Think about the impact that Nike advertising and marketing has upon the American marketplace. Better yet, think about the impact that marketing had upon Obama’s image during the 2008 Presidential campaign. If every third vehicle on the road had an anti-socialist bumper sticker do you think it would affect the thinking of others? I do!
Having decided to use mobile signage I wanted to maximize its effectiveness. Maximizing effectiveness meant two things to me. First, I wanted a LARGE sticker so I could reach out and touch as many passersby as possible. We won’t defeat socialism by just politely whispering our message. We need to show the undecided in our midst that the vast majority of Americans hold center-right views not Marxist-leftist views. Second, I wanted the flexibility to change my message to keep up with the issues of the day. In addition to ObamaCare, I wanted to be able to speak out on issues such as Cap and Trade, Illegal Immigration, Terrorism, etc. I didn’t want to advertise a stale message that had lost both relevance and popularity. Speaking of a message that has been losing relevance and popularity can anybody say “OBAMA ’08.” If I had been suckered into voting for Obama in ’08 I’d make damn sure I peeled off the bumper sticker, disinfected the area, and shredded the evidence by now! Although, maybe if I left the sticker in place my car might qualify as a clunker!
After a few prototypes I came up with a bumper sticker that met my two criteria. Actually it’s more like a billboard than a bumper sticker. Further, I designed this mobile signage with the hope that you’ll copy this cost effective sign and help spread the word. I can also, at no cost to you, alter the size of the sticker and the message on it. More detail on this later.
I use a graphic arts software package to print my message across several sheets of transparency material—like the transparencies used for overhead projectors. The graphic arts software enables me to print across as many sheets as I want while not having to worry about whether or not the lettering will line up correctly on adjacent transparencies. The software seamlessly prints from one page to the next. The sign, or should I say billboard, shown on the back of my van was printed using six sheets of 8.5 x 11 inch material. The letters are printed in 500 font which produces capital letters that are about six inches tall and lower case letters that are about four inches tall. This bumper sticker on steroids is easily readable from over 100 feet away.
When I go to a restaurant I try to park in full view of the entrance so I can watch the expression of patrons as they come and go. There’s a sense of personal satisfaction, as I’m eating breakfast, watching people point with amazement at the equivalent of a political neon sign attached to my vehicle.
Longevity was a big consideration when I came up with this design. Maximizing the life of the sign is one reason for using transparency material as it is made of plastic and is thus waterproof. Using transparency material also enabled me to incorporate another life-extending feature in that I print on the “backside” of the clear sheet material. Printing on the backside protects the lettering from direct exposure to moisture from rain or dew. This moisture protection design feature is made possible by the use of the graphic arts software. In addition to printing across several pages, the software allows lettering to be printed in a mirror image fashion. Using this mirror imaging feature, lettering printed on the backside of the transparency shows up as normal text when viewed from the front side.
Longevity, durability, and size are certainly strengths of this design, but what about cost effectiveness? I believe this base has been covered also. You do not need to purchase any software to print these signs because I have converted the graphic arts file into a .PDF file. You can download the .PDF file and then print it at home using your own printer. Downloadable files are stored in the page named Bumper Stickers (Download Files). If you would rather have a sign with your own customized message or size just email your request to bumpersticker@limitgovnow.com. You can also submit your request by posting a comment.
Here is a summary list or materials needed to print your own billboard:
1. Print using a laser printer. Ink from an ink jet printer will rinse off with water. Even though the lettering is not directly exposed to rain, condensation could form and wash away your text. If you don’t have a laser printer print the .PDF file with an ink jet printer and then copy this print out onto overhead transparencies using a standard copier.
2. Purchase the lowest cost transparency material that is compatible with the high temperatures associated with a laser printer. Retail office supply stores appear to be around $30 for a box of 100. If you belong to Sam’s Club you can get it for about $10 for a box of 50.
3. Use clear packaging tape to join adjacent transparencies together.
4. Attach the sign to glass using packaging tape. If you have tinted glass (which most cars do) you will need to place a white background in back of the transparency material. The white background maximizes contrast with the black lettering and increases visibility. A white plastic kitchen-size garbage bag works well for this background.
5. Packaging tape or magnets can be used to secure the sign to metal surfaces.
6. All in all, I estimate that it will cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $3 for a billboard-style sign that delivers your customized message in a truly noticeable fashion.
In the four days I’ve had my current sign (Euthanize ObamaCare) I’ve received thumbs up from numerous other motorists and no extended middle fingers. So, I know I’m making a difference. You can easily make a difference too. Increase the reach of the Tea Party effort and use a customized billboard to help influence the undecided by giving them the “right” perspective.
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My wife and I arrived early, about 6:30, to get a good vantage point and talk with other likeminded individuals before the event formally started. Arriving early also gave me an opportunity to use my Sony boom box to serenade the crowd with sound bytes of Obama elaborating on his plans for America. Among other topics, these bytes included Obama lecturing a woman about how it might be better to give her elderly mother pain killers rather than surgery to correct her ailment, and how his Cap and Trade plan would necessarily cause electricity rates to skyrocket.
