Thanks for the input so far, Gang! We don't use any agency name on our decals. DiveSigns and the gentleman in the UK (Mark Emery) reference GUI as a standard mix authority of sorts. They have an excellent product and the niche market begs for a bit of competition. GUI, as well as other agencies or organization are keenly aware that as they create "standards" they're going to get referenced for doing so. According to our legal consultant, we could put a registered trademark or service mark up when we reference them like we've done with the reference to two large mail order catalog/online shops we admire, but it was deemed unnecessary. The bulk of the photos are placeholders for now. We only got a few runs done in production when there was a question of legality for the font type of the AP Evolution logo. We talked to the manufacturer and they don't hold any legal claim to the font type. Even Mark at DiveSigns has removed this featured font from his website, but if you ask nicely, he'll provide it to you.
We intend to grow the Diver-ID.com into much more than just name and mix decal sales, but that will be the initial draw. We've plans for less expensive alternative lettering (sans the highly reflective background), AND a harder wearing, less likely to get scratched, thicker, single-layer decal that is less likely to get boogered up when strapping a BCD to the tank like the current two-layered versions are.
Before we post our final products to the web, we want to finish vendor negotiations and be very sure we can offer the same consistent high quality products 100% of the time. We don't want a raw materials or vendor supply problem to bring us to our knees or compromise what people are counting on (the decal sticking to their tank until their VIP or Hydro) when they buy our Diver ID product. We've found "marine-grade" adhesive means different things to different vendors and some do not fit OUR description of perfect or ideal for the application. We are also doing what we can to buy from American vendors and keep any money we make circulating in our own economy. This may put off some outside of the US and seem foolish to some business people, but our economy here is hurting very badly, many people are out of work, and it just feels right to us, regardless of the additional costs that seem to be involved. In much of the world, America is STILL seen as a place where we make good stuff...it's just harder and harder to find American made STUFF!
We filed to legally become Diver-ID.COM, LLC yesterday and will be spending the next few days and weeks integrating a merchant account and online sales capabilities into the website. Our hope is to allow the potential customer to preview their desired Diver IDs online in the font type and colors they choose. We figure folks not only want to see the product (we will have PLENTY of photos soon enough) but they want to see their name in exactly the font and color they choose.
Another product we're considering is Dog Tags and if anyone wants to offer their opinion of dog tags for IDs on both people and dive gear (like BCDs). Maybe it sounds a bit morose, but I make sure to wear a set of dog tags when I'm deep, wreck, or diving a strong current just in case something happens to me and it might be necessary to ID my body. Buddies of mine use their old tags on a stainless ring to label their gear with their ID. They're not expensive to make (once one has the equipment) and it's also a bit of a novelty item to kids, so we're intrigued as to whether or not there is a market for them.
AGAIN, thanks for the input!
-Kai
it would be greatly appreciated.
