08/04/2026
Some sign and graphics projects are straightforward. Others turn into detective work.
This custom canopy for Black Mountain CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) definitely fell into the second category.
The organization had been gifted a Vitabri 10' × 10' canopy frame, but the original canopy had the previous owners graphics and needed to be replaced. Sounds simple enough, right? Not quite.
Our first call to the manufacturer left us scratching our heads. We were told we needed to identify the exact model before they could provide a new (unprinted) canopy for our frame. There was just one problem: the model wasn't listed anywhere on the frame or the old canopy. Since the canopy had been donated, there was no owner's manual either (because, honestly... who keeps the owner's manual for a canopy?). So the hunt began.
After a lot of research, phone calls, and digging through every clue we could find, we finally discovered something surprising: Vitabri only makes one 10' × 10' canopy model. It was one of those moments where you can't help but wonder why that wasn't the first thing we were told.
Rather than giving up or sending our customer elsewhere, we kept looking for a solution. Eventually, we found another supplier who could manufacture a brand-new replacement canopy that fit the frame perfectly.
The finished canopy features Black Mountain CERT printed in eight different locations, making the organization highly visible from every direction during community events and emergency response activities. The material is exceptionally durable and highly water-resistant—just what a volunteer emergency response team needs.
Most people looking at the finished product will simply see a beautiful custom canopy.
What they won't see are the hours spent researching, making phone calls, tracking down information, and solving a problem that didn't have an obvious answer. That's okay.
At Asheville Signworks, we genuinely enjoy solving puzzles like this. Every unusual project teaches us something new, and helping customers overcome challenges is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
Sometimes our job isn't just making signs and graphics. Sometimes it's figuring out what everyone else says can't be figured out. And that's exactly the kind of challenge we enjoy.
Check out https://blackmountaincert.org/cert-class.html and learn how to be better prepared for disasters and emergencies. Take the CERT Basic Training Class - it's a great opportunity to serve!
