Archive for November, 2010

Signage applies to any sort of visual graphic used to display information to a certain audience, be it in the form of advertisements or directional signage. There is a multitude of signage solutions available, whatever the requirement. Signs can range from affordable vinyl signs to electronic signs to wrapping vehicles with mobile advertisements. Advertising flags are a popular solution for businesses equipped with a flag pole as well as for events. However, despite all of the signage innovations that have been made over the years, signage itself is deeply rooted in history.

The French word enseigne indicates the connection with the English term for flag and banners within France, which often took the place of signs or signboards during the Middle Ages. Even the ancient Egyptians and Romans were well-known to use signage during each empire’s reigns. In Rome and even Greece, signs were typically made of stone or terracotta, many of which have been found among other ancient artifacts by modern day archaeologists. Signs were actually required to brew and serve ale in England during 1389, under the edict of King Richard III. Clearly, signage has always had its place in history; however, we have grown a long way from sticking to stone and fabric to construct signs.

Banners are a popular option today as a form of signage, due to the versatility of options of sizes and mediums as well as the affordable cost. The banner industry has grown from originally producing traditional cut-vinyl banners to banners printed by large, ultra-wide format inkjet printers, which employ computer-operated ink jet sprayers to apply solvent, non-solvent, or aqueous based inks directly to the banner material. The most common material for banners is the heavy weight vinyl known as PVC, although vinyl substrates are available anywhere in the range from nine ounces to twenty-two ounces per square yard. Furthermore, banners may be single- or double-sided and may include grommets embedded in the vinyl material to facilitate hanging. Banners also are not limited by size, as custom building-length banners can be produced complete with a special mesh material, upon which a graphic is printed, to allow wind to pass through without rupturing the banner material.

Recent innovations in the signage industry include digital billboards, which use LCD, Plasma, or LED screens connected to a computer in order to display and rotate digital images. This method allows multiple businesses to share a single ad-space! Another option is wrapping vehicles, typically with an adhesive vinyl material, which can be custom cut to fit any vehicle, be it car, motorcycle, bus, or even boat!

Signs come in all varieties of shapes and sizes, as they have for literally thousands of years! Modern sign solutions include free standing signs, which nearly everyone has seen at some point. This type of sign can be used to display a business’s name and logo from the street, to advertise a special sale or offer, or for any other multitude of purposes. Another option is cheap vinyl banners, made affordable by the advancements of the processes used for creating them. Vinyl banners are the perfect option for any sort of advertisement, be it for a business, product, or event. Alternatively for the more technically inclined, LED signage is a relatively futuristic solution to finding an appropriate means of advertisement or distribution of information. LED signs offer the distinct advantage of being able to include motion into the sign, as popularized by scrolling marquees, which has been proven to attract more attention from passers-by than a traditional, static sign.

Vinyl banners come available as various types, including digitally printed banners, vinyl lettered banners, painted banners, and screen printed banners. The digital variety of banners is by far the most popular due to their ease of production, increasing affordability. Large format ink jet printers are used to create digitally printed banners by employing computer-controlled ink jets to spray solvent, semi-solvent, and aqueous based inks directly on to the banner material. Ultra violet-curable inks are also available, providing an invisible barrier against fading due to the sun’s rays. Faster models of wide format ink jet printers can print up to one thousand six hundred square feet of banner material per hour! The most commonly used material is a heavy weight vinyl known as PVC, although banner substrates are available in the range of nine ounces to twenty-two ounces per square yard, depending on the location and weather conditions the material will face. Vinyl lettered banners are another affordable option within the same category, which are constructed from self-adhering vinyl by slicing it into the letters or shapes desired via a computer-driven vinyl cutter. Using a computer slicing system rather than performing the task by hand allows for the utmost precision!

Painted vinyl banners are just what they seem, generally designed and fabricated by hand by a painter. However, this technique is becoming less popular since the advent of digital alternatives. Screen printing is the final alternative, consisting of laying down different colors onto the banner material one at a time, using stencils. With such great options, the only decision is which one to pick!

The number of mediums available for signage is simply staggering! Window signage is an effective solution that may often be overlooked. Windows are everywhere from storefronts to office buildings, particularly evident in a metropolitan area, and all of that unused real estate can be transformed into signage for your business. 3D signage is another innovative solution to the problem of finding a means to advertise or distribute information for your business or organization. Three-dimensional signs vary in design from actual three-dimensional objects, made from ordinary materials to form lettered signage or to form logos, to special digital screens that are capable of displaying three-dimensional images via a particular material that makes it unnecessary to use special glasses. For those who enjoy the waterfront, boat signage may be the answer, for what better way to advertise your business than on a sleek boating craft skimming over the water, catching the eyes of every passer-by!

Signs lining buildings’ windows are typically made of a vinyl material that adheres to the glass panels and can be easily removed afterwards without leaving residue. This is a noteworthy choice since the vinyl can be clear, so as to limit the obstruction of inhabitants’ views when looking out into the world. This material can also be altered by use of computer-driven vinyl cutters, allowing for window panes which may break up the form of the glass, in addition to allowing for any size window. Another option for window displays in a hanging banner, hung from the top of a building or attached to the glass by some means. While being slightly more obtrusive to those inside looking out, banners are not limited by the size of a window, so designs can be large and grandiose to attract potential customers’ attention.

Boat signs are simply another form of standard land vehicle signage, such as that wrapped around cars, buses, or trucks. The most popular type of boat sign used today is wrap advertising, which involves completely or partially covering the boat in an advertisement, thereby creating a mobile billboard! Although this effect can be accomplished by simply painting the boat, a more affordable and dynamic option is to use vinyl sheets as decals, making it easy to change from one sign to another without leaving behind any lasting marring effects. Recent advancements in vinyl technology have resulted in the development of vinyls that feature air channels to prevent bubbles and micro-beads that prevent the vinyl from sticking until squeegeed down. Imagine the possibilities!

Signage dates back to ancient times, since the first business owner realized that they are an effective way to attract more customers. Corporate signs can range from small, inexpensive signs to hang inside a store selling a corporation’s product to large, grand-scale signs incorporating the use of LCD, LED, or Plasma displays. Electronic signage has grown in popularity due to the ability to use motion, which has proven to be more successful in gaining the attention of passers-by. However, signs need not be limited to advertising products; event signage can be quite useful in gaining attendance for events. Proper placement is important when considering using signage, as is the medium and size of the sign used.

As mentioned, electronic signs allow the use of motion to attract attention, although the possibilities are much more expansive. Digital billboards are beginning to dot more and more expanses of roadways and the interiors of sport stadiums. Essentially, digital billboards are billboards, but it uses a screen that uses a computer to display digital images that can be changed after a certain time interval. This allows multiple businesses to use the same advertising space, resulting in savings, or a single business can advertise multiple products or even display a commercial video or sequence of images. LED marquee signs are another form of electronic signs that allow the scrolling of images or text for advertisement or informational services. The movie theater is a common place to see semi-static LED signs, since it allows movie-goers to see what movies are available as well as the times, without the need to manually change the signs day by day.

Event planners often underestimate the effectiveness of signage in gaining attendance to the event. As a result, many events go unnoticed, since word of mouth can only spread so far. By properly placing event signs in locations where many passers-by would be interested in the particular type of event, attendance can be multiplied exponentially, as word of mouth eventually takes over. The options for sign mediums are nearly endless, including banners, billboards, hanging signs, neon signs, lettered signs, and many more. Vinyl signage is quite popular, thanks to being affordable, even on a large scale. This is made possible by large format inkjet printers, capable of printing up to one thousand six hundred square feet per hour! Think about all of the locations where one sees signs as well as how often a sign has effected oneself, and it becomes clear that signs are the answer for nearly any advertising or informational needs!

In this day and age, businesses have more advertising mediums to choose from than ever before! However, one of the most effective and pervasive methods, used since ancient times, are physical signs, aimed at attracting the attention of passers-by. A building sign is a bold way to get the attention of potential consumers, by filling the entire side of a building with a business’ advertisement, through the use of an enormous sign or signs, typically constructed from a special mesh material to allow wind to pass through the banner without tearing or damaging it in any way. Scrolling LED signs offer a futuristic alternative, by employing motion and bright lights to attract the eyes of anyone who should happen to walk or drive past. Another method is vinyl signage, an affordable, durable option for indoor or outdoor use, coming in a variety of substrates ranging from nine ounces to twenty-two ounces per square yard, based on location and weather conditions.

LED signs that scroll text in a marquee fashion are quickly gaining in popularity. The reason is that advertisers have noticed that motion seems to attract attention better than a static sign. With LED signs, businesses can scroll text in a variety of colors and movement patterns. For instance, the lights can blink, fade, wipe, or do a number of other transition effects, depending on businesses’ advertising needs. In addition, scrolling LED lights can be used on digital billboards or for digital information signage. The applications are endless, from displaying movie titles and times to advertising gas station prices alongside a highway to scrolling through special offers at a sporting event.

Building signs are breathtaking examples of the possibilities of signage and how much physical advertisement has grown. Since building signs are exposed to the weather, a thicker vinyl banner substrate is usually used and the type of ink used is taken in to careful consideration. Digitally printed banners are constructed by employing large format ink jet printers that use computer-controlled ink jets to spray aqueous (or water-based), semi-solvent, or solvent based inks directly on to the vinyl material. Special ultra violet-light curable inks are also available to improve the banner’s resistance to fading due to sunlight, if desired. Some of the faster wide format ink jet printers can print up to one thousand six hundred square feet per hour, making quick work of a sign meant to cover the entire side of a building! Furthermore, as previously mentioned, building signs generally use a special mesh material equipped with venting, to allow winds to pass freely through the signs with tearing or otherwise damaging the signs themselves. They are sure to be a hit!

What better way to get your business noticed than with pull up banners? Banner-making is an ancient craft, dating back to biblical times. For instance, the prophet Isaiah was commanded to raise a banner and exalt his voice (Isaiah 13:2 KJV), and Habakkuk also similarly received an order to write a vision upon tables that could be read by one who runs past it (Habakkuk 2:2). Vinyl sign supplies are a low-cost, yet effective method for gaining the attention of passers-by. Another more recent innovation in the advertising industry is vehicle signage, typically achieved by completely or partially wrapping a vehicle in an advertisement, thereby creating a mobile billboard!

Banners are frequently printed on a plastic, or heavy weight vinyl, background. The material is technically known as PVC, the same material used in plumbing and a variety of other applications, to ensure that the advertisement banner is durable. The weights of different banner substrates can vary from a fairly light nine ounces to a heaver twenty-two ounces per square yard, depending on the specific advertisement needs of a business, based on location and weather conditions. Banners may also be single- or double-sided, and grommets are often added to facilitate the hanging of banners. Large banners, such as those to be hung on the side of a building, use a mesh material to allow wind to pass through, without ripping or damaging the advertisement.

Furthermore, there are different types of banners available to businesses. The typical options are digitally printed banners, screen-printed banners, painted banners, and vinyl lettered banners. Digitally printed banners are quite common due to the ease in which they are produced. Large format inkjet printers or plotters are used, which employ computer-controlled ink jets to spray water based, solvent, or non-solvent based inks directly on to the banner material. Some printers are even ultraviolet light-capable, providing better weather resistance, so as to prevent fading of the ink under sunlight. The faster, wide format, inkjet banner printers are capable of printing up to one thousand six hundred square feet of banner material per hour! Such efficient machines guarantee that businesses can customize advertisement banners for extremely affordable pricing, since computer-controlled ink jets do all of the work once the design is loaded in to the machine.

Vinyl lettered banners employ an alternative method by applying individual elements, like letters or particular colors, cut from self adhesive vinyl by a computer-driven vinyl cutter, to the large banner surface. Whatever the method used, banners make quite the impact on consumers!

Investing in some Braille signage is a very smart thing to do if you would like to increase your customer base and drive some new business into your store. However, in order to truly benefit from having the right signs, you are also going to need to make sure that you are purchasing these signs from the very best signage company in business. If you have never purchased anything like this in the past, perhaps it would be wise for you to do some research into some different companies in order to get a better idea of what they have to offer to their customers.

You might want to begin by simply reading through some online reviews of some of these signage resources. Try not to just choose the first one you find merely because you are in a rush to get things done with regards to your new advertising campaign. You might regret this later on if you realize that you’ve paid too much for your signs or if they simply do not arrive on time.

Another thing to consider would be to purchase some LED display signs. Try to diversify the type of signs that you buy so that it is more likely that people are going to want to come and see what your business has to provide to the general public. Using signs that light up is smart if your business is on a highly trafficked road and you know that people might see these signs at night.

You could also choose some advertising signage to be put up on the outside of the business. Banners are typically a good choice for this type of thing, especially if you happen to purchase them in a material such as vinyl. You definitely should put up some banners in honor of a grand opening celebration since they will reflect the festive mood in the store.

Do not forget some directional signage as well if your business is somewhat off of the main road in town. Or, if you have a relatively large store, using some directional signs indoors could also be quite useful. You should always make the shopping experience as easy for customers as possible so that they can concentrate on looking at the goods for sale rather than anything else.

It is always a good idea to carefully assess whether or not you might need to do more with regards to your advertising campaign, so you might want to invest in some custom banner printing if you think that a greater effort needs to be made. Having some new banners up at your store can definitely be an effective way to make sure that some new clientele is aware of its existence. Also, updating your signs is a good way to let your potential customers know that you are very aware of how important a good business image actually can be.

You do not have to spend an exorbitant amount of money on these signs whatsoever, so perhaps you could just invest in some signs that are from a company that offers low prices. Doing some price comparison is important. Get a general idea of what these kinds of signs cost on the market right now just so that you can be totally sure that you are not accidentally getting ripped off.

Also, you might want to invest in some electronic display signs if you have just received some new products that are going to be for sale in your store. If this is the case, then it is very important to have these signs since they’ll definitely alert your customers to the fact that they might want to check out a particular area of your store before going about their usual shopping experience.

Beyond that, illuminated signage is a great thing to use if you are having a huge sale or clearance at the store. If you make people interested in the store on account of the fact that you’re having a huge sale, then there is definitely a much better chance that they’ll be willing to spend money with you on other items out of appreciation for the reduced rates.

Finally, try to remember that you should always choose the design of your signs with care. Pick something out that is a direct reflection of the type of business you would like to present to the public. It might be smart for you to consult a graphic designer if you feel like you are not equipped to design these types of signs all on your own.

If you happen to be someone who is in charge of putting together an advertising campaign for a university, using some outdoor vinyl banners could be an excellent choice for you in this situation. You will love the fact that by using these banners, you are going to heighten school spirit and simultaneously attract some new students to your campus. It is important to choose your signs with care, however, because they are going to directly influence the perception people have of your school.

So, try to make an effort to look into at least a couple of different signage companies from which you could purchase your goods. If you are someone who does not have time to drive around town looking for signs, focus your search efforts to an online forum. You’ll learn a wealth of information about signs if you just take the time to peruse some online galleries.

Don’t forget that your signage materials can significantly influence whether or not you have chosen the right signs. You should definitely look into using some materials that are appropriate for the task at hand. For instance, if the majority of your signs are going to be put up outdoors, then you might want to use a strong and sturdy substance like vinyl.

Or, maybe all you need to do is to choose some architectural signs for your business. This could be an extremely good way for you to draw attention to the campus without making it too obvious that an advertising campaign is underway. Students will appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to update the signs if you are someone who has failed to do this in a couple of years.

Finally, choose some signs that integrate the school’s colors or mascot into them if at all possible. Maintaining a sense of continuity is important if you are trying to execute any kind of advertising campaign. So, keep this in mind if you are someone who is trying to encourage a number of new students to come to your campus to check out what you have to offer.

It is always important to think about ways that you might be able to increase the profit that your business is able to realistically make, and using some magnetic signage might be an extremely smart way for you to accomplish your goals towards this end. Using the right signs is imperative if you are intent on driving new business towards your store. Potential customers are going to take note of whether or not you have the right signs up that indicate that your store is an appealing place to do business.

So, start thinking about investing in some new signs immediately if you think that yours either look worn out or are simply outdated. Having some signs up that have started to look tacky as a result of a change in trends is something that you should definitely avoid. Your customers might assume that you are out of touch with your customer base if you have some signs up that look like they were appropriate to use a decade ago.

You could also put some effort into finding appropriate car signage if you feel as though your business could benefit from a wide scale advertising effort. Putting some signs on your personal vehicle could be an excellent place to start. Then, give a couple of small signs to your staff members to put on their vehicles as well so that they can help you with this facet of your advertising campaign.

As always, it is equally important that you’re dealing with a good signage company. If you have opted to purchase your signs on the Internet, which can be an extremely convenient decision, then you might want to make certain that you are dealing with a legitimate company. One way to find out would be to check to see if they list a phone number you can call if you happen to have a question.

Another simple way to discern whether or not you are dealing with a good signage business is to just go through some customer testimonials or reviews that are posted on their website. If other people have tons of positive things to say, then you probably have made the right choice. Or, go through some discussion forums online for some additional insight.