When you want to reach people with a message, a sign is an obvious choice. Unlike speaking word of mouth, a sign can communicate without constant human input. Yard signs in Detroit are just one way to do this. And they have plenty of applications—some you may not have thought of!
First, the obvious use
There’s one common and well-recognized use for yard signs that surfaces every time an election rolls around. That’s right, political signs. Used to show support for a favorite candidate, they crop up cyclically in neighbor’s yards and by the side of the road. Still, the popularity of using political yard signs may be waning.
However, there are plenty of other uses for these small signs—from business promotions to community events. We’ll dig into some below. But even these possibilities aren’t the extent of your options for yard signs.
Raise awareness for people or issues
While signs can take sides for a politician, they can also be used to promote policies as opposed to people. And some of these issues could even be bipartisan. For instance, a local group could use them to create awareness of a contested local-interest topic. Here’s a Virginia community where signs are lobbying for firefighters’ interests.
Promote community events
Additionally, you can put signs to work letting the community know about events they might want to attend. Even if you’re advertising your event elsewhere (like social media or bulletin boards) yard signs can still inform and remind. Here’s an Ohio community tapping into the power of yard signs—for a community yard sale.
Give directions with yard signs in Detroit
Of course, any time you’re trying to get to a destination, you need directions of some sort. Sometimes, you know based on prior experience. And other times, the GPS is invaluable. But what about the times that you’re almost all the way to your destination, yet need some indicators at the last moment? You’re just not sure which driveway entrance to use or where to park.
Well, as a business or individual you can take some of the guesswork out of problems like these for your patrons or guests. Don’t leave the poor drivers to figure it out for themselves. Instead, use yard signs to make directions clear. Placed by the edge of the road, they can tell guests where a birthday party is. Or, they can point patrons toward the main entrance of a business.
Use yard signs for your business
Since businesses want to communicate with current and future customers, they can put yard signs to work, too. Real estate agents might promote an open house using a yard sign. A company recently moving into the area might use a yard sign to announce that they’re “Now Open.”
Plus, if a company isn’t very visible from the nearby road, they could choose a yard sign with their logo. Placing it near the road could alert people passing that the company is there, even if their storefront isn’t visible.
And businesses can also use road signs to let customers know about one particular product or service among the many they offer. For instance, a medical clinic might promote its sports physicals with a roadside sign. That way, athletes or parents passing by will know that the clinic offers this specialized medical exam.
Yard signs in Detroit could even give a boost to small businesses operating out of the owner’s home. For instance, if you keep honeybees and have honey to sell, a roadside sign could help. Your neighbors might drop by for some. And drivers might stop as they pass by your house.
Yard signs in action
For those of you who like to see things in action, here are some yard sign examples. Yard signs have been used for:
Yard signs can also be used more than one way, too—as Xavier Cortada’s idea to upcycle spent political campaign signs demonstrates.
Shoot for a successful sign experience
As you create a great yard sign, remember to check on any rules and regulations that apply. This could include any ordinances set by the locality you live in. And it also could include any restrictions imposed by your HOA if you have one. Check ahead of time, so you don’t end up with any surprises after the fact.
Here’s another thing to consider. Unless your yard signs are designed to get the attention of pedestrians, you may want to make sure your vital information is large enough for passing drivers to see. For one thing, you don’t want your communication to be fruitless because drivers couldn’t see it. Plus, you don’t want your sign to cause an accident because a driver was trying so hard to see it.
Your sign company may offer design services in addition to their manufacturing. If so, they may be able to assist you here. See if they have wisdom to share in determining the optimal size for your sign’s text and other elements.
Say it with yard signs in Detroit
Whatever your message, consider using yard signs in Detroit as a way to get your message to your audience. From invitations to open houses or alerts about special promotions, get these signs in on the action. Create your signs thoughtfully, too. Learn more with The Importance Of Good Signage & The Psychology Behind How It Works. Or check out our Tips And Tricks To Creating The Most Effective Signs For Marketing.
- Published in Blog, Outdoor Signs, Sign Products, Signarama Troy News
You can use signs for such a wide array of purposes from advertising to conveying safety information. However, no matter how you use these products, certain features are almost universal among all the types.
These are the crucial aspects that signage needs to make it a success. You can arrange these in a variety of ways to suit your sign’s specific purpose.
Let’s look at six elements that you need to include on your signs. Together with this, we will cover a few more bonus tips for designing effective signage.
1- Text
The primary purpose of any sign is to communicate information to its audience. This is what makes it such a powerful tool in the hands of any business owner.
But how do you get this message across?
Yes, images can convey certain messages. But oftentimes, not as clearly as you can with words. It is up to a certain amount of interpretation. Therefore, the meaning an image conveys can be pretty ambiguous.
This is where using text comes in. Here are several reasons why words can be the ideal solution:
First, writing can help you to achieve the goal of the specific sign. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to sell a particular product? Are you promoting a charity or cause? Use words when advertising something or describing something.
Second, you can use words to share crucial information about your business, like its name.
Third, you will often have to use text to communicate some terms and conditions or disclaimers.
The following are principles which you need to consider when it comes to text:
- Font: You need to choose the font carefully. Don’t choose one that is ornamental nor one that is too thin.
- Size: The text should be large enough that people will be able to read it from the relative distance.
- Amount: Keep it short and sweet. People are much more likely to read and remember a sign with fewer words.
- Complexity: Keep it simple. Go for clarity above anything else. Don’t use too many long and complicated words.
- Readability: All of these aspects boil down to how legible the words will be. There is no point to putting text on your size if people won’t be able to read it for any one of these reasons.
2- Graphics
Even though, the script is the key to conveying specific information clearly and unambiguously don’t discount images. Big or small, graphics are still an essential element of signs. It’s no wonder that most signs, whatever their goal, feature graphics of some kind or other.
Images are clearly the main alternative to communicating a message without any words. They are often the element that takes up the most space of any feature on the sign.
One critical use of images in advertising is to create an emotional appeal. This is key if you are trying to persuade an audience to take a particular action. Photographs often work best in this regard.
Graphics not only make a sign more interesting to look at but can also make it more memorable. All of this can help you to achieve your specific goals.
Another way in which graphics are used on signs is through symbols. Symbols are a mark or character used as a conventional representation of an object, function, or process. So these are images whose meaning will be recognized by most people.
Therefore, they are most often used on safety and warning signs like exclamation marks and also on directional signs like with arrows.
Whatever image you go with, try to make it as impactful as possible. You probably only have one chance to catch a person’s attention.
3- Branding
A third critical element on most types of signs is some form of branding.
But what exactly are we talking about here?
Branding is a practice through which a business creates a design, symbol or name that is easily identifiable as theirs. This is essential to help the audience recognize the company or other venture to which it is relevant.
People usually won’t have time to read your entire sign. So it’s better to play smart and make sure that the significant parts, like who your company is, are noticeable.
Here are ways you can incorporate branding on a sign:
- Logo: If your company has a well-established logo this should feature somewhere on your signage.
- Name: Otherwise, you could print your venture’s name somewhere on it. It should be legible. You don’t have to use both if one would be enough to tell people whose sign it is.
- Colors: Does your brand have a specific color palette? If so, it can be a good idea to incorporate this on the sign.
- Motto: A tagline can make your business much more memorable as long as it is catchy. If it fits the purpose of the sign, you could incorporate it too.
The board doesn’t have to be covered with features of your brand, but it should be noticeable.
Remember that your brand identity will be more effective if it is consistent. For this reason, you should keep it recognizable across all your platforms.
However, this aspect isn’t necessary for all signage. For example, there is typically no reason for a safety sign to show off a brand. As a matter of fact, many informational and directional signs won’t need to be branded.
4- Color
Few things in the world can have such a powerful effect on our minds as color can. It can be challenging to imagine signs without it. Even if you make your signage black and white, it is still an important feature to consider.
Color is a brilliant way to catch people’s attention. Bright and bold shades can help you make sure your sign stands out from its environment.
Additionally, you can use color to make small parts of the sign more visible. It can literally be the best highlighting tool. You can emphasize the most essential elements of the product by printing it in a different color or one that contrasts with its background.
Most of this boils down to creating the right aesthetic for your sign. You want to use the palette to your advantage to make it as appealing and impactful as possible.
Besides all of this, one of the most impactful uses of color is how you can employ it to affect your audience’s mood. You want to pick a palette that will evoke the right emotion and associations in people.
For instance, if you are making a sign to advertise a beach resort, you don’t want to coat it in red. Instead, use blue which can have a calming effect.
To use this effectively, you should learn as much as you can about the psychology of color.
5- Call to action
What is the point of designing and printing a sign if it doesn’t create the desired effect?
All types of signs are made to lead its audience to one action or another. Designers create advertisements to persuade people to buy a product or service from your company. These type of persuasive signs are probably the most flashy and exciting of all the signage products.
Not so differently, safety and warning signs are there to stop people from doing something that can harm them or others. And so forth.
No matter the sign, this is where the call to action comes in. This is any device which is used to prompt a response in the audience.
Nowadays, you will usually hear the term used to talk about digital sales and marketing. However, it is just as crucial in printed media.
A call to action should clearly tell the audience what you want them to do. It can be just a few words or a few sentences, but it should contain a verb of some kind. Words that you can use are:
- Buy
- Hire
- Call
- Click
- Donate
- Visit
- Share
- Register
These can work on both digital and printed signs.
Here are easy techniques you can use to make it more impactful:
- Create a sense of urgency. People are more likely to act if they feel they only have a short time to do so. That’s why limited offers and sales are so popular.
- Tell them what they will gain by taking action. Happiness? Excitement? Knowledge?
- You can make your call to action much more successful by using emotional appeal to persuade your audience.
For some inspiration, take a look at these brilliant examples of digital CTA’s. See for yourself just how effective they can be.
6- Interactive elements
Nowadays, another fantastic feature that you can include on your signage is interactive elements. These are devices that allow your audience to interact with the product physically. This adds a whole new level of depth to the experience.
Today, interactive features are one of the hottest tools in the industry. And for a good reason.
Research has shown that using them can lead to significant results. For example, the duration which a video holds your attention is increased by a whopping 47% when you add interactive elements.
What else do they bring to the table?
- They’re great at grabbing people’s attention. Besides this, it keeps your audience interested for longer.
- You don’t get much more memorable than interactive ads. The more time people spend with a sign, the more likely they are to recall it and your business later on.
- If you use them right, interactive elements can make your signage fabulously fun and exciting. Overall, this means that people are more likely to build positive associations with your brand.
- In digital products, you can use interactive features like a call to action. This can significantly boost responses to your ads.
Once again, this device can work wonders in both digital and printed signage.
You can make digital products interactive by adding links through buttons to creating virtual signs like banners. But this is only one potential application among many. The sky’s the limit to what you can do.
You also have more than one option when it comes to printed media. For example, an easy way you can implement this is to make signs that encourage people to take photos with it – like large frames. Another is to print QR codes on your sign that people can scan in order to find a link to your app.
Other tips to designing signs and their layout
But it’s not enough to simply throw all these elements together. Here are some pro tips on the design and layout of both your digital and physical signs:
- Save space: Don’t overwhelm your audience with new input. You really don’t have to fill every inch of your sign. Instead, stick to the essentials. Focus on making the critical message come across.
- Top to bottom and left to right: This is how we read, so it makes sense that the layout of your sign should match this style. Our eyes are trained to move this way. Therefore, you need to keep this in mind when planning the flow of the sign.
- Focal point: Successful signs usually have one primary central point. This can help you to grab people’s attention. Experts use lines to lead your eye to this center. On top of this, they use contrasting colors to highlight the point.
Holistic design
Intelligent design is becoming increasingly important in the modern world. The more saturated our environment’s become, the harder it can be to create a sign that will catch people’s eye. It’s all about putting the elements together to form a complete picture.
For more information read our article on the importance of good signage and the psychology behind how it works. And if you are having trouble choosing the right products perhaps take a look at the comprehensive guide to the different types of signs and their uses.
- Published in Advertising, Blog, Business, How-Tos
Maybe you haven’t heard them called by this name “sign twirlers,” but you’ve sure seen them. Sign twirlers are the people who stand on the street corner and use a sign to garner attention for an area business. There are several different names for them, but “sign twirlers” help you out by providing a mental picture of what some of them do.
And note that we said it provides a mental picture of what some of them do. Of course, not all sign twirlers offer the same performance to passersby. In fact, sign twirling routines can range from nearly non-existent to stunning (and probably everything in between).
Do sign twirlers really increase sales?
While there’s no guarantee that you’ll experience a good ROI in your particular situation, a sign spinner can be worth it according to the director of Liberty Tax. On Marketplace.org Janet Nguyen writes, “Martha O’Gorman, Liberty Tax’s chief marketing officer, said that for every two hours a Liberty store has a waver outside, they typically get one customer.”
Below the surface
As with marketing and advertising generally, take time to determine what effect you hope to achieve when you begin a new campaign or program. Keep in mind that a sign spinner could have an effect that’s not immediately apparent. While some companies may be looking to increase walk-ins immediately, it’s possible that the advertising you do today may offer results tomorrow.
For instance, maybe your sign twirler won’t convince anyone to enter your pizza shop for today’s special. Still, it’s possible that passing drivers will remember your shop next time they’re hungry for pizza. And they may even think “That’s the place that always has great deals” based on what they saw on the street corner.
What colors should I use for my sign?
You’re going to put time, money, and effort behind your company’s sign. Understandably, you want to make a good investment which is why you may be wondering whether any colors are better than others.
Certain colors could affect viewers in different ways. As you choose your colors, you may enjoy gathering ideas from what some say about how different colors are perceived. Start by checking out The Logo Company’s infographic shared in Jeff Desjardin’s article about color choice. And is it any surprise that Cassel Promotions & Signs identifies yellow as a color that “Symbolizes alertness, cheerfulness, happiness, and warmth”?
On the other hand, keep in mind that Gregory Ciotti makes a good point on HelpScout.com as he points out that it’s not a definite science. He says, “Bottom line: There are no clear-cut guidelines for choosing your brand’s colors. “It depends” is a frustrating answer, but it’s the truth.”
Still, he doesn’t advocate ignoring the whole field. And if you’re interested gathering some color-related inspiration, Canva’s Build your brand: 20 unique and memorable color palettes to inspire you might help get you thinking creatively. Then, for more information on creating good signs, check out our Tips And Tricks To Creating The Most Effective Signs For Marketing.
Do I need a sign?
While this one is pretty basic, you may be wondering if you need a sign for your business. Plus, you may be thinking If I do need a sign, why? If this is the direction your thoughts are taking you head over to our The Importance Of Good Signage & The Psychology Behind How It Works.
Can I put my business sign anywhere I want?
Wondering about the limits on where you can place your company’s sign? It’s great that you’re thinking about this. Checking into sign placement do’s and don’ts before setting up a sign is a wise way to avoid trouble later. No, you can’t necessarily put your sign anywhere you want, as certain Detroit businesses can attest. While your sign company may be able to help you out with information here, be sure you also do your own due diligence.
Make an impression (and make it a good one)
As you create your own sign, you may find it useful to begin with the end in mind, as they say. If your sign is part of a broader advertising campaign, identify outcomes you hope to achieve. Then, you can design your sign to fit with those objectives.
Choose your sign company wisely
And don’t hesitate to learn from the wisdom of a good sign company. They may be able to help you with sign design in addition to construction. Plus, look for a company that will be responsive to your needs. And you can always ask to see successful projects they’ve already completed—that way, you’ll feel more confident about working with them.
- Published in Advertising, Blog, Business
Children’s birthday parties are all fun and games. Or are they?
For the parents, who have to organize everything, the experience can be quite different. Instead, it can be nerve-wracking and tense. You just want the best for your kid but how can you manage this?
If you’re on the party planning train, take a look at our step-to-step guide on how to plan a fantastic children’s birthday party. It will also cover a few bonus decorating ideas.
Step 1: Calculate a budget
First things first, you have to get money matters out of the way. We all want the best for our children. But practically there are limits to what we can spend on their birthday parties.
Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to spend big to create a fantastic day. There are plenty of small things that you can save money on. For example, try baking the cake yourself.
To calculate the budget, you should consider what you want to spend, how much the different aspects will cost, and how much you can afford. Or else you can start off with how much you want to spend and plan everything around this.
If you consider this well, you can make the whole process go much more smoothly.
Step 2: Involve your child
It can be easy to get carried away with your vision and plan. But remember to involve your child from the start. Many kids love nothing more than to help come up with ideas for their own party.
This will help you make sure that they love the day from the beginning to the end. Here are some key aspects that you should ask them about:
- Which activities do they enjoy?
- How many friends would they like to invite?
- Who do they want to come?
- What is their favorite movie or book?
- Is there a specific place they would like to go?
- What are their favorite colors?
- Which foods do they enjoy?
Unfortunately, children’s expectations could often get out of hand. So you have to temper them to prevent them being disappointed later on. A great way to do this is through compromise. Real unicorns might be off the cards, but a pony ride might be brilliant too.
If you want it to be a surprise party, you can keep everything a secret. However, consider their personality, likes, and dislikes the whole time.
Step 3: Choose a theme
One of the critical things you can decide on with your child is the theme of the party. Of course, this will depend on the age of your child. If they are still too young, you can decide on one of the things that they like.
There are often trendy themes which all the kids want. Like the Frozen craze a few years back. But there are endless options that you could go with.
If you are having trouble deciding on one here are a few ideas that are always popular:
- Superheroes: All the kids can dress as their favorite hero.
- Movies night: You can set up a screen and let them watch some movies while eating popcorn and so on.
- Tea party: Need I say more, teacups and cupcakes are perfect for many young romantics.
- Dumbo: Dumbo is one of the biggest animated films of 2019. It’s no surprise that many kids would love a party with this adorable elephant as the focus.
- The Secret Life of Pets: This is another movie about adorable animals that your kid might fall in love with.
- Pirates: Pirate themed parties are a timeless favorite. Everyone can dress up, and you can arrange games like a treasure hunt.
- Activity focused: You can plan a party that is based on a specific event like horse riding or ice skating.
You can use these ideas to tie the whole day together from food to costumes to decor.
Step 4: Location
Now that you have a better idea about what type of party you are planning, you can begin looking for a venue.
Here are the essential aspects to keep in mind:
- Safety
- How many people will it accommodate?
- Activities at the location
- Distance from your home or neighborhood
- Price
- Does it fit the theme?
If you want to, there are businesses which specialize in hosting children’s birthday parties. For example, some tea gardens and restaurants.
Don’t worry. You don’t have to rent out a fancy venue. Many kids love nothing more than a party at their home. One benefit of this is that you have more time to set up and prepare and you can keep everything on hand. Another is that there might be fewer safety concerns.
But a possible downside is that cleaning up afterward would be entirely your responsibility.
One more budget-friendly location is your local park. This gives you a lot of space to work with and your kids’ plenty of space to play in. Many parks also have jungle gyms, and so on that, they can enjoy.
Step 5: Send out invitations
Next, it is time to send out invites to all the friends that your child wants to come. Do this early so that everyone can put the date aside. Distribute them at least two weeks beforehand.
You can have a lot of fun with the design for the invites. They can match the theme of the day in creative ways. For example, if you are hosting a movie night party, print out invitations which resemble cinema tickets.
Nowadays, you could choose digital invites instead of printed ones. Rather than handing them out at school you can email it or send it as a message to the parents.
The invite should contain the following details:
- The date
- Time
- Location
- Theme
- If they need to bring anything like towels and sunscreen
- Dress code (if there is one)
- Whether or not parents should accompany their children.
- How and when they should RSVP
Step 6: Decor
Once this has been finalized, you can go on to planning and sourcing the decor for the party.
Some locations will need far less to jazz it up while in others it will be entirely up to you to paint the scene.
But no matter the place, the decor should fit the theme of the day whether that be pirates or safari. This will help you to get everyone into the right mood and make the day more memorable.
You’ll be able to buy many of the items you need like printed napkins. Other things you could rent, like tablecloths and costumes.
Overall, getting everything together can take time. Therefore, you should start planning and gathering the items early on.
Step 7: Games
No children’s party is complete with activities of some kind. Surely, it’s a crucial part of helping all the kids have fun.
Moreover, you will need something to keep all the children busy for several hours on end. And we all know how easily they could get bored. Therefore, you should choose a variety of activities,
Plan three or four short games that are spread out throughout the day. For example, a sack race, tag, and pin the tail on the donkey.
Finally, it can work well to select different types of activities. You can choose one which involves lots of running and one which is less active like coloring.
Step 8: Organize the food
Eventually, you will need to give some attention to the refreshments that you are going to serve. This includes both food and drink. You will need to consider how many children and adults are going to attend
Preferably, you should arrange this at least a week before. If possible, wait to finalize the amounts until you’ve received the RSVPs.
You can make everything yourself, or you could hire a caterer to make a few platters. A good rule of thumb is to have enough food for a portion for each guest and some extra. Hence, no one will go home hungry.
To be safe, ask the parents on the RSVP if their children have any allergies or dietary requirements that you need to be aware of.
Most important, don’t forget the cake! Some would say you can’t have a party at all without a cake.
Step 9: Favors
Another aspect to consider is party favors. These are small gifts that you can give to each guest. You don’t necessarily have to get something too elaborate or expensive. Instead, you can just buy a treat to thank them for coming.
If you enjoy getting creative, you can make these yourself. And you can even write out a little thank you note to go with it.
Goodie bags are always a crowd favorite.
Take a look at these list of options of items that you can combine into a bag or give on its own:
- Assortment of sweets
- Candy skewers
- Pencils or crayons and a coloring book
- Water gun or bubble gun
- Play-doh
- Homemade cupcakes or cookies
- Materials for painting
- Plush toys
- DIY slime
- Masks or costume pieces and props
- Lego pieces
Overall, try to have it suit the activity or theme of the party.
Since parents also come to younger children’s parties, consider getting some treats for them too.
Step 10: Set up
Finally, you need to get everything in place for the party. If you are hosting it at your home, you can start the day before. But if it is at a venue, you will probably only be allowed to start the morning of.
You can put up any decor items beforehand. However, it will be better to only serve food, drinks, and other perishables during the party.
An expert tip is put up signs to point the direction to the party. This can be extremely helpful whether you host it at home or somewhere else.
The best signs for these will probably be ones made from coroplast like yard signs. They are cheap and quick to make. And any professional signage company will be able to print them for you.
In addition, they should be able to make them in a variety of shapes and sizes.
While setting up, you can put signs in your yard to indicate that this is the location for the party. You can also tie some to poles in the street leading up to your house. Of course, they work even better if the party is in a large location like a park or a zoo.
Decorating ideas
Here are some additional ideas for decor to get you inspired:
- Bright and colorful: Children are drawn to bright colors. Use these throughout your party decor. This will help you to make the day much more festive.
- DIY: A smart way you can save some money is by making some items yourself. For example, make your own paper flowers. This can be a great way to get your kids involved.
- Mason jar magic: Take old glass containers and paint them. You can even stick on some decorations like glitter and use them as vases for flowers, candles or to place candy in.
- Reuse: Besides this, you can get creative with items you already own. Like using any old basket to pack a picnic in.
- Balloons: Nothing says party like balloons. So don’t forget to get some. You can make a balloon wall or even double them up as a party game like balloon darts.
- Food as decor: Food shouldn’t just taste good, it should look good too. So get creative with snacks, like chocolate pots which resemble real flower pots.
- Costumes as decor: The clothes that the kids wear can form an essential part of the aesthetic. So if everyone dresses up, you are one step closer to creating your vision.
- Go green: If you want to teach your children about protecting the environment, this is an excellent opportunity. Wherever you can, use eco-friendly decor like paper straws.
- Use banners: Signs aren’t only useful before the party but during it too. One fantastic product is banners. You can design personalized banners which wish your child a happy birthday or something similar. You can hang them up in several places at the party. The same company that manufactures the coroplast signs for you can also print these for you.
Have fun
An important thing to remember when planning any party, especially a children’s birthday party is to have fun. Don’t take things too seriously and don’t sweat the small stuff. The more relaxed you are, the more everyone will enjoy the day. You want you and your child to look back on it as a happy and stress-free day.
One thing that can help you to achieve this is by asking for help. Don’t be afraid to let someone else handle some of the details. Consider hiring a professional company, like Signarama to design and print all the signs that you could possibly need for the day.
- Published in Blog, Event Planning, How-Tos
There’s so much to be done when planning a wedding. Of course, you want all the details to be accounted for on this delightful occasion. You know you’ll need to have a venue and probably food plans in addition to sending invitations and planning the ceremony. Here’s one other detail to put on your wedding to-do list—acquiring your custom signs. From the cheery “Mr. & Mrs.” signs to directional signs letting everyone know where to find the seating or the food, remember to plan your signs alongside everything else.
Let guests know
Your guests are giving you the gift of their presence, so go ahead and give them a gift of your own—the gift of knowledge. Make it easy for them to determine where they and their contributions, like presents, should be at any given time. Of course, for some events (like the ceremony), the program will help with this. However, another helpful key can be the signage you provide for your wedding event.
Signs may make your guests feel more comfortable—easily pointing out where they’re supposed to sit or drop their gifts, for instance. Let’s dive into some possibilities.
Ceremony signs
Here, directional signs could be the order of the day. Depending on the size of the venue you’ve chosen, guests may need to be pointed from the parking area to the ceremony seating. Plus, signs can also be useful for the seating area itself—informing guests whether they’re supposed to seat themselves and if so, on what side they should sit.
Rehearsal signs
While a rehearsal may be informal enough that you don’t feel you need directional signs, it could be a great time for a sign test run. In addition, it might be a good opportunity to knock out some of your set up ahead of time. Placing directional signs before the rehearsal might be just the way to iron out any ambiguities and to get signs all ready for the actual event.
Reception signs
Certainly, there are plenty of differences that could affect your sign situation based on the venue you choose. A sprawling location may need more directional signs than a compact space (in a small space, guests may simply be able to follow the sound of the other guests’ voices). But even in a compact location, there are still plenty of sign options. For instance, you may put signs to work marking the space where gifts should be placed. Or you might hang creative “Mr. & Mrs.” signs that celebrate the recently-tied knot.
Shower signs
Unlike the wedding and the reception (and possibly the rehearsal) which could all be in the same location, the shower will most likely take place somewhere else. Again, that could call for signs to point the way—indicating which driveway, home, or hallway guests should head for. Signs can list the order of events which could take some pressure off hosts to bring guests up to speed. And, of course, they can also point out relevant areas like where coats should be hung, presents should be left, food should be placed, etc.
Creating signs equal to the occasion
Now a special event calls for special signs, so what are some examples of custom signs you may want to create for this wedding? As we’ve already mentioned, you may want Mr. & Mrs. signs or signs that say Drinks, Food, or Gifts in the appropriate locations. But don’t think you’re limited to “necessary” signs like those. Actually, your sign could have more than just the who, what, & when of your event. Maybe you’d like a custom sign displaying a happy sentiment or quote.
Signs every which way
Once you’ve decided what words your sign should display, there are other questions too. How will you display your stand? And what material should it be made of? There are plenty of display options for you including:
- Placing a sign on a sign stand (either in portrait or landscape orientation)
- Using an A-frame sign
- Creating a sign on a stake to be pushed into the ground
- Painting/drawing your sign in a picture frame that can be propped up against a nearby bush
- Creating a custom pallet sign
- Using a string or wire to hang a sign.
And when it comes to your sign material, have a little fun experimenting with surfaces. There are plenty of ways you could go with wood for instance — a more polished wood for a classy look perhaps or a rustic upcycled piece to add a country touch. Glass or plexiglass are surface options, too and could even give you the chance to display a gorgeous floral arrangement behind the writing.
More isn’t always better
When designing your custom sign, don’t feel pressured to cram a lot into your space. Sometimes, a simple statement could be more striking than several lines of text. And of course, you want your signs to blend with the rest of your decor — like whimsical signs for a lighthearted event; rustic signs for an outdoor, country event; and striking black and white for formal elegance, perhaps.
Remember that you can use different fonts. However, pick fonts that work well together. Ensure all writing is legible, too. Plus, you might even choose to hire a professional hand letterer to take your sign to the next level. They have the ability to turn a project that is beautiful in your mind’s eye and turn it into a lovely item in the real world.
Get off to a good start
Whether you’re creating the signs yourself or getting some help from a sign professional, start early to avoid a pile-up of work as the event date approaches. And if you still haven’t chosen a location for your wedding event, take a look at our party venue ideas. Plus, remember to enjoy the whole process! Have fun on the day itself and as you prepare for everyone involved to have a great time.
- Published in Blog, Business, Event Planning, Indoor Signs, Outdoor Signs
One of the biggest challenges you will face when trying to get support for a cause is how to get the word out there. You need to plan a promotional campaign to get some exposure.
Signs can be invaluable in reaching this goal.
Well-thought-out elements can contribute to making a sign successful. And these have been used again and again to create brilliant products. You can study existing signs to learn from their strong points.
That’s why this article is all about looking at different signs and how you can use similar ones to promote your cause. This will include some signs done by us at Signarama.
Yard sign
Are you looking for an affordable and temporary solution to promote your cause?
You might need to look no further than coroplast yard signs. They are super low-cost. This means that you can buy and use more of them than of other types. You can also replace them when you need to communicate new information.
Here are some fantastic benefits of this signage:
- Durable: The coroplast material from which they are made means they are waterproof and quite durable.
- Eco-friendly: If you are promoting a cause, you are probably interested in making more conscientious decisions. Luckily, the corrugated polypropylene plastic of yard signs can be recycled. So you can get support for your campaign without harming the environment.
- Cheap: You can have them printed for as little as $0.65 per sign.
You only need to worry about finding a lawn or grassy area to put them on.
The specific boards in the picture stand out for several reasons. First, they use bright colors to catch people’s eye and the white border contributes to this even more by contrasting against the grass.
One of the principles they followed is to print the words in white on a colored background. This increases their readability.
You can use similar signs to gain exposure for your movement and advertise specifics like events.
Wall murals and wraps
One type of sign that can be really useful in promoting a cause is wall murals or wraps.
The example here shows how bright and attractive the can be which is very important in signage. And it shows how signs can include images and text. It’s vital to include both of these in promotional materials for any cause.
On top of this, it demonstrates that it can be used to cover entire walls. You can place it in any physical location that is involved with your movement. But places like shopping centers will often make space available to rent for this use.
One good thing is that they can easily be replaced. If you used wraps, you can remove it and paste new ones. With murals, you can paint over the old signs. So you can update them as your movement and campaign advances. Keep in mind that people are more likely to support causes which are making progress.
Window graphics
Many causes and campaigns have physical locations that act as a base of operations. If that includes you, you need to get some signs for this as well.
A fantastic option is to choose signage that can double up as promotional material as well as decor. Window graphics could fit this bill.
You want to use signage like this that is colorful. It not only catches your eye, but it is also visually appealing. Here, not only the background is bright, but it also includes images which help to show the purpose of the store.
On top of this, there is text too which gives additional information.
That is why it can work well for getting support for a cause. It can increase exposure, help educate, create appeal, and tell people how they can contribute.
A-frame sidewalk signs
Another way you can promote your cause is to use A-frame sidewalk signs like the one above. The board is used for advertising a venture, but it also has a call to action by providing a phone number. So you can use these to let people know how they can give their support.
One feature that the sample shows off is how to use more than one. You can use a few with different messages and place them in succession to communicate more information.
The following are some pros of using A-frame sidewalk signs in your campaign:
- Portability: One of their best features is that they are freestanding and can be moved around as you wish. You can take them wherever you need them most.
- Outdoors: They are usually manufactured to be used outside, so they are made to last and resist weather conditions like wind and rain.
- Indoors: But you can put them inside as well. They work great at events like the ones often used as part of charitable movements.
- Directional: Another possible use of these products is to point out directions. Again this can be vital at events.
- Affordable: They are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
- Time: Time is such a valuable resource. Many signs like billboards need to be read at a glance. But because sidewalk signs are usually seen when people walk past, people often get more time to look at them and take in their message.
Their versatility and flexibility make them fantastic tools to gain exposure and support.
Vehicle graphics and wraps
If you want to gain support through exposure, there are few better options than vehicle graphics and wraps. What can be better than an ad that can literally move around?
You can cover the same ground with this one product as you would by using a large number of static signs. Therefore, you could save lots of money in the ned. This is generally crucial in any charitable cause or movement.
One look at the sample will show you how flexible they are. These wraps can be designed exactly as you want it to look using graphics, text and a combination of the two.
Sometimes the wraps will only cover a small part of the vehicle. But you can cover the whole car too like above.
A positive aspect of the example is how readable the text is. This is vital with a sign that moves around. Besides this, the writing is placed where it can be easily read on the side of the vehicle. It can be a great idea to put it on the back of a car as well.
Banner
Banners are a staple of the signage industry. You can see them almost anywhere. And no wonder! They are cost-effective but are still very successful.
The examplehere shows how simply they can be used to advertise a cause. Designers kept this specific one simple. This can work well for promoting a cause especially one that is well known or if you put them up at movement-related events.
However, you could print out much more information on them if you want, including contact, details, etc.
Banners are extremely versatile. The one in the picture was printed so that you can hang it horizontally. But this isn’t your only option. You can typically customize the size and orientation as you wish to suit your needs.
Manufacturers usually offer ones that need to be hung as above, but they could also provide free-standing ones.
Educational banner
The banners we looked at first are mostly used to gain exposure. But they can also be used to focus on conveying information.
People are more likely to support a cause when they understand what it’s all about. Well-designed banners can be a brilliant way to do this. Through education, you can get more exposure and persuade potential supporters.
The sign above shows how you can cleverly use them to bring a point across. You want to be careful not to overwhelm the audience with graphics. People are more likely to look at and read your sign when there are images included.
This means they’re more likely to remember the message too.
You will notice that even though this sign conveyed a lot of details, it still kept it short and straightforward. This is key in all types of signage.
Besides this, it obviously offers all the other benefits of banners like being affordable, flexible and customizable.
Golf signs
Golf is frequently called the greatest game. One way it lives up to its name is how often it is used to help promote and gain support for causes.
Through sponsored games, it is a brilliant way of gathering money and getting people involved.
But they won’t necessarily be useful if you don’t use signage and other features to make sure people know what it’s all about. So if you want to use golf in your campaign, it can be a good idea to invest in golf signs.
Thesigns here are made from coroplast which is inexpensive and weather resistant. They are printed and folded so that they are freestanding. You can also print out a range of different ones like these and can place them all around the course.
You can use them to advertise your sponsors and even point out who is sponsoring which hole. A great idea is to design a logo or something similar with the name of the cause and print it on all of these boards as in the example.
Billboards
You don’t get much bigger than billboards. They are definitely statement pieces.
They are essentially large posters. Therefore, they are great at catching your audience’s attention. Besides this, they are often placed in spots where tonnes of people will see them regularly over roadways and so on.
As you can see with the example above, they provide a lot of room. You will be able to include loads of graphics and text. This is fantastic for promoting a cause. It can help to convince people to get involved by educating them. It should also give your contact details and actions they can take to provide support.
Like the sample, you can choose a font that is large enough to read from the ground. You should make sure that the text stands out from the background by using contrasting colors.
You can also learn from the use of photos on this board. On it is printed a picture of a woman, and her story is connected to the cause. Using emotional appeal is crucial in promoting a charitable cause.
Unfortunately, they are much more expensive than some of the other options. You usually have to rent advertisement space for them. They are on the high-end of adverts.
But, they are very durable and long lasting so they will keep on being of use.
Combining signs
You might feel that one sign isn’t enough. And there is no reason to limit yourself.
Marketing pros know how to use different platforms to achieve their goals. For maximum efficiency, you can even use them in the same location. Just check out thisexcellent use of floor graphics and wall graphics.
Placing printed materials on several surfaces in one spot can undoubtedly increase their overall impact. It’s rarer than only using one type, so it makes it much more memorable.
Another positive feature of this example is they used all the space available to their advantage by printing different graphics and text on each.
So if you want to not only gain exposure but make sure people don’t forget you might want to consider similar combos.
Learning from the past
All of these signs are great examples of how you can use these products to promote your cause. The different options can work better for specific locations and parts of your campaign.
These samples use a variety of principles to help make them more useful. Hopefully, they can inspire you by showing you how you can use them to get more support for your cause.
There is a lot of work that goes into making fantastic signs of any kinds. To help you make the most of it read our articles on mistakes when making promotional materials and the psychology behind good signage.
- Published in Advertising, Blog, Event Planning, Signarama Troy News
If given the opportunity to choose between working with a good company and working with a bad company, how many people would choose a good company? Everyone, of course. Or at least we hope so. Intentionally choosing a sub-par company is probably a sub-par decision. (Unless, of course, you have specific reasons for doing so—like you’re desperate and they’re the only company you can afford.)
Don’t settle for less
“Good” companies and “bad” companies are relative terms to some degree. Even so, we can still isolate values and virtues that seem to make for a good company. Here at Signarama, we think honesty is one element of a good company. That’s why, in honor of National Honesty Day (April 30th), we want to bring some possible sign making and buying pitfalls out into the open. If your sign company leaves stuff like this out, maybe it’s time to find someone who can give you more and better information.
1 – Rules & codes may apply to your signs
You may already know that running afoul of local sign regulations can have a painful outcome. Are you feeling clueless about what local sign codes might apply to the sign you have planned? Can you put it where you want to put it? Can you install an illuminated sign without your lights alienating the community?
While ensuring compliance with applicable rules and regulations will be your responsibility ultimately, we still suggest you find a sign manufacturer who’s knowledgeable and helpful on this topic. Most importantly, you want someone who will actually follow local codes. Before you hire, get a sense for whether your sign maker is a sign code expert or someone who knows as little as you do.
2 – Fees might not be completely clear
No one likes hidden or unexpected fees. Actually, maybe one party does — the party that charges them. Still, if you’re on the receiving end, getting slapped with a bill or quote you didn’t expect is no fun. Naturally, you want a sign company that’s clear and upfront with you. So, find a company that’s honest and understandable when communicating about how much you owe, when, and for what.
3 – There could be some variation between the initial rendition and the final sign
Sometimes, the way your logo or promotional material looked when you sent it to the manufacturer might not be quite the way it looks once the sign is finished. Obviously, the best-case scenario would be to find a manufacturer who can replicate your colors and designs just about exactly. However, the second-best situation might be having a manufacturer who will at least let you know in advance to expect some variation. That way, you’re not crestfallen at the reveal.
4 – Their manufacturing isn’t 100% in-house
If you’re expecting your chosen sign manufacturer to exercise direct oversight through the whole sign creation process, you could end up disappointed when you later discover that they sent the sign away to subcontractors. Want your sign to begin, end, and hit every stage in between “in-house”? Then, be sure to check with your manufacturer before you begin.
5 – They’re not licensed and insured installers
Check to see if prospective companies are licensed according to the requirements that apply to them. You might also ask whether they carry insurance to cover problems that occur on the job (even if they’re on your property).
6 – Amateur work & professional work are two different things
To be sure, every company has to start somewhere. And we certainly don’t begrudge people the ability to start out on their own and learn as they go. However, when you need an excellent sign, you may want to consider finding a company with a team of experts. In other words, a company that specializes in signs and is experienced in doing so.
7 – “Quality” means offering more than the bare minimum
Shoot for a sign company that will not use low-quality products to create your sign. And, search for one that will go above and beyond in professional communication and following up on issues. Find someone who will be responsive to you. Make sure they can handle any questions you have before the sign installation and are willing to address issues you bring up afterward.
Do it right or not at all!
To us, being a good company means both doing the work right and working with you right. We want you not only to be happy with your sign but also with the way we treated you. Whether you need something big for the outdoors or something smaller to display inside, we’ve got your back. At Signarama, we are truly dedicated to our craft & will make sure that your sign is perfect … that is just how we do things!
Marketing wouldn’t be what it is today without psychology. Psychologists played a crucial role in developing methods and theories about advertising that are still being used.
With the help of their work, ads have become much better at making an impact. This has been extremely useful in designing and making signs a success.
No matter what your objectives are, you can apply psychological principles to make sure you get your message across.
In this article, we are going to discuss the importance of good signage in any business or business venture. We are also going to cover the psychological principles you can use to make your signs even better.
The importance of good signage
Signs can be used for a variety of purposes. There are endless possibilities. But in essence, it all boils down to communicating a message, whatever that message might be.
Remember that effective signs are signs that can change people’s behavior.
To get to grips with the purpose of signs in your business, here is a breakdown of the most common types of signage:
- Persuasive: These are the typical advertisements. They are all about persuading and convincing people to become your customers. You want them to buy from you or hire your services etc.
- Information: One key role of signage is to convey essential info. Do you want to tell people about your trading hours? Or when your business was established? These products are your solution.
- Directional: You need some way to guide potential customers to and through your company. This is where these signs come in. You can use them to point out significant spots in the store or business complex.
- Safety and warning: It’s a legal requirement that companies and public areas have safety signs that warn people about potential hazards. OSHA has set out standards about when which warnings are necessary. They are often bright and even reflective to increase their visibility.
It’s hard to imagine a business without any signs at all. They are such essential components of the day to day running of a venture. Not to mention their critical role in advertising.
Choose your objective
So enough about how fantastic signs are.
You can’t make a sign if you don’t have a clear goal. It might sound obvious to some, but this should be the first step that you take.
Ask yourself what behavior you want to change in people?
Here are some helpful questions that you can ask yourself:
- Do you want them to buy a specific product or hire a particular service?
- Are you trying to attract people to your storefront?
- Do you want to increase your exposure?
- Are there critical messages that you need to convey?
- Are you planning on improving your reputation?
You might have answered yes to more than one of these questions. And that’s fine. You can have subgoals. However, there needs to be one overarching aim on which the signage is focused. Otherwise, you risk confusing and overwhelming the audience.
The importance of good signage can be seen in their ability to help you achieve all of these goals.
Once you have established your objective, you can use psychological principles to determine what the best way would be to use signs to achieve this.
Target audience
A vital contribution that psychology has made to the field is in assisting advertisers in identifying their target market. This is the particular group at which the specific sign or advertisement is aimed.
These are the people that you want to reach and communicate this.
So, one of the first steps in designing signage is to figure out who they are. To do this, you should try your hand at audience profiling. You need to assess the general demographics of this audience.
The following are some of the vital statistics that you need to consider:
- Age
- Sex
- Occupation
- Race
- Location
Basic data is essential to creating a more detailed profile of your customers that can also be called the buyer’s persona. Beyond this, you should consider what their interests are and what appeals to them. Most importantly, you need to find out what their needs are and how you can play a part in fulfilling them.
Psychological research methods like surveys can be invaluable for gleaning this information about your existing customers. If you want to expand your customer base, you can work out their audience profile first.
You need to use these details throughout the design process. It will play a role in every aspect including the type of sign that you choose to the graphics that you will use.
Marketing tactics
Nowadays, there are a bunch of specific tried and tested strategies that business uses throughout their marketing campaigns. They are typically based on consumer psychology. These are also applied in their signs.
Here are three of the most popular tactics that you can use in your signage
1- Emotional appeal
Advertisements which can elicit feelings from their audience are much more impactful. That is why experts try to use signs and other ads to market products based on the emotional value that it can have in their lives.
For example, can the product make them happy? Could it make people exhausted?
Your sign can through words or graphics portray how it could possibly change their experiences.
According to a recent study, there are four basic emotions: happy, sad, afraid/surprised, and angry/disgusted. There are more nuanced feelings that fall underneath each category. These groupings can be a great place to start.
Take a look at these examples of ads that use emotions to their advantage.
2- Difference
Businesses often want to use marketing materials to compete with their top competitors. But this cannot necessarily be directly addressed in their signs.
One way to do this though is to highlight what makes your brand different. Your signage can be a fantastic platform to show off these features. This could include new products, services, or elements of your customer experience
3- Addressing problems and doubts
A fundamental principle of marketing psychology is that there are several possible reasons why consumers might be reluctant to buy your products or services. Businesses need to be aware of this to develop solutions to these issues.
Try to think of possible hindrances, like cost. One way to address this is to use the wording or graphics on your signs to dispel these doubts.
Design
It’s vital to remember that without careful design, signs are close to useless. Some people make the critical mistake of assuming that this is just about making their sign pretty. But this is not true.
One demonstration of this is the Stroop Effect. In this experiment, participants are shown the names of colors in the corresponding color. They are then asked to name the shade. Testers record how long this takes. The test is repeated, but the color doesn’t match the word.
Participants took much longer to complete the second test as the inconsistencies cause conflict in your mind. This is a fundamental way to show how important it is that the design matches the message.
In advertising, it’s vital for the audience to understand the message clearly and as quickly as possible. Every aspect of the sign needs to work together to tell your story.
Signage now dominates so much of our environment. The competition is fierce. Therefore you might need the help of professionals to make sure yours stands out.
Contemporary design principles are based mainly on psychological theories. Throughout this article, we will cover specific guidelines.
All about vision
You can almost say that as humans we are typically visual creatures. Sight is undoubtedly one of the senses that we rely on the most.
To state just one statistic as proof the addition of images can increase the view rate of content by an incredible 94%.
Graphics don’t only generate interest. Our brains tend to process visual information much faster. A single well-designed image could potentially convey much more info and much more quickly than a line of text would.
Another benefit of graphics is that they are in a sense universal. There are some images which can be understood by people across the world. That is why warnings often only employ symbols.
So depending on the purpose of your signage, visuals could be indispensable.
Informational, safety and directional signs will probably work better with functional images which portray an action or a bit of info.
You will probably get better results if you use suggestive graphics in persuasive boards. These are ones which can elicit strong feelings or associations.
In advertising try to use any visuals on your signs to help appeal to your audience and persuade them. For example, let’s say you want to convince customers that your product could make them happier. Use graphics that convey this, like people who are smiling or laughing.
Color psychology
You can’t talk about visuals without discussing color. There are hundreds of statistics that you can cite to demonstrate how vital this feature is. Though two primary ones are that the use of color can boost both sales and readership by up to 80%.
Therefore, this is a brilliant tool when creating signs of any kind. The following are a few guidelines to keep in mind when deciding on which colors to use:
- You don’t necessarily want it to clash, but the signs should contrast against the surroundings. This is necessary to make it stand out and get it noticed.
- Don’t use a single color or shade of color. This will just look monotonous and make it tricky to read and understand.
- The color of text should contrast against that of the background.
- The scheme should match or in some way reflect that of your companies branding.
- Various colors can have different effects on your emotional and mental state. For example, black can symbolize authority, elegance, seduction, and mystery.
One key point to remember is that there are usually rules and regulations which determine the colors of safety and warning signs.
Choose words wisely
Although visuals are essential, you shouldn’t forget about the text. It can be critical in conveying the central message of the signs. This is also a way to portray other necessary details like the contact details of the business and so on.
If you only remember one thing about the psychology of text in signage, it is to keep it simple. Don’t use too many words and be selective about the words that you do use. Overall, the message needs to be precise.
A pro tip is to focus on emotionally powerful words. They will make the sign more impactful and more memorable.
Novelty
We have a bigger chance of noticing anything new or different in our environment. Psychologists have found that we are subject to habituation. This means that we stop noticing things that we see often.
This is one reason behind the success of new signs. Because of this, you might want to consider changing all your signage every few months or so. It will help you to keep the attention of your audience.
When you are in the design process, you should try to think of features that can make your sign unique and unusual.
Interaction
Talk about new, technology has opened exciting avenues in the marketing and general signage industry. Traditional forms of advertising are static and are creating the impression of being broadcasted to the audience.
While these are brilliant platforms and still play a crucial role, it can be a great idea to give the new platforms a try.
Many of these products allow customers to interact with the signs such as ones that are adapted for touch screens. This can give your audience a measure of control over them which can increase the impact that they have in the end.
Effective communication
It would be a huge mistake to underestimate the importance of good signage. From pointing out directions to attracting new customers, they are often a central part of helping a business to reach success.
Use the above psychological principles to your advantage to make your signage more powerful.
As you can see, signs are all about their design. This is as true for all thetypes. So it’s essential that you get this right. At Signarama we offer professional design services to help you make the best of the product.
- Published in Advertising, Blog, Business, Signs
Learning from others who have done well promoting their business can be instructive. But, on the flip side, you can also learn from marketing ploys that just don’t cut it. One is a case of imitating what someone else has done right. And the other is a case of steering clearing of what others have done wrong. Save yourself time, money, and sanity by learning from the mistakes of others.
Today we offer some potential don’ts when creating promotional materials—things you may want to avoid as you promote your business. However, don’t forget that, to some degree, these judgments are relative. What may flop for one company, could be successfully carried out by another in some cases.
There aren’t always hard-fast rules. Be sure to deploy your own common sense and be forward-thinking. Keep in mind both your own thorough understanding of what you do as a company and of what your customers expect from you. That said, let’s dive into some scenarios you may want to steer clear of:
1 – To proofread or not to proofread—it’s not even a question
Enter a marketing firm that wants desperately to reach more clients in their local business district. They’ve set aside money in their advertising budget to rent a billboard to bring their message to nearby companies. The slogan?
Were reinventing businesses all over the city.
The problem? Well, if you were looking for a marketing company to help you reinvent your business, you would want it to help create top-tier marketing material, right? And top-quality marketing material shouldn’t have glaring spelling or grammatical errors. Thus, omitting the apostrophe in their first word doesn’t exactly paint a promising picture of the quality of their services.
The bottom line: Don’t forget to check (and maybe double check) your promotional materials.
2 – Not vetting for appropriateness
If you thought that think before you speak was advice that only children have to heed, you were wrong. The idea applies to marketers, too.
Imagine you’re the head of marketing at a medium-sized company in the foodservice industry. As such, you’re one busy manager and you don’t have time to tackle everything yourself. So you delegate promotional material creation to a star new hire who you recruited from halfway across the country. This talented individual comes up with what they think is a perfect slogan for a new product launch.
Turns out, coming from hundreds of miles away is a bit of a liability in this case. Their slogan contains language that has a very different meaning where you live from its meaning in your employee’s home state. At the end of the day, you never noticed it, but the community sure did.
The whole thing blows up and the company trends on social media—but not for a good reason. Innocent mistake? Yes. Innocuous outcome? Not so much.
3 – Cracking bad jokes
A popular hotel needs a billboard along a nearby highway. When he’s not at his hotel day job, the in-house “graphic designer” happens to be a savvy political strategist. He knows a lot about what’s going on in city politics. He designs a billboard that incorporates a joke about a recently contested city statute. It’s funny, and he and a co-worker laugh uproariously at the creation.
Two days later, it appears on three billboards. Some viewers don’t find it funny. Incidentally, neither do the designer’s managers who now have to deal with the community fallout. One way to try to prevent this kind of situation is to vet all promotional materials before they go out. In fact, the company could decide to mandate that multiple members of the company have an opportunity to weigh in before promotional materials are disseminated.
4 – Being vague on important details
Let’s say a local gift shop just came up with a snappy ad that simultaneously promotes their weekend craft festival and their shop as a whole. It’s already making viewers chuckle and smile. And people are definitely interested in checking the place out.
However, there’s one slight problem. The ad doesn’t mention when the fair is, where it is, or even how to get in touch with the company. While interested participants can do some legwork of their own to find out more, the company may have just shot itself in the foot. What if some potential participants decide that looking up more info is just too much work?
5 – Stabbing blindly at promotion
A manufacturing company has a “meeting of the minds” for upper management. They decide that the company needs to do more to market itself. So they choose to put more effort and money into promotion.
They elect to use a targeted mailing, a billboard, and a series of in-person visits to potential clients to try to market the company. Six months later, they discuss whether the work has had a positive impact. The chairman asks if they met their goals for the promotional campaign. The room is silent until someone is brave enough to ask “What were our goals?” Uh-oh.
If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, how will you know when and whether you reach it? Undirected promotion might seem great in the heat of enthusiasm, but what you really want is promotion that’s actually effective. And how will you know if it’s effective until you determine what effect you actually want to achieve?
Don’t fail—succeed
Now that we’ve run through some scenarios you should try not to repeat, don’t forget that there is a flip side to this coin. Thus, take some time to learn about what you should and could do. If signs are in your promotional pipeline, check out our Tips And Tricks To Creating The Most Effective Signs For Marketing. Then, head over to 3 Of The Most Creative Signs & Banners In And Around Detroit.
- Published in Advertising, Blog, Business, How-Tos
Do you want to promote your business or brand? Or are you planning on updating your storefront?
If you are, you’re probably going to rely on a signage company. But before you do, you’ll want to make sure that you find one that can help you fulfill your business’ unique requirements.
This article will guide you through what to look for from a sign making company. We’ll cover different questions that you should ask any potential business.
What are you looking for in a sign?
One of the first things you should ask yourself is what you are looking for in a sign. You need to know the end goal before seeking out or speaking to any sign company. This will determine what you need in a business, how long the signs should last and how much you’re willing to spend
Do you want to advertise a product? Or are you planning on using it for decor?
A common mistake that business owners make is not to think this through. And sometimes that leaves you with no other option but to get another product. You need to communicate the purpose of your sign to the sign company clearly. A good agency will be able to help you make the right choices for your sign’s intended use.
Types of signs
The different signs can help you to achieve different goals. They are designed from top to bottom to suit these uses.
Here are some of the key categories:
- Indoor: These are signs that you will put inside your store or building. They can be used for a variety of purposes from promotions to giving directions. This is all about creating an in-store experience.
- Outdoor: Other times you need products to place outside your business. These are typically all about attracting potential customers. You want them to be eye-catching and extremely durable. Examples are banners, pole signs, and billboards.
- Persuasive: One of the most exciting uses of signs are probably to advertise products or services. These products are all about persuading potential customers to take specific actions whether that be making a purchase or visiting a store.
- Information: Of course this isn’t their only use. Many times signs are necessary to communicate essential information. For example, menu boards list the food items that a restaurant sells and their prices.
- Safety: A vital use of signs is to keep people safe. You need to warn people about potential hazards in a location. OSHA the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set out guidelines about what precautions you need to take.
- Directional: If you own a large store or business you might need products to point out locations and directions to people. For example, a grocery store usually has boards to show what items are in which aisle.
- Digital: Nowadays, some of the most effective signs are digital. Electronic devices are everywhere. So virtual signage can be a critical part of a company’s toolbox.
One business or event organizer will probably need to get several types of products.
Essential features of signs
No matter the type of signage you want, several vital principles hold across all of them. How these are put into practice can make or break the sign
Color
When it comes to signs, color is king. This is one of the most crucial parts of the signage. Colorscan affect people’s emotions, so it’s vital that you use them to create the right effect. They can also help to catch people’s attention.
It will be the most effective if the colors are the same or shades that match your branding.
Graphics
Another vital aspect of signs are the graphics. Not all boards will have images like drawings or photos on them. But if they do it is essential that they are suitable and high quality.
Font
You need to pay attention to the font that you use. The most important feature to consider is readability. It needs to be big enough that you can read it. Besides this, it is easier to understand if it is simple rather than an ornamental typeface.
Message
The message needs to be well thought out. Keep it simple and keep it brief.
Location
Whenever you want to have a sign made, you have to figure out where it will be placed. This will affect what can work in aspects like size and material. Some are made only to be used in specific spots such as A-frame sidewalk signs.
Overall design
The devil might be in the details, but the overall design needs to be coherent. The different aspects should mesh well and create an attractive and unified image.
Now we can move on to the aspects of companies service that you are considering.
What types of signs does the company make?
Right off the bat, you need to look into the different products that the sign company offers. You need to find out if they can help you with the specific signs that you want.
Most sign companies will give a list of their products and services on their websites. Go and take a look. One benefit of this is that they will probably provide a bit of extra information on the page as well.
If this isn’t available, you should contact them via email or phone to ask. The company can usually send you a catalog of everything they have.
The following are some of the most popular products on the market:
- Banners
- Building signs
- Letters
- Menu boards
- A frame sidewalk signs
- Wall murals and wraps
If you’re planning to have more signs made in the future, we recommend that you choose a company that will make those types of signs too. This can save you a lot of hassle in the end.
Besides the types, you should ask them about the actual materials that they use. This can impact the durability, cost, utility, and appearance of the products.
Are their products high-quality?
Before you hire them, try to find out more about the quality of their products.
You want the signs to look professional and well done. This will make them much more effective. On top of this, you want the product to last. It should not be damaged too quickly or too easily.
One pro tip is to ask to see samples of their work. Many professional sign companies will offer to show you previous signs that they made. This will give you a great idea of the quality of their products.
Try to look carefully at the vibrancy of the printing. There shouldn’t be unintended white spaces on the graphics, and the colors shouldn’t be fading.
You can become a bit of a digital detective. Go read some reviews for the company and their services. One great place to look is on social media sites like Facebook to learn what users think about their signs.
You could also ask for some customer references if it is a particularly big project.
How long will the sign last?
An essential feature to keep in mind is how long you need the product to last. You also need to figure out what conditions it should be able to withstand.
If the sign is meant to advertise an upcoming event, it doesn’t necessarily have to be as long lasting as a signboard for a business’ name. In addition to this, outdoor signage has to be weather resistant to make them durable.
Therefore, choosing the appropriate product for your needs can help you to save money and time.
Do they offer design services?
Manufacturing and printing is only one part of the process of making signs. As we have seen, the design is an essential aspect of making signage useful.
So why not hire one company to do it all?
This can certainly help to make the whole process much quicker. But it can also save you some effort. You won’t need to liaison between two different companies and make arrangements with both.
Some sign companies even offer bundles that can allow you to save some money if you hire them for both aspects.
How much will it cost?
A crucial aspect to consider is the possible costs involved in the production of the signs. That is why one of your first steps should be to ask different companies for quotes. This way, you can compare and make sure you get the best deal.
For your own benefit, you need to calculate a budget for signage. It should take in mind what you are willing to pay and what you can realistically expect the products and services to cost.
Before you hire a company, you should make sure that you agree on the expense. This is where quotes are so useful.
Beware of potential hidden costs. If the quote doesn’t include information on possible extra charges, you need to ask. Ask them about fees for changes, proofs, installation, etc.
How long will it take?
Another critical question to ask the company is how long the process will take. This will help you to make your own plans and make sure that you get them done in time.
Don’t just ask about the timeframe for the actual printing because there is much more to the process. The process also involves getting quotes, seeing and approving proofs, finalizing designs and more. All of this needs to be factored in.
Depending on the scale and complexity of the project, it can take a few days or even weeks to complete. So instead, contact them early to start the process.
When you look at their references or reviews, pay attention to any information about the timeframe. You want to know if they have a record of producing deliverables on time.
Do they have digital signs?
Like we have said, digital products have become a massive part of the signage industry. They can give you a much wider range and much more exposure.
Electronic devices have become a central part of many peoples lives, And people often even have more than one device. You can also use this in your business itself such as with LCD or LED displays.
So it can really help you to tap into this platform.
It is a brilliant idea to inquire whether the company has any digital products. Even if you aren’t interested now, you might be in the future.
Many of the same design principles apply for virtual signage. But the company could potentially help you to translate your signs to the digital realm.
What type of sign will they recommend for my business?
Even if you think you know what you need, it can be an excellent idea to ask the company’s advice. They are the experts after all and will probably be able to give you some additional information.
To be able to advise you correctly you need to tell them the following:
- What you need from the sign
- How much you can pay
- The location where you want to place them
- How many you want
- What you want it to look like
- How long it needs to last
With this information, they will be able to advise you on several options that can work for you.
Do they offer any additional services?
While you are at it, ask them whether they provide any other products or services related to signage. This can be extremely useful for you and might be a case of finding out about things that you didn’t know you need.
Some companies might be able to help with the installation of the signs. This is a must-have with products like pylon signs that can be difficult to install.
Others could potentially assist with maintenance and even repairs. This type of assistance can really take a load off your shoulders.
If they don’t offer these services, they should be able to give you advice on how to approach this.
Successful partnerships
Choosing the right sign company boils down to finding one that will help you to reach your objectives. The questions that you ask them should focus on determining whether the services they offer will match your needs.
So, instead, take your time to do some research before you hire a specific company.
At Signarama, we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible signage services. We employ our years of experience to help you fulfill your business goals. Take a look at the lists of indoor and outdoor products that we offer.