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
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
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.
3 Of The Most Creative Signs & Banners In And Around Detroit
Signs are a way to attract attention to your company, item, or idea. You have something you want to share with others, and putting it out there for them to see it is one way to do that. Today, we want to share some sign inspiration. Seeing what others have done might get your own creative juices flowing to harness the power of signs to reach your audience. Here are three signs that merit taking a look at.
Sign #1 – Irish Hills Fireworks billboard
Why we like it: You can call this billboard (5th in slideshow) by Adams Outdoor explosive advertising. When your client is a fireworks company, what makes more sense than capturing the eye-catching aftermath of a detonation? Plus, if you want to crack up passersby as they catch sight of your ad, this could be a great way. It’s unexpected—yet apropos.
Sign #2 – Go! Sy Thai logo
Why we like it: This logo may be small but it packs a powerful punch. What’s not to love about the upbeat “go!” on a simple circle? We really love the white type on a green circle as seen on their Go! Sy Thai food truck. But the on-wall logo captured by Eater Detroit is also striking.
Sign #3 – Townhouse restaurant entrance sign
Why we like it: Here’s a sign that’s striking, but not overblown. It has a vintage feel, almost reminiscent of an old movie theater. Plus, it incorporates warmth and light, but it’s not so glitzy that it totally undermines the urban classiness.
eatattownhouse. “Townhouse 🗝 + Tacos 🌮 = 🙌🎉💯”. Instagram, photographed by
bedrockdetroit, September 27, 2017, www.instagram.com/p/BZhH0e1nfAT/.
Bonus sign
Even though this one wasn’t in Detroit, but rather in Grand Rapids, it deserves a mention. VizCom Media’s banner for ArtPrize.org was a great one. The white text on a blue field is simple, yet provides good contrast. Plus, the splashes of color on a white field are delightfully whimsical.
It’s more than just what you say
When you have something important to say, there’s more than one way to get the point across. Actually, this is similar to the way it is with spoken language. When you say something, you’re communication with more than just your words. There’s also your tone of voice and your facial expressions.
For example, think of how many different ways there are to say the simple phrase, “I know.” Without adding or deleting words, you can communicate, excitement, disappointment, frustration, and other emotions. How? By using your face and your voice.
Do it with design
Similarly, the words you use in your signs aren’t the only things that “speak” to your audience. You can also use the design of your sign. There are several elements of design that can help you communicate your message. You can use colors, fonts, shapes, and size to name some possible elements.
For instance, one of the things we liked about the Go! Sy Thai logo is the circle. As we said above, it’s striking. Plus, when you combine it with the white and green, the effect is energetic and punchy.
Then, there’s the fireworks billboard. Remember how that billboard looked like it was blown away? That’s a great example of how you don’t need text to get your point across. Ironically, it was the absence of text that drove the advertising home.
And the illumination of the Townhouse restaurant sign is part of what makes it stand out. Yes, it had letters. But it also had lights—proof that words aren’t the only element of design that “speaks.”
Note what not to do
The signs we’ve been looking at have been instructive in a good way. But, keep in mind you can actually learn from poor signage too. Even an ill-conceived sign may have a thing or two to teach you—about what to avoid and why. If a sign is memorable to viewers for the wrong reasons, learn from it what not to do yourself when it comes to your signs.
Location and size
And remember to think about how well people will be able to take in your sign. If your sign is a billboard that motorists will be passing quickly, keep that in mind during the design phase. Make sure people will be able to see what you want them to see in the amount of time they have while driving by.
Moreover, if your restaurant entrance sign is so small that customers can’t find it, you might be doing yourself a disservice. Make it visible so that your customers won’t have trouble finding you, and give up in favor of another nearby restaurant with more prominent signage.
Learn from everybody else
Even if you already know what you want a sign to do—share a certain message—you still may not know exactly how you want to do it. Looking at the signs others have deployed can help you get a better feel for what you should do. And for more help creating good signs, check out Tips And Tricks To Creating The Most Effective Signs For Marketing.
- Published in Banners, Blog, Business, Outdoor Signs, Signarama Troy News
A business owner looking for signs is like a kid in a candy store. There is a vast variety of options to choose from. Each of them is better for reaching specific goals. That’s why it’s critical to know your stuff before selecting a product.
Whether you want to provide some information or want to promote your company, it is essential to do a bit of research. Read on to learn more from our guide to types of signage and their uses.
Types of signage
The options that we are going to discuss fall into several categories. Here are a few of the primary groupings:
- Outdoor signs: These items are some of the most critical assets in an advertiser’s toolbox. They are all about increasing exposure. Often they will be placed right outside your physical location. Otherwise, they can be put up in strategic spots in the local area.
- Indoor signs: You can use indoor signage for a variety of purposes. They typically work best at your physical location. Many of them are aimed at informing potential customers about things. Other times they are meant to advertise specific aspects of the business.
- Persuasive signage: One of the most exciting uses of signage is to promote your business, service or product. So many products are made primarily to do this. They are great at persuading your customers to engage with your company in some way.
- Informational signs: Remember that not all signage is meant for advertising. You also need a platform to convey info through. This group includes things like way finders, directional signage, and menu boards among other things. They will often be at or near your place of business.
Deciding which of these groups will work for you can be a fantastic place to start. Let’s move on to looking at the specific types of signage in more detail.
1- Window graphics
The first kind of signs that we are going to talk about is window graphics. They are usually made from vinyl or perforated vinyl that has images printed on it. You fix them to your store’s window.
There are tons of customization options to work with. If you want to, you can use graphics that cover the entire space. Otherwise, you can go with smaller images or a few lines of text, whatever suits your goal.
This striking platform has more than one purpose. Because it is part of your physical location, it can become part of the decor for your storefront.
On top of this, you can use it as promotions for your products or services. You can use them to increase walk-ins to your location. Or you can use them to convey information like your trading hours.
2- Murals and wraps
These are another product type that you can place on the wall of your storefront.
Manufacturers mostly print these wraps on vinyl. This material makes the surface look shiny and vibrant.
But it’s vital to try to have yours professionally done. You don’t want it to become shabby too quickly and drag down the appearance of your storefront. Well-made examples of these signs are water resistant so that you can clean them with water and soap.
Murals and wraps are a great option if you want to spruce up your store. You can advertise aspects of your business, focus on aesthetic appeal, or aim to inspire.
3- A-frame sidewalk signs
Sidewalk signs are outdoor products, which are lightweight and cost-effective. Besides this people love them because they can be moved around as you want.
It is all about grabbing passersby attention. So, make it pop. Use catchy phrases and vibrant colors to draw people’s eye.
You can usually put them on the sidewalk in front of your physical location. Or in the vicinity of your store. These are the areas where it will have the most impact.
Here are a few productive uses of A-frame sidewalk signs:
- You can use them to point potential customers in the direction of your business. Put it at the other end of the street and indicate the route to your place.
- Print your menu on the sign. Customers find it super convenient when they can see what’s on offer without even stepping foot in the restaurant.
- Use the board to inform customers about your trading hours and other important info.
- Show-off in-store promotions and specials. It can be the ideal way to entice potential customers to support your business.
4- Vehicle graphics
Talk about moveable. You don’t get much more mobile than that vehicle graphics. They are wraps that you can have fixed to any means of transport.
If you have business vehicles, you can mark them with these. But you can even stick them onto your own automobiles for extra exposure.
The best feature of these signs is that they will move around wherever you go without any extra effort. You can use them to promote your business and distribute important info like your contact details and location.
A pro tip is to go for laminated wrapping material. This can boost its lifetime and give you much more value for your money.
5- Floor graphics
In contemporary advertising and business, any and every surface is fair game – this includes floors.
Floor graphics are a great resource that you can use. You can use them to point out directions or specials in your physical location. But they also make brilliant advertisements.
Make sure that you get decals with heavy duty laminate to keep them in tip-top shape.
Don’t be afraid to get creative. There are no limits to what you can do with these products. Here are some fantastic graphics examples to inspire you.
6- Banner Signs
One of the most popular signage products is banners. They don’t go out of style.
A key benefit of this product is that they are low cost yet they can be super useful.
Banners are commonly used to advertise events like conferences or opening events. However, you can also use them to promote your business on a longer-term basis.
The signs are extremely customizable. Printers usually have a wide range of sizes, shapes, and every color under the sun available.
You can use them inside or outside. But make sure that you let your printer know beforehand how you plan to use your banner. And ask if the company has heavy duty material for outdoor spaces.
7- Safety signs & decals
All businesses need to take necessary safety precautions. An essential part of this is to use symbols to warn of any hazards or inform people of any rules that are there to keep everyone safe.
There are policies which indicate what signage each business should put up.
Here are a few possible signs:
- General danger signs
- Electrical safety sign
- Biohazard sign
- Chemical hazard sign
- High voltage warning
- Fire escape signs
You can have these printed on aluminum-backed boards or sticker type decals.
Take a look at this article for more information on safety signs that you need in your business.
8- Letters
No matter what your business is, you will be looking for a way to inform people about your name. It is usually put up right in front of your physical location on the wall. One way to do this is to use letter signs.
You can use these to spell out anything you want, and you can even choose the font.
There are a variety of types that you can try. Two of the most common ones are dimensional letters and channel letters.
Dimensional ones are 3D signs that can help you make sure that your name stands out.
Channel letters are plastic or aluminum. They are also three dimensional. But what makes them different is that they are lit up in some way. You can light them up with neon or LED from the back or front.
9- Monument signs
Another exterior sign is monument signs. These are freestanding pieces that generally sit low down on the ground.
You really have lots of options with these boards. Mostly you will have control over the sign and the actual base on which you fit it. The structure is often built from masonry or a combination of this and metal.
These signs tend to look very prestigious and grand.
You can use them to indicate the name of a business, directions, or a place.
10- Pylon signs
Pylon signs are also a freestanding structure. Most essentially, they are board that you place on top of a pole or poles. But other than that, the sky’s the limit.
Like with many other signs you can customize these from top to bottom. You can decide on the size, shape, height and even amount of boards on the pole. For example, many office parks or shopping complexes have a tall pylon sign with different sections for every business.
Therefore, these products can be used to give directions, advertise something or inform people of a place’s name.
11- Yard signs
If you are looking for a temporary solution, yard signs can be the way to go. These products are boards corrugated plastic called coroplast on which you can print graphics or information.
Lightweight and water-resistant these pieces give you real bang for your buck. They can work well if you are working on a budget. You can typically secure them to some poles and move them around as you need them.
All of these features means that they are particularly popular with real estate agents to advertise specific properties. Yard signs are brilliant for events too.
12- LED message centers
But what if you are looking for a sign that can be changed daily or even more than once a day?
Electronic message centers could be the right choice for you. They are computerized boards which display messages in LED lights. Letters and numbers can move across the screen or flash in turns. So there is almost no limit as to how much content you can display.
Their most common purpose is to convey essential messages or information. That is why schools, churches among other organizations love to use them.
You can mount the LED section of the board on a sign that gives more information like the name of the business.
13- Menu boards
Nowadays, running a successful restaurant is about more than just cooking delicious food. It also requires effective promotions and a pleasant atmosphere.
A core part of any restaurant, takeaway, or cafe is their menu board. It is an essential piece of signage which tells your customers everything they need to know about your menu. That is why it is vital that it fits the personality of your business and appeals to your clients.
The following are four common types of menu boards:
- Static-printed menu boards: These are a great option for places whose menu doesn’t change often. Owners often put them into snap frames so that they can change them out when they do make changes. They are very inexpensive.
- Dry erase menu board: These are signs that manufacturers print on a laminate material. You have the ability to write on these, erase specials, change prices, and so on. These are the product for you if you make frequent changes.
- Magnetic menu boards: People make this product out of magnets so that you can exchange certain pieces of it. This is why they work well if you offer specific items on specific days.
- Digital screen menu boards: These are the newest menu signs on the market. For many owners, they are the perfect solution because you can change them as often as you want without extra printing costs. You can even show videos on the board.
Effective signage
These are most of the primary types of signage that are available. They cater to all kinds of budgets and goals. But it is by no means an exhaustive list.
We make all of these categories of signs and more at Signarama. And we can help you to turn your vision into reality. For a complete list, here are the types of signage that we offer.
Besides choosing the right product, it is crucial that you focus on every aspect of the sign’s design. It is a vital part of making it as impactful as possible.
- Published in Advertising, Blog, Business, Indoor Signs, Outdoor Signs, Sign Products
How To Create The Most “Appetizing” Food Truck Menu Design
In the restaurant industry, it goes without saying that one of your main goals is to connect customers with food. And what better way to reach customers with your delicious food than to bring it to them? That’s one of the advantages of a food truck—you can drive those tasty offerings to the customer instead of the customer having to come to you. Of course, just like a brick and mortar restaurant, you’ll still need to think about having an appealing design and a useful menu. So today let’s explore food truck menu design.
Lead with legibility
While legibility may seem remarkably obvious, it’s a good place to start anyway. You want potential patrons to be able to read your menu. After all, who wants to stand out in front of your truck trying to make out what their options are? Better to have them spend time agonizing over which delicious-sounding option to choose than painstakingly try to decipher what their options actually are.
So, be sure your menu isn’t an illegible scrawl. And make sure your words are large enough for patrons to read. You probably don’t want people squinting at your sign either. Even if you’ll be spending most of your time inside the food truck, check and see how things will look from the outside since that’s where your customers will be.
Find examples of good food truck menu design
One step you could use as you design your menu board is to gather inspiration from other menu boards or menus. Find examples you do or don’t like. You can use them to help you think about why you’re drawn to or repelled by certain things. Then, use that knowledge and those preferences to inform your own food truck menu design process.
As you learn from other menus, pay attention to differences you see in fonts and line spacing. Also, consider researching the readability and attractiveness of certain fonts (including what fonts are best for people with vision difficulties).
Promoting with pictures
If you’re going to be using photos on your menu board, you may want to hire a professional photographer because you want your food to look it’s very best. And you surely don’t want to make your food look drab or disgusting by using low-quality photos.
Place properly
Also, make sure you place your menu board in a good location—whether it’s on the food truck itself or on a standalone sign. Of course, you don’t want it to be hidden from view. Instead, you want it to be easy for customers to see and read.
Additionally, you don’t want your sign to be too high or too low. If your customers get a sore neck from weighing their options, that’s not exactly good design, is it? On top of this, be sure that when you place your sign, you’re in the clear according to any rules for the municipality you’re in.
Coming to colors
Next up—making food truck menu design choices that have to do with color. One thing you may want to do is choose colors that match your branding. That way, you’ll be working toward a unified look. If you don’t have a logo yet for your business, you may want to come up with one now, matching it to the aesthetic of your menu.
Formatting for the long term
When it comes to masterminding the layout of your menu, consider going with something that can be sized up or down. That way, if you want to use the same layout for individual menus or even for a large menu board (if you also have a brick and mortar location), you can. Then, you may be able to save yourself from having to format a new menu for either of those needs.
Where does it go?
One thing you’ll have to decide is where this food truck menu will be. Will it be a part of the food truck itself or something you stow away then bring out at the start of every day?
- Your truck as your menu – If your menu is going to be emblazoned on the truck, then it may be time to check out our vehicle graphics.
- A standalone sign – Don’t want a food truck menu design that calls for writing on your truck itself? That’s okay, you may be able to use an A-frame sign to get the job done.
- Magnetic signs could also be a way to present your menu on your food truck. However, we do suggest you think carefully about your design if you opt for this. You don’t want to appear tacky.
And keep in mind that you may choose more than one sign. For instance, even if you have an on-truck menu board, you could display an A-frame sign too, letting customers know about the daily special.
Steer clear of B-grade
It’s time to explain to your food truck customers what it is you have for them to eat. Don’t just scratch your offerings on pieces of paper and poke it out the food truck window. Put some thought into your food truck menu design with expressive graphics. Integrate your menu with the other design elements of your truck for a cohesive and memorable look. Then check out our Tips And Tricks To Creating The Most Effective Signs For Marketing for more ideas to reach your customers.
- Published in Advertising, Blog, Business, Outdoor Signs
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