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Five Ways to Increase the Effectiveness of Your Store Signs
The advertising industry is always changing, but signs will continue to remain an important part of it due to their versatility and overall functionality. Signs are used by every business, whether they are physical or digital versions. Vital Signs specializes in signs of all types and we are dedicated to helping our clients get their businesses the recognition they deserve. When commissioning new signs for your business, there are several things to consider. Always look at the distance and angles that consumers will look at your signs from, employing proper lightning when required, mix appropriate colors, think about your target audience, and the type of store signs that you are using to advertise your business. Distance and Angles When placing signs, distance and angles play an important part in a consumer’s ability to read and recognize your business. Signs that are placed at a favorable distance and angle will help a customer recognize your business and alert them to your existence. This can lead to a direct increase in revenues as you generate new sales. Placing your signs in areas where they will have maximum effectiveness is an important business decision that can directly affect your sales. Lighting This is a simple one. If you are placing your signs in a dark area, proper lighting will increase their visibility and ensure that consumers are able to read them. Customers are always looking for suggestions when it comes to shopping, but they cannot be receptive to suggestions that they cannot read due to improper lighting. Ensure that all of your outdoor signs are properly lit in order to increase their overall effectiveness. Colors are King Colors are an important part of every advertisement in the world. Still, it is easy to choose the wrong ones and damage the value of your signs. Improper use of colors makes your signs difficult to read and will dissuade customers from wanting to read them. Take the time to choose warm colors and complimentary colors. For example, grays and whites fit into almost every color combination, but even they can cause issues if used improperly. If you are struggling to choose a set of colors, consider using Adobe’s color wheel. It will help you choose a set of colors that function well together. Understand Your Market When commissioning new signs, make sure they appeal to your target audience. If your catering towards a teenage audience, you need to work hard to convince them that your products are cool and worth their time, whereas, if you are targeting mothers, you may need to convince them about the functionality and usefulness of your product or tap into the concept of family values. Every target audience has different needs and it is your job to make sure that your store signage appeals to them and convinces them to become a paying customer. Use the Right Store Signs There are many types of store signage that you can use to your advantage. Informational signage tends to be one of the most common forms that is used for restrooms, handicap spaces, and in business parks to tell consumers what stores are located inside. If your store is located on the side of a highway, it is important that you use a sign that is large enough to attract potential...
read moreHow to Properly Maintain Your Neon Signs
Does your business use neon signs? This popular form of advertising was all the rage in the 1950s and 1960s. To this day, Las Vegas relies on neon signs and many of the casinos make use of them to advertise their business at night. Neon is bright, flashy, and creates a lot of exposure through your business. Vital Signs manufactures neon signs for interested clients and is dedicated to educating individuals on the importance of proper maintenance for their neon signage. If you follow these simple steps you will help extend the lifespan of your neon signage. Leave Your Neon Signs Plugged In This may seem like an odd piece of advice, but neon signs don’t use a lot of electricity, and keeping them plugged in helps keep the neon gas flowing and ensures that it is constantly reacting to the electricity. Unlike traditional incandescent light bulbs, neon signs rely on electrodes to interact with the gas trapped in the tubes. When it comes into contact with electricity, it produces the classic neon glow that we are all familiar with. By keeping your neon sign plugged in, you are helping elongate its lifespan by reducing the wear and tear on your signs transformer. Handle Them with Care If you need to move your neon signs for any reason at all, always handle them with care. Remember, they are made with bent glass tubes and they are extremely fragile. The smallest movement can shatter the tubes of your neon signs and render them useless. If you have to store them, keep them away from falling objects and make sure that you store it safely. It is best to pad them and lean them up against a wall or put them at the top of a pile where they are secure and unable to fall. Cleaning Neon Signs Neon signs last a long time, but like any type of sign, they collect dirt and grime over the years. Cleaning neon signs is easy. Before starting, unplug your sign and make sure that it is disconnected from all sources of electricity. Clean by using a simple feather duster, dust off the tubes, removing and loose dust and dirt. For difficult dirt and caked on grime, try using an air compressor or vacuum cleaner. Follow that up with a soapy scrub. However, ensure that your soap doesn’t contain ammonia. Carefully wipe down the tubes until they are clean. Lastly, let your sign dry out and then plug it back in. Do not plug your sign in if it’s still wet; always wait until it has dried off. Contact a Specialist If your neon sign breaks, take it to an appropriate specialist. Do not try and repair it yourself. Neon gas is something that is best left to the professionals and there is always the risk that you may cut yourself on the tubes. If you properly care for your neon signs, they shouldn’t break. When the neon gas loses its potency, you can have the tubes refilled, but that shouldn’t happen for many years, and when it does you will need to consult with a professional neon sign company. Vital Signs has been manufacturing neon signs for many years. We are dedicated to working with neon because we feel that it is a...
read moreFive Reasons to Choose Outdoor Signs for Your Business
Outdoor advertising has existed since brick and motor stores became popular. Early outdoor advertising relied on outdoor signs placed in strategic locations to promote a business and convince customers to try their products and services. Even today, outdoor signs are still one of the best ways to advertise your business because of the reliable level of exposure they provide. Vital Signs manufactures outdoor signs and we are committed to helping businesses of all sizes grow. Why Invest In Outdoor Signs? Businesses often ask us why they should invest in outdoor signs. Typically, they feel like it is an outdated advertising format, but they fail to see the potential exposure it provides their business. Outdoor signs are cost effective, provide constant exposure, customizable, generate sales, and creates a strong awareness of your brand. Cost Effective Outdoor signs are one of the most cost effective forms of advertising. They don’t cost nearly as much as traditional forms of advertising like television and radio and they provide your business with a nearly infinite amount of exposure. Impressions are an important part of advertising and outdoor signs are the king at providing impressions and influencing the emotions of your consumers. Exposure Galore If you are looking for exposure, outdoor signs excel at that. For example, signs placed alongside major highways generate exposure all day and night. Almost every driver that passes by your sign on a boring part of the highway will look up and interact with your advertisement. These impressions are invaluable and will cause consumers to think of your business when they are in need of a product or service that you provide. If a consumer knows about your company, they are more likely to visit you and become a paying customer. Highly Customizable Customization is everything in the world of advertising. Every business has unique needs and advertisements need to be customizable in order to meet them. Outdoor signs can feature any type of message from long and detailed messages to more artistic and image heavy advertisements. In addition, they can be placed in a multitude of locations. Increased Sales We touched on this topic in the exposure section. When a consumer interacts with one of your advertisements, they are far more likely to remember your business and to think of you when they need a particular product or service that you offer. By investing in outdoor signage, you are committing to an advertising plan that is geared towards landing you long-term customers. Sales are everything in the world of business and it is important that you focus on building loyal customers who are satisfied with your brand. Generate Brand Awareness In a world full of advertisements and competing brands, it is vital that you develop a brand that stands out from the rest. In the world of Smartphones, Apple and Samsung are constantly battling for the top spot, but the average consumer would pick Apple over Samsung due to brand awareness that Apple has created over the years. The same thing can be said when it comes to soft drinks like Coca Cola or Pepsi. Certain consumers live and die by the brands they support and the same rules apply to your business. Use outdoor signs to build your brand and to solidify your fan base and develop new...
read moreThe Costs of Opening a Store: Marketing, Store Signs, Rent, and More
Opening a new store is a costly endeavor, but an extremely rewarding one if you take the time to plan it properly. When looking into opening a new store, you will need to think about several logistical things, like buying the appropriate in-store and outdoor store signs, marketing efforts, a physical location for your store, hire a staff (if required), logistical equipment, and more. While this may seem like a lot, and it is, with the right help, the process can be simplified. Here at Vital Signs, we specialize in helping businesses create an effective store sign. The Importance of the Store Sign When customers look at your store, one of the first things they see is your store sign. Their initial interaction with your store is dictated by the quality of your store sign, and if it is compelling, it will convince them to check out your products. Once a customer is inside of your store, the next thing they will notice are your indoor store signs. In order to help ease your customers shopping experience, you must strike a balance between a high quality outdoor store sign and indoor store signs. When designing a store sign, take the time to choose the right size, font, and colors. A bad combination of those features will turn customers away from your business and possibly drive them to your competition. Take the time to put your store sign in a location that helps its chances of being noticed. Follow all of these steps and put your signage to work for you. Rent One of the most expensive costs that deters people from opening their own store is rent. Over time, rent goes up, and in most major cities, it is pretty expensive to rent a commercial space in a prime location. When renting a store, you will have to sign a rental lease and put down a security deposit for your location. Most landlords will want you to pay first and last month’s rent as well. Improvement Costs Once you have a location, it isn’t ready to go yet. You need to outfit it with logistical equipment for your business, including a store sign. For example, a clothing store needs to install tables and racks, a grocery store needs food stands and displays, and a restaurant needs tables, a kitchen, and other fixtures. All of these improvements cost money and will directly impact your startup costs. Depending on the size of your renovation, you should budget a large portion of your startup capital towards getting your store ready for operation. You want your customer’s first impressions to be positive and not damaged by a dirty or improperly set up store. If you are serious about opening a store, do it right the first time, and have the work contracted out to experts. Marketing Marketing is one of those words that makes people nervous. A solid marketing campaign can be expensive, but avoiding one altogether can spell the death of your business. Without proper exposure, potential customers may never know that you existed. When starting out, set a realistic budget for advertising and make sure to stretch your dollar as far as it can go. Don’t pay for expensive advertising upfront; instead, invest in things like a solid store sign, outdoor...
read moreThe Future of Neon Signs in a Modern Advertising World
The technology that fuels the signage industry is always advancing and producing new ways to advertise. Businesses are always looking for innovative ways to stretch their advertising budgets. LED and digital signs have become popular ways for companies to advertise with flexibility. However, older forms of signage—like neon signs and old wooden signs—are still popular and hold a special place in the hearts of average consumers. Vital Signs manufactures neon signs and we are passionate about this timeless form of outdoor advertising. Many companies believe that neon signs are dead. They have declined over the years, but they are still popular and effective at what they do. Neon signs have one advantage over mainstream signage, they are visually stimulating and surrounded by an aura of nostalgia. Never underestimate the power of nostalgia and the ability for it to generate additional exposure for your company. Take Brian Daniel, a talent hunter from Chicago. A few years ago he was driving in Los Angeles on a business trip when he came across a set of neon signs. He was instantly drawn in by them and it reminded him of a time when the United States was dominated by this older form of advertising. He complimented Los Angeles for having the right mix of neon signs. "They have just enough peppered through the city where it just comes alive," said Daniel, a Chicago-based headhunter. "I was so compelled by it that for two weeks I just drove around and took pictures of neon signs." Still, many businesses miss out on the opportunity to cash in on the effectiveness of this form of signage. Increasingly they are switching to modern forms of signage in order to comply with local laws and for increased flexibility. "Neon spent most of its career in this country more hated than loved in terms of being banned and put under zoning ordinances," said neon historian Thomas Rinaldi. "It's an iconic part of the 20th century, but it's been legislated out of existence in some places. There's a vindictive attitude toward it." Neon signs became popular in the 1920s and only started to fade by the 1970s. After being used for nearly 50 years, they began to be replaced by modern forms of signage. Vancouver went to war with neon signs in the 1960s and pushed them out of the city, claiming that they desecrated the natural beauty of the region. In the United States, neon signs enjoyed 33 percent of the market share in 2007. By 2010, the numbers had declined to 18 percent. Even Hong Kong, a city known for neon signs, has started to replace them in favor of LEDs. Regardless of the decline, neon signs are still insanely popular and a valid strategy for any company that is looking to captivate the imaginations of their consumers. It's that color, it's that light," said Kim Koga, an artist who worked with neon signs in the 1980s. "I always loved neon because it was a representation of the future from the people of the past," said Randall Brelsford, a fan of neon. "There's something that's just so romantic about dark and neon. It can be really sleazy or it can be really romantic. It's a really adaptive light." Koga has made it her mission to preserve neon...
read moreHow to Maximize the Efforts of Your Outdoor Signs
Outdoor signs are one of the most common types of signs in the advertising industry. They are everywhere, but what makes an outdoor sign effective? What qualities do advertising companies look for when they are designing outdoor signs and is there a way to maximize their efficiency? Vital Signs manufactures outdoor signs for its clients and through the years, we have developed a strong understand of what makes them effective. At the core of a business is its brand. Outdoor signs help a business promote their brand and develop a sense of awareness about it. If a business has spent a large portion of their advertising budget on increasing brand awareness, they should promote their brand through any outdoor signage they use. McDonald’s is a global brand that is easily recognizable through the classic golden arches. Brand awareness works and it fosters a cascading effect that will continue to grow your brand through exposure. Outdoor signs must limit their word count. Consumers usually drive by them or engage with these types of signs for a few seconds. Make effective use of graphics and limited text to convey your message as quickly as possible and to convert browsers into buyers. Time is a commodity in our fast paced consumer society. Another rule to remember is to always design your outdoor signs for moving targets. As we previously mentioned, most consumers engage with outdoor signs from their vehicles. As they drive towards one of your signs, it is essential that the message is clear and that you can capture their attention. Grammar is something that seems basic at heart, but is often overlooked. Professionalism is everything in the world of business. Take pride in your company’s reputation and be extra careful when designing your outdoor signs, especially if you are unable to change them after they have been manufactured. The last thing you want to see is a spelling mistake or a misplaced comma or period. A poorly placed comma can change the entire meaning of a sentence, so take the time to proof read and ensure that your grammar is sound. When deciding on a location for your outdoor signs, familiarize yourself with local bylaws, zoning laws, and building codes. All of these things are important and can lead to bureaucratic headaches if ignored. If you are competing with other businesses, make sure your sign is the right size and that it stands out against your competition. If you are leasing a section, check with the owner of the building to ensure that you are allowed to place your outdoor sign. Some owners are picky and will try to limit the advertising efforts of larger companies. Lastly, if there are natural obstructions like light poles or other buildings, design your outdoor signs with this in mind. The final way to maximize the efficiency of your outdoor signs is to provide them with adequate lighting. If you are placing the sign along a highway, ensure that you install lights to illuminate your sign at night. On the other hand, if your sign is located in the downtown core, lighting will be less important and you may find that your sign suffers from an oversaturation of light. Keep lighting in mind when designing outdoor signs, it is an important factor that can...
read moreUsing Sign Design to Attract Customers
Advertising is a competitive industry and a business must understand the fundamentals of sign design if they want to make their signs attract customers. There are several factors related to the sign design process that will help a business attract customers. Vital Signs offers sign design services to all of our clients and we work hard to ensure that we manufacture high quality signs that will fit the needs of your business. The most important factors in sign design revolve around finding the right size and scale, location, color and graphics, font and overall message, and contrast for your signs. These reasons may seem obvious and that is because they are obvious, but still, many businesses make the mistake of ignoring them and creating ineffective signage. Size and Scale Early on in the sign design process, a company must think about the size of the sign they need. Are you advertising in a crowded urban area? If so, you may require a flashy and large sign to help you stand out amongst your competition. Are you in a remote are along a highway? You may need a vivid sign with clear text and a short message. Are you advertising on the side of a large building? Consider using large graphics and text that help you advertise your message over large distances. Size and scale are vital and a business must understand their needs if they are to design an effective sign that will help them accomplish their goals. Location, Location, Location Location is everything for a sign. We touched on this in the last section, but like size and scale, location is easily as important. If you place your sign in the wrong location, you may target the wrong market and showcase it to consumers who have no interest in your product. For example, Tesla wouldn’t want to advertise their cars in a rural area populated by individuals who drive big gas guzzling trucks. The company knows their target market is an individual who cares about the environment and the concept of renewable energy. Location is everything to a sign and something to consider during the sign design process. Graphics and Color Straight text signs are boring and will turn consumers away from your business. Color and graphics help bring a sign alive. Combining text with beautiful colors and graphics will help you illustrate your message and showcase your products and services. A great example of proper graphic and color combinations is any of Apples modern advertising, they captivate the imagination of their consumers and convince them that they need to have their products. Font and Message Choosing the right font will increase the visibility of your sign. Using the wrong font can hurt the effectiveness of your sign. However, font goes hand in hand with the overall message that you are trying to explain through your sign. Many companies try to stuff too many words into their signs. One of the most important rules of sign design is to express your message in as few words as possible. Try to tell your story in one or two sentences. Once you have achieved this, shorten it without compromising the overall message. In the end, you will have a shortened message that is palatable by the average consumer. Contrast The...
read moreHow Signs Developed over the Years
Like any form of advertising, signs have evolved over time and have developed new ways to showcase information. When you look at the signs from the 1950s and compare them to the signs of today, there are stark differences, but there are also many similarities which are worth noting. Vital Signs manufactures all types of signage for our clients and we are here to help you understand the history of signage. Humble Beginnings Signs were originally created to help businesses and individuals advertise their products and services in a cost-effective manner. Between the 1400s and 1800s, signs were simplistic. Text wasn’t used in very early signs because the majority of customers couldn’t read or write. Instead, symbols played a major role in describing the products or services of a business. For example, a bookseller may have used a bible, a locksmith would have used a key, a barber used the classic red and white barber pole, and a shoemaker would have a shoe. These symbols were easily deciphered by anyone and they were effective. In the contemporary era, salesmen were a major part of a business and they helped increase exposure by visiting clients. Still, salesmen had their weaknesses. They were limited to the hours of a typical workday, while a sign permanently advertised a business, day in and day out. Businesses quickly recognized how valuable signs were and they began to grow in complexity. Comparing Signs Simply comparing signs from the early era of signage to modern ones will show a significant difference between the two time periods. A valuable example is the real estate sign. In the past, a property owner that was looking to sell their asset would have placed a simple for sale sign outside. This would let interested parties know that the property was for sale and they knew to contact the individual by visiting them at their home or place of business. Today, a real estate sign features the company, the specific real estate agent, a company website, contact information, and other relevant information regarding the property. Simplicity is still important, but in the modern era, information is vital and a major part of the advertising experience. Signs Today Signs today are far more complicated than they were in the past. Developments in 3D printing and the printing industry in general have led to innovations in the signage industry. Businesses have a wide variety of signs to choose from when they are looking to advertise their company. Today, a business can choose from standard wooden, cardboard, plastic, lighted, outdoor, indoor, neon, LED, and many other signs. The choices are unlimited and each of these signs have distinct advantages and disadvantages. A great example of technology in signs can be seen at major sporting stadiums. The giant scoreboards feature advertisements, digital overlays that display scores, stats, and more, and video entertainment for fans attending the sporting event. We take this technology for granted and see it as normal, but that wasn’t always the case. Major developments in the signage industry have made these kind of changes possible and it has enabled businesses to tap into a new style of advertising, one that combines technology with creativity, to offer the total advertising package that is directly marketed towards the consumer. Vital Signs has been manufacturing...
read moreUnderstanding Neon Signs and Their Use in Advertising
Neon signs are a classic part of North American culture. They have been around for decades and they have easily stood the test of time. While neon signs are a great way to advertise your business, you should understand the science behind them and how they came to be. Vital Signs has been manufacturing neon signs for many years. How Neon Works Neon signs glow through a process that sees neon gas interact with an electric current. As the gas becomes excited, the neon enters a plasma state where it begins to glow red. Different elements, like argon, phosphor, xenon, helium, and mercury are added to a neon tube in order to change the color of the neon glow. Where to Find Neon Neon is most commonly associated with neon signs. When picturing the Las Vegas strip, you think of a bright line of neon illuminating the various casinos on the strip, the classic poker chips, cards, and fast-paced lifestyle of Sin City. However, neon is used in more than just neon signs. For example, old television sets used to use neon, cryogenic freezing takes advantage of its liquid state at cold temperatures and inert nature of the gas, and lasers also use it. Why Neon Signs This is a common question. Many people say neon signs are dying out. While they have been down trending for a long time, they will always maintain a sense of nostalgia and a longing for the better days. They remind consumers of a simpler time, where things were bigger, brighter, and better. Technology may have innovated the advertising process, but neon is here to stay and they will always have a special place in the hearts of consumers. Neon often is labelled as a basic form of signage. This isn’t true. Neon can easily be shaped and crafted into a wide variety of shapes, images, and fonts. In more complex designs, multiple layers of tubes and colors can even create the impression that the sign is moving. Important Information Neon signs are sometimes classified as dangerous. Neon itself is safe, but argon and mercury are toxic and if you have a neon sign that leaks these elements, it is recommended that you safely dispose of them. In addition, they are long-lasting. In fact, they last between 8 to 15 years, roughly 10,000 hours of continuous use. However, when they do burn out, they can easily be recharged and replenished. When thinking about a location for your neon sign, remember that neon signs have been known to interfere with radio equipment. If you encounter this problem, try relocating the sign or changing the outlet that it is plugged into. Neon signs are fairly economical. They tend to use 10 to 30 watts per sign. Previously, high voltage neon used 30 percent more voltage. If you are planning to clean your sign, ensure that it is unplugged. Simply use a feather duster or a soft cloth and gently wipe your sign. Do not use cleaning solvents, they may damage your sign and compromise its overall effectiveness. Neon signs are fairly visible and they excel in nighttime settings. On average, a one inch letter is visible from up to 38 feet away. Therefore, a 6 inch letter would be visible from up to 200 feet...
read moreLED Outdoor Signs: The Great Equalizer
Small and medium size businesses have strict budgets. Spending too much money on any specific area in the business can be crippling and result in the downfall of a company. Outdoor signs are an important part of any business that requires a constant presence in a specific area. If your company operates a tight advertising budget, LED outdoor signs are a great option and they are long-lasting, ensuring that your precious advertising budget is put to good use. Vital Signs manufactures outdoor signs for many of its clients and it is an area that we are experienced in. Why LED Outdoor Signs Outdoor signs are built to capture the attention of consumers. Our modern society is full of technological marvels. However, all of these developments have greatly limited the average attention span of a human being. For example, in 2015 the average attention span of an adult was 8.25 seconds, while it was 12 seconds in 2000. Average and boring outdoor signs will not capture the attention of consumers. This is where LED comes in. LED is glossy, bright, and attention-grabbing. So why choose LED over other outdoor signs? For starters, LED signs are thin, light, and easy to install. They are easily manufactured, shipped, and they do not take up a lot of space. Traditional outdoor signs can be bulky and rely on size to be readable. LED outdoor signs are also visible at night time. When it becomes night, many outdoor signs are no longer visible, especially those along highways. With an LED sign, it will glow in the nighttime and continue advertising your business no matter what time it is. This is a great advantage as it greatly increases the effectiveness of your sign, stretching your advertising budget even further. Don’t let a single penny go to waste. If money is an issue, LED is cost effective. LED lights are long-lasting and will greatly outlive traditional outdoor signs. As other signs become weathered, your LED sign will continue to shine and advertise your company. The technology behind LED is environmentally friendly and doesn’t use a lot of energy. By using LED outdoor signs, you will help protect the environment. In comparison, neon signs—another popular sign option—often leak argon and mercury, two toxic chemicals with dangerous side effects. When using LED outdoor signs, you can change your message whenever you wish. Perhaps your business is offering a specific promotion. With a traditional sign, you would have to have an entirely new sign created to advertise your sale. With LED, you simply key in the text required for the promotion on the panel and your new message is displayed, it’s that simple. You can also use LED signs to promote multiple messages, increasing the overall exposure of your business’s products and services. Depending on the type of LED sign you use, you can also include graphical images and change them as you wish. When working with this medium, flexibility is ensured. Still, LED may afford you additional customization when compared to other types of signs, but the same design principals apply. Keep it simple, stay true to your brand, and ensure that you provide exceptional customer service. These basic business principals apply to all industries and should be followed in any outdoor signs you produce. Vital Signs manufactures...
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