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The Beginners Guide to Brainstorming a Store Sign
Modern advertising continues to evolve, but certain methods of attracting customers are timeless. Your brand is the identity of your business and it is important that you tap into your brand when searching for ways to draw in new customers. An effective store sign is one of the easiest ways to generate business and it isn’t as expensive as traditional methods of advertising. Vital Signs will help you design the perfect store sign for your business. The Steps The time has come to design a store sign, but you are struggling to get the creative process going. This is normal. After all, you want your store sign to properly reflect your business and to tell customers a little bit about what your company stands for. Regardless, the first step to consider is the size of the sign, where it will be placed, and the level of detail you need to establish your brand. The very early steps of designing a store sign should be accomplished on paper. Draw sketches out, brainstorm ideas, and tie them all together. We will offer you feedback and help you create a design that suits the needs of your business. Don’t be afraid to scrap designs and try new ideas out. The planning stage is the right time to get messy and find the right design for you. A great way to learn is to study the big brands and see what makes their signage successful. Why are Starbucks and McDonald’s store signs so memorable? The answer is simple, they have established brands and color schemes that customers identify with. Once you have a few designs prepared, pick one attribute from each that you like. Combine them into a master design and see how it fits. Once again, throw out ideas that don’t function, but stick to the ones that you really like. Change fonts, try rigid and round ones, experiment with colors, and don’t be afraid to start over. Once you have a proper design in mind, you are approaching manufacturing. However, before committing to any specific store sign, ensure that you are entirely satisfied with your sketches. If you believe that you are, bring them to us and we will offer you additional feedback. Once we agree on a specific design for your store sign, we will begin to manufacture it. Upon completion, it is time to install the sign. With your direction, we will help you install it wherever you need. Of course, the location of installation will depend on your intended purpose for the sign. Typically, a store sign will be placed above the entrance of your business, but in other circumstances, store signs can be placed at the road side, at the entrance to the parking lot for your business, in a company directory sign, and many other options. The design process doesn’t have to be intimidating. No matter what you choose, always remember the core values of your business and the brand you are trying to build. The brand behind your business is the lifeblood of your company and it is something that you should maintain at all costs. If you follow these steps, the customers will come. Vital Signs specializes in sign design and manufacturing various types of store signs. We have many decades of experience and...
read moreLooking at the Signs Behind the Brands
There are many companies in the world who still rely on signs to help drive customers into their stores. While some marketers believe signage is outdated, we disagree with this sentiment, and we strongly urge businesses with a strong brick and motor presence to consider signage and the advertising advantage that it can bring their company. Vital Signs is committed to manufacturing high quality signs for all of our clients. Why Are Signs Important? Signs are an easy way for a company to increase its exposure without spending a lot. Traditional forms of advertising like radio, TV, and the Internet can be expensive and cost a company a lot. Yet, a sign incurs a onetime construction fee and potential maintenance fees in the future. In addition to increasing your businesses exposure, a sign will also build your brand and help people recognize your business. Large Corporations and Signs There are many companies in the world that have strong brand recognition. If you are driving down a road and you notice the golden arches, you will immediately picture a Big Mac and McDonald’s classic fries. When walking in a major mall, a white apple with a bite taken out of it will immediately conjure images of Apple’s iPad, iPhone, and other Mac products. At a popular outlet mall, the red triangle with a leaf on top is easily identifiable as Canadian Tire. All of these companies have strong brand recognition, but their signs will remind you of their product catalogues and help you make informed shopping decisions. Even the biggest corporations use signage as they recognize how important it is and how effectively it will draw customers into their stores. Capturing a customer’s attention is one of the most challenging parts of advertising. By pulling them into your store through the use of signage, a customer is far more likely to purchase something. Sales are the key to business and signs are a great way to increase your return on investment. How To Harness the Power of Signage A successful company will create a sign that is properly suited to their location. If you are in a crowded area that is full of signs, you will need one that stands out and captures the attention of potential customers. Size and scale are extremely important and something that all businesses must consider. In addition, location is another factor that can make or break the success of your sign. There is no point advertising your business in a deserted area or in an inaccessible location. For example, most restaurants will advertise their business through a sign along a highway. Motorists will see the sign, become hungry, and visit the restaurant at the nearest exit, all because they associated your restaurant with tasty food and the feeling of being full. Bland signs will not capture the attention of consumers. Color and graphics are important, but remember to use them in moderation. Oversaturating a sign will make it hard to read and overly noisy. Combine effective graphics and colors with font that is properly sized and suited to your advertising goals. Lastly, make sure that your signs are printed on the right type of sign. If you are advertising from a distance, you will need a tall sign that is large enough to be...
read moreUse Neon Signs to Bring out the Vibrancy of Your Business
Are you looking for a unique way to advertise your business? Does your specific business generate revenue during the night? Would your business benefit from vibrant colors? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider investing in neon signs for your business. Vital Signs manufactures neon signs for its clients all throughout the GTA. Yes, neon signs may seem very 1970s, but they are still a great way to advertise your business and they are attention grabbing. They come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. If you are considering neon signs for your businesses, you should consider a couple of basic facts. If your business generates revenue at night time, neon signs stand out during the night and will bring in extra customers due to their attention grabbing nature. Neon signs are long-lasting. There is a common misconception that they burnout quickly, but this isn’t true. With proper care, neon signs will last for up to 80,000 hours or 9 years of continuous use. Neon signs are also highly customizable. They aren’t just relegated to spelling out simple words or single colors. They can be large, multi-colored, and complex. Toronto has several unique neon signs, like a certain unsavory club, Massey Hall, the El Mocambo, and many more. Neon signs are well known in this city and guaranteed to generate value for your business. Vital Signs works with all types of signs. We specialize in neon signs and offer these services to businesses in Toronto, Mississauga, all of Southern Ontario, and the entire GTA. If you have any questions about our neon signs, other products, or services, please feel free to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may...
read moreFrequently Asked Questions for Outdoor Signs
Outdoor signs are one of the best forms of signage to advertise your business. We often receive a lot of questions regarding outdoor signs. For this month’s blog post, Vital Signs has decided to post a set of answers to questions that we are frequently asked. How Much Do Outdoor Signs Cost? There isn’t a simple answer to this question. Price is determined by the size, complexity, and location of your outdoor signs. In addition, if you require additional maintenance, your outdoor signs will cost more. How Do You Rent Space for Outdoor Signs? Depending where you want to place the sign, we can recommend various areas or you can discuss rental terms with a specific agent. Outdoor signs have specific bylaws that they must follow and you need to ensure that they are up to code in order to avoid additional fines. Where Can I Place My Outdoor Signs If you are looking for a location to place your outdoor signs, there are several choices you can make. You can advertise on the side of buildings, outside your business, along roadways, and in any other public or private space that allows for outdoor advertising through the use of billboards and other outdoor signs. Can I Take Part in the Sign Design Process for My Outdoor Signs? We always welcome input from our customers. If you require specific sign design elements in the design of your outdoor signs, please let us know ahead of time. After all, it is your sign. Vital Signs offers a wide range of services, including outdoor signs. We offer our services to clients in Toronto, Concord, Brampton, and throughout the entire GTA. If you have any questions about our products or services, please feel free to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may...
read moreCreativity Begins With Sign Design
When creating a sign for your business, a company must understand the core values of its business, its business goal, any specific images or colors associated with it, thematic ideas, and much more. Vital Signs offers sign design services to all of its clients and we are dedicated to helping them create the perfect sign for their business. Sign Design In Practice Everyone wants to create the best sign possible for their business, but in order to do so, you must understand your specific industry and consumers. For example, look at a veterinary clinic. This business deals directly with animals. A sample sign for a business like this will make use of pictures of animals, an animal’s paw, warm colors, and will not mention prices. People taking their sick animals in for care have no interest in seeing pictures of sad animals or harsh colors. Instead, they want to feel welcomed and safe, knowing that their animals will receive proper care. In contrast, a condo development company will want to use modern looking text and tie in building material themes into their sign design. A simple text logo with a faux-brick background may suit the condo company, but it wouldn’t have the same result for the vet clinic. The two businesses have very different goals and their signs must represent this through their sign design. When you choose Vital Signs, a member of our in-house design team will sit down with you and help you make the right choices through the sign design process. Our goal is to help you find a sign that suits your needs. Vital Signs offers sign design services to businesses in Toronto, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, and throughout all of the GTA. If you have any questions about our sign design services, please feel free to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may...
read moreFrequently Asked Questions Regarding Signs
Is your company thinking of purchasing a set of signs? Signs are a great way to advertise your business. They are extremely durable, long-lasting, and affordable. Vital Signs has been providing sign solutions to businesses throughout the GTA for over 20 years and we are committed to increasing the exposure of local companies. For this month’s blog, we have decided to answer questions that we are frequently asked. How Do I Increase My Signs Visibility? The easiest way to improve the visibility of your sign is to understand the needs of your business and the location that you will place it. If you are a restaurant with multiple locations, it may be valuable for you to place an outdoor sign on a busy highway. This will help you capture the attention of hungry consumers that are racing to and from work. In addition, visibility is boosted through the use of readable text, compelling colors, and rich images. Tying together design elements, a signs visibility will be increased if it has a clear purpose. What Can Design Elements Do for My Sign? Colors, font, and images all play an important role in increasing the exposure of your sign. Having readable text allows a consumer to read your advertisement, attractive colors draw in their attention, while images can help familiarize an advertisement or convey targeted emotions. Tying all of these elements together will create an effective advertisement that generates a strong return on investment. If you are looking to design a set of signs, let Vital Signs help you out. We offer sign solutions to companies in Toronto, Markham, Newmarket, Thornhill, and the entire GTA. If you have any questions about our products or services, please feel free to contact us today. We would be more than happy to help you...
read moreNeon Signs: Frequently Asked Questions
There are many myths and misconceptions associated with neon signs. Vital Signs has decided to compile a list of frequently asked questions regarding neon signs in order to offer our clients clarity regarding this stunning form of signage. How Do You Get the Colors in Neon Signs The gas is the key to this answer. The inert gas (typically neon and argon with mercury particles) inserted into the tubing emits specific colors when electricity is applied. Neon is generally red while argon is blue. Using fluorescent powders, neon signs can be shaded and tinted to create the illusion of specific colors and shades. How Do You Put the Gas Into the Tube in Neon Signs? When manufacturing neon signs, the tubes are capped off with two glass electrodes which have a wire passing from the outside to the inside. As gas is pumped in and out, sections are closed off. The vacuum is then heated and specific gases are pumped in to create the neon effect. How Do You Bend the Glass Tubing in Neon Signs? The glass tubing in neon signs is bent through a process of rocking and rolling. Burner flames use a gas and air mixture to raise the flame temperature. By heating the tubing, it becomes malleable and is easily shaped. How Long Do Neon Signs Last On average, neon signs last anywhere between 8 to 15 years, but this depends on how often they are used and if you take care of your sign. They can be repaired and recharged. If you have any other questions about neon signs, please feel free to contact us here at Vital Signs. We offer signage solutions to companies in Toronto, Mississauga, Southern Ontario, and throughout the entire GTA. Take advantage of neon today, it is a great way to advertise your business in style. ...
read moreThe Statistics Behind Storefront Signs
Whether we like it or not, outdoor signs are a major part of our lives. They are everywhere. In order for a business to be successful, they must learn how to properly tap into the potential provided by storefront signs. A 2009 study conducted in the U.S. by Arbitron found that outdoor signs are effective and that they have the potential to reach every target audience in the market. Key Findings Regarding Outdoor Signs 58% of the participants claimed that outdoor signs informed them about an event they were interested in attending. 58% learned about a restaurant that they later visited. 56% discussed the message of outdoor signs. 33% were reminded about a TV program and 44% about a radio station. 26% remembered a phone number and 28% a website that was listed on outdoor signs. In addition to the previous statistics, the study concluded that the majority of shopping decisions are made while a consumer is in the car and the most effective influential advertising medium for drivers are outdoor signs. 72% of consumers who view billboards claim to shop on their way home from work. 68% claimed to make shopping decisions while driving. 38% admitted that they made their decisions on the way home. 24% suggested that they were motivated by outdoor signs. 32% visited a company advertised on outdoor signs. 50% found outdoor ads provided them with directional information. 24% claimed that they immediately visited a business based on outdoor ads. Overall, outdoor advertising is highly effective and has a massive reach when compared to other advertising mediums. Vital Signs manufactures outdoor signage for clients in Toronto, Concord, Brampton, and throughout the GTA. If you have any questions about our signs or our company, please feel free to contact us today. We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have. ...
read moreThe Five Most Popular Options for Store Signs
Finding the right store sign for your business can be challenging. Luckily, Vital Signs has you covered and has compiled a list of the five most popular store signs. With our brief guide, you will develop a basic understanding of what makes store signs. Outdoor Store Signs This store sign is standard and seen almost anywhere. It can be the banner for a business or it can be a simple chalkboard sign displaying specials and other vital information. Depending on your application, this store sign can be a workhorse for your business and provide you a huge return on investment by drawing customers inside of your store or company. Informational Store Signs As the name suggests, informational signage is used to direct customers to certain places. For example, it could be a basic legend of your store, arrows pointing to departments or promotions, or an explanation of various company information. These signs are used to control the flow of traffic in your business and are best used as an organizational tool. Persuasive Store Signs Have you ever noticed the giant red “SALE” sign? This is promotional advertisement and the goal of these types of signs is to create an anchor and to convince the customer that they are getting a great deal. They are bright, flashy, and convincing. Accessibility Store Sign Most places in Canada require accessibility for individuals with impairments. Accessibility signs direct customers to handicap parking spaces, ramps, and other tools that are designed to ease their shopping experience. Floor Store Signs This one may seem odd, but a simple floor mat store sign can be effective and cheap. Bombard your customer with subtle reminders of your business. Always keep them thinking about your products and services and you will begin to develop loyal and lifelong customers. Vital Signs provides high quality store sign design services for clients in Toronto, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, and throughout the GTA. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us today. ...
read moreWinning the Advertising Battle With the Use of Signs
The advertising and marketing industry is huge. There are many niches that businesses try to establish in order to develop a competitive advantage. Finding the right form of advertising for your company can be challenging, but with the use of signs, it can easily be accomplished without denting your company’s bottom line. Vital Signs provides innovative sign solutions to companies that are looking to tap into signs as a way to advertise their business. Make Your Signs Work for You Signs are a great way of advertising your business, but it is important that you understand the basic principles of what makes a sign stand out and generate business. The basic aspects of effective signs includes quality production, simple designs, they must be easy to read, and well placed. If your sign accomplishes all of these facets, you will have created a suitable sign that properly advertises your business. Unpacking the Concepts of Signs Quality production is what makes your sign look professional and polished versus the typical bus ad. Above all else, always maintain quality. If you sacrifice quality, your signs will look low budget and it will directly impact the image of your company. Simplicity is also extremely important. If you complicate your message, use noisy colors, or stuff in too much text, you will distract consumers from the goal of your signs. Always be direct and to the point. Finally, ensure that your signs are easy to read and well placed. These two factors often work hand in hand. Place your signs in strategic areas and pick fonts and images that are friendly on the eyes and that will increase your overall exposure. Vital Signs is a sign manufacturer that creates impactful signs for clients in Toronto, Markham, Newmarket, Thornhill, and throughout the entire GTA. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us...
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