SignsByTomorrow Irvine's Blog

Not just a signs company…

What is the process for determining the best sign for my needs?

We begin every project with a new customer discussing the intention or purpose of the sign. Where will the sign be viewed? How will the sign be placed or installed? Etc. This series of questions will help us determine the best materials, colors and mounting methods in constructing your sign to achieve your desired outcome.

November 24, 2009 Posted by sbtirvine | 1 | | 1 Comment

Mobile Advertising

When we think of signs, we usually envision store awnings, billboards, banners, or other types of on-premise signage that includes a company’s slogan and promotes its brand name. However, also within the spectrum of the signage industry are vehicle signs – which are gaining popularity.
With the average American traveling 302 miles over a seven-day span, a business’ vehicle graphics could have quite an impact on consumers. Industry statistics show that more than 95 percent of Americans are reached by media targeting vehicle drivers and passengers and one vehicle wrap can generate over 30,000 to 70,000 impressions daily.
We have noticed first-hand how more business professionals are interested in signs on the go. The whole idea is to maximize your company’s visibility – and, getting signage on your vehicle is your best bet for visibility. Just think of it; your vehicle is always in motion for everyone to see, and vehicle signage is a cost-effective way to promote your business in town, as well as throughout the country.
According to the International Sign Association, when signage is part of a company’s overall marketing strategy, the company’s increase in revenue is extremely profound. Vehicle signage is emerging as a prominent way to build awareness. In fact, company vehicles can be turned into “bumper-to-bumper marketing machines.”
The following ideas that you can brainstorm over as you decide on the vehicle signage that best fits your needs:
• Car, Truck & Van Graphics and Wraps – With this option, you can create a consistent brand image across all of your company vehicles.
• Magnetic Vehicle Signs – Looking for something a bit more versatile and cost-effective? Magnet signs come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. They are easily removable, making it simple to transfer between cars, vans and trucks.
• Customized Graphics – Implement your own design into the signage for your vehicles and combine your design with multiple media to accommodate any mode of transportation.

When it comes to choosing the graphics and lettering for your vehicle sign, the primary goal should be to attract additional customers and you need to take several steps: It begins with a design that needs to be clean and make an impact, and then the wrap or lettering must be properly sized to the vehicle. The selected material and the printing using a strong solvent printer will ensure that the graphic will not fade quickly and last longer. Lastly and maybe most importantly the wrap needs to be installed correctly. When this is done poorly, the entire process fails.

Is your car ready to Wow?

September 4, 2009 Posted by sbtirvine | 1, Blogs, Signs By Tomorrow, WordPress.com | | No Comments Yet

7 Tips for Affordable Advertising

 

Vehicle Graphics

Vehicle Graphics

Sidewalk Signs
Sidewalk Signs

 

7 Tips for Affordable Advertising

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Location

Even the best GPS systems won’t assist some prospects in finding your store. But, a colorful roadside sign will definitely lead them in the right direction. Share a building? Branded directory and reception area signs will ensure your clients find their way through the maze of suites to your front door.

2. Impact

Supplement your current advertising strategies at a fraction of the cost with signage. Vehicle graphics can garner nearly 900 impressions per mile driven for one time investment. Also, vehicle wraps and lettering are usually more cost effective alternative than yellow pages advertising

 3. Promotions

From the road to register, signs ensure your sales promotions are successful. 85% of purchase decisions are made in the store. You can drive those impulse buyers to buy what you want them to buy with the right point of purchase signs and banners.

 4. Visibility

Give your sales team the tools they need to close the deal. Professionally printed graphics, renderings and product specs will clarify your points and distinguish you from the competition as the better prepared and more valuable organization.

5. Branding

The quality and consistency of your overall sign package can dramatically affect the client’s perception of your business. With wide format digital printing, color matching is simple no matter the size, type or application of the sign!

6. Networking

Make trade show attendees stop in their tracks with your full color tradeshow booth and presentation materials. Can’t afford to purchase your own full size booth? You can still make the competition envious with affordable table top booths or rented booths.

7. Gain Market Share

Signs are versatile, durable and affordable. And, signs deliver many of the same desired results of traditional forms of advertising. While your competition is cutting their advertising you can use signs to expand your advertising and market presence without expanding your budget!

July 19, 2009 Posted by sbtirvine | Blogs, Signs By Tomorrow, WordPress.com | | No Comments Yet

Take Pictures of Your Trade Show Display

Taking pictures of your trade show display are important. Not only because it is nice to see the different places that the display has been and the events that you have participated in, but because it is also important to see the different ways that the display has been showcased. You can then go back and see what has worked best with your set up. Did the traffic with your trade show exhibit booth increase with certain set ups or did it decrease? What was the best display lighting? How did it look in a corner or on the end of an aisle? Keeping track of these things through photographs can help you with future set ups. The other thing that it allows, is for you to be away and have another person set the trade show display without you being present. Perhaps your flight was delayed and you need to have someone else set up the booth. Sending them a picture on their cell phone can help them see how the display is to be set up. Taking pictures can be important. Tell your exhibit booth to strike a pose next time it is in place.

July 14, 2009 Posted by sbtirvine | Blogs | | No Comments Yet

How long will my sign last?

That is one question that we hear from clients every day. The answer isn’t always clear-cut. Factors that impact a graphic’s durability outdoors include:

Whether it gets direct sun (afternoon is worse than morning) or not

Temperature extremes

Type of substrate

Type of vinyl

Type of ink

Whether it has a UV-protective overlaminate or not

End-user’s quality standards (we’ve all seen signs that were way past time to replace)
etc, etc, etc

Generally speaking, digitally printed graphics using solvent-based or UV-curable inks on self-adhesive vinyl will last 2-3 years outdoors without lamination. Adding a UV-protective overlaminate will extend the lifespan by a year or so. Low or “eco-solvent” inks typically last 1-2 years outdoors without lamination.

Cast/High-performance vinyls have better outdoor durability than calendared/intermediate vinyls due to the manufacturing process. They tend to be significantly more dimensionally stable, which means less shrinkage over time and less chance of edge curling and cracking.

One other factor that people do not always think of is color. Although when I researched the topic I wasn’t able to find any any hard evidence to support one color fading faster than others, our perception is that colors in the red range fade faster than the other end of the spectrum, which can leave a graphic looking older than its true age.

July 9, 2009 Posted by sbtirvine | Blogs | | No Comments Yet