Signage Education | Signs and Beyond

Most sign companies offer products beyond traditional signage. When it comes to promoting your company, event or organization, it’s worthwhile checking with your sign vendor to see how they can help reduce the associated cost, time and effort. In this week’s article, we present some of the many products and services that may be available from your sign company.

Signs
In addition to traditional commercial signage, lettering and banners, your sign company can provide Coroplast shapes, A-Frame / Sandwich Board signs, Menu Boards, and much more.

Posters

Digitally printed full color posters can be printed, optionally laminated and mounted to foam board or PVC.

Vehicle Graphics
Vehicle graphics is a broad term that may include simple lettering, contour cut designs and full vehicle wraps. Lettering is typically computer cut from solid color vinyl film. Contour cut graphics are digitally printed, laminated and contour cut before being installed. In many cases, your sign supplier can install the graphics or provided the graphics ready to apply (RTA). Transfer tape is applied to RTA graphics to hold the graphics in place, lifting the design from the backing paper and easing installation. Additionally, transfer tape protects the graphics during installation since considerable pressure must be applied with a squeegee to adhere the graphic to the vehicle.

Trade Show Displays
Many sign companies offer trade show displays that are portable and easy to setup. If you have other graphics needed for a trade show, your sign supplier already has your art and may be able to provide a package of related products. You may find discounts on such a package, and minimally will have fewer vendors to coordinate with.

Buttons
Buttons are a staple for trade shows, events, and fundraisers. You are not limited to the familiar pin-back buttons most commonly seen. A variety of different backs may include magnetic clothing bar, mirror, key chain. zipper pull, bottle openers, tie tacks, cork backed coasters and many others. If your sign company has the ability to make these types of buttons, you’ll be surprised at how affordable they can be, even in small quantities.

Promotional Gift Items
Promotional gift items are typically inexpensive gifts that advertise your business by incorporating your company name and logo on the gift. The effectiveness of this type of advertising is dependent on the value, usefulness and utility of the gift item. By way of example, a promotional pen that doesn’t write well will soon be in the trash. Reusable shopping bags are more likely to be used frequently. Printed sunshades for automobile windshields are another example of an item that will likely be retained, and offer the additional benefit of displaying your company information to the public.

Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are a greatly under utilized advertising space that can be digitally printed in full color.

Canopies
Also called an “Easy Up”, canopies are commonly used for outdoor events. They’re portable, lightweight and easy to setup. Your canopy can incorporate your company name or logo to increase visibility and promote your company or product.

Directories
Wayfinding directories are available for both indoor and outdoor use. A directory may include a hinged cover or tamper resistant fasteners to discourage vandalism. Many have removable inserts to allow for affordable, periodic updates.

Flags

Flags available from your sign company may include feather flags, bow flags, or a more traditional rectangular shaped fabric flag imprinted with your design, company name or logo.

Labels
Labels available from your sign company may be used for product identification, name tags, design comps, advertising, packaging, warning, decoration, any many other types of communication. For product prototypes, digitally printed product labels are affordable even in small quantities. Labels can be contour cut without the associated cost of die creation. Once your product label design has been finalized, a more traditional die-cut label may be justified if the volume needed is significant.

Fine Art Prints
Your sign company may have the ability to print your art or photos on a variety of materials that may include photo paper, poster paper, canvas, and cloth.

Stencils

Giant Checks
A giant check is typically used at the presentation of an award or donation, another way of advertising a cause or donor’s contribution. A check image can be digitally printed on vinyl with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The print is then mounted to a lightweight substrate such as Coroplast.

Pennants
Pennants are typically used as decoration to draw the attention of passers by.

Glass Etching and Etching Masks
Your sign company can provided computer cut designs made from vinyl that has a frosted look similar to etched glass. There is also a vinyl that’s made specifically for creating masks used for etching glass.

When you have an event or promotion upcoming, consider discussing your sign company’s products and capabilities to reduce costs and your effort in coordination by dealing with fewer vendors.

About Spectrum Signs
Spectrum Signs is an independent, locally owned, full service sign manufacturing company located in south Orange County – Mission Viejo, California. We are affiliated with over 240 independent sign companies with access to resources nationwide. This affiliation provides significant discounts from sign suppliers, and allows us to offer competitive pricing without compromising in quality and service.

For more information, contact:

Spectrum Signs
23382 Madero Suite L
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 297-3800