Month: January 2021

Are You Considering an Outdoor Sign for Your Company?

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date January 20, 2021

Outdoor signs are one of the most effective forms of marketing and advertising today. Even though COVID-19, out of home advertising has remained a top priority for America’s top businesses. Apple, Amazon, HBO – household American brands – have remained the top 10 biggest spenders on outdoor signage. And this outdoor signage trend has spread rapidly to small and mid-sized businesses in Michigan too.

Everyone is looking for outdoor signs, but many first-time buyers don’t know what kind of sign they want. In this article, we take a broad strokes look at planning custom outdoor signs for your business.

What to look for when you are looking to install outdoor signs

Whether you are looking for signs for your premises or advertising signs, ask yourself these questions. Their answers will help you determine if your strategy is going to be effective.

What is the purpose of the sign?

Exterior signs fall into one of three main categories: advertising, branding, and promotion. Advertising signs are things like billboards, banners, and flags. Storefront signs and building signs are examples of branding signs. Finally, promotional signs consist of digital displays, banners, and more. Be clear about what you will be using your signs for to choose the right type of sign.

Where should the custom outdoor sign be installed?

Location, location, location! Choose where the sign is to be installed based on its purpose. Regardless, signs should be installed where they will be seen by the maximum number of people. There are millions of spots for billboard-type signs across the U.S., while virtually every business has space to install at least some branding or promotional signs.

How big should the sign be?

The general consensus is that bigger is better. Larger signs are more visible and therefore preferable; however, signs should be sized appropriately for location and messaging. For instance, a large video wall can become a tourist attraction, but a smaller digital display in the storefront may drive shoppers into the store.

Do you need to illuminate the sign?

‘Outdoor signs’ installed inside shopping malls and signs for businesses that are only open during the day can do without illumination. However, most signs have some sort of lighting today. A large selection of lighting options is available, including spotlighting, LED lighting, and neon. LEDs are the lighting configuration of choice nowadays because they are so energy efficient (and easy on the pocket!).

Are there any height restrictions on the sign?

Most businesses in built-up areas in Michigan cannot install signage above a certain height without city permission. Check with your local business liaison or city hall to find what these are. For some signs, like a pylon, height is the defining feature; limiting their height really defeats the purpose of choosing such a sign.

Get quality outdoor signs

Michigan Custom Signs build all types of outdoor and indoor signs. We offer storefront signs, billboard banners, digital displays, yard signs, and more. Speak to a representative today about your requirements.

Office Signs

How to Prevent Mistakes in Your Office Signage

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date January 14, 2021

Buying signage is a straightforward process, especially if you are working with a sign company like Michigan Custom Signs. But that doesn’t mean business owners and office administrators always get their signage right.

There are lots of mistakes that can be made while buying office signage: the wrong sign face, incorrect installation, poor lighting, typographical errors, choosing the wrong sign company, to name a few. In this article, we are looking at five of the most common errors in office signs and tips for avoiding them.

Mistake #1: Not getting custom office signs

In the quest to save money, businesses end up buying signs from big box stores. These standardized templates are designed to be inoffensive but end up stifling the personality of the office completely. They may be ‘cheaper,’ but they also cost a lot in terms of customer experience.

Avoid it: Buy custom office signs from a dedicated sign shop. You’ll be amazed to find that the cost of personalized signs is only slightly more than standard signs, though their effect on the experience is tremendous!

Mistake #2: Unchangeable signs

Though some signs like lobby signs and wall murals are expected to last a few years at least, wayfinding signs, door signs, and information signs need to be updated relatively regularly. Choose fixed/unchangeable variants for these, and you will be replacing the entire sign after a few months of use.

Avoid it: Office door signs must always have changeable lettering. This will save you the cost and hassle of having the sign replaced simply because the occupant of the office has shifted. Use digital signs for wayfinding and information, and you will never have to worry about the sign becoming stale.

Mistake #3: Uninspiring lobby signs

Far too many businesses in Michigan don’t pay enough attention to their lobby signs and end up with drab signs. Boring lobby signs create a poor first impression. The worst is when a business gets a reception sign that is out of sync with its industry.

Avoid it: It is easy getting eye-catching signage for the lobby. An experienced sign designer can help you find attractive office signs that suit your premises. Channel letters are a great example of a sign that is effortlessly appealing.

Mistake #4: Not getting ADA signs

Don’t have ADA-compliant signs in your office? You are risking a brush with the law for not complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Avoid it: Get personalized ADA signs that don’t look jarring in your space and make it comfortable for everyone.

Mistake #5: Not getting illuminated office signs

People make the mistake of thinking signs will be easy to read in the existing lighting. Lighting may be enough to navigate the space but not enough to make the sign readable, especially if it is a dark color.

Avoid it: Incorporate LED lighting in the sign itself. It is a small addition, and LEDs are very energy efficient. Lighting can be included in lobby signs, office door signs, wayfinding signs, and more.

Speak to a representative at Michigan Custom Signs. We don’t just build signs; we guide our customers, so they get the right sign the first time.

Truck Wraps

Create Personalized Truck Wraps To Promote Your Business

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date January 7, 2021

Businesses across Michigan are adjusting to a post-COVID-19 world of shopping. Shoppers are adopting every means they can to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission. That means a lot more online shopping, more deliveries, and more house calls across Michigan.

It’s why so many small and mid-sized businesses are investing in delivery trucks for the first time. No wonder so many business owners are surprised that while buying a commercial vehicle is easy, getting it ready for business is not. It’s like renting commercial space: you have space, but you still have to brand it to make it your own.

Fortunately, vinyl truck wraps are one of the most cost-effective types of branding. And a full-service company like Michigan Custom Signs can personalize them for you too. Keep reading to find out how you can customize truck wraps for your business.

Designing truck wraps for maximum advertising potential

A truck with a personalized wrap can generate as many as 16 million impressions every year in a major metropolitan city in the U.S.! Find out how you can turn those views into leads.

Focus on clear messaging

Keep your messaging simple. Graphics and text should tell one cohesive story. It is a temptation for business owners to list all their offerings on the side of the truck – only to realize people get confused, looking at so much text. Make the wrap easy to read while the vehicle is in motion by having a cohesive design and messaging strategy.

Seasonal sales

With the holiday season in full swing, take full advantage of looser purse strings to showcase seasonal sales. Think you have missed the boat with Christmas? Why not highlight a New Year’s sale to get people shopping!

Promotions that appeal to your clientele

Truck wraps are impactful local advertising. That gives you the advantage of being able to target meaningful promotions at prospective customers. Compare that to billboards, which must have generic offers because they have to appeal to a much larger audience.

Simple calls-to-action

The simpler the call-to-action, the more likely it is prospective customers will convert. ‘Call today,’ ‘Shop online,’ and ‘Follow us on Instagram for a discount’ are examples of one-step conversions – the kind people prefer. Again, your vehicle will be traveling at speed down the road, and people simply don’t have the time to make sense of a convoluted call-to-action.

Basics of branding

Don’t forget to incorporate the most important elements of your brand! Let things like color schemes, and the logo dictate the design of the wrap. Mention the name of the business prominently too. Finally, include your social media handles to drive traffic online too.

Stop searching for “vehicle wraps near me”

Looking for “vehicle wraps near me” on Google? That can be a risky strategy. Most sign shops in Michigan outsource the printing and installation of truck wraps to third parties: a recipe for loose quality control. Michigan Custom Signs wraps all types of commercial vehicles in-house. Talk to us today about your vehicle wrapping needs.

Custom Signs

Custom Signs Expand Your Company

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date January 1, 2021

Sign Shop for Best Custom Signs in Michigan

Lisa Gansky, CEO and co-founder of the world’s first-ever commercial website, says, “A brand is a voice, and a product is a souvenir.” And it is a sentiment that is echoed in the shopping habits of millions in Michigan. People don’t buy products and services solely for their qualities; they buy them because of the brand association.

Whether an independent boutique or a franchise of a larger business, branding is essential for succeeding in a competitive marketplace. Every successful business takes the time to develop and hone its brand; after that, it needs custom signs and custom banners to promote it. In this article, we are looking at how you can use personalized signage to grow your brand and business.

Using custom signs to grow your brand and business

Branding is all about creating a narrative for customers – one that helps build industry association and conveys the ethos of the business. These tips will help you maximize the potential of your indoor and outdoor signage and grow your brand.

Project a human face

Signs made from standard templates are easily identifiable as being uncreative and unoriginal. Design customized signs that showcase your creativity and project a ‘human face’ of the business. Consistent design, unique elements all show a business as a group of people, rather than a nameless, faceless organization. For small and mid-sized businesses, in particular, a personal touch can aid customer retention and patronage.

Tell the story about the business

Custom signs and custom banners help you tell a story around the business. A narrative can be anything – the tale of the founder, the ethos of the business, how long it has been in Michigan, or the close ties it has to the community. Personalized signs allow you to plan out a concerted marketing plan. Refresh signage at regular intervals for maximum effect.

Reach out to people

With the COVID-19 crisis, there has been a marked shift to online shopping. And the trend is expected to continue for some time to come. Use enticing calls-to-action to encourage people to shop from your online store. Include social media handles and hashtags and get people talking about your brand online. Not only is it a great way to grow the brand on a much bigger platform, but you can also dramatically increase the potential for conversions too.

What types of signs should you use to grow your business?

There is no right answer when it comes to choosing signage for your business. It depends on where you are located, the industry you are in, and audience preferences. Here are some outdoor signs that can project your brand widely:

Billboard banners
Bulletins
Storefront signs
A-frame signs
Building signs
Lamp post signs
Vinyl window decals
Vinyl vehicle graphics

Custom signs near me Wondering what type of sign you should get for your business? Michigan Custom Signs works with all types of businesses to create signage that converts! Stop the search for “custom signs near me” and talk to us.