Author: Amit Soman

Make Memorable First Impressions with Lobby Signs

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date July 17, 2020
No Comments on Make Memorable First Impressions with Lobby Signs

A first impression can make or break the customer relationship. Customers have certain expectations when they visit the business, and the lobby is key to meeting those expectations. No two businesses are alike and that’s why there is no single right way to decorate a lobby. Lawyers and chartered accountants’ offices are expected to be smart and understated; a creatives business is expected to wow with cool decor. To think that there is one “best lobby sign” is to risk creating a jarring experience. In this article, we offer tips on how you can make a memorable first impression with your lobby sign.

What is the importance of a sign in the lobby?

Signage must fulfill three fundamental requirements:

Display the brand tastefully and identify the business
Set the ambiance of the lobby
Meet the expectations your customers have of your business

No two businesses need the same kind of sign.

Design Tips for Custom Lobby Signs

Here are some tips for designing the right signs. Remember, the sign does not sit in isolation, it needs to gel with the color of the walls, light fixtures, reception desk, and furniture.

Size – One of the most overlooked aspects but also one of the most important. First, take measurements of the space where you want to install the sign. Consider how far visitors will be from the sign and visualize how the sign will look. Signs will protrude a few inches from the wall, so be mindful of obstructions.

Material choice – There is no hard and fast rule about what material you should use, but it must match the aesthetic you are trying to create. Wood and metal typically have a more ‘traditional’ look, suggesting permanence; acrylic is associated with agile and innovative businesses.

Lighting –Depending on lighting conditions, consider adding backlighting, front lighting, or spotlights. Modern LED setups are extremely compact and can be concealed neatly behind the sign. However, lights should complement the space, not be overwhelming.

Avoid These Mistakes in Your Lobby

It is all too easy to get carried away and overwhelm visitors with fussy styling and excessive lighting. The waiting experience needs to be as pleasant as possible and over-busy design will agitate visitors.

An over-eagerness to sell also comes across as brazen marketing. Your customer has already entered your premises and the goal should be to gently guide them to the sale. If you want to place promotions in front of visitors, digital lobby signage is a great way of doing that. Offers and prices can be updated easily, and active elements can create curiosity.

Custom Lobby Signs in Michigan

Office lobby signs are an important feature of the business and you need a sign company that works with you. At Michigan Custom Signs, we help you create unique designs, provide expert advice on location, and offer a wide selection of lighting options. Talk to a representative to discuss your office lobby sign.

Tags Custom Lobby Signs, Lobby Signage, Office Looby Signs

Truck Wraps

5 Benefits of Truck Wraps Too Good To Be Ignored

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date July 10, 2020
No Comments on 5 Benefits of Truck Wraps Too Good To Be Ignored

Truck wraps are one of the most cost-effective ways of advertising that any business with a vehicle can have access to. Wraps can garner thousands of impressions every day and advertise the business day or night. Best of all, other than the cost of having the vehicle wrapped, there is no daily or monthly rent to be paid, nor is there any expense of getting city permission. Keep reading to find the five incredible benefits of wrapping commercial vans and trucks and you’ll be laughing all the way to bank with your new revenue.

We wrap all types of vehicles: cars, pick-up trucks, trailers, food trucks, ice cream trucks, delivery vans, and more.

Top 5 Benefits of Truck Wraps

Unique – Vehicles are great canvases. Windows, doors, wheel wells, they all add a dimension to design and have so much potential for being incorporated creatively in the design. Go all out with creative designs to stand out in a sea of drab-colored vehicles.

Brand – “Top of mind recall” is the mantra in the world of business and advertising and what better way than unique custom truck wraps to be memorable. Brands associated with cool truck wraps are natural fodder for social media and sharing. Talk about awards, achievements, and how you are helping the community to aid brand building.

Promote – Discounts, new products, and freebies are only as good as the promotional activity behind them. Custom truck wraps are mobile billboards roaming the streets of Michigan and spreading the word about your business. Use individually cut truck vinyl wrap letters to advertise seasonal messages, ongoing sales, and more.

Our team schedules wrapping to ensure minimum downtime for your fleet.

Protect – Truck vinyl wraps are supreme protection for the body (and windows) of the truck. It’s a layer of light, durable material that deflects road debris. We hear from business owners time and time again how impeccable their paint looks even after years of using the truck. Modern wraps use safe adhesives that don’t discolor the original paintwork of the vehicle.

ROI – Vinyl wraps are extremely inexpensive compared to other forms of advertising, but don’t take that to mean they are not effective. Hundreds, if not thousands of people will see your vehicles driving down the road every day. In fact, you can advertise in Michigan’s hottest spots with what are essentially large mobile billboards – and pay nothing to do so! Now that’s what we call ROI.

High-quality vinyl wraps from companies like 3M are very durable, providing fade-free performance for years.

High-Quality Truck WrapsMichigan Custom Signs is your one-stop-shop for all types of vehicle wraps. We are a full-service wrapping company, helping customers create designs, print, and apply wraps. Talk to us about your vehicle and the design you have in mind.

Tags Commercial Truck Wraps, Truck Wraps

Window Graphics

How Window Graphics Can Help Businesses Catch More Attention

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date July 3, 2020
No Comments on How Window Graphics Can Help Businesses Catch More Attention

Window decals are prime promotional real estate that can engage prospective customers much more intimately than other forms of signage. The size and location of storefront windows put them right in the line of sight of audiences and even businesses that are located on higher floors can use creative graphics to draw attention to themselves (window art can act as a type of billboard). Find out how creatively designed vinyl window stickers help businesses raise their advertising potential.

Building a Brand

Creativity – that’s the word for window decals that seek to attract attention. Telling the organization’s story through creative graphics creates a compelling narrative that sticks in the mind more than just a jumble of elements with no context. Such a visual display creates top of mind recall, which over time can drive real business growth.

A common misconception, too, is that window graphics are only for-profit business tools; healthcare providers, educational institutions, charities, and non-profits should all be using window decoration to build brand awareness.

Location Markers

Storefront signs above the front door are not in the direct line of sight of pedestrians, graphics on windows are. Great window graphics drive customers to a business; they achieve this by inviting people physically and emotionally. This has two effects: first, seeing the graphic sparks curiosity, and second, it acts as a strong location marker. In other words, people feel the need to visit the store, and are immediately guided to it.

Sales and Promotions

Promotions are extremely effective at getting people to walk through the door. But a sales drive or new launch is only as successful as the advertising campaign behind it. Large decals on windows promoting these are essential for capturing local traffic. The biggest advantage of vinyl window stickers is that they are easy to install and take off. They are inexpensive too, so business owners like to change them out frequently, to keep customers engaged.

Types of Decals

A business can choose from a few different types of decals. Restaurants, for instance, want windows to be slightly see-through to create mystery while letting passers-by see the crowd inside. Boutiques will often have partially frosted decals because they lend an elegant air to the storefront. Here are a few types of window decal styles:

Clear decals – Designs are printed on a transparent sheet with no background, keeping the view completely unobstructed.

Opaque decals – Printed on a sheet of solid color (often white) that becomes the background and obscures what’s inside.

Perforated decals – The sheet has small perforations which provide a translucent background but don’t block the view completely.

Frosted decals – A vinyl sheet is printed with a frosted finish, which can be either opaque or somewhat see-through.

Vinyl letters – Instead of a large singular decal, individual letters, numbers, and graphics are cut and applied on the window.

Custom Window Graphics in Michigan

Michigan Custom Signs works with businesses and institutions across the city to design their ideal window decals. We are a full-service sign shop that can design, print, and apply window signage. Call us to find out what kind of sign you should get for your storefront.

Tags Storefront Graphics, Window Graphics

Uncategorized

Turn Your Vehicles into Mobile Advertisements

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date June 30, 2020
No Comments on Turn Your Vehicles into Mobile Advertisements

Did you know that commercial vehicles get an average of 30,000 to 70,000 impressions per day? If you have vehicle wraps installed on your fleet, drivers and passengers will remember your company name and design as you pass by. The more you drive around, the more your brand recognition will increase. That is a lot of passive advertising for a one-time installation fee for your commercial fleet.

4 Reasons to Install Custom Vehicle Wraps

24/7 Exposure

Car wraps are a great mobile advertising tool to generate buzz about your company. Unlike a traditional static billboard, your ad follows you wherever you go. That means you are passively advertising to everyone you drive by. You can even strategically drive in areas where you target audience lives to promote your brand passively to them.

Brand Recognition

Show your audience who your brand is and who they are. With commercial vehicle wraps, you can be creative with your designs, especially if you are working with a trusted professional. You can incorporate brand colors, corporate logos, and anything related to your corporate identity. You can add contact information for customers to contact you.

If you have a fleet of commercial vehicles, you want to ensure that your branding is unison across all vehicles. You can design a brand story series that creates a featured image when all cars and trucks are together. Make your cars stand out. With so many vehicles on the road, it’s hard to get noticed in a black or white vehicle. However, if you have a bold color with eye-catching images and your company name, the image will be remembered by a lot of customers who view your automobile. As well, a catchy image helps your brand become top of mind.

Durability and Protection

An added benefit of vehicle wraps is their durability. They can withstand harsh weather conditions, including overexposure to high temperatures and stormy winter weather conditions. The protective layer of the wrap protects the vehicle from small scratches and increases the longevity of your truck or car.

Comparatively Low Cost

Custom vehicle wraps are a one-time investment, and you only need to renew them every 3-5 years. In contrast, billboard ads have a tremendous cost and less reward. You have the added benefit of mobile advertising with your fleet vs. a static billboard that can only advertise in one location. On the other hand, the more vehicles your company has, the more message you can distribute to your audience. You can have a few main trucks with your main brand message and contact information. You can have a special events vehicle that drives around to promote your sales, which can help bring foot traffic to your business.

Ready to Start Designing Your Customized Vehicle Wraps in Michigan?

Contact the mobile sign specialists at Michigan Custom Signs to get started on designing your commercial vehicle fleet wraps. We look forward to bringing your branded vision to life through your commercial fleet.

Wall Murals

Brighten Up Your Interior with Custom Wall Murals

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date June 25, 2020
No Comments on Brighten Up Your Interior with Custom Wall Murals

Custom wall murals are rapidly becoming more popular. Businesses are installing wall murals to visually tell their brand story to their customers. These murals incorporate your company values, company logos, corporate slogans, and anything meaningful to your company. No matter the business, there is always a corporate story to tell. Restaurants, small businesses, shopping malls, and large corporations are choosing to install these attention-grabbing wall designs.

Customize Your Wallpaper Murals

The beauty of customized wall murals is the ability to personalize the content. You can ask for the design and colors of the wall mural to match your corporate identity. Once your business decides to move forward with the mural project, you will be paired with a graphic designer. Then you will work together to make the creative vision come to life.

A Bold Storytelling Tool

Let customers get to know your business better. Let them take a look inside and learn about your values, favorite quotes, and partners. Make your wall design fun. Incorporate local business partners or local landmarks. Some companies like to add important symbols that represent their brand. Others add meaningful images that have a deeper story to tell. The custom wall mural is a visual representation of your brand’s story, so what you want to portray is up to you. This is your chance to show some personality and let your creativity shine. Lastly, this is an opportunity to show how your company is different from your competitors.

Create an Experience, Create Ambiance

If you’ve ever walked into a Mediterranean restaurant, you walk into a space painted with Santorini blue and white Greek buildings and a background of the Mediterranean Sea. You are usually greeted by a waiter who takes you to a table that overlooks the town of Santorini. Instantly, you picture yourself eating dinner overlooking the sandy beaches in Greece with a sunset in the distance. You are just out for dinner, but the wall mural creates an immersive dinner experience.

Increase Customer Engagement

Customers quickly react to wall murals and start to ask questions. This instantly opens the conversation between employees and consumers and helps to build rapport. As well, beyond being an icebreaker, this eye-catching wall becomes an Instagram-worthy spot and a free marketing tool for your brand. The more aesthetically pleasing and unique you make your mural, the more customers will want to interact, take pictures and share on their social media. Once, one customer takes a photo with your brand story wall, a ripple effect will begin. Other consumers will want to come to see the wall for themselves and take pictures with the story wall. Thus, a one-time investment in your story wall becomes a free viral marketing tool for years to come.

Start Design Your Wallpaper Mural Today with Our Experts

Michigan Custom Signs is your one-stop-shop for your custom wallpaper murals in Michigan. Book a consultation to bring your creative wall mural to life.

Monument signs Uncategorized

4 Ways Monument Signs Solidify Your Brand’s Presence

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date June 22, 2020
No Comments on 4 Ways Monument Signs Solidify Your Brand’s Presence

If you’re looking for a way to attract more customers and increase brand recognition, then we suggest investing in a monument sign. Monument signs are free-standing structures or outdoor structures with your brand’s name or identity on it. Keep reading to learn why these large signs help to solidify your brand presence.

Benefits of Installing Monument Signs in Michigan

1. Maximizes customer visibility 24/7

One major benefit of a landmark sign is around the clock visibility to your potential and current customers. A sign like this is permanent. You install the sign once, and the sign stands as a symbol for your company for years to come. We suggest installing LED lighting so that your sign lights up at night. Having a lit-up sign at night allows 24/7 exposure to your location and helps individuals with vision impairments see your building at night.

2. Increases foot traffic

Your monument sign will now become the symbol that represents your store or business. The sizeable visible sign allows your brand to become top of mind to people who walk by. As well, many individuals walking by will want to shop or visit your store. Many store owners opt for brick monument signs as they are stable and provide an elegant yet professional look. However, some business owners opt for signs made from wood, aluminum, and metal, acrylic, or plastic or wood. Each material has its own unique benefits and portrays a different image.

3. Acts as a free advertising tool

Whether your business or store is in a high traffic area or low-density area, you are still generating impressions. Every person who drives by your location or lives near your location will see your monument sign. Moreover, these signs are great passive advertising tools. For a one-time installation fee, you acquire a lifetime of brand impressions, and you can also use your sign to promote sales as well.

4. Portrays a professional brand image

When you order monument signs for your business or store location, you can customize the entire sign to match your corporate identity. Ordering architectural signage shows that you care about your professional image and brand presence. Furthermore, you can request any aspect of your corporate image to be included on the sign, such as: adding your logo, brand font, or brand colors. Ultimately, you are creating a brand symbol of significant the public cannot ignore.

When shopping for your monument sign, you want to ensure that you are ordering from a reputable sign company, who can deliver quality design and promise the signs’ durability.

Speak with a sign specialist now at Michigan Custom Signs to get started on a sign that has monumental impact.

Uncategorized

5 Benefits of Indoor Business Signs That You Can’t Ignore

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date June 10, 2020
No Comments on 5 Benefits of Indoor Business Signs That You Can’t Ignore

You’ve heard the saying that you can never get back a first impression. There’s good reason for it. Once a customer enters your store, you want them to feel at ease immediately and that you are of service. If they enter your location and have a sub-par experience, and end up getting lost or frustrated in your store, chances are they will not want to come back. Keep reading to learn how to make your business one that customers cannot ignore and learn how to use indoor navigation signs to help your customers get around quickly. We are going to cover the different types of indoor signs, and by the end of this article, you will find a solution to boost your business’ brand image.

5 Benefits of Indoor Business Signs in Michigan

1. Portray a Professional Image

Your lobby area is the first space where your customers get to experience your business. From the moment they walk into your location, you want them to feel comfortable and have a positive first impression. As well, you want the customers to know where they are as soon as they walk inside. Installing a professional lobby sign will immediately instill trust in your customers.

2. Brand Recognition

Having indoor business signs creates a strong brand impression and communicates your brand name and logo. Think of a bank or a corporate office. They always have reception signs installed, which portrays a strong corporate identity. For a bold look, opt for a custom lit-up acrylic sign or install a brushed metal sign for a more traditional look.

3. Show your customers you care about navigation

Installing ADA directional signage shows your customers that you care about their well-being. Signs like an entrance sign or a washroom sign quickly show your customers where to find the essentials and allows them to enter and exit your building quickly. Your customers leave feeling happy about their experience in your store and they won’t leave complaining about getting lost.

4. Consistent Brand Imaging

When you are installing indoor signs, you want to ensure that your indoor and outdoor signs have the same branding. Having a consistent brand image will strengthen your brand recognition and shows that you are a well-run company. Consistent branding doesn’t mean only installing the same types of signs at your store or office. Here are some signs that you can integrate at your business: reception or lobby signs, wall murals for creative spaces, floor graphics to add a fun look, and navigation signs so customers can quickly get around your business.

5. Show Off Your Creativity

One of the benefits of business branding is that you can be as creative or as modest as you want. Two types of signs that show off your company’s creativity and also act as brand storytelling tools are wall murals and floor graphics. Installing floor graphics or wall murals are a great way to let your customers inside your professional space and learn more about your company values and quirks.

Now that you’ve learned the benefits of custom interior signs, we invite you to speak with our sign experts. We want to help you create signage for your business that customers cannot ignore.

Uncategorized

Understanding ADA Signs and Their Guidelines

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date May 23, 2020
No Comments on Understanding ADA Signs and Their Guidelines

ADA signs are installed in buildings to improve accessibility for all customers. ADA is an abbreviation for the Americans with Disabilities Act. A few examples of ADA signs are directional signs for entrances and exits, washroom signs, elevator signs, or a wheelchair ramp sign. By law, all buildings are required to have ADA signs installed properly in their building and must pass a government inspection.

Here Are Guidelines for ADA Compliant Signs

1. Mandatory ADA signs vs. non-mandatory

Not all signs need to follow the ADA rules. Advertising, promotional, or address signs don’t apply. However, it is always important to create signs that are as accessible as possible. Try to create signs that are as clear as possible, so anyone with visual impairments or disabilities can read them. As well, keep in mind that one of the reasons the ADA exists is to improve the accessibility of buildings. You want to make it as easy as possible for customers to get around your building and find what they are looking for quickly. Adding ADA braille signs throughout your location drastically increases the accessibility for visually impaired customers to get around your space easily.

2. Height and location to mount ADA signs at

Signs must be mounted at a minimum of 48” and a maximum height of 60”
For single doors, mount the sign beside the door to the left of the latch
For double doors (both open), mount the sign to the right of the right-handed door
For double doors (only one side opens), sign to be placed on the inactive door panel
The inward swinging door must follow three rules to be compliant
- The door needs to close automatically
- The sign needs to be mounted on the push side of the door, not near the latch
- The door doesn’t have a hold-open latch
Outward swinging doors, the sign needs to be placed on the wall outside the door swing arc (45 degrees) and 18” away from the wall and 18” away from the door
Overhead and projecting signs
- The lowest part of the sign must be 80” above the ground
Projected wall-mounted signs must not protrude more than 4” into a hallway or path and signs must be a minimum of 27”
All signs should not block any emergency equipment, door function or sprinklers

3. Visibility and Standard ADA Colors

All ADA signs need to use anti-glare paint and ADA standard colors. Some of the standard colors include reds, browns, burgundies, dark blues, dark greens, black, and some purples. The colors are not bright and there needs to be a contrast with the background and the font or image. For example, you can use a light-colored background with dark images or text or a dark-colored background with a light image or text. It’s best to work with a professional sign company that knows how to create signs with the correct color contrast to pass the ADA inspection.

Get in Touch with an ADA Compliant SignsShop in Michigan

It’s important to follow the ADA guidelines as you can receive hefty fines from the government for being non-compliant. Working with an ADA sign company in Michigan is a great way to ensure that you are installing the right signs at the correct locations and heights.

Talk to the ADA sign specialists at Michigan Signs and get started today.

Uncategorized

Outdoor Business Signs Are a Smart Investment

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date May 21, 2020
No Comments on Outdoor Business Signs Are a Smart Investment

Restaurant Storefront Sign By Michigan Custom Signs

Why are outdoor signs a smart investment? For starters, they offer a bold first impression for your customers. Second, they help drive foot traffic. Third, they allow your business to be seen all the time. Exterior signs work even better when they are visible during the day and throughout the night. If you install an illuminated sign, you receive 24/7 exposure.

Why Businesses Are Installing Custom Exterior Signs in Michigan

Build Trust

Improve your sales by building a strong brand presence. By portraying a consistent brand image, customers will begin to trust you. They will also start to recognize your brand and you will start to become top of mind.

Build a Professional Image

Installing custom exterior signs portrays a professional brand image. You incorporate your brand colors and corporate identity and really bring your brand to life. Lastly, you help to build a unified brand image. You want consistency in your services and your image. If you are offering high-level financial services, but you lack a professional brand image, it does not convey a consistent message. Your potential customers will wonder about the quality of service you offer if you care so little about how you portray yourself.

Stand Out from Your Competitors

Having a local business can be very competitive. Maybe you own a restaurant, a retail store, a professional service business or a recreational business. Either way, you realize standing out from your competitors can be hard. One way to create a bold impression is to opt for a custom business sign. Custom business signs can be created exactly to your liking.

What’s the Best Sign for My Business?

Channel letters

Channel letters are three-dimensional letters that are individually placed beside each other to spell out your company name. You can fully customize them to match your brand’s color and font. As well, they can be backlit or front-lit and provide unlimited exposure to your business. They also stick out vertically from the building and have a 3D effect. Making them very visible for anyone walking or driving by. They are commonly used at retail locations, restaurants, and shopping malls and are bold outdoor signs.

Custom Address Signs

Let your customers easily find your business by adding an exterior address sign. Have your unit number and company name displayed on a sign outside your location. This will help to easily navigate customers into your space. It also adds a level of professionalism. It shows that you care about your customers’ well-being.

Fascia Signs

These are signs with bold individual lettering that spell out your company name. You can add your corporate ID and request branded font and colors. Fascia signs are commonly seen on the exterior of sports stores, office buildings, and retail locations.

Awning Signs

Awnings signs are a great investment for a business. They are made of fabric and provide a cozy look for your restaurant or retail business. They are placed above your storefront and provide protection in harsh weather conditions.

Not sure what sign is the best investment for your business? Talk to the specialists at Michigan Signs for information on custom business signs in Michigan.

Uncategorized

Custom Banners Accelerate Sales and Promote Your Brand

Post author By Amit Soman
Post date May 18, 2020
No Comments on Custom Banners Accelerate Sales and Promote Your Brand

Have you ever wandered into a store because they had sales banners and signs outside promoting 50% off their entire store? Your answer is most likely yes! A good sale is hard to resist. You are also more likely to enter a store with a professional-looking sign rather than a handwritten sales note in the window. The professionally made sign promotes trust and shows that the company cares about its brand image.

Ways to Promote Your Michigan Business with Custom Banners

Announce your grand opening

If you are opening a new business or a new store location, you need to let the public know. By promoting your grand opening, you will attract a larger audience to attend your event and create buzz for your brand. In turn, this could help you increase sales. By creating a highly attractive and visible sign, you are enticing customers to want to learn more.A great way to promote your grand opening is to order custom vinyl banners to place outside your shop.

Promote a big sale

As mentioned above, banners work exceptionally well to promote sales. Whether you have a retail location in the mall or a location in an outdoor strip mall, sales banners attract foot traffic. If your sign is bold, easy to read, and professional-looking, then people walking or driving by will be enticed to visit your location. If 10,000 people drive by your location each week, that’s 10,000 impressions, and say 15% of those passengers visit your store. That’s 1,500 shoppers a week! In a month you could have 6,000 shoppers. That’s a large number of impressions for a one-time cost for a few custom vinyl banners. You could be spending thousands of dollars on TV or digital marketing ads and get a few conversions for a higher price. As well, this equation works the same way for businesses at trade show exhibitions. Companies that install trade show banners at exhibitions attract thousands of impressions. With thousands of potential customers at an event, you are bound to attract lots of sales with a professionally made trade show banner.

Attract more attention

One of the main reasons to work with a professional banner and sign company is to ensure that your sign is attractive, highly visible, easy to read and can withstand harsh weather conditions. You don’t want to have a banner sign that is hard to read or has glare. This will decrease your sign’s readability and customers walking or driving by will not be able to read your message. A professional sign company will know what materials to use to ensure the durability of outdoor signs. When a sign incorporates contrasting colors, brand messaging and professional printing you leave a lasting impression with your customers.

Contact Michigan Signs now to start creating your custom vinyl banner in Michigan today. Our team of graphic artists and sign consultants will help you from brainstorming all the way to setting up the finished product at your location.