Top Tips For Successful Vinyl Sign Design

Effective vinyl sign design looks deceptively simple, mainly because it’s easy on the eye. But there’s a lot more to achieving great vinyl sign design than you might imagine. If you’re looking to buy vinyl signs for your new business, or perhaps you’re thinking of giving your current premises a facelift, here are some tips to help you get the best from your graphic design company:

Where Will Your Sign Be Housed?

Before designing your vinyl sign, it’s important to decide where it will be used. Perhaps you want a sign for the main entrance, one for the reception area, graphics for your vehicle fleet, yet you need one specific design across all these communication channels. Where is your sign going? How close will your customers be when viewing it? Make sure your designer is clear about the purpose of your signage and the media it will be used on. Don’t let your graphic designer be like the poor designer who put together a logo in three shades of green, unaware that the client intended housing it on a low-lying grassy verge. Yes, really!

Use Contrasting Colours For Impact

Following on from the last tip, using contrasting colours within your colour scheme can really make your sign stand out. There are plenty of graphics sites on the Internet where you can get inspiration if you’re stuck for ideas.

Keep Your Message Simple

You want your sign to be seen. You want it to have impact. You don’t have the luxury of filling a web page or a magazine spread, where your customers are viewing your text from 18 inches away. You don’t have room to list all the benefits of doing business with your company. Keep your message short and uncluttered and it will have the desired effect.

The Right Font Can Make All The Difference

Using the right typography can give you a big advantage when it comes to vinyl signs. Professional fonts have varying weights your designer can use to give parts of your message emphasis and visibility. Ineffective signs are those where the same font face and weight of typography has been used throughout. Equally, the opposite can be true. We’ve all seen signs where practically every point is written in a different font, which looks most unprofessional.

Make Clever Use Of Blank Space

Just because you have a blank canvas doesn’t mean you have to fill all the available space. In keeping your vinyl sign relatively uncluttered, your message will leap out. Next time you watch a football match on TV (or other sponsored event if you don’t like football) notice how the advertising billboards make use of ‘white space’ to relay their messages. Even in something as fast moving as a Premiership game, you are still aware of the advertising amid the action, as the cameras pan up and down the pitch.

One of the main uses of vinyl signs is in fast-moving environments: either on the sides of vehicles moving at speed; or at road sides or industrial parks where there is passing traffic. To make your vinyl signs stand out and be noticed, keep the design aspect simple. Less is definitely more.

Vinyl Signs – the Ultimate in Versatility

What do your clients or customers think about your company when they first arrive at your office or showroom? What sort of impression does your signage give? Does it do your business justice?

Maybe you should ask your customers. Or perhaps you’ve been thinking for some time now that your signs could do with an upgrade. Perhaps they’re looking a little dull as compared to that new outfit that’s just moved in next door? You know it’s time for a change. You want something that gives your company kudos, yet doesn’t cost the earth.

The good news is, vinyl signs are one of the most versatile, yet cost-effective advertising solutions you could choose for your business. Your chosen design company can create exactly what you need easily – either from a disk or they can design it themselves in-house. Whichever you prefer.

Vinyl signs are a smart way of branding every aspect of your business, from your offices to your transport fleet. What’s more, you can take your branding with you on the road . . . to meetings, business events and exhibitions.

Rightly or wrongly, people judge us on our appearance and first impressions really do count, particularly in business, so having a well-planned, co-ordinated corporate identity is essential for every growing company.

The beauty of vinyl signs and graphics is that they can be used to enhance any high-gloss surface. Many businesses use vinyl to create custom window banners. They are the perfect way to advertise new products and services.

If your business uses a unique or intricate design pattern or logo, these can easily be replicated using clear vinyl stickers, on which the solid designs are printed. The signage looks very elaborate, but is in fact simple to install and totally affordable.

And of course for any commercial outfit, vehicle graphics are a must. Vinyl signs are quick to create and easy to apply. What could be better for business than having your entire fleet advertising your company wherever they go?

Vinyl signs are the most versatile, durable and cost-effective advertising solutions for businesses of all sizes. They’re easy to fit, will last for years, and give your business a professional edge.

10 Ways Banners Can Boost Your Business

Arguably no other outdoor media has the business advertising potential of banners. Promotional advertising banners are truly the most versatile of marketing mediums, equally suitable for attracting new customers and communicating with your present ones.
Available in a host of materials, colours and sizes, a vibrant banner proudly displaying your corporate logo and customised marketing message will deliver exactly the right impression and help you achieve your goals.

Here are 10 great ways you can make banner advertising work for your business.

Banners are great for:

1. New companies: telling people you’re now open for business.
2. Announcing a special event, invitation, or sale.
3. Spreading glad tidings or seasonal cheer at Christmas and other major holidays. Vinyl banners are a good option here since it’s particularly durable and weather resistant – you can use them again the following year without feeling like Scrooge!
4. Promotions, such as, "Buy One Get One Free".
5. Increasing your brand exposure, particularly if you’re new to the area.
6. Hiring new staff.  As well as attracting potential employees, a banner will signify that you’re a growing enterprise.
7. “Teaser” promotions in the run up to a marketing campaign. This can be a way of gaining a flock of intrigued followers prior to the launch. Banners are also excellent for building social media campaigns: ‘visit our Facebook page at . . .’
8. Trade shows and business events: a promotional banner will make your display more memorable and professional and attract lots of attention.
9. Reinforcing a marketing campaign that you're running through other media. A banner can double the effectiveness of your branding campaign by repeating your marketing message at the point of sale.

10.  Supporting local events. Sponsoring a local sports club or kids’ football team for example can be a great way to help the local community, while getting your business more widely known. Banner advertising is particular suitable for sports events and you could even offer to put your brand on the team’s shirts.
Competition in business can be tough these days, so it’s vital that you find innovative ways to market yourself and make your business stand out. Banners are a brilliant way to help you differentiate your brand and proposition and to inspire customer loyalty and repeat business. As you have seen from the ideas above, banners really are the most versatile and flexible of advertising solutions.

Use Banners to Give Your Business Advertising the Wow Factor!

Trade shows, networking events and expos can be the perfect opportunity to showcase your business and increase your brand’s visibility. One very effective way of doing this is through banner advertising. Banners are a proven and cost-efficient way of showcasing your business to a mobile audience. And because the costs of having a banner customized are comparatively reasonable compared to other forms of advertising say, it’s highly possible to interchange your messages frequently to reflect special events, deals and promotions.

So how do you give your advertising banners that Wow Factor?

Two words: Great design.

 A well thought out, creatively designed banner will attract lots of attention for your brand. Whereas something that has just been ‘thrown together’ and contains all the colours of the rainbow will reflect poorly on you. Remember, your banners will be the ‘face’ of your brand, so they will need to showcase your business in a positive light.

To get the best from your banner designer, first you will need to define its purpose. Namely to capture the attention of your passing visitors and to communicate the essence of what your business offers.

A reputable banner designer will help you achieve exactly the right look for your purpose. He or she will work closely alongside you to attain a good understanding of your business, your target audience and your present aims. Your designer will then employ that knowledge to designing your banner.

Here are a few basic tips to make sure your banner stands out from the masses:

Your design should be simple, clean and professional.

One or two colours tend to look more stylish than multiple colours.

Keep your message brief and to the point. Make sure it tells your visitors what you want them to do at the event: sign-up; call; visit, or whatever.

Use the best quality materials you can afford – they’re representing your business and what it stands for.

Providing your message isn’t date-related, a banner can be used multiple times, so it provides a solid investment for the future.

Working with an experienced and reputable banner design company can make a huge difference to the quality of the end product. In buying quality materials you can reuse and by utilizing the skills of a competent design company, your advertising banners will say everything you want to say about your brand, and the advertising will pay for itself many times over.

How To Fit Your Floor Graphics in 7 Easy Steps

Floorgraphics are easy to lay and will give you months of great service, providing you take the time to prepare your floor beforehand.

Here are some simple tips to ensure you get the best results from your application:

1.     For a perfect finish, your floor must be thoroughly cleaned and degreased before fitting your graphics. Floor detergent is fine for this purpose, or you may use a solvent-based cleaner that is free from silicone or oil additives. For the degreasing, use white spirit or Isopropyl alcohol. Use a plain lint-free cloth for polishing up the floor surface.

2.     Turn the graphic face down and place on a flat surface. Starting with the top edge, peel back 30mm of film or backing paper, crease it and return to the original position. Do not touch the adhesive with your hands.

3.     Move the graphic to the starting position and fix the top edge with 2” masking tape – half on the floor and half on your graphic. Check the alignment and when satisfied, lift your graphic and ease away 30mm of the backing. In stages, peel away the remaining backing 100mm (6”) at a time. Use a flat squeegee blade to wipe downwards and outwards until the graphic is securely in place. When removing the masking tape, gently ease it across the film at an angle rather than at 90 degrees.

4.     Prick any ‘bubbles’ using a needle or scalpel, then wipe down.

5.     Most adhesives form a stronger bond when warm. The recommended temperature range for fitting is 15C-25C. If working in colder conditions, bonding can be aided by the gentle use of a hot air gun on the film as it is being applied.

6.     Avoid walking on, cleaning, or otherwise disturbing your newly-applied graphics for 48 hours afterward.

7.     Do not use aggressive cleaning agents on your graphics. Graphics are designed to be removed up to one year later without leaving any residue.

Floor graphics are perfect for most types of floor, but are not recommended for the following:

 Irregular floor surfaces

 Textile carpets and mats

 Waxy, rough or porous ceramic tiles or wooden floors

 Rubber matting

 Soft PVC matting

  Marble floors – discolouration may result

Now you know how easy it is to lay eye-catching floor graphics, consider using them for your  next instore or outdoors promotion. With floor graphics it’s easy to create dynamic visual advertising your customers will respond to.

Make Your Mark in Business With Floor Graphics

Eye-catching floor graphics are an innovative way for your customers to find you at trade shows, exhibitions and shopping centres. They’re also perfect for instore promotions, product launches, niche marketing, local and national marketing campaigns, social media promotions . . . you name it.

Compared with traditional advertising media like press, radio and TV advertising, floor graphics are a relatively low-cost way to get your brand message across to a wider audience.

As a much under-utilised advertising space, your floors are a brilliant way to jazz up advertising promotions and special offers. Although to some extent, floor graphics have made great strides over the past few years (pardon the pun), as an advertising resource they are still considerably under-used.

People are used to seeing ads at head height, but when you are walking and catch a glimpse of something on the floor or pavement, your eyes are naturally drawn to it, so there is an element of surprise. Just think of some of the creative ways you could make a splash using floor graphics for your next campaign.

Floor graphics are created with a protective laminate on top to protect them, so they should last you anywhere between 6 months to 1 year. Do check with your supplier that the materials used have anti-slip qualities, as you don’t want to be responsible for someone getting injured.

You can also install floor graphics outdoors, which is great for garden centres, open air events, concerts – and they’re ideal for kids’ events like treasure hunts.

There are numerous benefits to using floor graphics to advertise your brand. The main ones are that they are:

Cost effective

Easy to apply and remove

Scratch resistant

Customisable

Floor graphics provide a myriad of marketing possibilities for the resourceful entrepreneur or business owner, so get creative with next advertising campaign and see where it leads you. This is definitely one occasion when you won’t mind your customers walking all over you!

Trade Shows Can Be Great For Business – Setting Out Your Stall Needn’t Break the Bank

You’re not sure whether to book space at a trade show, because, well . . . it’s expensive isn’t it? Even once the space itself is paid for, setting up a well-designed display can be costly.

But it doesn’t have to be . . .

Before you consider splashing out on a new trade show display booth you may only use once, why not consider enhancing an old one with banner stands instead. Banner frames are one of the most versatile of advertising display solutions. They’re cost-effective, creative and guaranteed to attract attention to your brand.

Easy to transport and erect, banner frames are the perfect partner for your banner advertising. The other great thing about using banner frames is that they versatile and flexible, light enough to manouvre easily, yet sturdy enough to keep your banners in place.

They made a real impact wherever your brand is displayed. Do make sure your frame is made from anodised aluminium, as it will not tarnish like mill-finish aluminium or rust like steel, ensuring years of hard-wearing service.

Companies need the visibility of trade shows to boost industry contacts and introduce new products to the marketplace. In tough economic times, it’s easy for businesses – particularly small businesses – to hold back, rather than commit further expenditure in uncertain climates. However it’s been proven that the businesses that fair best are those who continue to forge ahead.

Professional trade shows are an ideal way to find more customers and launch new products. In determining your main goal beforehand, you will be able to purchase precisely the right banner frame for your needs.

Thinking long term will also make your money go further. Unlike other forms of advertising displays, there are many ways you can utilise your banner frames after the trade show, rather than leaving it gathering dust.

You can use it for business meetings, conferences, or anywhere where your target audience is likely to frequent (with relevant permissions of course.) Perhaps a local hotel houses a monthly business breakfast briefing. Might you be able to arrange to set up your banner stand in the hotel reception? Or in the meeting room itself?

With a little imagination you should be able to find a host of alternative uses for your banner frame in between exhibitions.

With proper planning and the flexibility of interchangeable messages, your banner frame and display will prove a great investment for your company that will go on paying dividends long after the trade show has left town.

How to Choose the Right Banner Frame For Your Advertising Needs

There are many different models of banner frames and stands on the market, so there’s bound to be one that’s just right for your needs.

Here’s an overview of some of the most popular types of banner frames and their uses:

Tension Banner Frames

This popular free-standing display can be assembled in around 2-3 minutes, and allows you to interchange banner graphics in seconds, giving you the opportunity to vary your marketing message at will. And when you’ve finished for the day, it simply packs away in a carry bag or lightweight tube. For ease, convenience and flexibility, a tension banner frame is exactly what you need.

Roller Banner Frames

There are many different models of roller banner, but each comprises the same three major elements: the base, the poles and of course, the graphics. If you can, it’s worth opting for the mid-priced range rather than the ‘budget’ range, as you will get a more substantial and harder-wearing product for your money –  a life which can be as long as 10 years and of course you will get a longer guarantee.

When speed is of the essence a roller banner comes into its own, taking less than one minute to assemble and pack away! 

Cassette Banner Frames

This is really a roller banner frame with one huge extra benefit: you can change your marketing messages at any time, by simply changing over the cassette. Change your advertising every week if you want!

Stylish in structure, cassette banner stands are impressive to look at and actually appear to be more expensive than they are, which is great for the consumer. They’re perfect for businesses that have several different offices, as you can easily customise each stand to reflect the various locations. The other boon is that you can further customise your stand with corporate colours for the end faces, as well as enjoying lighting options.

Outdoor Banner Frames

The ultimate in durability and strength, outdoor banner frames are designed to thrive in the most inclement of outdoors environments, making them perfect for year-long outdoor advertising. They will often be set in a moulded base, which you can fill with sand or water, making them particularly suitable for areas where there is a heavy traffic flow or steady footfall. The materials used in your banner will be fade-resistant and generally guaranteed for three years.

Choosing the right banner frame for your needs is paramount. You don’t want to waste time and money on something that won’t serve your purpose, so it’s best to consult with the banner design company prior to placing your order. Their experienced design team should be able to advise you on the most suitable product for your requirements.