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No Comments Artistic Sign Design – Radiant Orchid Is The 2014 Pantone Colour Of The Year
Passionate For Purple
When Pantone announced the 2014 Colour Of The Year would be Radiant Orchid, it was described as an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones. This a very fresh and young colour which often see in Florals, Easter Jelly Beans, and suprisingly enough Celebrity Hairstyles.
Out With The Old
Last year Emerald made a impact as the 2013 Colour Of The Year with it’s bold jewel tones and striking vibrancy. With a much paler tone being added to the Pantone’s yearly collection, it will interesting to see if designers will take an understated artistic approach to including Radiant Orchid into their upcoming design projects.
Artistic Sign Design
Our expert sign makers have already found a way to incorporate shades of purple into their artistic sign designs. They chose to lighten up a 3 dimensional Christmas display this year with a lavender colour that looks very close to Radiant Orchid.
Adding pops of colour can give signs and designs an extra punch that can aid with visibilty and make it memorable. Adding too much of a good thing can have the opposite effect. You want to avoid your artistic designs from becoming eye-sores. Remember that less is more when it comes to logos and signs. Think of the message you want to convey and how colours and fonts can give you the results you are looking for. All of these choices are a representation of your brand.
If you’re not sure of the colour scheme for your custom sign? Then talk to one of our expert sign makers. Visit our Contact Us page and while you’re there be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to be sure you are up to date with the lastest trends in sign design and get a behind the scenes look at what happens in a custom sign workshop.
3 Dimensional Signs Are A Smashing Pixels Success
Adding Dimension To Your Custom Business Signs
With winter just around the corner, now is a good time to look at your interior signs. They are one of the first things that your clients see upon entering your establishment, so be sure to leave them with a memorable image of what your company represents. The best way to stand out is to have a 3 dimensional sign custom crafted for your office interior.
Making A Branding Move
One of the best times to work on your business branding is when your company is moving locations. This was the case for Smashing Pixels. Smashing Pixels, a digital marketing and website design agency located in Brantford Ontario, was in the midst of moving their office when we first heard from Kevin Magee. Kevin was looking for custom dimensional sign with the Smashing Pixels logo that fit with the brand both he and Trevor Cherewka created in the Brantford business community. Trevor is no stranger to The Sign Depot either, take a look below when he first visited our workshop for our inaugural designers’ demo day (you can see Trevor’s comments at the 40 second mark in the video below)
With both Kevin and Trevor looking to give their office a professional look, the Smashing Pixels 3 dimensional office sign took shape.
Below are a few images of Smashing Pixels sign being crafted here in our Sign Depot workshop.
The Smashing Pixels sign was a mix of sign substrates. It began with a sandblasted cedar backer
Followed by custom cut acrylic letters mounted to the cedar backer. The combination of wood and acrylic adds dimension and interest to the sign.
The sign was then installed at their new location at Dunsdon St. in Brantford.
Business Signs And Branding
Just like the Smashing Pixels team can help with your online digital branding, we want to assist you in all aspects of your offline branding through our custom signs. If you require any additional info about 3 dimensional signs be sure to send us a tweet, message us on facebook or send an email through our Contact Us page.
Top Five Reasons Why You Should Hire A Professional Business Sign Maker
Why Hire A Professional Business Sign Maker?
There are several reasons why you should only trust your business signs to a professional sign maker, but we thought we should shorten the list and give you the Top Five
Top Five Reasons Why Your Should Hire A Professional Sign Maker
- They will work with you throughout the entire sign making process for your company signs Whether you just need a exterior store sign or a complete sign solution package, (IE exterior signs, interior signs, vehicle graphics, point of purchase signs) they will take care of you business signage needs from start to finish
- Professional business sign makers know about sign regulations They can prepare your sign permit documents and let you know what you can and cannot do in regards to signs for your area. Sign permits vary depending on local by-law and zoning specifications, only a professional sign maker can ensure your signs are designed within the proper parameters.
- A professional sign maker will respect your budget This can help keep your spending costs down while still representing your company with a professional looking business sign.
- Hiring a professional business sign maker gives you a lot of choice Sign professionals are experts when it comes to helping you choose the best materials and finishes to give your business signs a professional look and long-lasting durabilty.
- When you look good, they look good We always say here at The Sign Depot “A Good Sign, Is The Sign Of A Good Business” we believe this to apply to our company as well. Any projects the expert sign makers here complete are a reflection on this company as well. We always want to put our best foot forward.
We Are Happy To Help
If you have any further questions about professional sign making, feel free to reach out us via Twitter, Facebook or our Contact Us page.
Keep Your Custom Cottage Signs In Tip Top Shape And Other Cottage Closing Tips
5 Websites To Help You Close Your Cottage For The Winter
Wondering how to close your cottage for the winter? We have compiled a list of 5 websites with great information on how to properly close your cottage, cabin, or lake house property for the year.
- Cottage Life – Gives a thourough two day plan on how to close a cottage
- Cottage Tips – Has tips on both your interior and exterior property winterization
- Canada Safety Council – Helps to prevent break ins and loss of property during the off season
- Canoe.ca – Cottage Home & Property Showcase – Provides info on how to keep critters out of your cottage
- Canadian Home Trends – Adds a great checklist for those closing down their cottage for the winter
One More Cottage Tip
If you have a custom wood cottage signs, there are a few steps you can take to add longevity to your cedar signs.
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Wash it with soap and water. A mild liquid dish detergent will do the trick
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Let it dry
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Give it a polish with a spray car wax (ie Turtle Wax)
This will add luster to the wood sign and serve as a protectant against the winter elements.
In the spring just wash off the wax coat and you are good to go. Our custom paint finishes last for approximately 7-10 years depending on the area your cottage sign is located and how much sun it gets. After that we suggest bringing it in for refurbishing. Refurbishing means we sand it down to remove the flaking paint and then recoat the cedar sign with brand new paint. Your sign will look like new!
Looking for ideas for custom cedar cottage signs? There are lots of personalization options to choose from. Be sure to visit our CONTACT US page to connect with one of our expert signmakers.
3 Dimensional Augmented Reality Created From Retail Signs – Augtober
Adding A Layer To Business Signs
If you have been watching our Twitter page you may already know we have been talking a lot about Augmented Reality this October and have renamed the month Augtober. Here at The Sign Depot we relentlessly strive to stay at the cusp of signage technology. This allows us to offer our clients an abundance of choices when it come to their custom business signs. The development of Augmented Reality, sometimes known as AR, has found a way to take 2 dimensional images and turn them into a 3 dimensional signage experience. If you are wondering how AR works, it is a layering process, where a marker is embedded into a sign. By using a smartphone app, people are able to see the sign brought to life. It is best explained in the article 10 things you need to know about augmented reality
Markers work by having software recognise a particular pattern, such as a barcode or symbol, when a camera points at it, and overlaying a digital image at that point on the screen. If the image is three-dimensional or animated, the effect is of a digital experience unfolding on the surface upon which the pattern is printed.
In an earlier post 3 Dimensional Augmented Reality And The Sign Industry we showed how Marvel was using Augmented Reality with their retail signs to bring superheroes into the store. This creates a unique shopping experience and makes it memorable to those browsing the aisles. Once again retaliers have engaged a younger audience in their locations by launching a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Augmented Reality campaign involving their business signs. You can see it highlighted at the end of this video
Want to talk more about 3 Dimensional Augmented Reality Created From Retail Signs? Send a tweet to @TheSignDepot and include the hashtag #Augtober
We would love to hear your thoughts about it!
Custom Painting And Creating One Of Kind Artistic Signs
Are You Unique?
Being a custom sign shop we are always looking for unique ways to create custom artistic signs. Many of our signs have custom paint finishes to make them a one of a kind sign. Custom painting is something that has had a cultural impact throughout history and is still carried over to modern day.
Custom Sign Painting
The crew here at The Sign Depot had the opportunity to view the film Sign Painters, which was glimpse into the world of handpainted signs. (FYI there is a swear word or two in this trailer- don’t say we didn’t warn you).
SIGN PAINTERS (OFFICIAL TRAILER) from samuel j macon on Vimeo.
The film showed how historic sign painting techniques are still used today, but the real star of the film is 1 Shot Paint, something we use almost daily here in our workshop.
But I am sure all of our expert sign makers will agree with what the painter in the trailer said “I want to make signs that turn into art”
Spray Painting With Airbrush Techniques
Another great custom painting technique is airbrushing. We often use it for backgrounds on our custom wood signs. This paint finish can provide overall coverage or colour fades just like the skyline in this cottage sign below.
Airbrush techniques are often used in several variations of street art as well.
From the Las Vegas Strip
To a very popular graffiti artist
To learn more about how street artist Bansky pranked passers-by in Central Park take a look at the Colossal post about the Unannouced Art Sale (a big thanks goes to Unmarketing’s Scott Stratten for bringing this amazing post to our attention!)
Even we have taken to spray painting techniques outside the shop. Below is a time lapse of stencil and spray paint sign technique (you can see it happening mid-way through the video) and although we don’t get many opportunities for this kind of sign work we always jump at the chance to try something new.
Creating A Custom Look
The expert sign makers here at The Sign Depot have several other custom sign painting techniques to ensure your sign has a unique finish and creates an impact. If you are looking for something vintage and weathered, or modern with a high gloss finish, they can achieve a one of kind look for your artistic sign. Once you have an idea of your sign project be sure to visit our Contact Us page in order to receive your quote. Looking for more ideas? Search around our website, blog, facebook page, and pinterest boards for some inspiration.
Do You Notice The Signs? A Community Involvement Project
The Sign Depot Survey
The Sign Depot Survey was created to see how signs are perceived. We posted our survey to online community and responses were complied into the infographic below. As you can see the importance of a clear sign has an impact on how your business is viewed and how memorable your establishment is. This is our interpretation of what the responses mean.
How Often Do You Notice Signs On Your Daily Travels? Very Often was the response that ranked the highest. To learn more about getting noticed by the traffic in your area make sure to read our post You Want To Go Where Everyone Knows Your Name
Does The Size Of The Sign Make It More Noticeable? The popular answer to this question was Yes. There are many different measurents involved when it comes to letter size and installation height. Find out more by reading Visibility Is Key
How Likely Would You Enter A Store That Had A Sign In Poor Condition? Business owners take note! Most said it would they would NOT LIKELY visit your location if your sign is in poor condition. Think of your store front sign as your first impression. Custom business signs are very important to your company’s brand.
How Do you Find Out About New Businesses In Your Area? We asked those participating in the survey to choose all the answers that apply. It was no surprise to us that A Coming Soon Sign, Social Media and From A Friend were at the top of the list. We believe the best way to build buzz about a new business is with signage, social media and referrals!
When You Give Directions Do You Use Landmarks? The majority answered yes that they do use landmarks to give directions. Having a memorable landmark on your property is another way to get your name out there.
What Is Your Favorite Colour? This was more just for curiosity sake, but you may want to keep the colours in mind when it comes to your company logo.
Thanks to everyone answered our questions we appreciate your community involvement!
Top Ten Picks For Custom Wood Signs And Personalized Christmas Gifts
Be Prepared For The Holiday Season With Custom Signs And Personalized Gifts
Even though we are still far from the winter season, always have the gift giving season in mind. We thought we would give you some ideas for those on your shopping list. Sending a custom sign or personalized gift can be a great way to do your Christmas shopping without ever having to step into mall.
Top 10 Picks For This Christmas
Because all of our signs are custom built in our workshop, the possibilities are almost endless. Here are our top picks for the upcoming Christmas season.
1. Custom Wood Cottage Signs – Our custom sandblasted cedar signs are always a great choice for the cottagers on your Christmas list. You choose the size, shape, colour, text and graphics. We have requests for scenery, pets and even unicorns!
2. Stone Garden Signs – If you know someone with a green thumb, then you know how much they would appreciate a stone garden sign or a granite path marker. These items have the choice of text and graphic with one paint colour choice
3. Residential Welcome Signs – Always ensure your are welcome to great holiday events! Welcome signs and address numbers are fantastic presents for new home owners and also great hostess gifts
4. Interior Bar and Pub Signs – Do you know someone who takes pride in their bar, den or “man cave”? Perhaps a pub-style sign of their favorite beverage company would that finishing touch.
5. Family Heirlooms – Looking for something to pass down from generation to generation? A Moirs Toboggan may do the trick! Add a family crest to your Moirs Toboggan to personalize this winter themed gift.
6. Handcrafted Games – If you are looking for one of kind gift, we have our new toss games added to our lineup of custom wood gifts. These can be manufactured with any graphic which makes them great for corporate gifts and organization fundraising games.
7. Wall Decals – Our vinyl wall decals can easily transform any room. Why not give the recipient the gift of their favorite quote? They are easy to ship and can be applied without any hardware required.
8. Interior Decor Items – Big or small we can create 3 dimensional decor items and artistic signs that fit the bill. Whether it is natural stained wood or a custom finished ornamental piece our designers will find what fits with your decorating scheme.
9. Personalized Chalkboards – These make great kitchen gifts for aspiring chefs and creative cooks! They are also fantastic for kids. You never know what the little aspiring artists will come up with. With two options of handpainted chalkboards and projects with chalkboard vinyl we are sure you will find something that meets your needs and your budget.
10. Recognition Awards – Need gifts for your corporate donors, staff or maybe your sports team? Our custom recognition awards are always well received and show how much you appreciate receipients.
Have another idea in mind? Visit our Contact Us page and connect with one of our expert signmakers. As you can see by the image below we can create any Holly Jolly Christmas gifts to fit your gift-giving style and even some that may have trouble fitting under the tree!
Christmas Is Coming!
Are you wondering why we are talking about Christmas already? We want to ensure your order is completed and arrives in time. Custom signs require a lot of detail and we want to exceed your expectations when it comes to our craftsmanship, so be sure to order early and make this a holiday season to remember.
Adding Chalkboard Vinyl To Custom Signs And Other Custom Interior Items
Heading Back To School
With feeling of fall in the air and the children heading back to school to work on their ABC’s, we thought we would take this opportunity to give you a few lessons on adding chalkboard to your custom interior signs and other items.
Chalkboard Signs
Here at The Sign Depot we are quite familiar with chalkboard paint and how it can be used for custom sign applications. Using chalkboard paint to create an artistic sign in can be very labour intensive. There are many quick at home do it yourself chalkboard paint tutorials, but is a lot of sanding, priming and painting required in order to give a custom interior sign a professional look.
If you don’t require an actual board we have second option to help customize your signs and other custom interior items. We have added Chalkboard Vinyl to our lineup of vinyl products. Chalkboard vinyl is quick way to add an artistic element to your custom signs decor items. It is especially handy for those that are constantly changing their specials on for their business. It gives you the flexibility to change menu items, add some quick messaging and add daily deals without creating a new sign each day.
It would be great for signs in
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Car dealerships
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Anyone looking to re-use their signs while frequently changing up the items they offer
Unique Ways To Use Chalkboard Vinyl
Looking for other unique uses for Chalkboard Vinyl? We created a Pinterest Board to give you some inspiration! The board shows many projects created with chalkboard paint, but we think they would look just as great if chalkboard vinyl was used for these items. Head over to Uses For Chalkboard Vinyl Pinterest Board and see what inspires you!
How To Get A Chalkboard Vinyl Sign Designed?
Wondering how to get a custom Chalkboard Vinyl sign designed? Contact our Ben our Vinyl Master by emailing Ben@sign-depot.on.ca and he will be able to prepare your custom quote and let you know all the options you have when it comes to temporary custom signs created with vinyl!
3 Dimensional Signs and Sculptural Structures
We Had A Barrel Of Fun Creating This 3 Dimensional Sign Structure
Here at The Sign Depot we are always looking for ways to add creativity to signs. 3 dimesional signs are a great way to customize and transform a sign into a creative sign structure. When we were approached by Souvenir City to create a custom photo booth we went all out to make sure that the sign not only served the purpose as a photo opp spot, but also to build an eye-catching scuplture. As you can see in the pics below we had a barrel of fun with this custom sign.
From Design To 3 Dimensional Sign
This sign project began with an in-house designed metal structure with attached High Density Urethane (sign foam) pieces carved to create a Niagara Falls scene for the photo booth.
The sign foam was pieced together to look like a barrel headed over Niagara Falls. After assembly, the sign structure was coated with epoxy to harden it and make it durable.
Next it was time to give the 3 dimensional sign structure a custom paint finish. It started with dark base colours to give the the custom structure depth.
After the base colours were dry, lighter colours were applied to add highlights and add to the dimensional look.
A final coat was added to the barrel to instantly age the sculpture. The rust finish technique was exactly what the barrel needed to make it feel vintage.
When CTV News Channel contributor Neil Hedley and his wife Tatiana stopped by, we decided to give the photo booth a test run. The look on their faces is priceless!
The next steps included fabricating the top portion of the photo booth and manufacturing a Niagara Falls sign that would be affixed to the top of the sign structure.
The sign structure travelled to Niagara Falls where our expert sign makers installed the photo booth and added the Niagara Falls Canada sign.
If you happen to stop at Souvenir City Headquarters make sure to tweet us a pic of you in their new photo booth!
To see the project evolve in more detail take a look at the gallery below. As you can see this sign project really “stands out”. If you are interested in having your business stand out, make sure to visit our CONTACT US page let us know about your future signage plans. We’ll be sure to get your project quoted asap and perhaps our next post will be about YOU!
