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Community Involvement Haiti Relief – How Dollarama Helps Me, Help Haiti (cross post)

Community Involvement And How It Involves The Sign Depot

This is a cross post orginally from http://www.thesunshineisin.blogspot.com

Written by Lisa one of the employees here at The Sign Depot. The building we are now located in is a drop off centre for this 50 Ottawa St S. Kitchener Ont Enter on the Charles St side of the building. When you drop off your donation please come in and see us! Lisa would love to meet you and thank you for reading and responding to this. ——————————

I feel the world finally learning to rally to help those in need. I know there is so much more that can be done, but this is my contribution.

Dollarama Stuff Yes you heard right stuff from Dollarama will help those in need. Yesterday @Flourishflorals tweeted this link http://mcc.org/kits/relief Which had this info ————– MCC is asking for donations of 20,000 relief kits as part of its response to the Haiti earthquake. Thank you for joining this response. Relief kits provide valuable supplies to families traumatized by war and disasters. In recent years, kits have been sent to Iraq, Gaza, Bosnia, Serbia, Nepal, Mozambique, Indonesia and Honduras.

Contents (NEW items only) 4 large bars bath soap (leave in wrapping) 1 plastic bottle shampoo (380-710ml / 13-24oz; place bottle in a re-sealable plastic bag) 4 large bars of laundry soap (Some stores carry Fels Naptha, Sunlight or Zote brands; contact your local MCC warehouse with questions) 1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml / 6oz; leave in box) 4 adult-size toothbrushes (leave in packaging) 4 new bath towels (medium weight, dark or bright colors) 2 wide-tooth combs(6 to 8in / 15 to 20cm) 1 fingernail clipper 1 box adhesive bandages (minimum 40, assorted) 1 package sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi) Place contents in a box or bag and deliver to one of the drop-off locations in Canada or the U.S. The kit will be re-packed in a new 5-gallon plastic pail with lid. ———— Looking at the list I realized I can purchase a majority of it at Dollarama. So that’s what I did!I got everything except the laundry soap bars. They have them, but they are unwrapped, so I’ll get some at the grocery store tomorrow.I spent less than $20 for all of this.I hope to drop it off early this week(the site lists all the drop off locations)So even when you think you’re little donation is just a drop in the bucket, look how much my drop will provide!

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3 Dimensional Signs – Creating A Landmark Sign

Creating a Landmark – Souvenir City Vase

 
The best signs make you stop and take notice, they draw you in for a closer look.
Souvenir City located in Niagara Falls Ontario commissioned us make a sign for their glass blowing studio. What better sign could we make other than a 3 dimensional sign replica as a vase.
 
We have created a variety of unusual signs for this client from a chain saw carved bear and moose to a Mountie on his horse perched high above the road way.
 
Every year thousands of tourist are drawn in to pose and snap pictures in front of the signs – photo mementos of a falls vacation. These landmark signs are serve as eye-catching advertisements for the store and attract new customers daily. The use of 3 dimensional signs has made an impact on their business and by continuing with their 3 dimensional sign trend they were able to put focus on the new facet of their business without taking away from their already established brand.
 
Wondering how you go about making a go about making a giant vase? Here’s how we did it. 3 Dimensional Signs - The Sign Depot
 
First, we built a arm powered lathe to accommodate the huge foam shape.  
 
 
3 Dimensional Signs - The Sign DepotThe handles were made from High Density sign foam and covered in fiberglass fior extended durability
  3 Dimensional Signs - The Sign Depot

Next a welded steel super structure was manufactured to keep the dimensional sign centred and rigid. This was attached to a fabricated mounting plate.

    3 Dimensional Signs - The Sign Depot

 

The turned vase was then installed onto the steel post and surface coated in two layers of 6oz. woven fiberglass cloth to begin the custom sign finishing process

3 Dimensional Signs - The Sign Depot A complete sanding and filling to smooth the surface 3 Dimensional Signs - The Sign Depot

 

Finally, a crack paint job by Dave to replicate the character of translucent glass. A clear UV top coat to hold the colour, and wax to accentuate the shine on our latest sign prop.

Once this 3 dimensional signs was done and installed it was hard to miss. This is where custom sculptural signs come into play for your company’s findability and wayfinding sign solutions. They become a focal point for passers-by.  These 3 dimensional signs get you noticed and make your business memorable.

 Even while we were installing this signs folks were stopping by getting their picture taken in front of the vase. They would then make their way into the store and exit with bags in hand.  The 3 dimensional vase was already proving to be a worthwhile advertising investment.

Landmark Signs - The Sign Depot - 3 Dimensional Signs

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Custom Wood Cottage Signs At Christmas

Custom Wood Cottage Sign - The Sign Depot

Cottage Signs for Christmas

 
Over the years we have created many, many cottage signs as Christmas gifts. Custom Wood signs from The Sign Depot are made from western red cedar, known for being rot-resistant and durable in all outdoor weather conditions.  Pairing that with our custom paint finishes for signs, our Traditional Wood Signs Are Personalized To Suit You! Plus you have an abundance of choice when it comes to creating a custom wood cottage sign.  Our sandblasted and carved signs provide you with an artistic sign that is sure to be appreciated as a gift this Christmas. Here is a sample of this year’s custom sandblasted cedar sign projects.
 
 
Tip
 
Your carved cedar sign should last forever – at least out last you.
Resin in western red cedar is naturally very rot resistant. But, your sign can become dull looking from a build-up of grime and dirt.
Simply wash with warm soapy water to remove dirt and top coat with spray on car wax for a clear protective water repelling finish.
 
15min once a year will keep your sign looking good
 
* Do not use high pressure washer to clean your sign as this will damage wood and finish.
 
 
Custom Wood Sandblasted Sign - The Sign Depot
Custom Cedar Signs - The Sign Depot
Custom Wood Cottage Sign - The Sign Depot
Custom Wood Cottage Sign - The Sign DepotCustom Wood Lake Sign - The Sign Depot
 
We hope the above examples give you some gift giving ideas. As you can see there is no limit to the type of sign we can make.  You pick the size, shape, text, graphics and colours to give your cedar cottage sign a personalized engraved look.  To see more wooden signs that we have made, take a look at the portfolio page on The Sign Depot website.
Is there someone on your list that would appreciate a Custom Wood Cottage Sign At Christmas?
If so, make sure to visit our contact us page and start arranging your custom cedar sign.
From us to you – Happy Holidays
The Sign Depot - Logo

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Re-purposed Doon Twines Business Building And The Sign Depot, A Good Move For Custom Signs

Re-purposed - The Sign Depot

Moving due to an expired lease, we have taken the opportunity to reassess Sign Depot. Where do we want to be? What kind of company do we want to be? How do we want to service our customers going forward? What do we want to look like within the sign market and to our customers?
 
 
 
Re-purposed - The Sign Depot
 
 
 
All big questions and while daunting at first, it is a revitalizing
 
belly-button gazing exercise. We will continue to redefinte who we are and what we do.
 
 
 
Over the past month we have slowly and steadily moved into our new crib. Directly across from the old location we are still located at the corner of Borden and Charles but now south…about 200 ft.
 
The heritage space we choose to work in influences the custom work we produce. We look for, and create work spaces that inspire us, have a story, and inevitably say something about us.
We have chosen Kitchener’s historic Doon Twines building as our next shop/studio. A grand factory from the early 1900’s that wears the history of it’s workers like smile wrinkles of a experienced traveller. Boot polished hardwood floors, sturdy steel rivet I-beams, soring steel truss vaulted ceilings and sky-lite work area’s. This building has a straight forward honesty, it’s structure is not hidden, beams and braces are exposed and understood.
 
Artistic sign design shares these structural attributes. Good design makes sense with a clear message and materials reflecting the business and suggesting a story you want to know more about.
 
We look forward to working within Doon Twines to create some of our best work.
 
 
We thought it would be a good idea to capture some behind the scenes photos from our new space to serve as memento of this chapter here at The Sign Depot. One day we can look back and see how we evolved within this re-purposed factory.
 
Re-purposed - The Sign Depot Re-purposed - The Sign Depot

Re-purposed - The Sign Depot

Re-purposed - The Sign Depot Re-purposed - The Sign Depot
Re-purposed - The Sign Depot
Re-purposed - The Sign Depot
Re-purposed - The Sign Depot
Re-purposed - The Sign Depot Re-purposed - The Sign Depot Re-purposed - The Sign Depot Re-purposed - The Sign Depot
 

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Signs Of Kindness – Random Act Of Kindness Day Friday Nov 13 2009

How Kitchener Waterloo Is Celebrating Something Different This Friday The 13th

I know that some are superstitious about this day and others make their way to Port Dover, but this Friday the 13th in Kitchener-Waterloo (Waterloo Region for the out of towners) is Random Act of Kindness Day! A day where you do-good for others and create some smiles wherever you are headed today. I’m headed into The Sign Depot office, so that means my lucky co-workers are getting donuts from me! Shhhh don’t tell, I haven’t arrived yet.

Did You Show A Sign Of Kindness Today?

What are you doing for Random Act of Kindness Day? Make sure you show signs of kindness to those around you.  It doesn’t take much effort and it can make a big difference in someone’s day.  To learn more about visit the Random Act Of Kindness Day website. Community Involvement is a priority at The Sign Depot, and we hope other businesses and individuals understand how important kindess and caring is to a keep a community thriving . Finding ways to add kindness initiatives in companies, schools, community centres and so many more local establishments is the best way to keep the friendly local spirit alive where you live. Let us know what you are doing to get your workplace involved in your local community. They say smiling is contagious. It can lead to other great things like volunteering, charity and a feeling of accomplishment. Make sure you show you signs of kindness to everyone you meet today and hopefully you want to carry it on throughout the whole year. Who knows what a little kindness can spark, or in my case what a dozen Tim Horton donuts will bring?

 By sharing information and ideas……

……. something tells me we’re all in for something good

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Artistic Sign Displays

 Sign Displays For The Restaurant Industry

Restaurants are always looking for unique ways to add decor elements to their interiors.  Finding ways to enhance a restaurant’s interior with artistic sign designs that compliment the establishment’s atmosphere is one of the many signs solutions we offer to our clients.

Eyecatching Artistic Sign Displays

When The Charcoal Group brought us the concept behind Wildcraft Grill And Bar we knew they wanted sofisticated signs for interior that complimented their exterior business signs.   Choosing to create a display stand showcasing their extensive wine bar was a way to add a wayfinding sign that fit the surrounding decor. 

Artistic Sign Displays - The Sign Depot - Wildcraft

Restaurant Reveal

Wildcraft Grill And Bar was well received by Waterloo Region.  It continues to be a thriving restaurant where people enjoy the atmosphere just as much as the menu.  By adding a few artistic sign displays, this establishment keeps their customer well informed of what to expect and where they should be headed next, to fully experience all their restaurant has to offer.

Artistic Signs - The Sign Depot - Wildcraft

 

Choose Your Signs Wisely

Remember to keep your restaurant signs clear.  They serve a purpose, but if it doesn’t reflect the atmosphere it can end up looking cluttered and confusing.  When deciding on sign displays consider these factors

  • Does it serve a purpose?
  • Will it compliment the surroundings?
  • Where will it be located?

These are key elements to creating sign displays.  You want to highlight certain aspects of your businesses without taking away from the look and feel of your interior design. 

For more information on how The Sign Depot can help you with your restaurant sign solutions make sure to talk to one of our sign design experts.  They will be happy to answer all of your questions about Restaurant Signs and how they impact the Food Service Industry.  Knowing what will look great in your restaurant is just the beginning of the professional sign services we have to offer.

 

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3 Dimensional Signs And Sculptures

 

3 dimensional sign - The Sign Depot
 

Scuplture As Signs

What makes The Sign Depot unique from many other signs shops is our ability to create 3 dimensional signs.  Many think of these pieces as artistic sculptures, but our clients know that these signs serve a purpose.  Below are you can see examples of  3 dimensional signs for businesses.  The chainsaw sculpture was created as a landmark sign for Souvenir City in Niagara Falls Ontario.  This kind of sign is known to grab the attention of passers-by making your business memorable to potential customers.  Finding original ways to advertise your business through custom signs is something The Sign Depot is well known for.  We have won several sign industry awards for our 3 dimensional signs and structures.  Being at the top of your industry is an honour for any company and it is why we continue to create artistic signs that we can be proud of. 

 
3 dimensional sign - The Sign Depot
 
3 dimensional sign - The Sign Depot
 

How 3 Dimensional Signs Can Elevate You To The Top Of Your Industry

You should always strive to be the best, and standing out from your competition is the great way to be at the top of your industry.  3 dimensional signs do just that.  They stand out and get your business noticed.  Whether you chooose a chainsaw sculpture or  High Density Urethane Sign Props your company will recognized right away.  These signs make an impact and you want the first impression of your business to be a memorable one.  A custom business sign is a 24 hour advertisement for your business so be sure it reflects your company and what you want it to be known for.  This how you elevate your game and rise to the top of your industry.  To learn more about dimensional signs be sure to visit our dimensional  sign gallery, then be sure to contact our dimesional sign fabricators to see how sign sculptures can work for your business.

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Wholesale Wood Signs At Imagemakers 2009

The Sign Depot - Members Of Consac - Imagemakers - Sign Association Of Canada

Wholesale Wood Signs For The Sign Industry

Last week we were displaying are Carved Wooden Signs at the Consac Imagemakers Show. This is a well known Canadian Sign industry trade show hosted by The Sign Association Of Canada (of which we are members). Being an award winning Canadian sign company we do our best to show our wholesale wood sign offerings to others in the sign industry.  Many would see others in their industry as competitors, but we see them as potential clients.  Most sign shops are constantly looking for new ways to add revenue streams to their business.  By offering custom wood signs to their clients they are able to do just that. 

Add Revenue With Custom Wood Signs

When we talk about wholesale wood signs, many think that they come in a standard size and finish.  This is not the case. Cedar signs are easily customized to suit each business.  We give sign companies lots of choice when it comes to size, shape, text and graphics. Additionally there are options when it comes to the final sign project.  It can arrive as an unfinished piece or a fully painted sign complete with outdoor finish and optional gold leaf guilding. All of these options are available in both single sided and double sided sandblasted signs. We can provide lots of options designed to fit your budget.  

How To Get An Estimate On A Wholesale Wood Sign

Once you have design and budget set follow these simple steps and we able to provide you with your wholesale sign estimate

  1. Change all fonts to curves or line art
  2. Send us vector file formats – .ai – .eps – .dxf – .cdl or .cdr
  3.  Confirm overall dimensions
  4.  Let us know if the wholesale sign is to be Single sided or double sided
  5.  We will need to know if the sign is to be Finished or unfinished

By providing us with the information listed above, the wholesale sign experts here at The Sign Depot will be able to estimate the cost of creating your cedar sign and will contact you regarding your wholesale quote.

 

 

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Carved High Density Urethane Signs

Restaurant Signs For Charcoal Steakhouse

Manufacting custom business signs for the restaurant industry gives the expert sign makers at The Sign Depot the opportunity create artistic signs with several different sign materials and sign finishing techniques.  When it came time to create this outdoor lit sign we knew that a Carved High Desnsity Urethane (HDU) sign would be the best choice for this locale.  HDU is our material of choice when it comes to 3 dimensional signs.  It is a very versitile material which gives us lots of options for designing signs. After the HDU has been carved on our CNC router, it is then layered to add dimension and finished to add durablity and visibility.

High Density Urethane Sign - The Sign DepotThe three colour palette  of  matte black, matte white and 23kt gold leaf guilding was selected to keep the sign clear and easily noticed in this high traffic area.

Carved High Density Urethane Sign - Gold Leaf - The Sign DepotBy adding a lit sign option to this sign package The Charcoal Steakhouse’s roadside sign serves as a 24 hour advertisement for the restaurant. Custom Carved High Density Urethane Sign - The Sign Depot - Charcoal Steak House
 This carved high density urethane roadside side is complimentary to The Charcoal Steakhouse’s surroundings while bringing extra attention to their well know establishment. The look is warm and inviting.  This HDU sign will grab the attention of passers-by and encourage new customers to come and dine at the restaurant. 
 

From Restaurants To Retail

When it comes to Carved High Density Urethane signs, be sure to contact the sign professionals at The Sign Depot.  They can offer signs solutions for everything from Restaurant To Retail signs. To see more examples of our custom business sign solutions, take a look at our portfolio page on The Sign Depot website. Be sure to let us know what caught your eye! Leave us a comment, send us a tweet or post on our facebook page.  We always look forward to hearing your comments.
 
 

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3 Dimensional Signs – Carved Front Doors

First Impressions

Sign people are always telling potential customers “ Business signs are one of the most obvious places to demonstrate a first impression ” Of course this is true but there are other opportunities to affirm this first impression – like the front door. 3 Dimensional Sign - Custom Carved - The Sign Depot

 
 
 
 
3 Dimensional Sign - Custom Carved - The Sign Depot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Every customer goes through the front door of this restaurant,what a great opportunity to make an impression.

3 Dimensional Sign - Custom Carved - The Sign Depot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We carved western red cedar to reflect the interior lodge theme and introduce the moose to customers even before the stepped inside. Using a torch we burnt and flamed the wood to give a natural shadowing effect then top coated with

” cetol ” to preserve and bring out the warmth of the wood. Details like custom hammered iron brackets compliment the carved wood and add to the handmade feel. Custom made moose antler door pulls are memorable and a fun addition to the restaurant.

 

First impressions are not restricted just to the sign – be creative and find a new way to impress your potential customers.

 
 
3 Dimensional Signs - Moose Winooskis - The Sign Depot
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Moose Winooski’s, Kitchener
 
We often reccomend 3 dimensional signs to our clients.  3 dimentsional signs make an immediate impact.  Their purpose is to be unique and memorable. This sculptural door sign is a great choice as it reflects the restaurant concept and gives customers a glimpse of what to expect once they open the door.  Do you have an area of your business that could use a little WOW power? Make sure to contact our sign design professionals and see what we can create for your business.
 
 
 
 

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