Archive for the ‘custom wood’ Category
3 Comments Custom Wood Sign Trends – Why Barn Board Is Hot In Artistic Sign Design
How Do Trends Start?
By definition a TREND is a general direction in which something is developing or changing. If that is the case then we are trendsetters here at The Sign Depot. We strive to always be unique and innovative when it comes to creating our custom signs. We approach each project individually and look for ways to help our clients get noticed. We have been recognized for the uniqueness of our custom barn board signs by winning Runner Up for Best Business Sign for the Spirithouse sign we created, but the real trend began when barn board started popping up in Kitchener Waterloo. When clients come in with sign concept in mind we work hard to create the vision they have in mind. This was the case with the Death Valley’s Little Brother sign.
Bringing Back Barn Board
When Death Valley’s Little Brother needed a rustic looking wood sign that would catch the eye of passers-by we knew this would be an out of the ordinary custom business sign.
Barn board was used as a backer for the rusted finish individual cut out letters. In order to give a lot of contrast between the wood and the letters the reclaimed barn board with given an distressed finish and the letters were pin mounted to add dimension to the sign.
And They Tell Two Friends
Once the Death Valley’s Little Brother sign was installed in Waterloo, we started receiving inquiries about rustic look wood signs. The Truth Beauty Compay. contacted us regarding their upcoming move and wanted to have a vintage-look wood sign created for their new location. You can read more about their sign creation over on our post Custom Vintage Look Wood Signs.
Another inquiry came from Cheeses Murphy. Cheeses Murphy is a late night grilled cheese eatery that was about to open a second location in Downtown Kitchener. They had noticed the custom wood signs that their Uptown Waterloo neighbours had and came to us to create a barn board sign for their new establishment. Take a look at our Reclaimed Barn Board post to learn about the process to make their sign.
Photo Courtesy of Cheeses Murphy
We’re Trending
Because of the many retro-look signs we have created over the past few years we are getting a lot of calls about signs made from reclaimed materials and even for new signs that have a distressed look.
It is a design trend that we love. Using a variety of materials and fabrication methods is something we specialize in. Finding ways to create dimension through artistic signage is what makes us unique in the sign industry. What makes you a trendsetter in the marketplace? Leave a comment with your answer! We want to know what makes you stand out!
Custom Wood Signs Created From Reclaimed Barn Board – Cheeses Murphy
A New Business Signs With A Vintage Look
Our latest installation has brought us to a new area of Downtown Kitchener Ontario. Just blocks away from the new court house is where you can find the newest location for Cheeses Murphy. Just like the concept of this grilled cheese restaurant, the custom business sign for it needed to be unique and tasteful.
Reclaimed barn board with individual cutout letters were used in this framed sign. The fabrication took several steps.
The wood was given a custom finish to give it a distressed look and enhanced the wood grain of the boards. The barn board would serve as a sign backer for the business name. Individual letters were created by CNC cutting half inch PVC on our router table and they were then prepped for pin mounting. A handcrafted wood frame was constructed to surround the sign backer and painted to match the cut out letters. Together these pieces would create a modern sign with a vintage look.
Assembly And Installation
After all the various components of the Cheeses Murphy sign had been manufactured and finished it was time to assemble the sign and install it above the establishment.
The pin mount letters were flush mounted to the barn board backer to add dimension to the sign and the finished wood frame completed the look.
The custom wood sign was installed above the entrance-way and an additional vinyl decal was added to front door to attract the attention of both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Photo Courtesy of Cheeses Murphy. Click the image to visit the Cheeses Murphy Facebook page
Photo courtesy of Andrew Coppolino of Waterloo Region Eats. Click the image to follow him on twitter
What Will Be Next?
What will be next? Be sure to watch our Sign Depot Blog for updates on what else is to come from this developing area in Kitchener otherwise known as the Duke St. Food Block. For more examples of 3 dimensional restaurant signs be sure to visit our portfolio page. There you will find a variety of sculptural signs that are sure to grab your attention!
Custom Personalized Father’s Day Signs Are Great Gifts
Finding Fantastic Father’s Day Gifts
With June right around the corner we wanted to make sure to help you get your Dad a Father’s Day gift that he will thrilled to get. With all the option we have here at Sign Depot we can customize any sign to fit what works best for your family!
We have
and so much more to offer in the way of customized Father’s Day Gifts.
Whether Dad has a cottage, cabin, trailer, den, or man-cave we can create a unique gift that will reflect his personality!
Below are just a few of of the one of a kind items that the expert sign makers here at Sign Depot have created.
Have an idea in mind or perhaps you need a bit of inspiration? Make sure to Contact Us today. That way your Father’s Day gift will arrive in time. With our 15 day turnaround time you have enough time to make a big impact on Dad this year!
How To Turn A Good Idea Into A Great Sign Design
To start the process make sure to keep these five items in mind
- the size
- the shape
- any wording
- the image
- choice of colours
These five items are important to know before custom project can begin. Whether you are looking for a custom carved sign or an artistic sculptural piece the five factors listed above should be considered. After the custom design has been perfected the project will then go into production here at The Sign Depot Workshop where it will be manufactured and finished. If you require shipping or installation we can help with that as well. We take pride in being a full service sign company and look forward to working with you soon!
Happy Father’s Day
We know that giving a Custom Personalize Gift To Your Dad will show how thoughtful you are. After all we’re sure you had a conversation with him very close to this when you were young.
You know he deserves something great this Father’s Day!
Custom Pub Signs – Traditional VS Modern
Creating Custom Pub Signs
Pub signs are very unique sign projects. Traditionally they were one of a kind projects to mark a local establishment. Today some pubs are part of restaurant chains which means the signs will be duplicated. The professional sign makers here at Sign Depot take a different approach to each sign project. This gives the restauranteurs a variety of choice and the opportunity to personalize their custom pub signs.
Traditional Pub Signs
Traditional pubs signs are often 3 dimensional custom carved wood signs. They were highly visible signs to passers-by. To learn more about traditional pub signs please take a look at the slide show below.
These pubs are generally geared to distinct crowd. Many have a rich family heritage and the owners want that history to been represented in their pub’s sign. Personalization of the sign is of tremendous importance.
Modern Pub Signs
Modern pub signs can be just as customized as traditional pub signs. These signs tend to made from an assortment of materials and are built to a much larger scale. These modern day pubs are often located in larger buildings that are created that way to compete with other establishments in the restaurant industry. They often have a menu mix of traditional and modern fare.
Designing A Pub Sign
Whether choosing a Traditional or Modern Pub Sign there are several factors to consider
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How big in the building that the sign will be displayed on?
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Is the traffic near the pub vehicle or pedestrian traffic. or a bit of both?
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What will the text say?
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What kind of logo or graphics will best represent the pub?
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What is the budget for the project?
Once you are able to answer these five questions, then the design and sign permit process can begin. Customizing a sign can be just as individual as you are. Here at The Sign Depot we have quite a portfolio of both traditional and modern pub signs. Make sure to contact us regarding your restaurant signage needs.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!
Custom Vintage Look Wood Signs – Truth Beauty’s Business Sign Solutions
The Beauty Of A Distressed Wood Sign
When it comes to Business Sign Solutions we have lots of options to suit a company’s branding. Finding that perfect fit may take more than one type of material to make the establishment recognizable in busy areas. When the The Truth Beauty Company moved from their Olivier location, they took the opportunity to create custom business signs for this new business.
Their store front sign and reception sign was fabricated from repurposed wood to give the signs a vintage look. To add dimension to the custom signs, High Density Urethane (sign foam) letters and designs were CNC cut on our Router table. Those HDU pieces were given custom finishes and then attached to the distressed wood and framed. This gave the Truth Beauty sign 3 dimensional sign elements while keeping with the antique look of the wood.
Add Some Artistic Signage
In addition to the exterior entranceway sign and interior sign and additional artistic fabric wall hanging was created to further showcase the business’s logo. A stencil was cut to match the design and applied to the fabric. Next the design was airbrushed on the material and after the stencil was removed the result was an artistic sign in the form of custom piece of drapery for their location.
To read more about The Truth Beauty Company make sure to check out their article in the Waterloo Chronicle aptly named The Truth About Beauty.
Source: waterloochronicle.ca via Lisa on Pinterest
To learn more about The Sign Depot’s custom signs and business sign solutions take a look at our portfolio page and be sure to contact us.
Looking for more engaging ways to connect with Sign Depot? Make sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter that highlights our recent sign projects and upcoming sign features. You can also follow us on Facebook, check out our Sign Depot Pinterest page or send us a tweet! Have an inquiry specific to this post? Make sure to leave it in the comment section and we will make sure to act swiftly to answer it for you.
Custom Wood And 3 Dimensional Sign Questions And Answers
Q & A From Conestoga College Graphic Design Students
We are always happy to welcome the Graphic Design Students from Conestoga College into our Sign Workshop. This year a group of thirty first year design students came by to learn about the sign design process. They will be creating their first sign project shortly and had a lot of great questions for Peter. Running a custom sign shop for almost 20 years, Peter has a lot of insight about sign design and how it compliments the graphic design field. Below is a list of some of the questions the design students asked along with the answers Peter provided to help them with their first custom sign project.
Q: How did you get into the sign industry
A: I worked at a sign shop in my teens. Then I went on to get a degree in Fine Arts at University Of Guelph and then decided to start The Sign Depot
Q: What type of sign work do you prefer
A: Something that is challenging, often large scale 3 dimensional signs require a bit of problem solving, so I enjoy creating signs that get me thinking about how it can be created.
Q: How do you decide how on how big a sign should be?
A: I take photos of the building and put them into my software. When I design a custom business sign I can see what it will look like on the building. Trust your eye. You know what looks best.
Q: Any recommendations for an on site sign versus a highway sign?
A: When designing a sign for a high traffic area think of the message you want to get across while traffic is going by quickly. Less is more. Make the sign memorable not messy. For on site signs such as the restaurant signs we do, it is about relaying the message of experience you will have when you visit that establishment.
Q: I noticed that you have won an award for the 3 Dimensional Sign for Beertown, can you tell us a bit about that sign?
A: We wanted the look of the retro sign but wanted give it a modern feel. We used LED lights as a stand in for marquee light bulbs, as for the mural there was a template made that was spray painted on the building followed by artistic hand painting on the sign.
Q: What if you didn’t agree with client’s sign idea? Do you let them know?
A: I believe it is my responsibility as a designer to let them know about what makes for good sign design and I would make recommendations. Let them know that a good sign is a good investment for their business. So many customers have let me know that their sales increased because of their new sign. Additionally I think all of our signs stand as a business card for Sign Depot, we always think of how it will reflect on this business.
Q: When it comes to your gold leaf signs why do you choose 23K gold leaf?
A: We are very familiar with this type of gold leaf and know the kind of shine it can bring to our custom signs.
Q: How big is your customer base?
A: We are well established here in our community, as well as nationwide and have shipped our signs in the USA market too.
Q: Have you ever made a sign that was too big for your shop?
A: No, that goes back to our problem solving and business sign solutions that we design for our clients and why we have such a big sign workshop.
Q: Have you ever been approached by a show like Restaurant Makeover?
A: Not yet, you can go ahead and set that up though! We are involved in a lot of restaurant design builds and some of the experiences we have come across would make for some great reality tv!
Advice For Young Designers
Peter also had some parting words for these aspiring graphic designers
Always strive to be the best in class. When you’re out looking for jobs you want to let people know you are the best of the best.
Traditional Wood Signs Personalized To Suit You
Custom Wood Signs Are A Great Choice
With arrival of the chilly weather means that the gift giving season is close at hand. Have you ever thought of giving a traditional wood sign as a Christmas gift? Signs can be personalized to match any taste. You will have lots of choice when it comes to how traditional your custom wood sign will look and what it will say.
How To Customize A Sign
It is always a good idea to know what the sign will symbolize. A few good starting points could be choosing a
- Family Name
- Family Crest
- Heritage Farm
- Cottage
- Address
- Residence Name
- Favorite Quote
Sandblasting any of the info from the list above would make for wonderful personalized wood sign. After the text is chosen the sign shape, dimensions, fonts, graphics and colours can further customize the look of a sandblasted cedar sign. Below are just a few examples of the personalized custom wood signs we have made here in The Sign Depot Workshop.
If you see something that is of interest to you, we are able to craft as similar wood sign for you, or if you want something different we are happy to accommodate you. Keep in mind that we have many different options to suit your personal taste as well as your budget. The key is to ensuring your sign is ready is early ordering. Don’t find yourself in the Christmas rush, order early to make sure your sign is ready in time. Remember that the sign design is just the beginning of the production process. The sign will still need to be sandblasted, and finished. Finishing time includes drying time between each coat of paint. Other things to consider would be where the sign will be hung. Will it need a sign bracket or perhaps cedar posts finished to match the sign? Will it be attached directly to brick wall or will it stand off from siding? All of these factors will considered during the finishing process of the sign.
No matter what you choose, the recipient will be thrilled by how personalized their new sign is. Perhaps you’ll love the sandblasted cedar sign you’re gifting so much that you’ll create a custom wood sign for yourself!
What To Wear – Wood Fashion
Trends in wood fashion and sign design
For many years wood has been a staple in the construction, furniture and landscaping industries. It’s multi-purpose and durable. It displays well in a natural finish, stained or painted, and blends well in a variety of surroundings.
Lately the design industry has taken a look at how to incorporate wood, and that has transcended (or should I say TRENDscended) to the fashion industry. Now wood is becoming trendy in the high fashion circles. Wood fashion finds are now making their way into today’s hottest looks. Wood fashion items tend to be fun and functional. The question is would you wear wood?
Where would you wear wood?
The thought of wood accessories is not new to jewelery industry. Bangles, earrings and wood beaded necklaces are very popular and match nicely with the latest styles. Finding new ways to accessorize with wood is the latest craze!
Suddenly wood is cool to carry. Take your wooden purse, sunglasses and iPhone case with you wherever you roam to give yourself an edgy look.
Wood will continue to show up in the latest style trends and the design world is watching.
What’s Next For Wood?
Fashion designers are not the only ones looking for ways to incorporate wood. Interior designers are adding wood in ways that go well beyond furniture. The images below are just a few of the ways wood has added style and dimension to create interest and unique qualities to design projects.
Looking for ways to stay on trend? Contact us here at Sign Depot and we can create a wonderful wooden sign project that will make a style statement. Find your favorite finish. Create with contour cuts. Choose to chisel. Stand out with stains. These are ways that wood would make you unique to those around you.
What do you think of wood as an element of style?
The Sign Depot Makes It A Movember To Remember
If you stop by The Sign Depot this month you’ll see that things have gotten a little HAIRY!
Yes we’re busy working away as always, but the Hairy I’m referring to is the facial hair kind. You know the fuzzy stuff on the upper lip.
What Does Movember Have To Do With Custom Wood Signs?
Peter Moir the Owner/President of Sign Depot has signed on to participate in Movember Canada this year. Being that the main logo for The Sign Depot Inc. features a Moustached fellow it makes for a perfect fit! What else do moustaches and signs have in common? A custom carved sign makes an impression the way a well groomed Movember moustache does. They both get people talking and raise awaremess. Whether it is for a business or for an non-for profit, getting noticed is an important part of making a great impression.
More About Movember
For those who have not heard about Movember, it is a charitible organization formed to raise awareness about Men’s Health issues. Being part of a community of those willing to help others is something we here at The Sign Depot can get on board with! Being supportive to those is need is a great way to connect with the community you are based in. Find ways to get involved and you will know what it feels like to be part of something bigger. All it takes is a little initiative and some creative thinking.
Rick Mercer is known for his rants, but see what he has to say about Prostate Health and his involvement with the Movember community.
Want to be more involved in Movember? Join a team and follow all the fun on the facebook page
See what you can do to raise awarness about Movember and Prostate Cancer Canada. Help make this a Movember To Remember
How To Keep Custom Wood Signs In Tip Top Shape
Time for Some Spring Cleaning!
As mentioned in our newsletter http://mim.io/179ed
Once you have invested in a great looking custom wood sign you should take a few steps to keep your cedar sign looking great
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Twice a year wash and wax your sign. Use a mild dish soap and soft brissle brush ( paint brush ) to gently loosen surface dirt – follow with a though rinse with clean water. A light coat and buff with typical spray on car wax will help repell water and keep your sign looking good.
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Remove any weeds or vines that are crawling up your cedar sign posts. They may look interesting, but they can do a bit of damage to the finish
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After about 7 years (depending on sun exposure) bring it into The Sign Depot workshop for refurbishing. It will leave looking brand new.
Now that we’ve had some warmer temperatures make sure to get outside and take a look to see if you’re Curb Appeal is still APPEALING. If not try the tips above. Your custom sandblasted sign is made from rot resistant western red cedar which means with a little TLC your wood sign will last for generations. Traditional personalized signs are great heirlooms for family members and they can display signs of your rich family heritage. They have a historic quality that is unquie to all other types of residential signs. For more examples of our custom signs make sure to visit the Portforlio on The Sign Depot website.
Stay In The Loop
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