Archive for the ‘custom’ Category
No Comments Custom Cabin, Cottage and Farm Signs Made from Canadian Cedar
Creating Your Custom Signs
When it comes creating a custom sign for your cabin, cottage or farm we have two different methods to suit your needs. Each option has its own advantages when it comes to western red cedar signs. The first method involves a template for those not sure where to start and the second method works well for those that know exactly what they require. Either choice gives you options that work within your budget and creativity.
Sign Templates for Custom Wood Signs
For those wanting to create a custom sign but needing a little assistance when it comes to the look of their sign we suggest choosing our Template option.
Just pick one of the sign designs at https://thesigndepotcottagesigns.com/collections/all and click on the preferred image. When the webpage for that sign loads, fill in the Text on Sign field with the name and/or words you wish to have on that sign. Above that choose the option of the Single Sided sign price or the Double Sided sign price and then click Add to Cart. Finish the shipping and payment info and your sign will be shipped to you soon. This is also a great option for gifts! Whether it is for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day or a Wedding Gift, a custom Canadian cedar sign is always appreciated for any occasion.
Fully Customized Signs
If you need a more customization than our template signs offer, then we suggest our custom crafted western red cedar signs as a better fit. While they are a higher price-point than our template signs, a fully customized sign can be manufactured by our expert sign makers to fit your needs. You select the size, shape, colours, images and text that you require on your wood sign and it is made to your specifications. These signs are fantastic for cottage or cabin signs or for family farm signs to carry on tradition and highlight heritage. To get started visit our CONTACT US page and email us your request.
Custom Sign Design With Hygge In Mind
What Is Hygge?
Are you wondering what’s with all the hype around hygge? In last month’s post we talked about the Norweign technique of Rosemaling. This month we thought we would try to explain the idea of Danish Hygge Design. According to VisitDenmark.com “The high season of hygge is Christmas, when Danes pull out all the hygge stops. Danish winters are long and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge”, but it also goes on to explain that you that you can still experience hygge in the summer. “Picnics in the park, barbeques with friends, outdoor concerts, street festivals and bike rides can all be very hygge”. The concept of hygge is best explained in the video below.
Custom Sign Design With Hygge In Mind
Hygge is a state of mind and incorporating hygge into and establishment can start with a custom sign design. Just like the video shown above, the idea of bicycles, comfort and coffee became a great recipe for the Berlin Bicycle Cafe. The custom sign and rooftop bicycle structure outside let you know about the inviting atmosphere you will find inside their cafe. Extending the concept from the exterior to the interior makes for cohesive design conditions and gives the people an idea of what to expect while they spend time in that space.
Bring Hygge To Your Home Or Home Away From Home
According to the website Psychologies, Scandinavian interior design is inspired by hygge through the use of tea lights and cosy throws draped over a sofa, but in an interview on Wired, it states that because of the severe weather in the area, they create very nice surroundings for their interiors. This is also why they create high end furniture and lighting. Finding the right mix for both inside and outside your home or cottage can create an inviting environment for your family and friends.
The Importance Of Custom Signs – Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week Information
Mid November means the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week. This is a week for entrepreneurs world wide to celebrate their accomplishments and tackle new goals. It is also a time for governments to look how to assist businesses from a political point of view. Here at Sign Depot we recognize Global Entrepreneurship Week as a time for companies to look towards the new year and see how their custom signs can be refreshed to increase brand awareness and push sales.
How Custom Signs Assist Entrepreneurs
Whether you are a startup, an expanding business, a family run business or a business to business company, the right kind of custom signs can elevate your company in the marketplace. Below are a few examples of businesses that use custom signs as part of their marketing strategy.
Supporting Startups With Custom Signs
Thamlic Labs is a great example of a company that began as a startup in the Communitech Tannery building an has gone from tech startup to an Internet of Things business.
Another way we custom signs have been used is by startup incubators such as Velocity. They have changed their branding as their involvement with startups changes.
Custom Signs For An Ever Expanding Business
If you are a fan of Dragon’s Den then you will recognize Balzac’s Coffee Roasters as one of their ongoing success stories. As they continue to open locations their custom signs reflect the surrounding area of each location.
Finding A Way For Family Run Business To Stand Out From The Surroundings
Robin’s Goldsmithing is a locally run family business that is known well in the community. To make their customers aware of a location change they used a mix of temporary and permanent custom signs to ensure they kept their current clientele and attract new customers to their establishment.
Help Build Your Business To Business Company With Custom Signs
Some businesses are not retail based, but rather business to business based otherwise known as B2B. Little Mushroom Catering was known to many in Southern Ontario as the go to catering company for their business. Their focus on B2B, brand recognition and word of mouth referral has since brought them into the wedding catering space as well. This opens a brand new sector of clientele to their company and thus and increase in sales.
Do you know an entrepreneur that uses custom signs as part of their sales and marketing strategy? We would like to learn more about them during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Let us know their story in the comments.
As always, feel free to CONTACT US for any custom signs you require.
Bringing Custom Business Bike Signs To Berlin Bicycle Cafe
Finding The Right Custom Sign Is Like Finding The Right Ride
Finding the right fit when it comes to custom business signs is like finding the right bike.
When Berlin Bicycle Cafe wanted to ensure that their signage was highly visible in the busy Belmont Village, they came to The Sign Depot to create signs for their exterior and rooftop. This was to let people know that their cafe was more than just coffee. They wanted to create a community for bicycle commuters that were passionate about bikes and being social over a cup of coffee.
Fabricating And Installing The Bike Themed Signage
The rooftop sign had to resemble a bicycle, but be sturdy enough to handle the elements.
It began as a CNC router cut piece.
It was finished in black and installed on top of the cafe. As you can see from this image above, the replica bicycle structure is holding it’s own against Mother Nature. The Berlin Bicycle Cafe store front letters were a bold font finished white. The contrast from the dark facade of the building lets the text stand out and captures the attention of the traffic in the area. Whether the traffic is by vehicle, pedestrians walking by or those biking in the area, the Berlin Bicycle Cafe custom business signage is noticeable from all directions. When you are in a high traffic area, catching the busy passers-by can be a difficult task, but as you can see in the final installation image below, this establishment is making it’s mark.
Get Set For The Busy Spring Season
While you might be thinking about pulling your bicycle out and pedaling you bike around town, first take a look at your establishment’s facade. Could it use a refresh this spring? The Sign Depot is here to help with that. Visit our CONTACT US page to see how some new business signage can get you all set for a busy spring season.
Personalized Gift Solutions – Valentines Day Custom Signs And Unique Items
Signs Of Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air! Everything is turning pink and red. These are just a few signs of Valentine’s Day. Paul McCartney took it another level when he had Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman interpret his song My Valentine into American Sign Language.
Valentine’s Day Is Less Than A Month Away
Being that Valentine’s Day is approaching, we thought we would suggest some personalized gifts for your sweetheart. We have several unique items and custom sign solutions that can be personalized to match your special someone’s taste. Don’t you think this will help you stand out from all the roses and chocolate best known for the occasion? On February 14th, make your Valentine’s Day present unique from all the rest!
Personalization Options With Custom Signs
When it comes to personalized gifts we have many options. Carved signs, engraved plaques or sandblasted stone are just a few of the choices you have. Whether rectangular, oval or heart shaped we can create gifts your valentine will love.
Artistic Decor Elements
Beyond personalized signs we also have lots of artistic decor elements for that one of a kind gift. Our custom crafters are able to create unique items to compliment your existing decor for both interior designs and exterior landscapes.
Custom Finish
Each of our personalized gift items can be custom finished to acheive the perfect look that you want. Whether it be a shiny gold leaf finish or vintage-looking piece we give you choices when it comes to colour and style.
Ready to wear your heart on your sleeve? Then be sure to visit our contact us page and connect with one of our expert sign designers. Remember to get your order in right away to ensure your Valentine’s Day gift will arrive on time for February 14th!
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.
Custom City Signs Reflect An Area’s Best Attributes
City Branding and Custom Signs
This week I noticed a lively conversation on facebook regarding City Signs. The conversation began with Chris Farais of Kitestring‘s status about Hamilton Ontario and the CBC Post about City Signs. The CBC Show Me A Sign post talks about one person’s plight to have a Welcome sign created for Hamilton. Chris, being a strategic branding brings, up the question about what would best represent Hamilton Ontario on a city welcome sign? Should it reflect the historic attractions of the city or highlight things to come.
Our answer would be a long one which is what inspired me to write this post about custom signs in regards to welcome signs for communities and attractions.
Over the years we have created many custom signs for cities, attractions and heritage sites. Each one is very unique as the location itself. It serves the purpose of wayfinding but also foreshadows what people can expect from the locale. The graphics, text, font and choice of colours indicate what the sign is representing and in turn becomes a reflection of the site. In other words it serves as a first impression for that area’s brand.
Custom Sign Creations
The Clappinson Corner sign features a wagon wheel with spokes representing all the different areas that converge on one hub which is a reflection of their historic geographical area.
Tillsonburg’s Downtown combination of custom cedar and digital signage serves as an information centre while letting passersby know about the architecture of the area. This gives it both a traditional and modern feel.
Quinte West chose to focus their custom sign around their natural areas and that it why it is framed with log posts
New Dundee Ontario chose to mark the Doug Fischer Park with landmark sign that includes donor recognition
The Welcome To Dundas sign features the establishment of the area while not intruding on the surroundings, but instead complementing the garden where it resides.
While the Puslinch sign was created as a very tall pylon sign to capture the attention of the highway traffic and let them know about the local area.
As you can see there are several options when it comes to creating custom city signs. The city signs vaired by location, sign permit regulations and industrial locates. They are highly visiable without becoming an eye sore for the area. It is important to think about the surroundings when you decide on a permanent location for custom created sign. A great background can bring a sign to the forefront and be a great addition to a community.
Thanks to Chris for getting this conversation started and getting the residents in Hamilton engaged on the topic of their city signs. We look forward to seeing where this discussion leads.
What are some of your favorite City Signs? Let us know in the comments below or better yet post a picture of it on our facebook page! If we get enough we will dedicate a Pinterest Board to the images that are sent in.
Custom Interior Signs Add Dimension – Kitchener Rangers
Renovating The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium has gone through a lot of changes over the years. The latest being the addition of extra seating in the Dom Cardillo Arena and the renovations to the Kitchener Rangers office area. The timing couldn’t be better. With the Kitchener Rangers celebrating 50 seasons this year, the refreshed Kitchener Aud was a wonderful way to commemorate this celebration.
Custom Commemorative Signs
A large portion of our custom interior signs are created for reception areas and wayfinding purposes. This signage project was much more elaborate. This interior signs for The Kitchener Rangers renovations were designed to reflect the rich history of the hockey team and show off the modern facilities where they reside. As you can see below there were a variety of sign materials used to complete this commemoritve sign project. Each interior sign style represented a different era for this historic hockey team.
Built With Pride
The Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club is built around the area’s passionate hockey fans. Kitchener Ranger fans take pride in the city’s hockey heritage and support the team season after season. Many teams have a great fan base, but Ranger fans are loyal and constantly filling the seats in the Kitchener Auditorium. Passion and pride are what can take a team to the next level and perhaps that is why the Rangers decided to add an extra level to the arena.
Where Legend & Legacy Live
We are excited to see the Kitchener Rangers head into the 2013 Playoffs. The spirit of hockey has been alive in the Kitchener Auditorium for many years and we look forward to what is in the Rangers future for the years to come. To find out more about The Kitchener Rangers and the team’s longevity make sure to visit there post about Where Legend & Legacy Live. We know they will continue to #ROCKTHEAUD
Signs That The New Year Is Near – Emerald Green Pantone Colour Of The Year 2013
Looks Like A Green Christmas
When Pantone announced the 2013 Colour Of The Year would be Emerald it was well received. On their website, Pantone describes Emerald as a lively, radiant, lush green. It congers up visions of Emerald City from The Wizard Of Oz because of its jewel tone properties. This vivid colour will making its way on to store shelves, product lines and clothing pieces very quickly as most will want a jump on the trend while it is still fresh. Being that Red and Green are the main colours of Christmas, a green jewel tone will catch on very quickly this month.
What’s Is So Great About Green?
The great thing about green is that many shades of green compliment each other. You often see designs with multiple shades of green. Some are closer to blue while others are closer to yellow but even a seafoam green (closer to the blue end of the green spectrum) looks fine with a chartreuse (a yellow-green colour).
Green is a colour that means many things to many people. For some it reminds them about eating their veggies, for others it is an environmental movement. You have so much choice when it comes to shades of green.
Sign Colour Choices
Finding the green that would work best with your custom sign can be left up to personal choice, but we here at The Sign Depot highly recommend you consult a professional when it comes to the colours used in the sign design. As explained in our earlier post all about artistic colour choices we know how pantones are used and how to find complimentary pantone colours.
This knowledge is key when it comes to creating a great look on your custom sign. If you see the need for sign refresh, talk to us and see how your signs could make your competition green with envy.
Custom Designed Signs Set In Stone
Making Things Permanent with a Custom Designed Sign
Although here at The Sign Depot we specialize in sandblasted cedar signs, we create products using many other materials as well. Wood signs can be fully customized in terms of shape, colour, text and graphics but wood is not the only base that can be Sandblasted. A custom designed stone sign is also a great way to display your name/logo/address or any other text/design.
Custom stone signs are unique looking and long lasting. They are very versatile, whether it be as an address marker (like a farm sign), a corporate gift (a restaurant sign) or personalized present, a stone creation can be matched to fit a variety of surroundings and sandblasted to reflect the personality and/or branding of the recipient.
Custom designed stone signs work great on pathways, gardens and near sidewalks. The weather will not be a factor when it comes to the longevity of your custom sandblasted stone sign. In fact the outdoor elements will help create character and give it many unique qualities. Sandblasting the stone is the only beginning of the etched look. Once the stone has been engraved with the text and graphic in the etched areas, it is then painted to show the highlights of the now personalized stone sign.
Take a look on your gift list. How many of your friends and family would enjoy having their name set in stone? Sandblasted signs make great wedding gifts, corporate gifts, and a great present for that hard to buy for person at Christmas. If a few names come to mind, make sure to contact us and we can help you create a one of a kind custom designed stone sign. Once designed your custom sign can begin the production process and finishing process and soon your unique stone sign will in your hands.
