class="tag"Posts Tagged ‘Exterior’
No Comments This Restaurant Sign Needed a Passport Stamp of Approval
Dimensional Restaurant Signs
Last year the owner of PASSPORT SIPS + TAPAS contacted us after being inspired by our barn board signs post and wanted something similar but with a few minor changes to fit their brand. Their visual marketing strategy is to connect their branding to the “passport stamp” within their logo using a dimensional restaurant sign to make it very eye-catching. In order to accomplish this, the sign makers here at The Sign Depot created this exterior sign from two different materials to create the style that Passport Sips + Tapas was looking for.
Creating the Passport Sips + Tapas Custom Sign
This sign was mix of pine wood and outdoor PVC. The first step was to create a pine wood backer, then distress the wood. Two different hues were used when finishing the wood to give it more dimension. Next the individual PVC letters and logo were cut out on our CNC router table and given an outdoor paint finish with minor distressing done to the paint. As you can see in the image below the letters were prepared for pin mount installation on to the wood sign backer.
The last part of the sign project was to insert the passport stamp image into the letter “O” in the word passport to make it the focal point of the sign.
Next the sign was assembled and prepped for shipping, which included a custom made wood case to ensure the sign arrived safely.
The Passport That Crossed The Border
Here at The Sign Depot, we manufacture many signs that are shipped into the United States. We just thought it was such a fun play on words that we were fabricating a sign with the word PASSPORT that would be crossing border. Now it is great to see from their Instagram page that their restaurant is in full swing and the sign provides a welcoming entrance-way to the establishment.
With more that 25 years experience creating custom restaurant signs, we look forward to assisting with your upcoming sign projects. Visit our CONTACT US page to connect with us!
Getting The Right Business Signs Can Make All The Difference
Business Signs You Will Need
We often have new business owners come to us unsure of what kind of business signs they need. There are several options, but we know that there are many costs involved in starting a new business venture so we want to ensure you get a great signage starter package that fits your brand.
According to Entrepreneur’s post on Creating Memorable Business Signs
“Great signs are always the most interesting piece of scenery in their vicinity. This is why they’re noticed even when people aren’t looking for them”
Below are the Top 3 Signs you will need to start your business.
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Custom Exterior Signs
Whether you need retail sign to advertise your restaurant or clothing store or an outdoor sign to let you people know you are doctor / lawyer / professional in the area, custom exterior signs are key to informing potential clients about your business.
These signs are a 24 hour advertisement for your business and should serve as memorable landmark. It should be made from outdoor quality materials that can weather the elements and the sign(s) should look attractive to your target market.
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Reception Signs
Once someone comes through your door, you know they have an interest in your business. This is where a fantastic reception sign can make a difference. Your entrance-way is a welcoming area where everyone should feel comfortable upon arrival.
The reception sign should be the focal point of the office / showroom / waiting room to reinforce brand recognition. It should work with all the other marketing materials there. IE it should have the same logo as the pamphlets, brochures and business cards that sit in that area.
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Wayfinding Signs
If someone has to ask which floor your office is on or where to find the exit, then you know you need to improve your wayfinding signs. They keep your clients informed without making them ask the awkward questions like “Where is the washroom?” or “Do you have an elevator?” Wayfinding and interior directory signs are often subtle signs that blend with the decor
and provide clear information.
The Next Steps For Your Business Signs
The above 3 types of signs are a great place to begin when it comes to starting a business. To further establish your business we also suggest, vehicle graphics, window decals, A-frame signs and signs for your trade shows. As you can see getting the right business signs can make all the difference when it comes to beginning a new business.
To get quotes on any of the signs listed on this post visit our CONTACT US page. We look forward to hearing from you and want to #StepUpYourSignage.
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.
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.
Did You Notice The Signs Of Spring?
Spring Has Sprung At The Sign Depot
Have you noticed the signs of spring? While many look for robins and tulip blooms we have a whole different set of spring occurrences here at The Sign Depot. It begins with a plethora of phone calls and emails related to these topics
- Spring Trade Show Signs – see how unique your booth can look by visiting our CUSTOM SIGNS AND BOOTHS FOR TRADE SHOW SEASON post.
- Weathered Signs In Need Of Repair – learn how quickly a damaged sign can be replaces on our DAMAGE CONTROL post.
- Mother’s Day Gifts – whether you are looking for a stone garden sign or a cedar residential sign, we can personalize it to your Mom’s liking. Read more at MOTHER’S DAY ENGRAVED SIGNS.
- Cleaning An Exterior Sign – we have complied a great list of ways to spring clean your outdoor signs. Take a look at HOW TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR CUSTOM EXTERIOR SIGNS for some tips and tricks.
After the spring basics listed above are in place our next steps usually involve preparing for the summer season. What that means is we assist many golf courses and seasonal venues with their preparations for their busy season.
The last sign of spring we see is when we begin receiving requests for quotes on custom cedar cottage signs. Whether your cottage is a summer vacation home in Muskoka, or a cabin on the Grand River we can customize our wood signs to match your style and taste.
We are very happy to say we are ready for spring here at The Sign Depot no matter what Mother Nature sends our way over the next few weeks. Are you ready for spring? Take a look at your signs. Could they use a spring refresh? If so, be sure to visit our CONTACT US page to see how we can help.
What Consumers Think About Business Signs And Retail Signage
Your Business Sign Says A Lot About Your Company
A few years back FedEx Office asked American consumers about their thoughts on business signs and retail signage. The reason for the survey was to see how important signs are when making decisions on where to shop. The survey results revealed that almost 8 in 10 (76 percent) of American consumers enter a store they have never visited before based on its signage. It also went on to say nearly 7 in 10 (68 percent) have actually purchased a product or service because a sign caught their eye. These stats are eye opening to many business owners. In fact we have had our clients tell us that their sales increased significantly after they had the expert signmakers at The Sign Depot create new signage for their company. We even had a business owner tell us that after he purchased a sign from The Sign Depot that he received new business from people who thought they had just opened. They had no idea that his business had opened a year earlier.
Ensure Your Business Sign Makes An Impact
According to the survey mentioned above, over two thirds (68 percent) of consumers believe a store’s signage is reflective of the quality of products or services it provides. It also mentioned that poor signage or signs in need of repair deterred people from entering a business. Be sure that your exterior business signs make a positive impact on potential clients. You want to ensure your signage is highly visible at all times, as your sign is a 24 hour advertisment for your business.
Plenty Of Signs Might Equal Plenty Of Sales
If you’re a fan of The Big Bang Theory you will recognize the quote from Leonard’s Mother “If a little is good, more must be better.” Consumers also feel that way when it comes to signage. The FedEx survey mentioned that on average, consumers think a small business should have two or three signs around its storefront. In addition this, we also believe that interior retail signs, reception signs and wayfinding signage also assist potential clients with finding what they need in your establishment.
Is your business ready for an upgrade? Be sure to visit our CONTACT US page and we will be happy to send you a FREE QUOTE for new business signs and retail signage for your company.
Five Types Of Custom Business Signs That Draw Attention To Your Company
Bring Your Business The Attention It Deserves With Custom Signs
With so many things attempting to grab the attention of the population, shouldn’t your business be one of those items? We have compiled a list of five types of custom business signs that draw attention to your company.
1. Grab Attention With A High End Exterior Business Sign
Your building’s exterior is often the first impression of your business. Make it a memorable one with a high end exterior sign that conveys what your establishment is all about.
Choices for Custom Exterior Signs include
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Monument Signs
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Dimensional Entrance Signs That Serve As Landmarks
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Projection Signs
2. Provide Wayfinding To Ensure Your Potential Clients Find You With Ease
Many people find your business through Google but you still have to be sure they can find your address without frustration.
Some examples of Wayfinding Signs include
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Entrance Markers
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Parking Lot Signs
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Accessibility Signage (also known as ADA signs)
3. Portable A Frame Signs To Advertise Specials
Portable A Frame signs work to grab the attention of both vehicle and foot traffic in your area. They are often used to advertise time sensitive specials or to create brand buzz.
A Frame signage options
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Metal A Frames That Hold Coroplast Inserts For Temporary Advertising
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Chalkboard A Frames For Message Boards That Are Changed Frequently
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Wood A Frames With Business Logos And Company Information For Info Hubs
4. Custom Reception Signs For Brand Recognition
When a potential client makes the decision to enter your business be sure to capture their attention with a custom reception sign that reflects your business.
Reasons for Reception Signs include
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Having A Professional Looking Entrance
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Increase Brand Awareness
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Give Clients Another Wayfinding Landmark Within The Building
5. Promotional Signage To Promote Your Company
Promotional signs are used to drawn in new customers. They often include some element of fun to attract new business.
Ways To Use Promotional Signs
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Trade Shows To Guide People To Your Booth
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In House Promotions To Reward Clients
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Promotional Vehicle Graphics To Serve As A Moving Advertisement For Your Business
These five reasons are just some of the ways custom business signs work for you. To learn more be sure to visit our blog often and find a sign system that will work with your company. When you have something in mind, be sure to CONTACT US for your free quote.
A New Landmark For Waterloo Region When St Jacobs Market Opens Its New Building
St Jacobs Market Celebrates Their New Landmark
It was last October when we wrote about Canada Am visiting the St Jacobs Farmers’ Market. Now the St Jacobs Market has more exciting news to share. After their landmark building was destroyed by a fire, they are now ready to unveil their new building this Thursday June 11, 2015. They will be opening the new market building to the public that morning. For those who live in The Region Of Waterloo this is exciting news. So much so that when The Sign Depot sign installers were putting the sign on the building’s exterior it managed to garner a bit of attention from the local media.
It feels familiar, but the new @stjacobsmarket isn't a 100% duplicate. Here's @DavidImrieCTV: http://t.co/Rk6d9Np2IY pic.twitter.com/4UcMCZPI0H
— CTV Kitchener (@CTVKitchener) June 4, 2015Farm Market Signs
When it comes to Farm Market Signs there are several choices. The St Jacobs Farmers’ Market wanted to ensure that the signage for the new building was highly visiable from various spots at the market. To acheive this PVC letters were router cut and finished white. The white letters installed against the red exterior of the building created a lot of contrast and as the image below shows, it allows you to see the new market building from quite a distance.
Tourist Landmark
The St Jacobs Farmers’ Market serves as year round landmark destination for tourists. People visit the St Jacobs Market by the busload, so ensuring they can find their way around the market is incredibly important. Whether it be building signage or wayfinding signs, having a points of direction or places to meet at a busy place like a farm market makes getting around a lot simplier for those not familiar with the surroundings.
Have you heard of the St Jacobs Farmers’ Market before? Did it inspire you to come to The Region Of Waterloo for a visit? Let us know in the comments! We want to hear about your experience there, or about any farm market you frequent.
3 Dimensional Signs Now Shipping To Las Vegas
Sending Signs To Las Vegas For The First Time
It often seen as a pinnacle in a signmaker’s career to have one of their signs installed in Las Vegas. After 20 years in business The Sign Depot is thrilled to announce we now have reached that goal. Last month we created a vintage-look 3 dimensional sign for Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar Restaurant located at the Red Rock Casino Resort.
Our Work Is A Reflection Of Your Business And Of Our Craftsmanship
Peter Moir, owner here at Sign Depot always states that the signs we make are a reflection of the business we develop it for, and shows just how talented our expert signmakers are. This often results in calls from companies saying they saw a sign they liked and asked the owner where they got it made and are contacting us to see if we could make a similar one for them. That is the way this signage project for Hearthstone came about. The design team from Munge Leung contacted us about a client of theirs that wanted a sign like the one we created for Gusto 101. That phone call led to the 3 dimensional sign for Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar.
Finding The Right Fit With Custom Fabrication And Finishes
Creating this vintage looking sign had multiple steps.
1. Custom cut script was created and finished
2. Cut out individual letters were also part of the business name on the sign
3. The letters were affixed to a custom crafted backer
4. Faux rust finish was applied
5. The sign was fitted with LEDs
This is how it looks now that it has been installed in Las Vegas.
This project became quite a grand showpiece for the restaurant, which opened just recently, and we anticipate it will be successful addition to this travel destination.
For more information on how we can work with your on a custom 3 dimensional sign, sure to visit our CONTACT US page, and if you happen to find yourself in Las Vegas be sure to tweet us a pic of you with the Hearthtone Kitchen & Cellar sign!
Custom Business Sign On Brand For In Vintage We Trust
Finding The Right Fit
In Vintage We Trust began as an online store curating vintage clothing styles for their clients. When the decided to open a retail flagship store in Toronto they wanted their signage to fit with the brand they had built. They wanted a vintage look custom business sign similar to the Gusto101 Restaurant sign that had caught their eye. As any internet savvy business would do, they took to the web and googled Gusto101 sign and The Sign Depot was suddenly on their radar. Much like an online website, a sign is a 24 hour advertisment for your business and you should always ensure it fits with your brand. The owners of In Vintage We Trust knew this to be true and contacted us regarding their exterior signage.
Getting That Vintage Look
When the In Vintage We Trust owners collaberated with the expert sign designers here at Sign Depot, the custom sign concept they conceived was to create a very visable sign but have it look like it was right out of the past. The sign material used was an aluminum composite, to give the look of an old tin sign, but be durable enough to withstand various weather conditions. Their logo and business text was hand painted with 1 shot paint (know to those in the signage industry as the go to paint for sign makers). The paint was distressed to give the look of a weathered exterior sign and then a faux rust finish was applied to the sign further the pantia look. All of these steps were crucial in order for the In Vintage We Trust custom business sign to fit their brand while catching the interest of passers-by.
If you are looking to brand your business with custom business signs, be sure to visit our CONTACT US page. Let us know what size, text, graphics and style of sign you are looking for. Not sure what you want on your company sign? The expert sign designers here at The Sign Depot can help with that too!
