class="tag"Posts Tagged ‘heritage’
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.
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.
Custom Historical Site Signs And Wayfinding Signage
Signs For Historic Sites
Last month we asked our online audience what Historic Sites they enjoy visiting. It was a varied list including Pioneer Villages, Military Reenactement Sites, Historic Ruins, Heritage Buildings and Natural Wonders. Many of these places welcome visitors from all over the world, and how do they welcome them? With custom signs that are created to reflect the history of the site.
Custom Crafted Signs Made To Be Memorable
When the expert custom sign makers here at The Sign Depot are creating a sign for a historic site they consider these factors
-
Visibility
-
Close traffic areas
-
Brand recognition
-
Surrondings
With these four ideas in mind a custom sign can show off what the historic site wishes to convey to their visitors. With just a glance, guests get a good idea of what to expect from the site because of the traditional sign out front. Visibility is key to ensure that the sign is placed in the proper position. If you factor in the traffic near by you will know if it is predominantly drive by or walk up traffic (and sometimes it is both). Brand recognition come is the form of text, graphics, logo and colour choice and finally considering the surrounding area lets the sign designer know how to make the sign stand out but not look out of place. In addition to conveying a message to passersby, the custom sign also provides wayfinding for the historic site. You can learn more about the importance of wayfinding on our post about findability and wayfinding signs.
Let us know about some of the historic sites that you have visited recently and if you have pictures with their landmark signs we would love to see those too!
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
-
How big in the building that the sign will be displayed on?
-
Is the traffic near the pub vehicle or pedestrian traffic. or a bit of both?
-
What will the text say?
-
What kind of logo or graphics will best represent the pub?
-
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!
ABC’s of The Sign Depot With A Heritage Backdrop
Wandering in the Workspace
While walking in the workshop I happened to notice the “A“starring right at me.
With a variety of sign materials, wood shop machinery, tools and signs being constructed, I decided I could find the entire alphabet within the walls of The Sign Depot workshop. The challenge was on! With a bit of investigation the work space became a cross between a word jumble and a giant bowl of alphabet soup. Every nook and corner was combed over to spy one more letter to add to the mix.
26 pictures later The Alphabet According To THE SIGN DEPOT was conceived. In order to share the fun I created a slideshow so you can follow my travels and see how I creatively captured each letter through my camera lens. The majority of the pics show off the restored heritage building we are in but the letters are signs of the time we have spend in this historic building.
Yes, some were sign letters, but this is behind the scenes look at THE SIGN DEPOT after all. Turn up your speakers and boogie to the ABC’s of THE SIGN DEPOT
We would love to hear what you think and look forward to providing additional Sign Depot Videos about the type of signs that are created here in our sign shop. If there is something we do that you wish to learn more about, make sure to list it in the comments and we will do our best to accommodate all of your requests. We enjoy sharing our work with our audience and would love to hear more of what you enjoy reading about when it comes to custom sign making. In the meantime we hope this video brought a smile to your face and put a spring in your step!
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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
Want to receive monthly tips? Make sure to sign up for our newsletter The Sign Depot Signage Signal in the right side bar. You’ll learn tricks for better business branding, see the custom sign projects here evolve and stay in the loop about upcoming community events just like this one Late Nights And Blue Collar Mornings
We Take The Same Approach To Custom Projects As We Do Custom Wood Signs – Fine Canadian Craftsmenship
Let It Snow
This year we had an abundance of snow and chose to take advantage of it while it was still here. The team at Sign Depot decided to hit the local toboggan hill to test out the handcrafted toboggans.
Below is a slide show of Sign Depot getting ready for the Christmas Season. Thanks to everyone who pops in to see us, or checks us out onlline! 2010 was really fantastic & CHEERS to continuing it on in 2011
As you may have noticed the MOIRS toboggans are a feature of the slideshow above. These custom wood toboggans are often inquired about when visitors pop by for one of our community events.
Proud To Be Canadian
These man made toboggans are a tribute to Canadian heritage. They are handcrafted from re-purposed materials that may look familiar to Canadian sports enthusiasts. The MOIRS toboggans are made from recycled skis. Talk about your Green Economy! Being know for our creative approach to signs and design projects, it was not a far stretch when these skis became a quite a show piece in The Sign Depot workspace. After before the final product was assembled there were lots of intricate steps elements involved including sanding to an ultra smooth surface, high gloss finishes, sturdy hardware as well as vinyl decals displaying the logo. After the toboggans were fully assembled they required a test team and we were eager to see how well they worked. The staff at The Sign Depot trekked up the city’s highest hill in the name of market research. Lets say that the test run for these wood toboggans grabbed a lot of attention, just the way our custom signs do and as you can see from the video below, fun in the sun was the theme for that Christmas Party!
Commnunity Involvement Year In Review 2010 @ The Sign Depot
Ever Notice How Quickly Things Change?
This time last year we headed in a new direction. This direction happened to take us across the street, with a few detours along the way. Thank goodness we are masters in the art of wayfinding signs, or should I say in the artistic way of wayfinding?
We had just moved into the Access Storage Building formerly known as Doon Twines/Canada Cordage. There were a few hurdles along the way. Our move went in two parts. The shop was being setup downstairs, but the office would not be ready in time, so we had a “makeshift” office upstairs. During that time we learned a lot about this building and all of it’s passageways, elevators and mishaps that can happen with a heritage building.
Early spring the office was completed and setup began. After that we hosted a public Open House and Food Drive to welcome the community to our new location. It was a great event filled with friends both old and new.
Summer came and it brought a new employee, new business and a new project. Besides our day to day operations, a Pirate, his ship and a trusty first mate we constructed. We visitors almost daily to watch this project evolve.
Since then we’ve had several projects both locally and Toronto based.
Now with this whirlwind year winding down, we’re happy to announce the launch of our new site, a Designers’ Day event in January & an Art Showing coming in February. Want to keep up with us in 2011? It’s easy, just sign up for our Monthly newsletter in the right side bar of this page. We really enjoy our location and are looking forward to more community involvement projects. We promise to keep you in the loop.
Happy Holidays From Everyone at The Sign Depot!
Welcome Sign – Community Involvement At The Sign Depot’s Grand Opening
Signing In And Signing Up For Community Involvement
We invited family members, clients, friends and Mayor Carl Zehr to see what goes on inside our new sign shop located at 51 Borden Ave S. Kitchener, Ontario, formally the Doon Twines building. This historic building, now owned by Access Storage, has been re-purposed but many of its heritage features were kept intact. This makes a perfect match for our traditional wood signs.
We demonstrated a few of our custom sign making techniques such as guilding and and let them have a sneak peak of some of our upcoming sign projects.
This CNC demonstration showed how a sign design begins on the computer
Then gets cut on the router table
to become a custom 3 dimensional sign
We had a great time and it looks like our attendees did as well. More importantly we filled all the boxed for the Food Bank and it was all contributed to the local Dig In Campaign For The Food Bank Of Waterloo Region.
For additional photos of our community involvement initiatives, please visit our Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/TheSignDepot
Re-purposed Doon Twines Business Building And The Sign Depot, A Good Move For Custom Signs
