ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Exterior Signage

The Power and Cost-Effectiveness of Exterior Signs

Signage offers a visual and branding advertising strategy with tremendous power. Essential for building brand visibility and increasing awareness, well-designed and thoughtfully placed signage can last decades and will attract thousands of customers to a brand over time. Exterior signs stay evergreen, delivering continuous, repeated impressions to help reach business goals by: Attracting prospective customers—76% of consumers enter businesses because of the signs. Creating brand value—68% of consumers believe a business’s signs reflect the quality of its service and products. Driving impulse sales. Establishing a brand—a sign can attract up to 50% of a new business’s initial customers. Giving customers a first, and lasting, impression of a business—75% of consumers told others about businesses they noticed because of the signage.

While we don’t have a handy Magic 8 ball able to reliably predict the future, it hasn’t stopped us from making some educated guesses about next year’s signage industry trends. They include: Minimalism in design. We’ll continue to see signs focused on clean, crisp images that evoke elegance. Improved sustainability. As more companies embrace ESG (environmental, social, and governance) policies, they’re incorporating eco-friendly initiatives into their buildings, including signage construction, materials, and power. One of Metro’s recent clients, TÜV SÜD—a Germany-based company offering safety, security, and sustainability solutions—opted to use an innovative wall sign for its U.S. headquarters, for example. Metro’s partner, CityScapes, recommended the preserved moss material featured in the sign. Initially, the clients asked to use real wood

A TOUGH QUARTER, THEN IMPROVEMENT HEADING INTO 2022, ACCORDING TO THE SIGN INDUSTRY QUARTERLY ECONOMIC REPORT
ALEXANDRIA, VA – October 18, 2021 – All four sectors of the sign and graphics industry are looking slightly worse for 2021, but expected to rebound by 2022, according to the Sign Industry Quarterly Economic Report, produced by IHS Markit for the International Sign Associati

U.S. manufacturing gains steam; raw material, labor shortages mounting

U.S. manufacturing activity picked up in May as pent-up demand amid a reopening economy boosted orders, but unfinished work piled up because of shortages of raw materials and labor.

Signs of the Times July 2021

Sign of the Times, a well-known publication specializing in comprehensive sign-industry news, technical information, and in-depth analysis, featured Metro in its July 2021 issue. The article, “Catch the Wave” highlights Metro’s work with faux-neon LED signage and features a sign Metro designed, manufactured, and installed for the Ryder apartment complex in Revere Beach, MA. LED sign design involves several logistical considerations including fit, turning radius, and long runs. Learn more about how Metro created this fun sign to light up the beachside apartment complex. Read the full article at: editions.mydigitalpublication.com Read Original Article

Consumers Want Curbside, Outdoor Dining to Stay in 2021

A recent National Restaurant Association survey found 83% of diners aren’t eating in person at restaurants as often as they’d like, up from 45% pre-pandemic. Many restaurants, including chains like Denny’s, Red Robin, and Texas Roadhouse, added — and plan to keep — outdoor dining. Other restaurants have developed and promoted more creative experiences for their customers including wine tastings and cooking lessons. Learn more! Read Original Article

Let Me Entertain You: Signage for Event and Entertainment Spaces

Imagine this scene: A giant arena filled with tens of thousands of screaming fans. Bright lights flood the stage. The bass thrums from giant speakers. The colorful crowd bobs and weaves in time to the music. Or imagine a convention center. Row upon row of booths and tables create a labyrinth of paths weaving through the cavernous space. Giant industry signs hang from the ceiling, on the walls, and suspended from elaborate frames. Professionals move among the displays to network, share expertise, and learn about the latest innovations. What do these two environments share? They both see thousands of visitors at a time — millions of visitors each year. Concert goers and convention or event attendees have specific expectations, including

With warmer weather upon us, vaccination rates increasing, and restrictions lifting, people have been venturing out to visit their favorite restaurants in person. The pandemic hit the restaurant industry very hard — and while it’ll take time for the industry to recover from its 2020 losses, owners can take heart based on the results of a recent June survey conducted by Morning Consult: 70% feel safe eating at a restaurant, a 3% increase from the end of May 67% feel safe dining indoors 76% feel safe dining outside 59% indicated they’ll feel comfortable dining out by July Consumer excitement about eating out continues to grow and friends and family who’ve not seen each other in person for months look forward to connecting

Grab the attention of potential customers and show off specials with a unique outdoor restaurant sign. We give 4 tips for creating eye-catching signage!

Forming a Decision

Different types of plastics trends can influence what material makes sense to use for signage construction. Various plastics options — including acrylic, impact-modified acrylic (IMA), and polycarbonate — share properties but have key differences. A sign’s location should also influence material choice, because not all materials react the same to weathering. Signage manufacturers should take into consideration sign style (screen vs. digital printing) and ink types (UV-cured, latex inks, UV-LED print) when recommending what materials their clients should choose. Click here to read the original article from Sign Builder Illustrated.