ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Inside Metro

Inside Metro Sign

One of the easiest ways to get recognition is to put up a sign. We’ve all seen those iconic signs that garner instant attention: The Citgo Sign in Kenmore Square, Cask ‘n Flagon next to Fenway, McDonalds’ golden arches. Target’s bullseye. A quick glance at these signs tells us immediately what store we’ve found. But these globally recognized icons—like any sign, really—needed serious planning and strategy to work effectively. Most people—even smart businesses who hire a company like Metro—don’t realize all the steps involved with designing, building, and installing signage. Adding signs requires more than simply hanging a sign on an interior wall or erecting a sign on a pole outside. Developing a signage strategy, from conceptualization through installation, often

Who doesn’t love a new toy? Granted, when we get older, our definition of “toy” changes. As adults, we might geek out over a new drone. That new DSLR camera evokes the same excited reaction as a once-coveted Lego set. This year, we celebrated the holidays early with the addition of some new equipment. While it’s not something we can take home to play with, these tools will help us to offer some pretty cool signage designs for our customers. Our New Laser – A Cut Above the Rest We work with clients who have a lot of different ideas and design requests. When we decided to add a larger laser cutter to our production equipment, we wanted a workhorse.

We’ll be celebrating our nation’s birthday next week, and we hope our customers and friends will be doing the same. A bit of housekeeping: our offices in both Tewksbury and Keene will be closed on July 3 and July 4. Then it’s back to business on Wednesday! How Will You Celebrate the 4th in Boston? There are so many highly-touted July 4th celebrations in Boston and throughout New England, it’s hard to get to all the places you want to go! BostonUSA.com and Boston Discovery Guide list many, with some Fourth of July events in the Boston area starting tomorrow. Of course we won’t just be taking a couple of days off and celebrating the whole time. (Although “fun” and “relaxation” play pretty large parts

We’ll be closed on Monday so our employees can gather with family and loved ones to celebrate and commemorate throughout this Memorial Day Weekend, and we hope that you are looking forward to a relaxing holiday, too. When we return to the office on Tuesday, we’ll have practically closed the books on the first half of 2017. Summer really is on its way! Where will you celebrate Memorial Day in Boston? Summer Signage Upgrades Coming to a Business Near You Our crew has worked on many exciting projects lately – some not yet ready to be announced – and we’re looking forward to a great summer. What does the rest of the year hold for you and your business? A new location? An

Metro Sign and Awning graphic designers and fabricators love bringing signs to life. But would our jobs make a good movie? Well, probably not. Carefully fabricating any sign requires extensive knowledge and experience with a host of tools, techniques and materials. And painting the finished sign is another highly specialized part of the process. While we know that watching paint dry isn’t exactly the stuff that wins Oscars or Academy Awards, we had to share this video of one of our great painters at work. (Thanks, Pete!) The video offers a quick overview of our sign painting techniques and various stages, including: Pre-treat and base layer Full second and third pass Masking/border mask, stencil mask Potter cut vinyl Light first pass Full

National Amusements is committed to providing the ultimate entertainment experience in theatres around the world under its four cinemas brands – and that ultimate experience includes modern, exciting signage. Metro has worked with National Amusements to rebrand inside and out. Interior Signage conveys branding for Showcase Cinema Ensuring the brand identity is consistently carried through all interior and exterior signage is important – and making sure the signage is bold, beautiful and attention-grabbing is just as critical to the theaters and property managers. During its long-standing relationship with National Amusements, Metro Sign & Awning has provided interior and exterior signage for several of its theaters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island. Last year, Metro crews worked in

Metro Sign & Awning has installed 29 pole mounted tenant banners at The Point in Littleton, MA. Each banner is unique and works to represent the many shops and businesses that have just gone into this space. The minute you drive into the Center, you are greeted by these colorful banners that show off the businesses you can expect to find here. What’s The Point? The Point, located in Littleton, MA, is a new shopping center that combines shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment. Featuring a wide variety of businesses, The Point aims to be a one-stop destination where you can not only shop, but spend the day as well. At The Point, you’ll soon be able to shop for groceries

Watch as Metro Sign and Awning installers put up new signage at The Center at Innovation Drive in Tewksbury. This internally illuminated freestanding pylon has a push thru copy and a CorTen steel base that will rust over time to add to the design detail. To see more of our freestanding signs, visit our portfolio. Read more about how our designers and fabricators worked together to create the innovative, attractive signage that has helped brand The Center at Innovation Drive. UPDATE: In June, the US Sign Council recognized this sign as a winner in the 2016 USSC Sign Design Competition. We’ve always know we have a great team. It’s great to have a reason to shout about it!

Metro Sign & Awning Expands Service Area and Capabilities With Acquisition of Custom Designs Signs

We are pleased and proud to announce that we have completed the acquisition of the premiere sign company in the Southern New Hampshire and Vermont region. Custom Designs Signs (CDS), located in Keene, NH, has been a leading provider of signage design, fabrication, installation, and service since 1969. The company has built its enviable reputation by crafting high quality and eye catching signs and displays for a large number of local businesses, architects, and developers in the greater Monadnock and Brattleboro regions of New Hampshire and Vermont. Recent projects include the Keene State “Wall of Donor Recognition,” Nanotech, Brattleboro Ford, TGI Friday’s, and The Center at Keene. Key people at CDS, including Jim Vitous and sign maker Kris Arnold, will

Inside Metro Signs – John McNally, Lead Fabricator It’s just another day at the factory for John McNally, the lead fabricator and working foreman in Metro Sign and Awning’s fabrication shop. It usually starts with an intense look at one of the sketches the design department hands off to him when they give the go ahead to build a new sign. “Then it’s up to me,” says John. “Basically, I have to figure out the best way to build it so it lasts.” Living in a world of square and rectangular tubing, sheet metal, and various kinds of clear and translucent plastic, John keeps busy using band saws, radial arm saws, welding equipment and very high bonding adhesives to slice