ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Signage 101

Small Details Key to Big Brand Signage Surveys, Installs

Metro’s Keene, NH crew has been busy with installations for national brands this summer. Find out what it takes to handle the big names in signs. Big brands often require big, high visibility signage – and Metro Sign & Awning has the experience and equipment to handle the job. But even before the installation can begin, detailed survey work needs to be done – and the permitting process can be lengthy. Here are four keys to Metro’s reliable handling of the big signage jobs: 1. Metro is UL listed – a prerequisite for most larger sign installations 2. Metro has the large equipment necessary for the larger jobs – and the experienced operators and installers

As strategic planning for 2018 is underway, we are developing concepts and specifying projects for several branding (and rebranding) projects. Signage materials, designs, and fabrication techniques vary so much that our clients are often surprised to find out how much sign they can get within their budget – and how attractive and effective their new signage can be. If you’re considering a rebranding projects, start here to begin to estimate your signage investment.

How Much Does a Sign Cost Calculator

What does a sign cost? Compared to what? A Superbowl commercial spot? Promotional giveaways? Couponing? A sign works for you and your business 24/7. The impression your sign makes is a strong and lasting one. And signage can benefit your business in surprising ways. Familiar Signs Are Good, Overlooked Signs Are Not Individual drivers and pedestrians may encounter your sign 10-20 times a week. Seeing a sign regularly makes people become comfortable with your sign (and your business). They may even think of it as a neighbor. Signs can generate word of mouth and referral business simply because people feel comfortable with what is familiar to them. On the other hand, you don’t want your sign to become “part of the

We’re very excited about YOTEL Boston’s Grand Opening! The forward-thinking micro hotel offers a “smart, flexible space that suites individual needs.” It’s a business model we love: providing smart and flexible designs that are tailored to meet individual needs is what we strive to do every day. Signage must meet the needs of a business, while being flexible and innovative in order to shine and celebrate the uniqueness of each commercial enterprise. Members of the Metro Sign & Awning team have been working closely with the city of Boston and YOTEL developer Boston Global Investors (BGI) for more than a year to make sure the signage – inside and out – would be as smart, bold, and bright as the

You don’t want ANYONE to overlook your business signage. But it may be so familiar to you that you barely notice it – and you could be losing business because of that. It’s time to take a fresh look and pay attention to what your sign says about your business. Attractive signs get customers to come in and spend There are two ways to consider your signage with fresh eyes. First, from a “what you see” standpoint. Is it as big, bright, and bold as it needs to be? If other businesses have grown up around yours, your sign may have gotten lost in the mix. For example, if you’re the restaurant everyone refers to as “by the hardware store,”

New owner of full-service salon sees vibrant results with new logo, new sign When Infinity Hair, a full-service salon and barbershop, was purchased, the new owner needed a new logo and sign. Metro Sign and Awning helped create a bold new look for the business. The owner had several ideas. Metro’s Keene designer took those ideas and developed several concepts as a guide to steer the general direction of the sign. “Once we had picked a basic concept, (designer Kris Arnold) dove in deeper and created a more detailed rendition,” explained Patrick Grizzard, Sales Manager. ‘The result was a stunning vinyl sign using the colors of the rainbow in an intertwined infinity sign.” The Advantages of Vinyl Graphics Grizzard is

Indeed some important signs. Which one is your favorite? 🙂

Overcoming Signage Restrictions with Creativity and Style

Glass House in Cambridge was working with a visibility issue with respect to its new Kendall Square location. Since the business is set back from the main road, it is not easily seen by prospective diners. The restaurant’s owner and design firm (Hacin + Associates) had some great ideas for encouraging traffic, and they weren’t about to put mediocre signage on the menu. Shortly after calling Metro Sign & Awning, our creative designers and fabricators were able to turn those great sign ideas into reality. The result: compliant signage that’s attractive, highly effective, and – as a bonus – is also mobile. When Signage Restrictions Are Tough, the Tough Get Creative After investigating several options for internal illumination, it was clear the

Each year in April, Earth Day gets a lot of attention. But when the activities are over, it’s easy to forget about our intentions to reduce our businesses’ impact on our environment. For years, Metro Sign & Awning has worked with its clients to create high-impact signage while minimizing its impact on the earth and maximizing our customers’ return on investment. (In fact, we wrote a whole white paper about it; take a look – it’s free!) Below, we share three of the guiding principles we follow, on Earth Day and every day. 1. Materials Matter Plastic is the new wood! It’s something we’ve been telling our clients for a long time. We’ve gone to historical committee and zoning board meetings on behalf of our clients to explain – and

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