Signage projects, whether big or small, can involve multiple moving parts. As a business owner, the last thing you want to do is deal with a complicated and difficult signage project. By right-sizing your signage projects, you can reduce headaches and end up with a signage project that saves you time and money. Metro Sign and Awning prioritizes lean management as a method to manage your projects and make your signage experience as smooth and cost effective as possible. Metro Sign and Awning implements lean management practices because they help us achieve the four Lean goals: Improve quality Eliminate waste Reduce time Reduce costs Lean management practices allow us to provide our clients with the highest quality products and fast
Category Archive for: Signage Tips
Plastics often get a bad rap, but many are environmentally friendly. High-density urethane (HDU) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) are prime examples. In fact, over a sign’s life cycle, some plastics are greener than wood. Because HDU and EPS suppliers know having minimal environmental impact is a competitive advantage, they manage their manufacturing processes to reduce waste. Also, many manufacturers use a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials in their products. Financial and Environmental Benefits of HDU and other Plastic Signage Materials In addition, from a construction, financial, and environmental viewpoint, the new materials offer tremendous advantages. For example, HDU weighs less than wood, yet is longer-lasting and requires virtually no maintenance. Unlike wood, the new plastics are impervious to water and insects.
Whether you’re in the early planning or construction stage of a new residential or mixed-use development or starting to think about a new sign (or signs for a new location) for a local business, at some point, you have to request a quote for that signage. In order to take your sign ideas from early brainstorming sessions into installed signage reality, there’s a process called “budgetary reality.” It’s probably safe to say that requesting a quote – and getting estimates on signage projects – is nobody’s favorite part of the job. At Metro Sign & Awning, we understand that – and we also know getting your signage quote right is a very important part of our job. How to
Can you see me now? Verizon Wireless, and many of its authorized dealers, depend on Metro Sign & Awning to see that their signage represents the company well on many sites. For some time now, Metro Sign & Awning has been an Authorized sign manufacturer for Verizon Wireless. And while the company has a comprehensive, 200-plus-page book of branding standards, there’s a surprisingly large “gray area” and much needed flexibility built into the process of design review. Accurate Information is Key to Best Signage Design, Installation Because every business location is unique, regardless of how many branding guidelines there are, there must be some room for interpretation. When a Verizon authorized dealer contacts us about updating or installing new signage,
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.
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
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,”
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
Our talented creative team is already hard at work creating signs you’ll see in 2017, but they recently got together to discuss some of their favorite signage projects of 2016. ADA Signage Required in most buildings, ADA signage must be created and installed according to strict guidelines. At Metro, we strive to create ADA signage that is not only a functional, but also a beautiful, addition to interior design. We enjoy the challenge of designing ADA signage that incorporates elements of our clients brands, that is also compliant and enhances building utilization for all. Awnings Awnings and enclosures can update a business image, invite customers into a new entrance, and serve as new and additional signage. In some cases, helping a
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