ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Others

Specialty Signage Offers Expanded Functionality

When signage goes above and beyond its basic “job description” and becomes an architectural element, we refer to it as functional signage, or more informally, specialty signage. Awnings, vestibules and enclosures are obvious examples, but they have some surprising benefits. For example, they can help manage heating and cooling demands, among other things. And while most developers understand how branding can be incorporated into exterior facades, when it comes to interior design we often find our team working alongside architects to bring their vision to reality by identifying specialty materials or new fabrication techniques in order to fit the sign and design into difficult spaces. Retractable screens, unique seating areas and decorative or branded panels are some other projects we’ve worked

Earlier this year, a report by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America showed that outdoor advertising not only remains tops in terms of cost-effectiveness, it continues to be one of the strongest drivers of online searches. How Outdoor Advertising Fuels Online Searches According to the report, outdoor advertising was as successful in spurring Facebook activity as were TV ads, and results were similar for driving traffic to Twitter and Instagram. If it sounds surprising at first, when considering your routine behavior it’s easy to understand the findings. While commuters are strongly encouraged to ignore their phones while on the road, thanks to mobile devices, we’re accustomed to tuning in to an increasing amount of visual stimuli all the time, even while

We’ve enjoyed working with Fitchburg State University (FSU) for several years, and we sincerely appreciate the ongoing relationship we have with university officials and staff. From a clean, easy-to-read design to ensuring the perfect color match for that famous Fitchburg green to producing signs and finishes that are as durable as can be for the many outdoor wayfinding signs, virtually every member of our team has played a part in improving campus signage. Multi-tasking Wayfinding Signage Like all signage projects, wayfinding is advertising – but more than that, it must satisfy many different criteria. In addition to being visually appealing and brand-enhancing, wayfinding signage in particular must be functional – for someone unfamiliar with the area, clear directional signage can

Last summer, the owners of Haverhill Valley Forum expressed interest in working with Metro to dedicate their arena in the memory of Paul Gilmartin. We were excited and honored for the opportunity to work on the project. The challenge was that the perfect location on the face of the building was all glass windows and the sign they wanted to have would feature illuminated channel letters. Our sales, design project management and engineering team worked in collaboration with the Forum’s electrician to create the solution to make it happen. Sign Designed to Stand Out (by blending in) The letters were mounted to a raceway that was painted to blend into the tinted windows. We then conducted a technical survey that

Damage From Blizzards, Winter Storms Covered By Most Standard Insurance Policies, Says The I.I.I. | III

According to this article, winter storms are unpredictable – insurance is not. We’ve found some claims are handled differently than others. That said, the best way to deal with winter storm damage to your signs is to PREVENT it. If you haven’t had regular inspections and maintenance performed on your exterior signs in the past 6-12 months, give us a call now. It might prevent a panicky call (and extended headaches) later.

What You Need to Request a Quote for Exterior Signage Projects

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,

Campus “Freshened Up” with New Wayfinding and Identification Signs Color matching is important, and trickier than it sounds. (Ask any parent of a fashion-conscious student who has recently been back-to-school shopping.) At Metro Sign and Awning, our back-to-school preparations were not about fashion, but about helping students find their way around campus. A shade off here or there may not matter to some, but when it comes to the consistency for an established brand it is critical. As at most universities in New England (and everywhere else!), the facilities, operations, and grounds crews at Fitchburg State University have been busy all summer. As a result the FSU facilities department has needed a number of new signs around campus for new and

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

Working on some of Boston’s signature spots always gives us a special feeling of pride. So when the Friends of Post Office Square selected Metro Sign & Awning to design, fabricate, and install new wayfinding signage inside, we knew it would be a great project. In the heart of the financial district, directly underneath Norman B. Leventhal Park, the full-service parking facility has been called “Boston’s nicest garage in terms of service and quality.” The award-winning facility, open 24 hours a day, is all about going green – so from the outset, the plan called for replacing the existing neon signs with LEDs that use far less energy. Green, Modern, Universal, and Useful New Signage Replacing the existing neon signs with