ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Others

Making Signs Stand Out, Blend in with Beautiful Campgrounds

From Concept to Design to Fabrication – GSEM Signage Enhances Organization’s Brand Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEM) came to Metro Sign & Awning with a challenge. GSEM’s five camps, with locations in Andover, Brewster, Plymouth, Waltham, and Pelham, NH, needed signage that would be highly visible, beautiful, and durable. The signs needed to reflect the organization’s mission as well as its brand, stand out night and day, and complement the camps’ beautiful natural settings. As a non-profit organization, the budget was non-negotiable. And then there was the timeframe: concepts for exterior signage that needed to be designed and fabricated into reality – and installed – before the upcoming camp season and a popular annual event. Challenge accepted. Sign Concept

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

enovating an old sign is something like a makeover. The ‘after’ appears beautiful true to the original, but sports an even better, brighter look. And when a sign renovation includes moving from fluorescent bulbs to bolder, brighter LEDs, there’s also a significant energy cost savings. One restaurant owner in Keene, NH recently discovered how a relatively simple sign renovation can make a big difference in how people view the business. Upgrading, Updating a Business Sign Long established Papagallos restaurant has legions of fans in the Keene, NH area. But people who are new to the area or who are driving through town on business might not have known what they’d find on the menu. The Papagallos family specializes in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. But the

We at Metro Sign & Awning have had a wonderful year. From design challenges to discovering new ways to work with unusual materials to some truly unique installations, we’re proud of our entire crew, and can honestly say we’ve enjoyed working with all of our clients in 2016. So from everyone in our Boston and Keene locations, we wish you a wonderful holiday season.

How Your Business Will Shine in 2017

Old sign not doing its job? Relamping might be all it needs. If you’ve got a signage project on your plate in 2017, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re just entering concept/design phase or your sign project is further along, we can help.

How Long Will Outdoor Wooden Signs Last?

If you want your outdoor wooden signs to stand the test of time, you’ll have to weatherproof them.

Our Top Interior Sign Posts of 2016

Interior signage is a complex animal. One part interior design, one part marketing, one part pure function… with equal parts art and creativity, budget-sensitivity, building ordinances and regulatory compliance. We field a lot of questions about interior signage – many related to ADA regulations and building codes, others about branding, longevity of materials, and ROI. Below, some of the most popular posts and tips on interior signage from 2016. If you have an interior branding, POS, wayfinding, or other signage project coming in 2017, take a look at some of these interior sign examples, or contact us directly with your questions. We’re happy to help you tame your complex interior signage “animals!” Tips and descriptions of some related Boston-area sign

Shopping center developers know they need to help tenants capture point-of-sale traffic on Black Friday – the busiest shopping day of the year. More importantly, effective signage should attract shoppers all year long. An out-of-date center with tired signage just won’t draw the traffic it needs to. But rather than a complete renovation, sometimes the most effective – and affordable – solution is to replace or upgrade the existing signage. Updated Signs Draw Attention, Increase Mall Traffic Metro Sign & Awning frequently works with developers and municipalities to modernize freestanding sign structures. We have retrofitted signs on many established properties to utilize dynamic, digital boards to display news about new tenants, promotions, and shopping center events – ultimately increasing traffic and sales. Retail

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