Author: Steve

Do you have the challenge of organizing a system of directional signage or visual cues to help visitors to your location navigate their way around a large or possibly confusing area?

Wayfinding signs and graphics help hospitals, college campuses, museums, amusement parks, and loads of other businesses and organizations provide an easy to understand guide for their visitors to use when trying to locate certain places and find their way around.

When large or tricky to navigate areas might normally cause people to easily become lost, wayfinding signage is one of our specialties at Signature, and our team of designers can assist you in providing enthralling visuals along walkways and roadways that are both clear to understand and appealing to look at.

Design Challenges of Wayfinding Signage

The challenge of developing an effective wayfinding system lies in making an easy to understand, uncomplicated system of maps, floor plans, building directories, and other visual cues that direct the public and ease stress among your visitors, relaying essential information in the most straightforward way possible. All flow of traffic must be taken into consideration, both indoors and out.

Although it is best to keep designs free of unnecessary information for this purpose, it is wise and business-minded to incorporate elements of your unique brand, including brand signs, into the design, while still maintaining ease of navigation and simplicity of use. Choices in color, fonts/text, and size of design all present unique visual challenges when dealing with passersby on foot, and those decisions especially require extra planning and careful consideration if your signs will be displayed along roadways.

Wayfinding Branding: Get Started Today

Let our talented and professional design team help you make these important decisions about wayfinding branding, providing experience and knowledge to blend your brand with wayfinding signs to create navigational tools that are unique to your purpose, and that will imbue all the qualities that you wish your brand to convey. Contact us today to request a quote.

We proudly use 3M^TM graphic films and overlaminates.

The effect of color on people’s emotions has been a topic of study for centuries. In the modern era, the thoughtful use of color in product packaging, logo, and advertising is an essential part of branding and marketing.

Effective Use of Color Can Boost Sales

Fleet graphics are increasingly useful in advertising, as commute times in cities have steadily been on the increase. While people instinctively learn to block out the constant influx of advertisements online and in print, product marketing along roadways and in pedestrian areas becomes a more useful tool.

Eye-catching, colorful compositions will help you to establish brand recognition and increase sales. The use of color psychology to project a desired mood is a tool that has been proven to be effective for decades.

What Mood Are You Trying To Project In Your Ads?

Many studies have linked how certain colors affect people’s moods and buying habits. An estimated 62-90% of a human’s decision making and assessment of a viewed object is based upon just the color of the object.

Color can be used to reach specific target demographics, as the perception of color can be affected by age, gender, and cultural differences. Our Design and Print Service can work closely with you to make the most eye-catching Fleet Graphics for your business and project the desired mood to your potential customers.

How can certain dominant color choices affect the desired response in the design of your Fleet Graphics? Here are a few examples:

Red: Proven to stimulate the central nervous system and increase appetite, red has such a profound effect on exciting the viewer that clinical environments rarely employ the use of red or it’s analogous colors (yellow and orange) to prevent patients from becoming agitated or having increased blood pressure. This color is a natural choice for injecting an element of excitement into your advertising. Red has a positive effect on stimulating impulse shoppers.

Blue: Blue is firmly linked to feelings of calm. In advertising, the perception of blue being stable and reliable makes it a popular choice for corporate logo design. Royal blue is known to be attractive to impulse shoppers. Studies have shown that blue, one of nature’s favorite colors for mold, is an appetite suppressant. It is a rare color in natural foods (blueberries being one exception) and a poor color choice for convenience foods.

Yellow: Known to increase appetite and improve overall mood. Yellow is an attention grabber and projects confidence. It is used by food manufacturers to convey that consuming or buying a product will produce feelings of happiness. However, yellow can cause eye strain when used in advertisements and is also linked with feelings of frustration and anger.

Green: Often positively linked with a healthy environment, plants, and nature, green can sometimes give the consumer the impression that a product or service is “expensive”, so this can produce a negative or positive result, depending on what the target demographic is.

Violet: The traditional color of royalty; in ancient Rome, only the wealthy and royalty could afford to buy purple dye: the manufacture of which required huge numbers of rare sea snails to procure enough pigment to make a tiny amount. People still associate purple with quality or wealth. Purple is also associated with spirituality in western, eastern, and new age religions.

Ready to dazzle your potential new customers with colorful, engaging and targeted visuals? Request a quote from us today to further explore the growing media of Fleet and Specialty Graphics.

We proudly use 3M^TM graphic films and overlaminates.

A Small History of Environmental Branding

In the 1970s, fine artists started to use rundown and abandoned city areas that had previously been considered public eyesores to create art galleries. They hoped to build artistic sandboxes for a small group of friends who loved the arts, in hopes that it would organically grow within its urban setting of many cultures and ideas.

Many of these projects helped to transform ghettos and other struggling areas into flourishing and popular neighborhoods over time.

This trend that favored imagination over a high budget has paved the way for modern designers to transform otherwise wasted and unwanted spaces in a similar manner.

Signature specializes in turning unused or underused surfaces into eye-catching, vibrant canvases for specialty graphics to boost your business and build your brand.

Why Environmental Signage and Retail Graphics are Important

Everybody is drowning in marketing every day. It’s no secret that consumers are barraged with a staggering number of ads per day.

The number of marketing messages the average adult is exposed to varies greatly from study to study; Forbes estimated in 2017 that the average adult is exposed to 4,000 to 10,000 ads each day. The struggle to capture the attention of the buyer is more challenging each day.

How to Strengthen Your Environmental Branding

With the help of our design team, Signature can help you place your advertising message in imaginative, innovative, and highly memorable places. By using non-traditional outdoor spaces in an aesthetic, fun, and visionary manner, consumers can be won over by ad art that works effectively with its’ surroundings in a thoughtful manner.

All good things come to an end, including signage, but that doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. Refacing old signs is a smart, cost-effective way to give your brand-new life. However, it’s also important to know when it’s time to replace worn-down or broken signs.

Give Your Signs A Facelift

Your outdoor signage is the first thing your customers see before they come into your store, and it’s essential to make an excellent first impression. If your sign is old and faded, you can’t market your brand effectively, so it may be time to reface your space.

Refacing signs is an inexpensive method that covers your current sign with digitally printed vinyl to make it look new. Signature Graphics offers nationwide service and will professionally install your store-front signage so you can put your best face forward.

Pros:

• Cost-effective, temporary method to update signage
• Refacing can be done within a current frame
• Does not require new permits if the frame is intact
• Easy way to update old without demolishing existing sign

Cons:

• Vinyl covers will pick up defects
• Damage to the frame, chips in paint or cracks will eventually show through the cover
• Sign location can make refacing difficult
• Vinyl covers are not a permanent solution

Know When It’s Time To Start Fresh

If your signs are extremely damaged, or the frame is unstable, it’s time to invest in a new sign. Complete replacement may also be required for new building occupants with old signage, as the old frame design may not work with their brand.
Since refacing is not a permanent fix, replacing damaged signs can also be more cost-effective in the long run.

Pros:

• New signs can refresh your brand logo to attract prospective customers
• Creating a new sign gives you complete creative and stylistic control
• Upgrade frames and signs with higher quality materials

Cons:

• Brand new structures are more costly and may require permits
• New signs may not conform to the current framework

Signature graphics use 3M™ graphic films and overlaminates, so you know you’re getting premium graphics designed to last. Our team will work with you to create the most compelling signs to market your brand properly.

Learn more about how Signature Graphics can give you the best signage options with our products and services. Call us at 800-356-3235 or contact us online.

Image is everything; at least it is in the marketing world. This is especially true of your fleet graphics since consumers spend an average of 18 hours per week in their vehicles looking at your brand.

Whether you have a large budget or are looking for something cost-effective, your brand can benefit from full or partial wrap graphics. It’s up to you to decide what you need, but both options will keep your brand looking sharp on the road.

Full Wraps

With 70% of consumers influenced by out-of-home advertising, why not give your brand the greatest advantage with mobility? A full wrap will cover your fleet vehicles from top to bottom to create a full-fledged mobile billboard.

Though full wraps are a more expensive branding option, they offer advantages such as:

• The ability to change your fleet vehicles colors and protect their paint jobs
• Mobile advertising on a larger scale
• A long-term investment in quality vinyl that lasts for several years
• Complete coverage on bumpers, sides, hoods, and windows

Consistent branding across your fleet is necessary for a uniform, and practical approach, and Signature Graphics provides vinyl products that withstand degrading elements on the road.

Partial Wraps

Branding on a budget is easier with the flexibility and creative freedom that come with partial wraps. Partial wraps cover a portion of your vehicle and are typically utilized for fleets with smaller vehicles.

If you wish to keep the color of your vehicles, partial wraps are a safe bet and can incorporate your vehicle’s color into the brand.

Check out partial wraps if you’re looking for:

• A cheaper alternative to full wraps that still effectively markets your brand
• Wraps that are easily changed to coincide with brand specials and promotions
• Creative freedom with varying degrees of coverage for your vehicles

We work with our customers from concept to installation to create custom vinyl graphics that meet your needs. We proudly use 3M™ graphic films and overlaminates, so you know you’re getting premium graphics designed to last.

Whether you’re looking to remove and replace current graphics or design your brand from scratch, we have the tools and services to help you get the job done. Call Signature Graphics at 800-356-3235 or contact us online to learn more.

Changing your fleet graphics or returning your rental vehicles means you’ll need to take extra care during removal.

Believe it or not, effective removal starts with effective installation.

Start From The Beginning

Saving money on inexpensive graphics and installation may be tempting, but it can come back to haunt you in costly removals. Low-quality vinyl sticks during removal, making more work for you in the long run.

It’s also important to avoid using primer during installation as it can separate laminates from the vinyl and leave behind adhesive residue that is a nightmare to clean. Investing in a quality graphics installer with reliable products is your best bet at guaranteeing a seamless application.

Removal Do’s & Don’ts

Do protect yourself: Always wear gloves when removing vinyl wraps with a heat gun. The vinyl must reach a specific temperature for removal, which can burn your skin.

Don’t rush: Apply even pressure with spread fingers when you begin to pull off graphics. The process should be slow since quickly tugging at the vinyl can cause it to tear or separate from the laminate.

Do know the lifespan of your graphics: Depending on the longevity of the vinyl, your graphics could be more challenging to remove. Climate and graphic location on your vehicles can affect the amount of wear and tear.

Don’t use abrasive materials: Beware using certain chemicals for removal as they can damage the paint of your vehicle. Metal razors also pose a risk for chipping paint resulting in a higher final expense if you rent your fleet.

Do find a graphics company: Graphics providers and installers have effective methods to remove your fleet graphics and can help you find the best removal option.

Signature Graphics offers vinyl wraps for all kinds of fleet vehicles. We will keep your fleet looking sharp from creation to installation and proudly use 3M™ laminates and overlays to provide quality images that will remove effectively.

To learn more about our services and how Signature Graphics can meet all your graphics needs, call us at 800-356-3235 or contact us online.

Your fleet graphics could be the brightest, most innovative images on the road, but are they effective?

Investing in quality materials is the best way to convey your company’s objectives and further brand awareness. We proudly use 3M™ graphic films and overlaminates, so you know you’re getting premium graphics designed to last.

Here are a few other tips to help you get the most from your vehicle wraps.

Pay Attention to Your Fleet’s Appearance

It’s okay to be a little vain when it comes to the appearance of your fleet graphics. Look at them through the eyes of potential clients and ask yourself what they would see.

The graphics on all your vehicles should be:

• Durable: High-quality graphics are resistant to all climates, weather and road elements.
• Properly installed: Installation should be simple and precise to minimize the risk of bubbles and wear-and-tear. Some graphics can be installed in panels to allow for easy replacement later.
• Clean: Wash your fleet’s graphics regularly to maintain their appearance. Residue can be difficult to remove if you wait to clean it off.

Make a Good First Impression

Your fleet graphics may be a customer’s first impression of your brand so make them concise to maintain brand consistency. Vehicle advertising is an effective way to reach a larger audience at a lower cost and key information should be visible from all sides of the vehicle.

Fleet wraps serve as mobile marketing and essential to your corporate identity. Opportunities such as home visits are a chance to serve customers while also marketing your brand.

What We Can Offer

Signature Graphics provides services for all your vehicle wrap needs. We offer wrapping for:

• Trailers
• Cars and Trucks
• Vans
• Box Trucks

We also offer solutions for fleet managers to simplify the graphics process. We focus on maintaining fleet uniformity, so your brand is easily recognizable no matter the make or model of your vehicles.

Learn how Signature Graphics can boost your brand with fleet graphics and contact us to learn about all our available services.

Events are an excellent way to get your brand out in the open, but when you’re in a crowd you want to attract attention, not blend in. So, what will help you stand out in a sea of companies all vying for the attention of potential clients?

It starts with a good first impression.

Make the Most of Trade Shows

Graphics are a good way to introduce your company to potential clients at trade shows before the initial meet-and-greet. Signature Graphics can help put your company’s best face forward. Our event graphic design services are catered to meet your company’s needs and style.

During a trade show, remember to:

1. Use your space: Make it work to your advantage. If space is limited, get creative with graphics placement on tables and standalones. We will work with you to identify further branding placement opportunities to ensure your company will stand out.
2. Maintain consistency: Trade show graphics should be clear and bold to keep people focused on important information. Standalones and banners should provide plenty of details while adhering to a single, overarching story.

Special Events Are All About You

There are lots of moving parts when it comes to special events, but we can ensure your graphics won’t be one of them. Whether it’s an annual event or a one-time deal, events are a chance to invite clients into a space that will immerse them in your company’s brand.

To gain their undivided attention, so invest in quality branding options such as:

1. Better materials: It is essential for the longevity of your graphics, especially if you plan to use them at multiple events. We specialize in durable printing techniques and 3M materials that will hold color and capture attention.
2. Pay attention to signage: You want your event signage to be defined. Direct your guests with straightforward graphics that will not distract them from their destination.
3. Brand outside the box: Your graphics don’t have to stick to the usual banners and wall decals. Have fun with specialty graphics options available in your event space like doors, countertops, even elevators.

Contact us to learn more about how Signature Graphics can help you utilize trade shows and special events to your advantage.

Keeping a consistent look and messaging over multiple business locations is not something that just happens – it takes a focused commitment and dedication.

Signature Graphics can help get you there. Our designs for both retail graphics and vinyl wraps bring a branded, consistent look and feel to your business, regardless of zip code or stretch of highway.

Keeping a consistent brand is key for the customer experience. From a retail standpoint, you want them to feel like they’re in a familiar location regardless of what state or neighborhood they’re in – helping them have a confidence and set of expectations they associate with your brand. Doing so creates a cohesive experience they associate with your brand. We work with you to make sure their expectations meet their experience with your company.

Signature Graphics’ professional design team understands this connection between brand and customer. Whether we’re designing graphics for the store or fleet, we create eye-catching graphics and messaging that customers will recognize and associate with your brand. It’s what we do.

When it comes to fleet graphics, our wraps for cars, vans, trucks and trailers all work toward the same goal: establishing a corporate identity that reminds drivers – while they’re out and about – that your company provides value to their life in some way, shape or form.

Signature Graphics’ printing capabilities are among the best in the industry. Our experienced professionals work with you on every aspect of your graphic marketing. We not only plan and design your graphics but can install them and even remove old ones.

We proudly use 3M™ graphic films and overlaminates, so you know you’re getting premium graphics designed to last.

To learn more about how Signature Graphics services can make your brand consistent across multiple locations, contact us today.

For those of us in the northern half of the country, we’re about to reach the character-building part of the year.

Winter has a way of testing many aspects of life. Our resolve to get out of a warm bed on a cold morning. Our heating system’s ability to keep us cozy on a below-zero night. Our vehicles’ vinyl graphics character to continue looking its best in the midst of snow, ice, slush and road salt.

Signature Graphics knows that the extremes of winter certainly present some challenges to graphics, but reminds you that some basic care can go a long way in helping them look their best thousands of miles into the future.

We proudly use 3M™ graphic films and overlaminates to ensure the best quality products to put your business in the best light, regardless of the season. 3M offers some care tips for your vehicle graphics, which should be treated as you would fine paint finishes on your car.

1. Regular washing: Because dirt and contaminants allowed to remain on the graphics may make them harder to remove, it’s best to wash the vehicle each time it appears dirty. Automated car washes may be used, with touchless washes being the best for graphics. A brush touching the vinyl wrap could potentially dull it or cause edges to lift.
2. Use hands instead of pressure: Washing by hand is preferred but pressure washing is OK if pressure is below 2000 psi and less than 180 degrees. If pressure washing, use a spray nozzle with a 40-degree spray pattern and keep nozzle at least one foot away from and perpendicular to vehicle.
3. Preservation techniques: A couple of don’ts for your graphics: do not use wax, and do not use abrasive polishes. If there is a wax or residue on your vehicles, remove it with an all-purpose cleaner.
4. Store indoors: Exposure to sun and environmental elements can wear down vinyl graphics over time. Whenever possible, keep your vehicle indoors or in the shade during the day. Protect against acidic rain and dew in the morning by parking in a garage. If that’s not possible, a cloth car cover will provide protection.
5. Don’t forget the undercarriage: You want to keep the underside of the vehicle clean as well. If salt remains on the undercarriage, your steel components can begin to rust. Rust can hurt the graphics’ ability to cling to the vehicle.
   For information on services available at Signature Graphics, contact us today.