Vinyl Banner Design Basics

Vinyl banner design is about as easy as it gets for the non-professional graphic designer. Generally speaking, a vinyl banner is easy to design. Anybody with a little bit of graphic design experience can design a banner. Using a bit of imagination can make a world of difference.

And even if you have no experience, your supplier (for instance, www.signartetc-banners.com) can point you in the right direction, or even design your banner for a small charge.

Here are some things to watch for when designing a vinyl banner...

Vinyl Banner Design Tips # 1. Use software that handles CMYK full color output.

There are at least three kinds of software you can use:

-- Image editors like Photoshop.
-- Page Layout programs like Quarkxpress, Pagemaker, or InDesign.
-- Illustration programs like Illustrator.

Generally speaking, programs that are designed for consumers or general office applications are not recommended: e.g., Word, Wordperfect, Publisher, Excel, etc. If you have a specific inquiry, don't hesitate to ask your vinyl banners supplier. A good source of information is your contact person at SignArtEtc-Banners.com. You can ask a design or production related question by using the contact form on any page on the site.

Vinyl Banner Design Tips # 2. Keep your design simple and striking.

The best designs for vinyl banners contain two or three basic elements. Usually these will be a photograph, a large headline, and an "identifier" such as your company name, logo, or phone number.

Vinyl Banner Design Tips # 3. Use bright colors.

The most striking vinyl banners have lots of bright colors.

Vinyl Banner Design Tips # 4. Design your vinyl banner so it is readable for your target audience.

If it is going on a building or beside a road on a fence, or on an outfield fence at a baseball, soccer or football field, MAKE SURE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BE READ.

Vinyl Banner Design Tips # 5. Make sure your images have sufficient resolution.

For some advice on image resolution, see the Vinyl Banners FAQ.

Vinyl Banner Design Tips # 6. Make sure your vinyl banner fits the area where you're going to mount it.

Don't guess at the size. Most people who are not familiar with signage will UNDERESTIMATE the required size.

Get The Most From Your Vinyl Banner

4 Design Tips For Effective Banner Marketing

By its very nature, a vinyl banner is meant to be like a big flexible poster or billboard. That makes it a piece of advertising, so all the rules and techniques that apply to advertising design should apply to vinyl banners as well.

Rookie Banner Design Mistakes
In the advertising business you see rookie advertisers making the same design "mistakes" over and over again. They think people are going to walk up to their poster, billboard or vinyl banner and examine every detail. So they cram it with lots of product information, a detailed map of how to get to their store, and the phone numbers of all their sales reps.

It comes as a bit of a shock to learn this is not how things work. In fact what happens is this: since we are bombarded with advertising images all day, every day, we do our best to ignore them. Especially the ones with lots of boring details.

It gradually dawns on the budding advertiser that what people DO notice is something striking, different, loud, funny, or shocking. That is why most professional advertising tries to create a distinctively memorable selling feature, and then focus on it with striking images, snappy, memorable slogans, or catchy, sing-able (often loud!) music.

Banner Design Tips # 1. Keep it simple
The first, most important rule of thumb when creating a vinyl banner design is to KEEP IT SIMPLE. Stick to two or three main elements that communicate your most important selling points. Identify your product with a striking photo (if you have one), and then define the most important selling features with the other elements: usually a striking headline, and some other "feature" like the price, the amount of discount, or the "free" thing you are giving away.

Banner Design Tips # 2. Use Striking, Colorful Elements -- the "Photo ID Model"
Of course these days we are talking about vinyl banners made with FULL COLOR digital printing. So when creating your vinyl banner design, it is usually safe to use what I call the "Photo ID Model" for digitally printed state-of-the-art vinyl banners. The "Photo ID model" uses four basic elements:

1. Product photo or photo collage
2. Main Headline
3. Product Description
4. Company Identifier

The Photo ID Model is not the only design style you can use for your vinyl banner, but it gives you a professional looking, highly effective place to start. For a more complete description of this design approach, see my article titled "The Photo ID Advertising Design Model"

Banner Design Tips # 3. Use Color Effectively
Use COLORS to your advantage. Use FULL COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS that contain interesting bright colors. And make your headlines, special offers, and company identifiers jump out by using red, white or yellow on a black background.
This is called the "reverse text" or "knock out" technique. Look at the hundreds of signs you see everyday, and notice how often reverse text is used. The contrast between the light colored text and black (or dark) background gives your text much more graphic impact.

Banner Design Tips # 4. Use Your Imagination. Be Creative!!!
Unfortunately the "Photo ID Model" is so effective -- so obvious -- it is very tempting to use it without thinking much about the IMPACT or CREATIVITY of the various elements. So for instance, a typical vinyl banner or other type of display ad for a fictitious company called "Perk-it-Up Coffee" will often start out like this:

"Perk-it-Up Coffee" (headline)
Photo of can of coffee (photograph)
"Made from the finest coffee beans, blah, blah, blah."
Order yours today from Perky People Coffee, 123 Java Hwy

Notice how this list is just a series of relatively unimaginative "facts" about the product: the product name, what it looks like, how it is made, where you get it. Not terribly inspiring. No clear statement of its most important features. No attempt to "sell" the product.

You can do much better than that! With a little bit of imagination your "Perk-It-Up" vinyl banner could have MUCH MORE IMPACT. For instance, even a fairly uninspired headline like the one above will come to life if you associate it with an interesting photograph.

And I'm not just talking about a picture of the product. Use good looking people if you can. For example, a photo of happy, wide-eyed person holding a "Perk-It-Up" mug looking as though she just had a major java hit. Now even a boring headline like "Perk-It-Up Coffee" means something. And now you can go the next step and be more creative with your headline too!

Keep it simple, make it striking, use color effectively, and be creative. Then your vinyl banners will have the impact you are looking for.

Check out www.signartetc-banners.com if you need help with banner design or just need your banners printed quickly and professionally…….all at a great value.

Sign Design Tips

Seven Secrets Of Highly Effective Sign Design

There is a "secret recipe" for highly effective sign design. Just one missing ingredient will have a negative effect that can destroy the appearance of an otherwise well designed custom sign.

The good news is, designing visually appealing signs isn't rocket science. Following solid principles graphic designers use to create attractive, high impact custom signage will help you yield the greatest return on your advertising dollars.

1. Are ALL CAPITAL LETTERS Easier To Read?
2. What Are The Very Best Letter styles To Use In Signage?
3. What is "White Space" And How Can You Use It To Enhance Your Design?
4. When Is Less, More?
5. How Big Is Big Enough For The Message To Be Readable On A Sign?
6. What Are The Best Color Combinations To Use?
7. Should You Use A Border On Your Sign?

Use this information anytime to create a competitive advantage in your sign program. Let's get started.

Secret # 1
Are ALL CAPITAL LETTERS Easier To Read?
There is a misconception that exists that since ALL CAPITAL LETTERS are "bigger" than their lower case counterparts, that they must be easier to read from a distance. However, visual tests have scientifically verified that Upper And Lower Case Text is more legible from a distance than ALL UPPER CASE LETTERS. Since passing motorists may only have 2-3 seconds to read your message, maximize the readability of your custom designed sign by limiting the use of all capital letters.

ALL CAPS do have a place in effective sign design. However, since you know now this secret, you will automatically be mindful if and/or when you choose to use them. When you preview a design for your new sign, stand back from the monitor to get a better idea of what the text will look like from a distance.

Top Secret # 2
What Are The Very Best Letter styles To Use In Signage?
In an attempt to stand out in the crowd, inappropriate type styles are often chosen for signage. "Designer Fonts" may look good on business cards and stationary, but they can greatly diminish the effectiveness of a sign. To make matters worse, fancy type styles are often used completely wrong.

For example, a
on a sign can be difficult enough to read but nobody should ever use ("ALL UPPER CASE SCRIPT") or



In general, clean, crisp, easy-to-read type styles should be used for maximum legibility. Prime distinctive examples include

Variations of the same type style can also be used throughout the design

If you look at what national companies do with their signage, you will notice clear, easy to read text in almost every case.

The second most legible group of type styles includes the serif style of fonts. Serifs are short horizontal lines added to the tops and bottoms of traditional typefaces, such as "Times Square" seen below. Please note the differences below between the block style letter (sans-serif or "without serifs") and the serif style letter.





There are several variations of similar looking serif type styles including

Each letter style has its own unique, defining characteristics. The distinctions from one serif letter style to the next are often subtle.

* As a general rule of thumb, never use more than two different letter styles in a single sign design. Our Online Sign Design Center let's you instantly select, view and revise type styles at will. By playing with different styles and combinations, a distinctive identity will emerge that will project your business image professionally. Top

Secret # 3
What is "White Space" And How Can You Use It To Enhance Your Design?

White space also known as negative space simply refers to the empty area of a design that is devoid of any text or graphics. The empty spaces surrounding text and graphics are just as important as other design considerations. There is a tendency to "fill up" the available area with as much as possible. To leave area unused almost seems counterintuitive because we all want to get the most bang for our buck.

So why is white space so important to create highly effective sign design? Part of the reason is psychological and part of it is physical. Text without adequate white space leaves us feeling crowded and cramped. Text needs room to breathe. When text is crowded, the message becomes too difficult to read.

A general rule of thumb is that around 30% to 40% of the sign's face area should be left as white space for optimal readability. Trust your own judgment. If a design looks too crowded, it probably is.

Secret # 4
When Is Less, More?

This design tip goes hand-in-hand with the effective use of white space.

The most successful sign will communicate effectively and concisely. Therefore, in as few words as possible, clearly communicate the message you wish to convey to your target audience. Crowding the sign with too many words or lines of text makes it increasingly difficult to read from a distance. The number of words used on a sign is a classic example of where, "Less Really Is More".

Once you preview a completed design, stand back and look at it again and try to put yourself in your customers' shoes. What will most appeal to them? Top

Secret # 5
"How Big Is Big Enough For The Message To Be Readable On A Sign?"

Any sign that can't be easily read from the distance intended is virtually worthless. So when in doubt, better to go larger than too small.

The scientific answer though lies in the Letter Visibility Chart originating from a joint research project by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Penn State University and the United States Sign Council.

Unlike a lot of charts that seem confusing at first, this chart is very easy to read and understand at a glance. The beauty of this chart is in it's simplicity of use.

For example, if the farthest point you want your message to be seen from is 100', the Chart indicates that you should use a minimum 3" letter height. However, for "Best Impact", a minimum 10" tall letter is called for. The greater the size, the greater the impact and legibility of the message.

Selecting the right size lettering for your next project is no longer guesswork. Use the following steps to 'reverse engineer" the exact size your sign should be. Working "backwards", you can easily determine the optimal letter height for your signage. This will require a little bit of your time and effort but isn't your business worth it?

1. Start with the most distant point you want your audience to be able to read the sign
2. It's best not to guess so buy a cheap tape measure so you can accurately measure the distance
3. Once you know the viewable distance, decide exactly what you want the sign to say
4. As a rule of thumb, a 6" tall letter will take up around 6" in width. So if your line of text has 10 character spaces, you will need a sign at least 60" plus in width. Remember to include enough white space around text and graphics when deciding upon the final size of the sign itself.
5. If your sign has more than one line of text, add all of the vertical heights of the lines of text and add about a third more to that number for the height of the sign. For example, if all the lines of text add up to 12" tall, add about a third or 4" to make the overall height of the sign about 16". Adjust as needed to make the layout look balanced.

Speed is another factor that should be considered for signage visible from the street. The following chart outlines the feet traveled per second at different speeds. This is a supplemental tool you can use to help choose the optimal size for your custom signage.

Use the data in this table combined with the Letter Visibility Chart above to determine the amount of time potential customers will have to read a sign while driving.

For example, an 8" letter is has a maximum readable distance of 350'. If a vehicle is traveling at 45 mph, then divide 350 feet by 66' feet per second (FPS) to determine that a driver will have a maximum of 5.3 seconds to read the sign until they pass it.

You now possess the secrets to optimizing letter sizes that will be easily read by your target audience. Top



Secret # 6
"What Are The Best Color Combinations To Use?"

The effective use of color is vital to the effectiveness of a sign. So how exactly, do you use color "effectively", right?

The key is contrast. So what exactly is contrast? Contrast is the difference in brightness between the light and dark areas present in a single design. A bright yellow background for example, will contrast well with dark letters such as black, a dark shade of blue and even purple. The greater the contrast or difference between the light and the dark colors, the more legible text is from a distance. Colors that are closer together like a medium gray letter against a black background won't contrast as well and therefore will be more difficult to read.

Contrast:
Take a look to your left. Which of the two looks larger... the white one? They are both the same size. The use of a light colored letter against a dark background lends to it seeming larger. Light letters tend to come at you, where dark tend to recede.


Generally speaking, white as a background color is by far the most versatile because more colors naturally contrast better against a neutral white background than any other single color. When you choose a different background color for a custom sign other than white, you limit your choices for colors that will both stand out and "go with" that background color. That's not a good thing or a bad thing - it's just something to keep in mind when making color selections.

Comparing Visibility Of Different Color Combinations

These 14 color combinations for lettering were tested for readability at a distance. The test were carried out on different groups under the sponsorship of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). The results ranked in the sequence shown, with #1 the most legible and #14 as the least legible. Negative letters in 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 appear to be larger in appearance than their positive counterparts.

Color Combination Effects
Contrast Solutions

Weak color contrasts can be strengthened with an outline and/or drop shadow.


Colors create a mood, a perception, a feeling and speak very loud to our subconscious generating either a positive or a negative reaction within seconds. Consider the psychological characteristics of color when making your selections.

BLACK suggests authority, power, boldness, seriousness, professionalism, is distinguishing and classic. Business wise, it's great for creating drama and is good for a background color. It is ideal for text on a light background.

BLUE suggests security, authority, faithfulness and dignity. For business it suggests sanctuary and fiscal responsibility. It is the most popular and the second most powerful color. Blue can also be cold. People are more productive in blue rooms.

BROWN suggests richness, politeness, helpfulness and effectiveness. In business it suggests less important items. Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather.

GRAY suggests authority, practicality, earnestness and creativity. Business wise it is traditional and conservative.

GREEN suggests health, fertility, freedom, freshness, healing, tranquility and jealousy. Businesses use it to communicate status and wealth. It is the easiest color on
the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color.

ORANGE suggests pleasure, cool, excitement, cheer, endurance, strength and ambition. For business it is good for highlighting information on charts and graphs.

PINK suggests femininity, gentleness, well being and innocence. For business you must be aware of it's feminine links and implications.

PURPLE suggests spirituality, royalty, luxury, wealth, sophistication, authority and mournfulness. In business it is upscale and works with artistic types. It is also
feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

RED suggests excitement, strength, sex, passion, vitality, aggressiveness and commands attention. Business wise it's associated with debt, is great for boldness and accents. The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing.

WHITE suggests refinement, purity, devotion, contemporary and truthfulness. For business it can be sterile and refreshing.

YELLOW suggests warmth, sunshine, cheer, happiness, jealousy, deceit and cowardice. Business-wise it appeals to the intellectual types and is a good accent. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused.

People respond more to non-verbal cues than verbal ones. Make sure you use the psychology of colors in all your marketing, especially when you can't be face to face.

Secret # 7
Should You Use A Border On Your Sign?

Adding a border increases reading speed by 26%. Borders are often recommended whenever automobile traffic is the intended audience.

With forethought and careful deliberation, present the image you want to project that will attract customers and entice them to stop, shop, and buy. For example, full-color photo-realistic digital pictures can be incorporated into designs to add greater impact. Logos, artwork and other graphical elements can also be added to visually stimulate the viewer towards the desired action.

Actively participating in the final design of your sign is an ideal opportunity to make the best first impression possible. Put your best foot forward. Nobody else knows your business and objectives better than you do. Nobody cares nearly as much about your success as you do. You are the architect of you business. Plan well.

If you choose to use www.signartetc-banners.com - our own graphic designers will provide a professional review of your sign design and offer suggestions.

10 Tips For Advertising With Vinyl Banners

Vinyl Banners are a simple cost effective way to promote your business. Read more to find out how to make the most of banner advertising.

1. What will your banner be used for?
Banner advertising is very versatile and can be used inside, such as in shops, offices or museums; outside shops, restaurants and on buildings; for exhibitions and trade shows and at sporting events and concerts. Outside banners need to be more durable and weather resistant than indoor ones.

2. What is the aim of your banner?
Your banner can be used to advertise many different aspects of your business. What about promoting a sale, the opening of your new business, increased opening hours at yourshop or café, a new product range or new season stock in your shop; a live band playing at your pub; the fact that you now serve food in your museum, or are launching a new product at a trade show?

3. What needs to be on your banner?
Depending on the aim of your banner, you may need to include the message, phone number, website address, corporate slogan and logo. Or you may only need basic information such as Sale Now On, Car Park Next Left, Under New Management, or Now Open Longer.

The banner will need to contain just enough information to convey your intended message. Too much information and people will be put off, and if there's not enough information people will ignore it or not know what to do.

4. How big does your banner need to be?
If your banner is too small it won't be easy to read. If it's too big it might be overpowering. Consider the amount of space that the banner will take up, and measure carefully.


5. What shape does your banner need to be?
The shape will depend on where the banner is going. Long and thin banners work well for down buildings such as a pub or restaurant, whilst short and wide are ideal for above a shop, and perhaps you want square banner for a concert or sporting event.

6. Who will design your banner?
If you are a creative type of person, you could design a custom vinyl banner yourself, and it will be cheaper than employing a designer to do it for you. Using an experienced designer will ensure that your banner will be appropriate for printing, and will be more professional than using clip art and a compromised font, from a word processing package.

7. Are the images clear and obvious?
Images and artwork that look clear on a piece of paper may not be as obvious once the artwork has been turned into a banner. Are there too many colours or not enough?

8. Is your banner easy to read?
Will somebody driving past be able to tell what you are promoting and know what to do? Can someone remember the website address or phone number? Will somebody walking past be able to as well? That font might look good to you, but is it easy for your intended customers to read.

9. Are there too many colors on your banner?
Whilst you may be tempted to make use of all the colors available to get even better value for money, your banner will be easier to read if you keep the colors simple.

10. How will your banner be attached?
Often overlooked, how the banner will be attached is arguably just as important as the design of the banner. The popular choice is to use metal eyes so that rope or elastic cord can be used to easily hang the banner. Internal banners will not be subjected to wind and movement the same way that external banners will be. If you are able to use existing railings, or shop fixtures to hang your banner on, you can then decide which method of attaching will be best. Perhaps you will need to use additional fixing methods, or make alterations to the building structure.

Want to advertise your business to passing traffic? Need to let people know your restaurant is open longer? Want to tell people you've got a sale on? Then use banner advertising and let your customers know. Get a vinyl banner printed today.

Church Banners

Bulletin boards are a good venue to post church news, announcements, reports and updates. But not all people read bulletin boards. They may be cluttered and contain a lot of old news mixed in with the news. Sometimes, important notices are overlooked or don’t get the attention they need.

When you have to announce something very important, do it with a banner posted on the church’s façade to everyone to see. As church announcements are relatively simple, a banner wouldn’t cost much. Parishioners will learn more about your activities and are more likely to participate.

For special occasions, like a Christmas play, anniversary or a visit from a senior church official; spread the feeling of welcome and joy by hanging a colorful, announcement banner. You can have one done on vinyl in full colors, attractive images and catchy text. A Banner will add a touch of professionalism to any church announcement you may have.

Church banners can carry photo quality images and backgrounds that attract and bring attention to your church project. You can have it designed in such a way that drivers and pedestrians will see it across the street. They are the perfect welcoming sight for your important guests, as they do convey hospitality and warmth. A vinyl banner is waterproof, fade resistant and will last a long time. You can use it for church signage as well. You can print church schedules and list weekly or monthly activities. Better informed parishioners can and will contribute to your cause.

Full Color Vinyl Banners

Most of us know what a "banner" is -- not the kind used in web pages -- but the kind used as signs on the sides of buildings, on fences, or across the stage at conferences. Roughly speaking, a banner is a large flexible sign or poster made of a durable material that can be easily folded or rolled. We are used to seeing banners strung across the road at fall fair time, or to promote a worthy cause.

In recent years banners or "banner signs" have become much more versatile than even five or six years ago. Banner signs are now used in all kinds of places where we used to see more permanent signs. Instead of a sign made of wood or aluminum, we now often see a vinyl banner sign that serves the purpose very adequately.

These days, the most common material used to make outdoor banners is smooth, good looking but durable vinyl. A banner printed on vinyl will stand up to the sun and rain for a number of years, so vinyl banners are often used in places where a quick, low cost alternative is needed.

Sometimes vinyl banners serve as a temporary substitute for a more permanent sign which will come later. Other times where the site is only temporary -- such as a construction site, or a special event like a family reunion -- a full color custom vinyl banner is the only sign that will ever be used.

The great advantage of banners is that they are made of flexible and lightweight material. That means a vinyl banner can be rolled up or folded when it is time to take it down or move it to a new location. They are also relatively inexpensive when compared to the alternatives.

What has made vinyl banners so versatile is that they can now be printed digitally in beautiful full color. Printing vinyl banners used to be a fairly crude and laborious process, but the "digital revolution" changed all that. Special printing machines can now print directly onto vinyl that can be used either indoors or outdoors.

The design and printing process is actually quite simple -- as long as you know something about digital printing. Banner designs can include photographs, artwork, fancy backgrounds, company logos. In other words, any graphic image that can be captured in a computer file can be printed on a vinyl banner.

All suppliers do not use the same process

The best place to find a source for vinyl banners is on the internet. A small number of companies specialize in providing low cost, fast-turn-around vinyl banners. A specialty vinyl banner company has mastered the details of banner printing and prints hundreds or even thousands of them every month. They can usually offer the lowest price and fastest delivery too.

But not all vinyl banner suppliers use the same process or the same equipment. Some use silk screening, while others use low end ink jet printers. The best suppliers use higher end UV ink printers. It is important to know the difference between these processes, and often you cannot tell by looking at the descriptions provided to you on supplier websites.

Silk screening has adapted some digital capabilities, but when it comes to the actual printing, it is still an older "low tech" process. It remains an important method of printing certain things that cannot be done "digitally" -- for instance, for printing on unusual materials, or wherever special inks are required. But setup costs are normally higher, turn-around times are longer and printing smaller quantities is often not feasible.

Lower end ink jet printers are sometimes used to print on vinyl. But the bottom line is that these inks are meant for indoor applications and short term outdoor use. They are more quickly faded by UV from the sun, and are also susceptible to scratching and water damage.
When ordering a vinyl banner for outdoor use, or one that you want to last a couple of years without fading, be sure to go with a true UV ink process.

Marketing with Vinyl Banners

One way to make your outdoor advertising efforts successful is to choose vinyl banners. Vinyl banners are relatively easy to design and will have a big impression on the viewer if you follow some of the basic design rules. All you need to have is a little imagination and some basic design skills, and you can create a banner that inspires.

Software Matters

If you will be designing the vinyl banner on your own computer, then make sure that you choose a program that does CMYK full color output, not your average office application. This way, you can guarantee that your final product has the design that you are picturing. Most professional printers will use CMYK full color output, so if you have a specific question about the colors, you can talk to your supplier. They may even be able to send out color samples to make your decision process easier.

Keep it Simple

For some people, the larger canvas of a vinyl banner is an invitation to cram in as much information as possible. However, a simple and striking design is much more effective. Stick with two or three basic elements. Generally, these will be a photograph or graphic, a headline, and your company's name, logo or contact information.

Be Bold

Keep in mind that vinyl banners are designed to be viewed from a distance. Because of this, bold and bright colors are much more effective than muted colors or pastels.

Can You Read It?

Vinyl banners are often hung up high or in such a way that they must be read from a distance. Because of this, you should be careful with your font style and size. Make sure that the lettering is large enough to be read from a distance, and avoid difficult script fonts that can be hard to read.

Higher Resolution is Better

While a low resolution image may work fine on smaller items like business cards and brochures, you need a high quality, high resolution image for banners. Remember, the bigger you blow up a picture, the more obvious imperfections are. A low resolution image will look distorted and fuzzy the bigger it gets.

Know the Size You Need

If you are accustomed to working with smaller mediums, it can be very easy to underestimate the size of the vinyl banners. Measure twice and order once - never guess at the size you will need as 99% of the time you will be wrong.

Consider Other Methods of Hanging

If you are going to be hanging your banner on a wall or a fence, then grommets are often the best way to go. However, pole pockets are easier to use and allow for a variety of display options. Contact your banner printer to see what styles of mounting are available and which ones will best meet your needs.

Vinyl banners can advertise your store, your event, your show, or any number of things. Creating an eye-catching vinyl banner is an essential part of making these marketing endeavors more effective.

Retractable Banner Stands

Banner Stands are an attractive and convenient way to showcase products and messages to a target audience. They are usually portable and flexible structures and carry attractive graphics.

One of the popular types of banner stands is the retractable banner stand. Easy to use, retractable banner stands work like a window blind- simply slide up the graphic over a pole and secure it. Retractable banner stands are also called roll up banners.

These banner stands are ideal for trade show displays. Because the printed graphic is stored inside the base, assembling and re-assembling is easy and takes little time. Retractable banner stands take about a minute to set up. All that is required is extending the pole and raising the banner.

Retractable banner stands also protect the printed graphic during transportation as it is secured at the base. Retractable stands like roll up stands exhibit displays and pop-up displays are ideal for exhibitions and trade shows.

There are two types of indoor banner stands – pole and retractable. Of these, the retractable banner stand is the most popular. It is has many advantages. For one, it is easy to use and does not require any training. It does not require any tools to set up. It does not have any bits to loose. The best feature about it is that the graphics are protected in a cassette. However, retractable stands are more expensive than the ordinary pole type. They are heavier than other banner stands. It is also difficult to change the graphics.

Budget roller or retractable banners range from $150 - $300. Banner stand prices include the printing of the full color graphic using digital artwork used by the company.

Retractable banners are a wise choice for exhibitions, trade shows, etc. as they are easy to assemble and costly graphics are protected. They can be setup for a show in a matter of minutes and taken apart and reassembled for the next show.

Options: Vinyl Banners

Generally speaking, a vinyl banner is easy to design. Anybody with a little bit of graphic design experience can design a vinyl banner. And even if you have no experience, your supplier can point you in the right direction, or even design your banner for a small charge.
Here are some things to watch for when designing a vinyl banner...
1. Use software that handles CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) full color output. There are at least three kinds of software you can use:

- Image editors like Photoshop, PhotoPaint, or PhotoImpact
- Page Layout programs like Quarkxpress, Pagemaker, or InDesign
- Illustration programs like Illustrator or CorelDraw

Generally speaking, programs that are designed for consumers or general office applications are not recommended: e.g., Word, Wordperfect, Publisher, Excel, etc. If you have a specific inquiry, don't hesitate to ask your vinyl banners supplier. A good source of information is your contact person at SignArtEtc-Banners.com.

2. Keep your design simple and striking. The best designs contain two or three basic elements. Usually these will be a photograph, a large headline, and an "identifier" such as your company name, logo, or phone number.

3. Use bright colors. The most striking vinyl banners have lots of bright colors.

4. Design your vinyl banner so it is readable for your target audience. If it is going on a building or beside a road on a fence, or on an outfield fence at a baseball or soccer field, MAKE SURE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BE READ.

5. Make sure your images have sufficient resolution. For some advice on image resolution, see the Vinyl Banners FAQ.

6. Make sure your vinyl banner fits the area where you're going to mount it. Don't guess at the size. Most people who are not familiar with signage will UNDERESTIMATE the required size.

7. Consider alternative methods of mounting your vinyl banner. Grommets are the "default" method of mounting a banner on a wall or fence. But often "pole pockets" are simpler and more efficient.

Lynn Lee, Photographer, Goes To Sign Art Etc To Make Her Images 'POP'

Marketing with Signs & Graphics

What's New, Cool Project of the Month and Sign Art's Sign Tips & Tools.

Teamwork.....Creativity......Reliability.
Every Time.
Our clients tell us they really like our team approach, our creative solutions and our ability to complete their project on time and within budget. They've said we are the best team in the business. Period.

In many instances, our clients have been disappointed with other sign suppliers. They found the end result wasn't what they expected in terms of quality or delivery or that the entire experience was not handled in a professional manner. The only surprise with Sign Art Etc is how easy it is to work with our team. Let us make you a hero.....

Words of Wisdom...
"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
- Christopher Reeve


COOL PROJECTS OF THE MONTH....

Lynn Lee is one of the area's top photographers. She needed several of her pictures printed out 48" tall and mounted on a solid backer to be used as display graphics. Sign Art Etc was able to take her beautiful images and print them to the large size with great color and detail. Lynn was pleased and we like the results so well we have one in our showroom.

If you need a photographer to create a work of art for you....give Lynn Lee a call. If you need a photograph or digital image printed to poster size or larger...give the Sign Art team a call at (765-449-1884). PS....I liked Lynn's work so much that she photographed my wedding.
_____



Crestview North is one of the "class" apartment complexes in the area. When they wanted a new look for their signage, they teamed with Sign Art through the design and manufacturing process. A new shape, new colors....and another successful project. Don't let the picture fool you, the sign is 10 feet wide. With the addition of lights and landscaping, Crestview has a new West side landmark....day or night. We can do the same for you.

Banners, Electrical Signs, Commercial Developments, Trade Show Displays, Big Checks, Interior/Exterior Signage....you name it, we can do it.

Sign Art Etc has North Central Indiana's LARGEST sign and graphics showroom. Stop by & let the Sign Art team turn your ideas into reality.

Watch for your project in upcoming newsletters. If you are interested in Large Format Graphics and Displays, Interior or Exterior signage or any other cool or unusual project, check out our website at www.signartetc.com or email us at info@signartetc.com

TEAMWORK.....
CREATIVITY.....
RELIABILITY.
EVERY TIME.

In terms of pure cost effectiveness, signs provide remarkable values! When evaluated as part of an overall marketing media mix, signs at the point of sale consistently deliver more market coverage for a lower cost than any other form of advertising - by a wide margin. As the chart indicates, signs not only provide an astoundingly low cost per thousand exposures, but also do so at the very point of sale, where people impressed by the graphic message can respond to it instantly in terms of a purchasing decision.




For More Free Tips and Information, Stop by our Showroom at 3861 State Road 26 East -Suite C (International Sports Complex) for your free literature.

Sign Art Etc Comes Through For Monkey Joe's

Marketing with Signs & Graphics

What's New, Cool Project of the Month and Sign Art's Sign Tips & Tools.

Sign Art Etc is built on Teamwork.....Creativity......Reliability. Every Time. Our clients tell us they really like our team approach, our creative solutions and our ability to complete their project on time and within budget. They've said we are the best team in the business. Period.

In many instances, our clients have been disappointed with other sign suppliers. They found the end result wasn't what they expected in terms of quality or delivery or that the entire experience was not handled in a professional manner. The only surprise with Sign Art Etc is how easy it is to work with our team.

Let us make your next project a winner....
Email us at info@signartetc.com or call us at 449-1884,
or toll free at 1-800-799-7436.

COOL PROJECTS OF THE MONTH....

_____

One of Lafayette's newest destinations is Monkey Joe's. Located at the same International Sports Center complex as Sign Art, Monkey Joe's is an indoor play center for kids aged 2-12 with exciting inflatable slides, obstacle courses & jumps and party rooms for all occasions. When our newest neighbor needed electrical signage for the front of the building, banners and other cool signs....Sign Art was able to help them out.

Remember Monkey Joe's as a cool place to hang out with the kids.....Remember Sign Art Etc as a cool place for your next sign project.

Let the Sign Art team help you with your next electrical sign project. We provide a great combination of superb quality and reasonable price.

Check us out at 765-449-1884 or email us at info@signartetc.com . We look forward to working with you. And remember that we will beat any local price by at least 10%.

Sign Art Etc has North Central Indiana's LARGEST sign and graphics showroom. Stop by & let the Sign Art team turn your ideas into reality. For any type of sign or graphics... banners, electrical signs, trade show displays, event signage, indoor or outdoor signage, projects both large or small.....the Sign Art team would love to assist you.

Watch for your project in upcoming newsletters. If you are interested in Banners, Any type of graphics, Interior or Exterior signage or any other cool or unusual project, check out our website at www.signartetc.com or email us at info@signartetc.com

TEAMWORK.....CREATIVITY.....RELIABILITY. EVERY TIME.

For More Free Tips and Information, Stop by our Showroom at 3861 State Road 26 East -Suite C (International Sports Complex) for your free literature.

If you feel you received this email in error and would like to be removed from our mailing list, Please send an email to info@signartetc.com with "Remove" in the subject line.

Marketing with Signs & Graphics

What's New, Cool Project of the Month and Sign Art's Sign Tips & Tools.

COOL PROJECTS OF THE MONTH....

How do you make the most of your marketing dollars in this uncertain economy? Banners are a great way to display your message....boldly and cost effectively.
Sign Art is the premier banner company in central Indiana. Large or small...on any type of material....we can help make you and your project successful. You will find superb quality, a talented design team and an outstanding value with Sign Art's banners and signs.

Check us out at 765-449-1884 or email us at info@signartetc.com . We look forward to working with you. And remember that we will beat any local price by at least 10%. How cool is that?

And through the month of April, we will beat any local price on banners by 20%.

Sign Art Etc has North Central Indiana's LARGEST sign and graphics showroom. Stop by & let the Sign Art team turn your ideas into reality. For any type of sign or graphics... banners, electrical signs, trade show displays, event signage, indoor or outdoor signage, projects both large or small.....the Sign Art team would love to assist you.

Sign Art Etc is built on Teamwork.....Creativity......Reliability. Every Time. Our clients tell us they really like our team approach, our creative solutions and our ability to complete their project on time and within budget.

They've said we are the best team in the business. Period.
In many instances, our clients have been disappointed with other sign suppliers. They found the end result wasn't what they expected in terms of quality or delivery or that the entire experience was not handled in a professional manner.

The only surprise with Sign Art Etc is how easy it is to work with our team.

Let us make your next project a winner....

Email us at info@signartetc.com or call us at 449-1884 or toll free at 1-800-799-7436.

Watch for your project in upcoming newsletters. If you are interested in Banners, Any type of graphics, Interior or Exterior signage, Electrical Signs or any other cool or unusual project, check out our website at www.signartetc.com or email us at info@signartetc.com

TEAMWORK.....CREATIVITY.....RELIABILITY. EVERY TIME.

For More Free Tips and Information, Stop by our Showroom at 3861 State Road 26 East -Suite C (International Sports Complex) for your free literature.

Sign Art Etc Newsletter

Marketing with Signs & Graphics

What's New, Cool Project of the Month and Sign Art's Sign Tips & Tools.

Sign Art Etc is built on Teamwork.....Creativity......Reliability. Every Time. Our clients tell us they really like our team approach, our creative solutions and our ability to complete their project on time and within budget. They've said we are the best team in the business. Period.

In many instances, our clients have been disappointed with other sign suppliers. They found the end result wasn't what they expected in terms of quality or delivery or that the entire experience was not handled in a professional manner. The only surprise with Sign Art Etc is how easy it is to work with our team.

Let us make your next project a winner....

Email us at info@signartetc.com or call us at 449-1884 or toll free at 1-800-799-7436.

COOL PROJECTS OF THE MONTH....

---

How do you make the most of your marketing dollars in this uncertain economy? Banners and trade show displays are a great way to advertise your business or organization....boldly and cost effectively.

Sign Art is the premier banner and trade show display company in this area. Large or small...on any type of material....we can help make you and your project successful.

Check us out at 765-449-1884 or email us at info@signartetc.com. We look forward to working with you. And remember that we will beat any local price by at least 10%. How cool is that?

Sign Art Etc has North Central Indiana's LARGEST sign and graphics showroom. Stop by & let the Sign Art team turn your ideas into reality. For any type of sign or graphics... banners, electrical signs, trade show displays, event signage, indoor or outdoor signage, projects both large or small.....the Sign Art team would love to assist you.

Watch for your project in upcoming newsletters. If you are interested in Banners, Any type of graphics, Interior or Exterior signage or any other cool or unusual project, check out our website at www.signartetc.com or email us at info@signartetc.com

TEAMWORK.....CREATIVITY.....RELIABILITY. EVERY TIME.

www.SignArtEtc.com

For More Free Tips and Information, Stop by our Showroom at 3861 State Road 26 East -Suite C (International Sports Complex) for your free literature.

Seven Steps To Signs That Pay

1. AVOID SIGNS YOU CAN’T AFFORD

Many business owners buy signs as an afterthought. They wait until their budget is nearly cleaned out and then buy the cheapest sign possible. These are signs you can’t afford. If you are not confident that your new sign will pay for itself then you are wasting your money.

The purpose of a sign is to attract new customers, brand your site in the minds of consumers and create impulse sales. A sign is often the only visible cue that a business exists! Therefore, it should be the predominant feature of your building.

Consider the case of Frenchy’s Bistro, opened by a husband and wife in the mid-1990’s. It is located on a four-lane road with lots of traffic in Southern California. After healthy growth, revenues leveled off at $250 thousand and wouldn’t budge. They attracted a local clientele from the immediate neighborhood and were known as “that restaurant next to the paint store.” Their signage was so poor that they were not bringing in hungry passing motorists.

A friend suggested investing in a better sign. They selected a V-shaped sign, internally illuminated, to mount to the side of their building. The result? Their sales grew 16% in the first year. Sales in the second year increased 32%. By the fourth year, Frenchy’s Bistro had expanded into space available next door and had grown a total of 322%, with revenues over $823,000.

TIP # 1 Spend time and money to ensure you have a sign that makes a positive impression on your marketplace. Your sign should be conspicuous, reflective of your company’s look and feel, and remain easy for your customers to recall.

2. MARKETING 101

Business signage should be your first consideration in any marketing and promotion plan. Why? Consider the following facts. A group of 488
Southern California businesses began to collectively poll their 7,200 first-time customers in 1997. They wanted to know how these customers had found out about their businesses. Here are the results:

• Business Signage ------46%
• Word of Mouth ---------38%
• Newpaper Ads -----------7%
• Yellow Pages -----------6%
• Radio Commercial -------2%
• Television Commercial - 1%

The conclusions from this survey are very clear. 1.) The signs on these businesses effectively speak to potential customers, and 2.) Signs are the most effective form of advertising for the small and independent business person.

TIP #2 The most important concern is bringing in more paying customers, not how much you can save on your signage costs.

3. WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?

Your sign should be of a sufficient height and size to be clearly seen and unobscured by trees, lampposts, etc. Its content, both text and logo, should be legible. It should also stand out from its background. Keep this chart in mind when selecting the size of your sign(s):



TIP #3 A sign has less than two seconds to capture a consumer’s attention. Consider simple and direct messages, highly visible letters, easy to read type styles, illumination and contrasting colors. The most readable background colors are white and yellow. The most legible letters are black, dark blue and red. Using a border can help a viewer absorb information 26% faster.

4. AVOID TMI AND TMM

That’s “too much information” and “too many messages.” We are overwhelmed by thousands of messages daily. Not only have we become adept at absorbing lots of data, we have also become skilled at tuning out obnoxious messages. Often a good, crisp presentation is best. You don’t need to inform your customers of everything you can do, you just want to capture their interest enough to have them call or come in. Maximum length of your message should be three to five words. Then leave 30 - 40% of your sign area blank.

TIP #4 Make your point with as few words as possible. If you can’t fit your message on a bumper sticker, then your message is too long.

5. SIGNS AND THEIR SETTING

A well-placed and attractive sign communicates to your ideal customer the true flavor of your business. Well-designed indoor signage reinforces your image. Sure, you want to stand out from the crowd, but be sure to temper the information on your signage by maintaining harmony with your setting. You don’t want to look like a pair of brown shoes in a tuxedo store! Consider the other signs near your business. Some beach communities prefer the look of sandblasted wood signs. An area known for its restaurants can be characterized by lighted dimensional signs. Often you can make your business stand out by having a simple but elegant sign, by incorporating a great design or by featuring materials no one else is using.

TIP #5 Select a design for your sign that reflects the key strength of your company—the service or product that your customers most value. Using an outside designer or good sign company can help you achieve this goal.

6. SIGNS AND THE CITY

Now that you are ready to have your masterpiece produced, there is just one more gating factor: municipal codes. It is always wise to find out what is required by code enforcement before requesting a sign permit and/or creating your new sign.

Usually there are two sets of codes that will affect your signage decisions. Often business parks, historical areas and other developments will have their own sign criteria and these can be stricter than city codes. Be sure to check with your property manager or the city itself to find out if there is a sign criteria or “architectural overlay” before relying solely on the city’s requirements. Part of the approval process may even include sign off by your landlord or property manager.

The second element is the city code itself. You can avoid wasting a lot of time by calling your city planning department in advance to find out what is required. You do have the option of appealing the local sign code, to request what is called a “variance,” but be prepared for long waits and a frustrating appeals process.

TIP #6 It is vital to plan ahead. Cities are getting stricter about what types of outdoor signage they will allow. Find out what is acceptable before you make any other decisions that might cost you money.

7. AS SIGNS GO BY

Time and weather are the great enemies of outdoor signs. Imagine going to a restaurant and noticing that their sign is full of bird nests. Makes you wonder what else they are not maintaining, doesn’t it? There are many new materials coming on the market today that have superior weatherability. Some manufacturers today are guaranteeing their plastics for life against fading or cracking. LEDs are much more lasting than neon and use less power.

TIP #7 While a great sign will bring in customers, a poorly maintained one will drive them away. Make sure the materials to be used in your new sign will last as long as possible. Inspect your sign(s) regularly for cleanliness, aging and operability.

At Sign Art Etc “Good Signs=Good Business,” meaning that good signage can produce positive results for a company, and ultimately boost the bottom line. Sign Art Etc is built on Teamwork…Creativity… Reliability. Every Time. Call us today for a free quote.

Copyright 2009 by Doug Ellenberger

Sign of the Times!

New east side business wants to help you stand out in the crowd
By Michelle Warren

Those who stand out get the attention. It’s human nature to be drawn to the one that makes us take a second look, gets us thinking and makes us want to learn more. The same goes for businesses, and what better way to make a statement than with an attention-grabbing sign that does all the above?










For individuals and businesses looking to do just that, as of November there’s a place designed especially to cater to that need. Sign Art Etc, located at 3861 St. Road 26 E Suite C, Lafayette, provides full service sign, graphics and advertising solutions.

“We do anything from yard signs and banners to the big electrical signs for buildings. We have a new HP flatbed printer that allows us to produce almost any image on a wide variety of materials,” explained owner Doug Ellenberger.

According to Ellenberger, the focus of the business is to make the customers and their business successful.

“We’re here to help people attract the kind and number of customers they want to attract,” he explained. “Our goal is to help your business, organization or event succeed.”

The Idea

According to Ellenberger, a Purdue University engineering graduate who previously worked in manufacturing for Kirby Risk and Fairfield, the reality of Sign Art Etc just fell into place. He worked with a business consultant and discussed different ideas and options.
A poster hanging in the lobby features the following quote by Kobi Yomada: “Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down.”

According to Ellenberger, the piece was a gift from his then 14-year-old daughter Emily and was given to him during this decision-making time. Emily is now 20 years old and helps out at Sign Art while attending Ivy Tech.

After reviewing all their options, they decided to go with Sign Art Etc. And according to Ellenberger, the sign business was a good fit. “This is very much a technology oriented business,” he said. “It’s a great business for an engineering guy to be in.”

Working with the latest technology, the team at Sign Art Etc is ready and able to assist each and every customer. Joining Doug is Jeff Ward as operations manager. Jeff takes care of the day to day operations.

“We have a great team here,” Ellenberger said.

A great team paired with a great location is what Ellenberger has. The site for the new business is in the old Wal-Mart building which also happens to house the International Sports Club on the east side of town.

“We knew this was the place we wanted to be in the first time we visited,” Ellenberger said of the building. “There always seems to be a lot of energy here.”

He also added that International drives a lot of traffic to Sign Art Etc.

Service Made Easy

Customers have a variety of options when they enter the shop at Sign Art Etc. Services offered by Sign Art Etc. include:

• ADA signs
• Banners
• Big Checks
  
• Demonstrative evidence displays
• Design capabilities
• Exhibits and displays
• Full Color Digital Poster Printing
  
• Illuminated signs and channel letters
• Labels and decals
• Point of purchase displays
• Pop-Up Displays
  
• Retractable Banner Stands
• Three dimensional signs and letters
• Trade show displays and graphics
• Vehicle lettering and graphics
• Window and door lettering and graphics
• Yard and site signs

And more

While the main focus is the business to business projects, Ellenberger said the team at Sign Art Etc is more than happy to assist individuals with their projects.

So far, a variety of local businesses have turned to Sign Art Etc for their signage needs. For example, Tracy Deno, owner of New Dimensions, which is located downtown, teamed up with Sign Art Etc for her new sign. That project included design, build and installation. The lobby sign and window lettering for local attorney Tony Dowell also is on Sign Art Etc’s resume. Other examples include work done for Purdue University, F.C. Tucker, FedEx, Ivy Tech, Morning Song and Harrison High School.

According to Ellenberger, sometimes the customers already have an idea of what they want, and other times they don’t. Either way, the team at Sign Art Etc can make it happen. Whatever idea the customer has, Sign Art Etc can help make it a reality and save the customer a lot of worry and hassle.

Project management is one of the many things Ellenberger said his team prides itself on.
“We provide a good value, and we’re great at managing the jobs,” he said. “We’ll deliver on time and within budget.”

The Future

“We intend to grow our business in the Lafayette area and the surrounding areas,” Ellenberger said. “We also increase our internet business each year.”

Since the launch of the business, that has been happening.

“The best part is being able to make our customers happy,” he said. “Seeing the smiles on their faces when they see the finished product is very rewarding. It is rewarding to help turn a person’s idea into reality.”

There have been surprises. “Demonstrative evidence for trial attorneys is an area that we did not consider when we started. That has turned out to be a service we can provide.”
Ellenberger encourages people to stop out and see what the business has to offer.

“We have a lot to show,” he said. “And the neat things about signs is that they are out there 24/7. Signs are a great, cost-effective way to get your message out to your audience.

We are part of the SignWorld organization of nearly 200 independent owners,” Ellenberger said. “We are locally owned and globally connected. There is no project that someone within the SignWorld family hasn’t previously tackled. We also have a corporate technical team we can use as a resource if necessary.”

Stop by Sign Art Etc Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to see what they can do for you and your business. For more information, call 765-449-1884 or visit the Web site at www.signartetc-banners.com/.