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.
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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....

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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/.

Color: Understanding Your Options

Color As A Medium Of Communication
One of the most important considerations in the creation of a sign revolves around the effective use of color. Color can convey emotions and elicit feelings. Red signifies life and passion. Blue gives the feelings of coolness and calm. Green connotes growth and springtime, and yellow says warmth and vitality.

Color Frequency and Vibration
Like sound waves, light rays have varying wavelengths or frequencies: the lighter the color, the higher the frequency. These wavelengths determine perception of color. Some pigments absorb certain light frequencies and reflect others. We see the reflected frequencies as color. Complementary colors such as red and green are not readily legible. They have similar black and white value, so their wavelengths set up a vibration. Any combination of colors of similar value, even without vibrating, will have low visibility. Although yellow and purple are complementary colors, they have strong contrast in value and therefore little vibration. They provide maximum visibility.



Comparative Visibility Of Full Value Color Combinations
These 14 color combinations for lettering were tested using only primary and secondary color of full hue and value. Tests for readability at a distance were conducted 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 have a broader stroke than their positive counterparts.



Color Wheel
The color wheel is divided into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The three primary colors are red, yellow and blue. These three are the foundation of all colors because they are used to create each and every color. When you combine two of the primary colors, you create the three secondary colors. The secondary colors are orange, green and violet. The six tertiary colors are created by combining a primary and an adjacent secondary color. The six tertiary colors are red-orange, red-violet, yellow-green, yellow-orange, blue-green, and blue-violet.



Color Temperature
Colors are also divided into categories by temperature feel. These are considered cool and warm colors. The cool colors are green, blue and violet, while warm colors are red, orange and yellow. Psychologically, the colors give the viewer the feeling of these temperatures.



Color Schemes

Related Schemes
Monochromatic: This color scheme uses a single hue. ( example: red and its varying tints and shades)

Analogous: The scheme uses adjacent hues. (example: red, red-orange, and red-violet)

Contrasting Schemes
Complementary
If two hues are opposite each other on the color wheel, they are considered to be complementary colors. When used together in a design, they make each other seem brighter and more intense. This is not always a good thing, however, as colors, such as red and green tend to make each other too intense and vibrate against each other. This can make for difficult reading.



Split Complementary
This color scheme uses three colors: any hue and the two adjacent to its complement.



Triadic
This scheme also uses three colors. They are evenly spaced from each other.



Discordant Schemes
Double Complement
This color scheme uses two pairs of complements.

Alternate Complement
This scheme uses four colors: a triad and a complement to one of the hues.



Tetrad
This scheme uses four colors evenly spaced on the color wheel. A primary, secondary and two tertiary colors are used.