Instant Custom Signs – Drew Brims' Blog

Some businesses do not need a full-blown illuminated sign. I’m talking about non-retail businesses that operate only during the daylight hours. Some new start-up businesses may wish to mitigate the cost of signage until cash-flow allows them a little more flexibility in their sign choices.

For both of these examples, the “Face and Frame” sign is a great alternative to more expensive signs. The term “Face and Frame” refers to the aluminum frame that is exactly the same materials as used in an illuminated sign box (without the box and electrical components) and the acrylic face that is again, the same as would be used in an illuminated sign.

Last time we talked about channel lettering. The second part of the fascia sign trifactor is the illuminated sign box. There can actually be some overlap between channel letters and sign boxes. Sometimes a designer will create a design for a sign box that extends beyond a regular rectangular box and becomes an odd shape to accommodate the outline of a logo. This is true “thinking outside the box”. These projects show that we are not restricted to just a rectangle and everything has to fit neatly inside. Signs like this will be more noticed than your garden-variety rectangular box. It’s something to consider when creating your brand image – more expensive than the rectangle, but much more effective in attracting attention. Isn’t this the reason for putting up a sign anyway? To be noticed above the competition?

So, let’s start at the top of the scale – Channel letters. Usually 5-6” deep with an acrylic face and internally illuminated. These used to be predominantly lit by Neon tubes but the expense of keeping Neon working has soured many people on that product. Many manufacturers refuse to make Neon – lit signs any more because of the potential for damage before the sign is even installed.

I often think of a fascia sign as the headline on the front page of a newspaper. At the top is the name of the newspaper in bold lettering and below is the day’s headline. This is how your sign should look.

That monument, ground or pylon sign standing outside your building should be a reflection of your image and brand. I once read, “A business without a sign is a sign of no business”. True enough. Not many businesses can survive without a sign to direct traffic to their doors unless they are a web-based company that relies on other methods. Not so the larger retail companies we recognize regularly. Shell, Esso, MacDonalds as well as The Bay, Sears, Canadian Tire and other bastions of retail excellence. Their pylon signs are not the only things that bring customers to their doors but it is an important part of the corporate strategy. It reflects the brand and broadcasts for blocks, where you should turn in.

Let’s talk about digital graphics as this is the hot topic in the sign industry today. We started making digital signs many years ago when the materials were not as robust as they are today. Also, the choice of manufacturer and supplier were limited as digital signs were in their infancy. Things have changed quite a bit in the last 8 years.

Your exterior sign is only a single point of contact. The hope is that your sign will help to create more points of contact. Keep in mind that a completely successful sign will only hold a person’s attention for 3 seconds!! That is not much time and you HAVE to make it count. Tell your viewing audience who you are and why they should care. ie: “ACME; Quality Furniture” The name is Acme and we can all get our quality furniture there.

Here at ICSigns, We Value It I read somewhere that integrity is defined as doing the right thing when no one is watching.  I think that sums it up nicely.  We make choices from the time we wake until the time we close our eyes and drift off for the night.  Some of the toughest [...]

In ancient times, the handshake was an expression of peace between two people. Always right hand to right hand (swords or knives typically held in that hand) which demonstrated that no weapon was being held. I was always taught to shake hands with a firm, not aggressive, grip and look the other party in the eye. Each party to this ritual can size up the other and see if the out-held hand is offered in peace and honesty or if there is some underlying malice that the eyes could disclose. I wanted the customer to know we were upstanding, honest people; ready and able to complete the tasks given.

Like it or not, winter is on its way!  Your sign will thank you for paying attention to it now, rather than waiting for problems to arise in a couple of months. Jim Clarke, Customer & Technical Services Manager at EM Plastic & Electric Products Ltd., a major supplier of electrical components to the sign [...]