Instant Custom Signs – Drew Brims' Blog

The other day, someone asked me what I was most proud of in the time we’ve been operating Instant Custom Signs. I had to think for about half a second and then replied, “it’s the people who work here and the people who’ve worked here over the years”.

Unlike the “other” airlines (and I think you know to whom I am referring) Porter offers small luxuries that individually don’t cost a lot but will keep me coming back to fly with them whenever I have to travel to one of their destinations. I think Porter is a case study that is worth reading. Great customer service, efficient passenger movements, luxurious seating on the planes and in the lounge, free snacks while you wait all add up to an airline that you look forward to taking. When was the last time you said that about traveling?

Athletes and business people who consistently practice, train, prepare and research, rise to the top and are sought after as team members and team leaders.

Today, a customer came in to pay for a job we installed a few days ago. He wanted to shake the hand of the person who installed his sign and thank him for doing such a fine job. Such praise from a customer meant a lot to the person who did the installation. This was one more accomplishment for this person who has risen in our company and is taking on more and more responsibility.

We get excited about the signs we produce. Just this week we made a huge banner for a customer that we thought was exceptional in design. A picture of it is here at the top of the post. It sits on a wall outside his boutique and looks dynamic. You can’t help but notice this banner if you are in the area. It’s a lifestyle image and the colours are spectacular! And the cost was very reasonable compared to the alternative of layers of coloured vinyl on a white background. It’s a far superior product at a very reasonable price!

Taking ownership for our mistakes and resolving the problem without question so that the client becomes a champion of your product rather than a detractor. Yes, here at ICSigns, we stand behind everything we sell, even if that stance costs us time, material and money. We will not compromise on quality or customer satisfaction. To me, that is more important than anything.

It may cost us a little to give these extras but what it does for us in customer relations is priceless!

Have you forgotten what it’s like to be treated to great customer service? Or perhaps you are trying to find a business that believes in good, old-fashioned care for the client. If so and you need great signs, please put us to the test.

We had professionals teach our children to ski because professionals have unique skills, knowledge and experience required to do the job. I hadn’t considered it much until that moment, but it became clear to me there and then.

We will pay for driving lessons, post-secondary education, tutors, music lessons, gymnastics and other sports or endeavours at which they want to become proficient. Professionals can do this – I can’t. Well, I could try but I wouldn’t do a good job and we both would be poorer for the experience.

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.