Shelly Palmer's Keynote at #DSE2011 was Great!
I must admit that I didn't really know anything about Shelly Palmer prior to today's keynote. I, of course, read his bio in the DSE materials - Host of Digital Life w/ Shelly Palmer and MediaBytes - but I didn't know what his true philosophies were toward digital media and emerging technology.
After this morning's keynote, I can emphatically say that Shelly Palmer and I see eye-to-eye. He spoke passionately about the importance of people in the digital signage industry living their lives digitally. He got visibly and audibly fired up over the fact that few among the audience used Google Alerts (I was in the minority of people who use the service daily) to track real-time information about the industry, competitors, their own companies, prospects, etc. He went off on the audience, in a good way, and implored all of us to make use of a wide range of digital tools every day.
I captured a lot of notes during the session, primarily through posting updates on Twitter. Rather than regurgitating everything that was said during the keynote, I have attached some of my favorite quotes below. Feel free to visit my Twitter feed (@davidweinfeld) to view all of my notes and thoughts from the session.
"All technology is meaningless unless it changes the way we behave."
(my favorite quote from the entire session)
"It is unacceptable to be at a Digital Signage Expo and not be completely digital in your life." YES!
"Only two kinds of people and two kinds of devices in the world: CONNECTED and NOT CONNECTED."
"The number one show at 10pm on Friday night is TiVo. People make choices!" #dse2011
"He who is closest to the sale wins. Now people are taking their signs with them."
Sign Industry Education | Carved Sign Materials
Carved signs are a great way to add depth and charm to your business image. These 3d signs can be made out of a variety of materials ranging from real wood to man made substrates. It can be difficult figuring out which sign material works best for your needs. Luckily Sunrise Signs is here to help - we wrote a recent blog article discussing carved sign materials. Want to know the difference between redwood signs and extira signs? Click the link to learn more!
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Share ThisWritten by Adam Sokoloff · Filed Under Education
Signage Industry Education | Sandblasted vs Routed Signs
Carved signs are great for businesses that are either in a location with strict signage">signage laws or that want to project a charming, rustic image. Whether you’re looking to convey professionalism or charm, or if you just want the extra dimension that comes with a 3d sign, a routed or sandblasted sign is the way to go. Both routing and sandblasting achieve a three dimensional look, but what’s the difference, and which method is better? Curious about sandblasted vs routed signs? Head over to our blog article and learn all about it!
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Share ThisWritten by Adam Sokoloff · Filed Under Education
Sign Industry Tips and Advice | Broken Sign First Impressions
In the sign industry, you often hear metaphors about how signs represent your business’s signature, or fingerprint, or identity. There’s definitely some truth in all of these descriptions, but my personal favorite comparison is that your business sign is a first impression. The last thing that you want as your first impression is a broken sign.
Think about your last job interview? Did you wear dirty, torn clothing? Did you mumble incoherently or make inappropriate jokes? Hopefully not - and hopefully your sign isn’t conveying any of those messages to potential clients or customers as well. Check out our blog article on broken sign first impressions to see what your sign might be saying about you…
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TheSignChef Signs Successfully Battle Blizzards
Snow accumulation has already broken records in the Northeast this winter despite the fact that it’s barely February. With much of the rest of the country being hit hard as well, business owners are worried that they’ll be adversely affected. Stores are staying closed, employees can’t make it to work and business signs are entombed in piles of snow.
If you’re a small business owner currently battling these wicked winter conditions, you have a lot to deal with.
You probably feel like you have no control over anything. But there is one thing you can control: There’s no need to worry about your business sign – that all important first impression – getting ruined. If you order your custom outdoor business sign from TheSignChef, you’ll rest easy knowing your sign won’t show any signs of deterioration regardless of the snow, ice and high winds thrashing it daily.
Because at TheSignChef, we use a six-pronged attack when we battle blizzards:
We coat signs with a premium finish that protects against the elementsOur sign specialists work with you to determine the proper sign materials for your city’s particular weather conditionsAll our materials are of the highest quality, including our waterproof sign materialsExclusive comprehensive installation videos and instruction guides ensure that your sign is expertly installed, making it sturdy and strongWe specially train our workers to build only durable, expertly crafted signsWe inspect your sign multiple times throughout the process, including immediately before it’s shipped, to ensure that it’s been built to the highest standards in the industryTake that, winter weather!
So while you’re struggling to shovel snow, keep warm and drive carefully, your business sign isn’t struggling at all.
And our signs can take on more than just snow
We ship to all 50 states (plus Canada), so we know there’s more than just snow to contend with. Our signs are armed and ready to do battle with salt water, bright sun, extreme heat, torrential rain, high winds and more.
So if you’re ready to protect your business with a custom sign that can handle it all, please get in touch with us. Email us anytime or contact us by phone or online chat between 9am and 9pm seven days a week.
Vehicle Wrap Industry Education | How To Wrap A Car Door Handle
When you’re watching a minute and a half long vehicle wrap video, you’re seeing a very condensed version of what actually goes into a vehicle wrap. Of course no one wants to watch an eight hour real time YouTube vehicle wrap video, but sometimes its nice to see things in a little more detail. That was the inspiration for our new vehicle wrap video how to series. We’ll be focusing on smaller details of the wrapping process to educate the would be wrappers and the curious alike. First up, have you ever wondered how to wrap a car door handle? Check out the full vehicle wrap video on our blog!
Share ThisWritten by Adam Sokoloff · Filed Under Education
Signage Industry Tips & Advice | Terrific Sign Textures: Architectural Finishes!
Does your lobby sign need attitude? Could your wall sign use a little pizazz? Does your office signage">signage need a little texture? Well worry no more, we recently read about a fantastic way to add something new to your indoor signage">signage. We’re talking about 3M DI-NOC architectural finishes, a series of textured and patterned vinyl that can act as a major upgrade to many forms of signage">signage. From wood grain to carbon fiber there’s something to fit any sensibility. Interested in reading some tips for how to use these cools materials? Check out our blog post on architectural finishes for signs.
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Now Shipping Custom Signs to Canada!
Here at TheSignChef, our business is always developing. We service all 50 states and we’re still growing – we’re proud to announce that we now have the capabilities to offer custom business signs to our neighbors up north.
Welcome, Canada!
We’re excited to be able to say we now do business internationally. TheSignChef was created 25 years ago as a small business serving locals in Charleston, SC. And now we’re cooking up custom signs in our kitchen all the way down here and shipping them as far north as Cape Columbia – that’s the second northernmost point in the world! Wow!
But Canada isn’t as far away as it used to be
No, our countries aren’t suddenly shifting miles a day. We’re talking about globalization. With today’s technology it’s much easier for a non-franchised business to reach people all over the world. That means that we can give our clients in Canada all the same resources we give our clients here in the US, from online design consultations to customer service 12 hours a day, seven days a week!
So even though we’re far away, we may as well be your local sign shop
We’ve spent years customizing our business so that working with us is just as easy for our clients thousands of miles away as it is for our neighbors in Charleston. We keep everyone involved in the production and shipment of their sign with emails, phone calls and even a custom program that lets you follow your sign through every step of the process. You’ll always know what’s going on right here in our kitchen, no matter where yours is.
So thank you, Canada, for welcoming us into your country. We hope to do business with you for years to come!
Apple Television Rumors and the Digital Signage Market
"While Apple's commitment to the living room remains a 'hobby,' we continue to believe the company will enter the TV market with a full focus, as an all-in-one Apple television could move the needle when connected TVs proliferate," Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster wrote in a research note Feb. 3.
Even though there still remain many outlets that question the practicality and logic behind such assumptions, one can't help but think how Apple TV displays would impact the consumer and enterprise markets.
In the scope of the digital signage and digital out-of-home industries, Apple displays would immediately find their way into high-end deployments. It's easy to surmise that if such a product line ever existed it would be priced at the top end of the category. Such is typical with Apple products. But, as history has shown, if the product's quality and aesthetics are of a high enough level, people will pay.
This is why I think Apple would realize strong results in building an Internet-connected TV division. The timing is perfect for Apple to roll out stylish flat panel displays that would challenge current models on processing power and looks. The Apple creative flare would surely make a dent in the black frame dominated world of flat-panel displays.
If such a product line were ever to roll out, I would recommend that Apple spend a significant amount of its resources on the enterprise market. The digital signage and digital out-of-home media markets alone would make an Apple display business a success. Apple-branded televisions and the company's unrivaled cache would surely win the minds and pocketbooks of Fortune 500 executives.
QR Codes (Part 3): QR Codes Make Real Estate Signs More Effective
You’ve taken the time and resources to invest in real estate signs that will attract customers to your listings. Bottom line: you want to sell homes and commercial properties! Now, there’s a new way to make your real estate signage even more appealing to prospective customers. Have you heard of QR Codes?
QR (Quick Response) Codes are graphic images that have website addresses (URLs) embedded in them. The QR Code image is then placed on a sign or window or vehicle — really, on almost anything.
All a prospective customer has to do is snap a photo of the QR Code with their web capable smart phone. They will be taken immediately to the website embedded in the QR Code. Imagine the possibilities for your Real Estate business! They’re almost unlimited!
Have your sign designer place your QR Code in an easy-to-see location on your Real Estate yard sign, in front of one of your listings. You can have the QR Code send the prospect to any website you choose!
Let’s say you want to make sure that you’re not rushing out to show a home, only to the find that the prospective customers hate the interior. Frustrating! A waste of time for both you and the clients!
With a QR Code, you save time! Have a label on your real estate sign that reads: “For a virtual tour, use the QR Code.” When the clients take the photo of the code, they’re immediately taken to a virtual tour of the home’s interior. They decide if they like the interior enough to ask for a “live” tour. You screen out those who won’t like the home. And you save time and money!
And that’s just one example. You can put QR Codes on …
And much, much more …
Even when your office is closed, QR Codes on your window will continue to sell after hours!
Even when you’re at home, or helping other clients, your QR Codes are giving virtual tours and providing information to help generate sales.
Even when your vehicle is parked, the QR Code on your automobile’s signage is ready to help you sell your listings!
Estimates are that by 2013 at least 1 Billion people will use smart phones to access the Internet! How many of those will become your customers through your QR Code?
Don’t be left behind! Don’t let other realtors outpace you! We produce outstanding custom Real Estate signage in a multitude of materials, sizes, colors, and much more. We’ll help you stand out from the crowd.
And while some companies charge you to generate your QR Codes, we offer this technology to you, absolutely free!! You can easily generate a custom QR code right here on our site, or we’ll generate your QR Codes for you!
Vehicle Wrap Industry News | Vehicle Wrap Installment Plans
Did you know that if you’re hesitant to commit to a full vehicle wrap right away we sometimes install vehicle wraps in pieces? This means that after your partial wrap or vehicle graphics are installed, you can always come back to our shop and have more vinyl and graphics added to your vehicle wrap.
Why would a person want to wrap their vehicle in installments instead of having everything wrapped at once? Well there are a number of reasons. In our blog article on the subject we discuss two recent examples of vehicle wraps that were done piece by piece.
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How Do I Choose A Grade of Material for my Real Estate Sign?
This article will tell you:
What grade of material means and why it’s an important element of your real estate signHow the grade works to protect your sign and the difference between grade and type of materialThe three grades of material offered at TheSignChef and which one best fits your needsIt’s vital that choose the right grade of material for your particular sign. The durability and longevity of your sign is determined by the material grade you choose.
What is a material grade, anyway?
First, you chose a type of sign material for your sign – aluminum, acrylic, etc. Now it’s time choose the grade of material.
The grade of material refers to the level of color protection on your real estate sign. All of our sign materials are of excellent quality and will most often outlast the colors on your sign, despite the grade you choose.
This is because our sign materials are made to last a long time. Aluminum, for example, will last decades. But the pigments in the vinyl graphics that are laid on your sign material will naturally fade with time, the sun and other elements. This is why we offer the extra protection of high quality grades.
So what are my options?
We offer three grades of material at TheSignChef
Each grade of material is rated for durability. You’ll choose your grade based on how long you’d like your sign to last.
Economy Grade signs are uncoated and rated to last up to three years outdoors. Economy grade is right for you if your sign is not for permanent use or if you need to frequently change the design on your sign. With economy grade, you are relying strictly on the strength of the pigments in the vinyl graphics. If you’re happy with replacing or getting rid of your real estate signs after three years, choose economy grade.
Standard Grade signs are coated in scratch resistant, clear Dura-Shield UV Protective Laminate and rated to last up to five years outdoors. Standard Grade is right for you if you want more protection against the elements and you’d like more durability.
Premium Grade signs are coated in Premium Grade 3M UV Protective Laminate and rated to last six to eight years outdoors. They have maximum protection and withstand extreme temperatures very well. Premium grade is right for you if you’re looking for a more permanent real estate sign and the highest level of durability.
If you’re still not sure what grade of material to use…
Try to look strictly at how long you want your sign to last. The other stuff doesn’t matter all that much.
…Feel free to contact us with any questions!
Our sign specialists are happy to help you determine what grade best fits your needs. We’re here to help!
RFID-Powered Social Interactions at Retail
RFID is a critical component to the realization of "The Internet of Things." Embedded intelligence within objects is destined to create one-of-a-kind connections between people and environments. The concept video below illustrates just what RFID/NFC bring to the retail sector. A handful of potential applications described include:
• Triggering a photograph at an event, automatically sending that photo to the wearer’s Flickr
• Connecting two people on Facebook when they both step on a mat
• Automatically trigger status updates when within range of a reader
• Access to VIP restrooms at popular events for people wearing WeSC shoes, or simply entry into the event itself
Bricks-and-Mortar will never be the same.
RFID in shoes from Hampus Lemhag on Vimeo.
Are Outdoor Signs in Your City Dangerous?
Here in Charleston, outdoor signs have been in the news a lot lately.
It seems we have some problems.
Last week, a man walking his dog on the beach was fined over $3000 for letting his dog off the leash. He said he found the leash law sign “confusing.” And at the end of last year, the Charleston Economic Development Committee was prompted to begin a study of our highway and directional signs. A survey in accordance with the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau found that our outdoor signs are extremely confusing, especially for tourists (and we get a lot). What’s the deal!?
Here at TheSignChef, we’re bummed to hear this news for a few reasons.
We’re in the sign business, so we obviously know how important it is to have effective outdoor signage. It sort of bugs us when we see ineffective or confusing signage – much like it bugs a chef when he eats a bad meal.
One of the biggest problems with the outdoor signs here is that they direct people to streets, like “Meeting Street” as opposed to “Downtown.” Out-of-towners don’t know that Meeting Street is Downtown! Other highway signs are just as confusing. And we seem to have a problem with beach signage as well. Anything that can get you $3000 in tickets should be spelled out on a giant sign for everyone to see!
Plus, bad outdoor signs – especially on the highway – can be dangerous. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone swerve across three lanes because they just figured out their exit was only 10 feet away.
We’re also bummed because we want tourists to enjoy our city. Charleston is a top vacation spot – shouldn’t we be paying extra attention to the needs of out-of-towners?
And this problem isn’t just in Charleston; lots of other cities and towns have outdoor signage problems that really need to be fixed.
What can be done?
We’d love to be in charge of fixing all the poor outdoor signage around here! Your message is the probably the most important part of your sign. If people don’t understand the message, what’s the point? But once that’s all figured out, there’s more to consider.
Outdoor signs – especially on highways – really need to take letter size into consideration. We have an online sizing calculator that takes into account how far away you want your sign to be visible and how fast people are driving by. With those two bits of information it can tell you the optimum size for your letters! Hopefully most highway signs have proper sized letters so we can avoid accidents.
One good thing about highway signs is their contrasting colors. Because green and white contrast a great deal, they are readily visible.
Outdoor signs should also be made of a visible and durable material such as aluminum signs or ARMOUR-Wood signs. Especially signs at the beach – they need to be able to withstand salt water and wind.
So outdoor signs, especially highway signs, are much more important than you probably thought.
Next time you’re driving down the highway, pay attention to the signage. If it’s confusing or hard to see, contact your city officials. We think that a lot of accidents could be stopped with more effective outdoor signage.
And if you need an outdoor sign, don’t let your message get lost. Give us a holler and we’ll be happy to help!
ADA Experts Discuss 2010 Standards
December 2010
*Joan Stein, President & CEO, Accessibility Development Associates Inc., Pittsburgh
*Peter Berg, Project Coordinator of Technical Assistance, ADA National Network, DBTAC Great Lakes ADA Center, Chicago
*Carol Cocuzzi, Principal, Accessibility Matters LLC, Pittsburgh
Almost 20 years after its inception, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has undergone significant changes. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published the 2010 ADA standards in the Federal Register on Sept. 15, starting the clock on an 18-month period maintenance and engineering managers can use to learn about the updated regulations and their impact on facilities before they go into effect on March 15, 2012.
What are three key technical differences between the 1991 and 2010 standards?
STEIN: First, there's a change in the reach ranges for where you mount anything like a dispenser, light switches or electrical outlets. Under the 1991 standards, they allowed for a maximum of 54 inches above the finished floor for a side approach and a maximum of 48 inches above the finished floor for a front approach. The 2010 standards have basically blended with the ANSI requirements and say it's 48 inches maximum for either front or side. The second is probably the biggest one we find, and that is, under the 1991 standards, the requirements for the toilet center line — the space from the side wall to the center of the toilet — is an absolute 18 inches. Under the 2010 standards, they again have mirrored what's in the ANSI requirements, which is a range of 16-18 inches for a toilet in a standard, accessible stall. They give the range as opposed to the absolute. Third, they increased the clear-floor-space requirements for water closets in a toilet room.
BERG: One of the areas where the (U.S.) Access Board and Department of Justice attempted to make compliance with the standards a little easier is, wherever possible, they've gone to ranges instead of absolutes. There were fairly significant changes with reach ranges. The 1991 standards allow for a higher reach range when an element can be approached by a side or parallel approach. It's 54 inches on the high side and 9 inches on the low side. The 2010 standards have unified that. So for either a forward or parallel approach, the reach range is 48 inches on the high side, 15 inches on the low side. The most significant thing is the new supplemental areas. In the 1991 standards, there were no scoping or technical requirements for the various types of recreation facilities. Those are now part of the 2010 standards.
COCUZZI: Facilities now can reduce down (the number of accessible seats in assembly areas, for example) using the 2010 standards, where a lesser requirement is allowed. The second is accessible routes. In the 2010 standards, they are requiring that accessible routes coincide with those of the same areas as the general public, whereas, in the 1991 standards, it was always to the maximum extent feasible. The third one is different requirements for toilet rooms because those are generally one of the most talked about when it comes to accessibility. There are going to be new requirements for clear floor spaces in toilet rooms.
Is there a difference between the 2010 standards and the 2004 ADA/Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines?
COCUZZI: The new ADA standards are based on what was developed in 2004 when the new guidelines were originally supposed to come out. When the whole process began to revise the guidelines to include different types of facilities and areas, it was originally going to be adopted around 2004 or 2005. But they kind of sat there for a while. A major difference in the 2010 standards is in the regulatory part, where they address ticketing, service animals, safe harbors and communications, and mobility devices, such as Segways.
How will the new standards affect compliance efforts?
STEIN: When you talk about the compliance process, it's an 18-year-old process, which began on Jan. 26, 1992. What the Justice Department is doing with this set of regulations and time frames is trying to deal with the fact that when they passed the ADA in 1990 and gave the 18-month period for the regulations to be completed — between July 26, 1990 and Jan. 26, 1992 — this was the first time in history companies in private industry had obligations to address anything related to accessibility. The Justice Department is trying to put in that same kind of grace or implementation period (with the 2010 standards). They are actually giving managers and everybody else more options because as of Sept. 15, 2010, you could choose to use either the 1991 standards or the 2010 standards. But when you make that choice, as a colleague of mine said in an e-mail recently: "You've got to pick that horse and ride that horse."
COCUZZI: Yeah, it will, particularly those that may be (undertaking projects) under new construction and alterations. They're going to have the ability to use these standards and reduce down, which will be cost savings to them. It will also enhance accessibility in certain areas.
BERG: For some venue types, it may make sense or (managers) may want to use the 2010 standards. For example, I'll use assembly areas. For large assembly venues (such as sports arenas), in the 2010 standards there are fewer wheelchair-seating locations required. There is a reduction in the number of accessible wheelchair-seating locations. For a larger venue, you can use the 2010 standards and actually remove some wheelchair-seating locations and put in standard seats.
Can you explain the safe harbor?
COCUZZI: If you have a facility that you are in total compliance with under the 1991 standards, you're not going to need to have to modify anything until you decide to make alterations after the 18-month period. Even beyond that, if you choose not to (make alterations), and you're in compliance, you're fine.
BERG: The safe harbor becomes effective March 15, 2012. That's the date the 2010 standards are the only standards that can be used. At that point, if a building or facility was constructed or altered in compliance with the 1991 standards or, if it was a state or local government entity and they used UFAS (Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards), they do not have to touch those areas. They fall into that safe harbor because they were constructed or altered in compliance.
STEIN: Facilities have a period of time now where, if you are confident that your facility is compliant — you've identified all of your barriers and have completed all readily achievable barrier removal, or you altered or newly constructed since 1992 and you are 100 percent confident your design professionals really did understand (ADA) is a civil-rights law and not a building code — then those can be your safe harbors. The safe harbor means you will not have to do anything until the next time you touch that area — make modifications that are structural in nature and affect primary function of the space.
When planning retrofits or new construction projects, how do managers balance the need to comply with both ADA standards and building codes?
STEIN: It's important to understand that the ADA is a civil-rights law, not a building code. The ADA does have a provision that, if there's a state or local code that provides for a greater degree of accessibility or is more stringent, that will supercede the federal standards. That is the only time they will supercede the federal standards.
BERG: It's the federal government that enforces ADA. Local building-code officials don't have authority. They only have the authority to enforce the state building code or local municipal code. ADA standards clearly state that wherever there is a conflict between the federal code and a state code, you must comply with whichever provides greater access or is least restrictive.
COCUZZI: Sometimes, if you comply with ADA and you don't comply with the building code, you're not going to get your occupancy permit. We're hoping with these new standards — which are actually based on ANSI A117, which deals with accessible buildings and facilities — will reduce compliance issues between (ADA and ANSI). Up until then, there were significant differences in the technical and scoping requirements versus ANSI, and, a lot of times, significant confusion. That really caused great havoc between the building-code inspectors and building managers that have these two documents they have to comply with.
Why did the changes focus on recreational facilities, detention facilities, courthouses, etc.?
BERG: Areas where there were no scoping or technical requirements in the 1991 standards, there are no safe harbor for those come March 15, 2012. The Access Board, in its development of guidelines, recognized that there were certain facility types that presented unique accessibility issues. Therefore, they felt that there needed to be specific scoping, and more importantly, technical requirements for providing access at these various types of facilities. Recreation facilities, courthouses, penitentiaries, holding cells, for example, have different features that weren't really addressed in the 1991 standards.
COCUZZI: Up until this point, there were no technical or scoping regulations for those specific areas. You had to think outside the box and say, "What can I do to make these specialty areas more user friendly?"
STEIN: There are completely new areas in 2010 that were never addressed in 1991 — children's environments, outdoor recreation, golf courses, boats, etc. There are new rules that address those issues, and there is more specification and more detailed requirements for things that were not clearly defined in 1991 but created quite a lot of litigation. There are now technical and scoping requirements. Before (the new regulations), if you were evaluating a child-care center under ADA, you didn't have anything that said a toilet can't be any higher than X inches, or that a table where kids work can't be X inches. There were no enforceable standards.
Can you talk about the effective communication portion of the changes?
STEIN: There is a lot more available now in terms of technology for effective communication. It doesn't just say, "Effective communication dependent on the scenario and the extent, duration, and importance of the communication." What (the DOJ) found was there were too many lawsuits. People just weren't using common sense. When you're installing (effective-communication measures) from the beginning, the cost is nothing. It's when you didn't do it and you have to retrofit it (where it gets expensive). The technology explosion — smart phones, video conferencing, etc. — that everyone is using is also extremely effective for individuals with disabilities.
COCUZZI: Under the new regulations, a public accommodation is going to need to include what is called video remote interpreting, which can be used as a means of effective communication. For example, where they may have had to bring in a sign-language interpreter, which is expensive, now they can do it real time through full-motion video and interpreting. It probably in the long run will allow for a cost savings.
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Sign Industry Education | Metal Letters and Numbers
Metal letters are always in fashion, and rightly so. Their durable construction and professional look is a great fit for many kinds of businesses. If you’re a business owner considering a metal letter sign look, you’re probably wondering what kinds of metal letters are out there. Metal signs come in many varieties and are produced by several different fabrication methods. To get you started on finding the perfect metal letters for you, we recently wrote a blog article that describes four kinds of metal signs.
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Share ThisWritten by Adam Sokoloff · Filed Under Education
Welcome Home Your Soldier with a Custom Banner
When your spouse, child, sibling or friend returns home after deployment, it’s truly an occasion to rejoice. You’re celebrating life, liberty, bravery, love and friendship – and you want the welcome home to be something special.
Here at TheSignChef, we’re just as proud of our troops as you are! That’s why we specialize in creating custom “Welcome Home” vinyl banners for your loved ones in the military.
For your custom “Welcome Home” banner, we offer:
- Any design, fonts and graphics you want
- Any size you desire
- A comprehensive array of installation accessories and instructions
- Two-sided banners
- …And more!
PLUS, family members of soldiers enjoy free shipping and no sales tax!
What should I put on my banner?
You can put anything you want on your custom banner! Some people keep it simple while others add photos of the homecoming soldier with his or her children, a quote or saying that explains their feelings, a military branch’s logo, a patriotic background or a “Support the Troops” ribbon. And no matter what you choose to include on your sign, the price will remain the same. Most companies charge for, say, printing photographs, but we make it a point not to. So go ahead and design your banner any way you want!
And speaking of designing your banner…
You might not know where to start. We can’t all be as artistically inclined as our expert graphic designers! That’s why you get a FREE one-on-one online consultation with one of our in-house graphic designers. You can give them real-time feedback as they design your banner from scratch. A super professional-looking banner will really welcome your loved one home!
So get ready to celebrate your soldier with a custom vinyl banner from TheSignChef. If you need any assistance at all, we’re available from 9am to 9pm seven days a week.
Why Digital Signage Needs Facebook
While some claim this is a bad thing., I think Facebook is paving the way for the future of media, entertainment, advertising, and technology. The critics claim Facebook is here to use and abuse us. "It puts too much power into the hands of one company," some say. "How can we trust Facebook with our personal information?" others argue.
When it comes to personal information, there is a fine line between what we will freely share and that which we will adamantly protect. In the age of Facebook, a lot of our personal information has fallen into a grey area between the two.. Facebook isn't to blame for the over sharing of information. The company has provided the platform. It's Facebook's members who decide how they want to use it.
Facebook and Digital Signage
Digital signage needs Facebook because it delivers unparalleled contextual relevance through which to better communicate with customers. Facebook provides the necessary foundational information to create one-to-one marketing experiences at retail.
Facebook provides the launch pad from which retailers can forge stronger bonds with their customers. It brings the retailer into a customer’s social circle. It offers the opportunity for two-way information sharing, helping to redefine relationships between retailers and their customers.
I have said it before, and I will say it one thousand more times. The power of digital signage lies in its flexibility, immediacy, and relevancy. The medium draws its strength from the information and data that we don’t see. Rather than functioning as the means through which a canned playlist is distributed, digital signage can function as an omniscient marketing and sales tool. It's through platforms like Facebook that digital signage draws its omniscience.
Tying in Facebook Likes and connectivity into digital signage ensures that these systems realize their full potential at retail. They become hubs for real-time social activity that blur the physical and digital. Connecting customers to their social graphs in-store, via kiosks and large-format interactive displays, promises that they will realize the same benefits they find when shopping online.
The web of conversations, social connections, feedback, and recommendations born from Facebook can facilitate a smoother path-to-purchase. A kiosk’s interoperability with Facebook takes the best of our online world and merges it with the best of bricks-and-mortar.
To better understand one’s customers is to more keenly comprehend how to meet their unique needs. It allows retailers to discover nuances about their diverse customer base that would otherwise remain hidden. Facebook’s role in providing greater context around places must not be underestimated..
The better we become at seamlessly integrating Facebook into physical retail locations, the more equipped brands will be in crafting one-of-a-kind customer experiences. Facebook’s integration with kiosks and digital signage allows retailers to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach. In-store marketing campaigns, special offers, and promotions can be changed in real-time in response to data derived from Facebook.
The social network is a hub for information that can be acted on in positive ways. It empowers brands and customers alike to take complete ownership of the unique qualities that define them
2011 is All About Growth at TheSignChef
It is vital that a business changes in order to accommodate the economy. The economy is slowly getting back on track and more small businesses are opening around the country. For TheSignChef, that means even more growth.
Hello, 2011!
We’ve been thriving throughout the economic slump, but now that things are beginning to pick up, we’re flourishing more than ever before. In fact, we’re on track to beat our sales record in 2011!
So we’ve had to make some changes in order to grow production at the necessary rate
Good changes, of course! We just completed a major expansion of our workshop and offices. Some previously unorganized space has now been converted into four separate rooms that will keep our business running efficiently as we continue to grow:
The printing room enables us to keep all of our printers together, making the process more streamlined for our production team.The graphic design room is a new office exclusively for our – you guessed it – our in-house graphic designers so they have extra room to be creative.The router room houses our brand-new cutting-edge router that enables us to do all custom contour cutting in-house (most sign companies outsource this procedure, which means their custom cut signs take longer to make and are more expensive )The cutting room means more space for our production team on the main workshop floorIt sounds like a lot, and it is. We’re fortunate that we can give our employees extra office space and more production room. And because we invest in making our business better, our clients know that we’re striving to be the best custom sign company out there.
After all, we are doing this so that we can ultimately give our customers an even better product
By expanding, we can serve you better. Our customer service manager now has a bigger office, our production team has more space to build the best custom signs possible and our graphic designers have a comfortable new office where they can work undisturbed. Our customers benefit because a happy employees make a successful business!
And a successful business provides personalized service
No matter how much we grow, we’ll always be about personalized service. Although we serve some well-known franchises, we don’t have a giant office in New York City with hundreds of offices and no idea who, exactly, we’re working with. No, we reside in Charleston, SC, where we started 25 years ago. And our number one focus is on our customers, not our revenue.
And we look forward to serving our customers better, for years to come!
Signage: Pointing the Way to Accessibility
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ADA , accessibility , signage">signage .
Try ADA, Design & Construction for related news, articles, blogs, events and online resources. I?m Dan Hounsell, editor of Maintenance Solutions magazine. Today's topic is, accessibility and signage">signage.
Facility signage">signage can accomplish more than maintenance and engineering managers might expect. In addition to successfully guiding visitors and occupants through a building and alerting them to potential hazards, signs also can improve the accessibility of facilities for all visitors — especially those with disabilities — and help managers ensure their organizations comply with accessibility guidelines.
For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates certain characteristics of signs designating permanent rooms or spaces and signs that provide directions or information. Consider these three characteristics:
• First, copy height. Signs identifying permanent rooms must have raised, uppercase copy at least 5/8-inch high but no higher than 2 inches. Grade 2 Braille must accompany the copy. Overhead signs must have copy that is at least 3 inches high. The speed of passing vehicles will dictate the size of copy on exterior traffic signs. When designing exterior pedestrian wayfinding signs, managers should avoid using copy smaller than 4 inches high. Copy in this range can cause drivers to slow down to read signs that might not pertain to them, causing delays.
• Next, contrast. The contrast between the background of the sign and the copy color must be 70 percent dark to light, or light to dark. Some managers do not like the contrast that stark, but that level of contrast improves legibility, especially for people with visual impairments.
• Finally, mounting position. Signs identifying rooms must be mounted on the knob side of the door at a height of 60 inches to the center of the sign. Overhead signs must have an 80-inch clearance.
Your Custom Sign Is Now Made Even Faster!
Why ask someone else to do something when you can do it yourself, right? We agree! That’s why we strive to make all the elements of your custom sign in-house.
We do most everything in our workshop:
Designing (we have two full time, in-house graphic designers)PrintingMountingShippingAnd now we can do more because we have a new baby…
A Gerber Baby, in fact! But he’s not quite as cute as you’re imaging. Because our new “Gerber Baby” is a Gerber 200 Dimension Router. Hey, at least we don’t have to put up with changing diapers and loud crying (although we can hear it in our offices all through the day)!
Our router enables us to do all our custom cutting in-house. Most sign companies can’t afford a router and must outsource all custom cutting, which slows down the process.
What is custom cutting?
Custom cutting is how we create uniquely shaped signage">signage as well as 3-dimensional letters and two sided engraved signs.
But because we do it in-house, your custom signs are created faster and more economically.
And that’s not all that’s in it for you
Our new baby can slice and dice virtually any sign material including plastic, wood, metal and composites. We’ve already created some custom orders with it and the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive!
So if you need a custom-cut sign, don’t hire a sign company who will just give the job to someone else. Let TheSignChef take care of you in our very own workshop with our specially trained builders!
Oh, and our customer service department is also in-house. In fact, they’re available for you from 9am to 9pm seven days a week.
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Vehicle Wrap Industry News | Vehicle Wraps, Art, and Endangered Species
One of the cool things about being in a growing industry like vehicle wraps, is that you get to see cool projects being turned out every day. One recent amazing project is a new series of bus wraps in San Francisco, which turn city buses into mobile works of art for a cause. The project is called endangerbus, and each wrap features a beautiful picture of an animal that is endangered within the bay area. We did a write up on the project over at our blog - check it out to learn more about this vehicle wrap for a cause!
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Vehicle Wrap Industry News | Editorial on Nissan’s Free Vehicle Wraps
If you keep and eye on vehicle wrap industry news, you’ve probably heard that Nissan is launching a vehicle graphics program alongside their new commercial NV van. Nissan is giving away a free wrap with each NV purchase. Free vehicle wraps? As a vehicle wrap company, at first we weren’t sure what to think when we heard the news, but after some consideration we’re pretty sure this is a good thing for the industry. Want to read our editorial on Nissan’s free vehicle graphics? Check out the full article at out blog!
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The Slogan We Should Have Thought Of For Our Custom Sign Shop!
I was flipping through the channels the other day when a commercial made me stop in my tracks. I was struck by Esurance’s pithy tagline, “Technology when you want it, people when you don’t.” It’s simple, straightforward and honest.
“Hey,” I thought, “That describes our custom sign business perfectly!” I was excited.
The first thing I did was call up our copywriters and fire them for not coming up with it first. Just kidding!
But it’s true that Esurance’s brilliant slogan also represents our business model.
Technology when you want it…
We strive to provide online support, tools and programs that are free and easy to use. These days, people don’t always want to pick up the phone. A quick, easy online solution is what many of our customers are looking for. To meet that demand, we offer:
Instant online live chatHow-to videosE-mail responses within the hourOnline design tools SignMagic, LiveDesign and DesignExpressLetter sizing calculatorsA comprehensive library of helpful articlesEasy online orderingOnline pricing calculatorMaterial Selection WizardQR code generator…And more!
And we have an in-house techno-nerd who is constantly developing new ways to serve our clients.
…people when you don’t
But some people still like to do business the old-fashioned way. And even if you use our online tools, it’s good to know that you can get in touch with us directly when you need to. In fact, we’re available by phone anytime between 9am and 9pm seven days a week. We barely sleep! Our head SignChef even had an extra line installed in his house so he can personally answer your calls when no one is at the office.
Our customer service team can answer any question you have and is always going out of their way to provide you with over-the-top support. We all strongly believe that superb customer service is the most important aspect of a business. After all, we do all of this for YOU!
So thank you, Esurance, for putting into words what we could not.
ADA: Success Through Communication
ADA , accessibility .
Try ADA for related news, articles, blogs, events and online resources.I?m Dan Hounsell, editor of Maintenance Solutions magazine. Today's topic is accessibility and communication.
Facilities, operations, and building occupants change regularly. As a result, maintenance and engineering managers need to communicate as thoroughly as possible about their departments' efforts to comply with access guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA.
One crucial step in this process is to designate an ADA coordinator. Managers should post the coordinator?s name, title, address, phone number, TDD/TTY number, and e-mail in a visible public location, and they should include this information in handbooks and other organizationwide publications. Managers also should post ADA-related notices in selected locations on the organization?s web site.
To ensure effective communication, managers also can use these tactics to communicate compliance efforts:
• Develop a brochure or a packet with information on ADA requirements, as well as information on contacting the ADA coordinator.
• Provide materials in accessible, alternate formats, including large print, taped materials and Braille.
• Provide accommodation statements on all public notices. Such statements should provide a contact person if an individual with a disability needs accommodation to participate in a program, service or activity.
• Seek input on accessibility from members of the public, individuals with disabilities, and organizations representing individuals with disabilities. Tools for this purpose include postings, surveys of facility users, organizations and site administrators, and newspaper notices.
• Finally, use appropriate terminology on all verbal and printed communication. For example, refer to individuals with disabilities as people first, so instead of saying "hearing-impaired person," say "person with a hearing impairment."
Aluminum Signs vs. Acrylic Signs
This blog post will help you discover:
Why aluminum and acrylic signs are so popular and what they have in commonWhat you should consider when choosing between aluminum and acrylicDifferent ways to use each type of sign and what type of environment they’re best suited forPeople often ask what our most popular sign materials are. Aluminum and Acrylic signs combined account for about 40% of the signs we make. While the two have a lot of similarities, they also have some big differences that can help you determine which (if either) will fit your needs best.
What do aluminum and acrylic signs have in common?
Most importantly, both aluminum and acrylic are extremely versatile. They can both be used indoors or outdoors, though aluminum is more common outdoors while acrylic is often found indoors.
Both are very lightweight and durable, which accounts in large part for their popularity. In fact, aluminum is among the most durable sign materials available.
Because aluminum and acrylic are both light and thin, they are easy to install.
Both materials are also waterproof – a big reason they endure well outdoors.
But the similarities pretty much end there. So while aluminum and acrylic share some vital factors, their differences are extremely important to note.
What are the differences between aluminum and acrylic?
Let’s start with Aluminum:
Aluminum is a metal sign materialVery popular for real estate signsExtremely strongPerfectly smooth finishRustproofCost effective (but more expensive than acrylic)Won’t deteriorateRigid yet flexibleGreat for double sided signage lasts decades indoors and up to eight years outdoorsNow let’s look at Acrylic:
Acrylic is a plastic sign materialClear acrylic signs are available and extremely popular in office buildings, etc.High gloss surface gives a professional lookPolished gold and silver standoffs used to mount acrylic signs appear very high-endPigments on acrylic hold color wellInexpensiveIdeal for lighted sign displaysFor one-sided signs onlyAcrylic plastic signs last indefinitely indoorsYou can see that although similar, they’re best used for different reasons.
When should I use aluminum and when should I use acrylic?
Aluminum is the most popular outdoor sign material we offer. It is most often used for signs that provide directions or instructions, such as traffic signs and yard signs. Real estate signs are one of the most popular uses for aluminum. (You can learn how to design an effective real estate sign here.)
Acrylic is used very often in corporate interiors and hotel lobbies. It’s glossy, modern appearance makes acrylic great for professional uses and branding. You’ll often see acrylic name plate signs on office doors, for example.
If you have any questions about choosing the ideal sign material for your needs, contact our sign experts at TheSignChef.com anytime between 9am and 9pm seven days a week.
Vehicle Wrap Industry Tips & Advice | Design Tips For Seamless Vehicle Wraps
Unlike quilts and old fashioned stockings, vehicle wraps do not look good with their seams showing. A well installed vehicle wrap should be virtually seamless, meaning that you shouldn’t be able to tell where one panel begins and another ends. Creating a seamless vehicle wrap is easier said than done, so we wrote a new blog post with four design tips for seamless vehicle wraps.
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