Friday, November 11, 2016

And The 2nd Quarter Winner Is...

Drum Roll Please..

With big smiles and happy fanfare..Vital Signs announces our 2nd Quarter Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY Winner!! It gives me great pleasure to announce that Rebecca & Jim Finney from Edge Painting were our winners.



It always makes me happy to promote a successful, woman-owned business from the Pittsburgh region and Edge Painting surely fits the bill. Edge Painting, established in 2006, is a full-service painting contractor with over 15 years of residential and commercial painting experience. Edge Painting offers high quality painting services for residential, small commercial, and light industrial painting projects.

Rebecca Finney, President and Operations Manager of Edge Painting, has ten years in the painting industry. She previously co-owned and operated a mortgage consulting and settlement services business. Rebecca's husband and business partner, Jim Finney, Vice President and Project Manager, has 18 years in the painting industry and previously worked as a union painter.

2nd Quarter Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY Winner, Rebecca Finney
Edge Painting Products & Services Include:

Complete Interior and Exterior Painting

Specialty Coatings ~ Staining and Varnishing
Deck Cleaning, Sealing and Staining
New Construction and Repaint
Residential Homes ~ Single Family and Multi-Units 
Offices ~ Schools ~ Restaurants ~ Hospitals ~ Retail Stores

Edge Painting is certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise through:
WBENC, DGS and PA UCP and is also a Lead-Safe Certified Firm

Sandy & Steve Burkett, Owners of Vital Signs, can personally attest to the excellent and detail-oriented work that Edge Painting executes, because we hired Edge Painting to paint our residential home in Upper St. Clair, PA.

Edge Painting Residential Project

So What Did She Win?

Rebecca and Jim won an 18" x 24" yard sign to promote their business!!

You may be our next winner...IF you sign up! The 4th Quarter Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY is a custom (your image choice) 18" x 24" canvas print. Keep it or give it away as a Christmas gift...we print ~ you decide!! But you won't win if you don't sign up!!


And on this Veteran's Day, Vital Signs would like to thank our GIVEAWAY Winner, Rebecca Finney for her service to our country! We appreciate what you and all of our Veterans have given and continue to give to our country!


Thank You Rebecca and to All Veterans!

Remember Vital Signs For All Of Your Signage & Graphics Needs! Call Us Today: (412) 494-3308


Monday, October 31, 2016

And The Winner Is...

Drum Roll Please...

Anna Marie won a brand new banner from Vital Signs


With pretend drum roll sound playing in your imagination..it is my pleasure to announce the Vital Signs 1st Quarter Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY! Our winner is: Ms. Anna Marie Gire from Women's Independent Press.

Anna Marie Gire has to be one of the most creative and busy people I know. Each time I speak with her she has her fingers in yet another pie.

Anna Marie Petrarca Gire owned several businesses in Pittsburgh before moving to Champaign/Urbana Illinois in 1985. In Illinois, she worked in a domestic violence shelter and became a Legal Advocate for Rape Crisis Services.

In March of 2003, she began publishing the Women's Independent Press, a general interest newspaper distributed in Champaign/Urbana Illinois and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Anna Marie returned to Pittsburgh in August of 2003. In 2005, the Women's Independent Press Newspaper was replaced by the Women's Yellow Pages (WYP) of Greater Pittsburgh.

Women's Yellow Pages of Greater Pittsburgh



The Women's Yellow Pages is a directory publication which features women-owned businesses in the greater Pittsburgh region, as well as articles, hotlines, a legislative guide and more.

In October of 2014, Anna Marie established The Author's Zone, an annual conference and awards ceremony for authors in Pittsburgh, PA.

Ms. Gire resides in Pittsburgh with Sal the Bird and is the mom of two adult children, Vincent and Leann Schmidt. Vincent and his wife Kristy have two daughters, Heidi and Heather. Leann is a web developer and artist, with two happy cats.

I would just like to say that if you haven't advertised in or looked at the Women's Yellow Pages, you should! These are local women-owned businesses that deserve your support. Pittsburgh is one of the most generous cities for charitable giving, so we should equally support our local businesses with that same enthusiastic generosity!

So What Did She Win?

Anna Marie won a 3' x 6' digitally printed color banner!

You can too! Well, maybe not a banner. It depends upon what we are giving away. But if you haven't signed up for our GIVEAWAY...why not? This quarter's GIVEAWAY..just in time for the holidays, is a custom printed canvas (your image of choice)! Please visit the Vital Signs Homepage to get your entry in! And Good Luck!!

In the meantime..if we can help with any of your signage or custom graphics needs, please feel free to give us a call. We're waiting for you.  

(412) 494-3308 

 www.vitalsignspgh.com

Monday, October 10, 2016

A War Of Words

Or Is That The First Amendment?

Well, here we are firmly entrenched in political warfare of the 2016 contentious Presidential Campaign. The majority of us feel trapped. Yes, we turn on our TV's and are repeatedly assaulted with nasty, political party dart-throwing commercials. We visit our usual social media sites only to be met with venomous nominee and party jabs and retweets. Or excessive "likes" and shares of barbed political comments.

Just Say NO!


Is it just me? Or is this political season excessively negative? I personally HATE politics. I do not choose to have political conversations with anyone..unless it is my spouse (behind closed doors and windows). But lately I have been noticing what seems to be such negative political behavior by the average person, that it seems to shut down others in expressing their political opinions, at least out loud. What happened to the days when people could have a friendly discussion and disagreement without feeling like they just got sucked into a "this may end our relationship" defensive argument? Is it just politics that generate this "agree with me, or look out" attitude?

A Bit O Sign Vandalism

Signs Of Discord

As a sign manufacturer, I am always interested in sign-related issues. I recently read an article about an older gentleman who decided to put out his political "candidate of choice " sign in his front yard. The man was not a person who had ever put out any type of political sign, or at least not for many many years. He explained that he was shocked when the police came to his door and gave him a warning to take the sign down (as it could only be put up 30 days before the election) or he would be fined $500.00 a day. There were further specifications that he was given as related to the size of the sign, the setback from the road, a bond payment required etc. 

In the sign industry we routinely see various rules within sign codes from municipality to municipality. Certainly, the political sign guidelines should be closely reviewed if a homeowner who is contemplating a political signage display of support for a candidate(s) in their yard. 

Apparently, a great number of the restrictions have been deemed as unconstitutional restraint on free speech when suits were filed in court by the ACLU. In Pennsylvania, the ACLU successfully sued and won six cases for illegal political sign guidelines. (Upper St. Clair in 1999; Westmoreland Co. in 2001; Erie County in 2002; The city of Philadelphia in 2004; East Stroudsburg in 2004 and Baldwin Borough in 2005).

Signs Of Stealing


If Thee Sign Offends Thee, Remove It

If one manages to display their political signs without invoking the wrath of their local township, they will do well to install 24/7 monitoring cameras to make sure they stay put, or at least to see who is "stealing" them, if they disappear. It is starting to be pretty commonplace to hear about political signs that are put into the ground on one day and are gone by the next day, or they get vandalized beyond recognition. 

Multiple news stories are highlighting the illegal taking of these signs by those people who just can't handle someone's free speech right to support their candidate of choice. There are even stories of those who have wired up their sign to deliver a shock to the person who tries to unlawfully remove it. 

Yes, folks the political season brings out the worst in everyone, or so it seems. Even if you are one of the most anti- political persons around, such as myself, you find yourself snarling over the entire political process we are forced to endure, ..and the embarrassingly awful behaviors people exhibit during this time.


Wired And Warned

So What Was The Message?

The message is that politics make people crazy in one way or another. If you would like Vital Signs to make some political signs for you (or other kinds), we are happy to do so. We have economical options and quantity discounts if you need a lot of signs. If you want a large sign or need it to last, we have a special anti-graffiti laminate we can use which can help protect the sign from being tagged by a vandal. If your municipality has strict guidelines regarding political signage, you might wish to research the law.

How Some People Feel


A simple yard sign of support is one of the least offensive things about this political season (regardless of who disagrees with it). If you wish to quietly voice your support for your candidate of choice, by placing a sign in your yard, you should be allowed to within the Free Speech legal guidelines or our country. Afterall, Freedom of Speech applies ALL YEAR round. 

I am going to be honest here...as a sign company, we love making signs...but I will be happy when we get to November 8th and beyond.. 

May the candidate you are voting for...not disappoint!


             Call Vital Signs 

For All Of Your Signage Needs!   (412) 494-3308




Monday, October 3, 2016

Knock Knock..

Or Should I Say.. Noc Noc

DiNoc Samples


You may have missed my fun play on the title unless you happen to be familiar with the cool product that I am going to profile today. The product that I am referring to is called: Di Noc Vinyl.  Some sign companies may be familiar with Di Noc Vinyl, while others are not. Di Noc vinyl is considered to be an architectural finish in the design and build world. 3M  is the manufacturer of Di Noc Vinyl.

Di Noc vinyl has been created with an adhesive system with grid-like channels on the adhesive surface which allows air to escape during it's application (Like our vehicle wrap vinyls). This allows for any air bubbles between the material and the film to escape along the tracks making application to large and complicated surfaces easier and ensuring a perfect finish.


A Typical Di Noc Application ~ Wrapped Counter


Who Uses Di Noc Vinyl?

Most often Di Noc vinyl can be seen in commercial buildings/settings and many folks would not even know that they are looking at a vinyl material. The reason that this is so, is because Di Noc vinyl comes in a huge variety of wood-look (and other) colors and textures. When looking a large wall or counter surface in a commercial building, one may perceive that they are looking at "true" wood surfaces or a furniture piece that was built from real wood..when in fact, it is a surface that has been covered/wrapped in a wood-look Di Noc vinyl.

Di Noc Vinyl With Real Wood Grain Texture

Oh..the choices you'll see..

Di Noc comes in a large variety of patterns and textures including:

Wood Grain
Metallic
Solid Colors
Faux Leather & Suede
Marble
Granite
Sandstone..and more


So why did I decide to highlight Di Noc today? Because Di Noc has a variety of uses within the sign industry as well as the building industry. For instance, we had a customer awhile back who wanted a very upscale sign without the upscale price tag (a common theme we hear in the sign business). We suggested wrapping (covering) a lower costing sign substrate (backer) with an exotic Di Noc wood vinyl and then applying the dimensional letters to the sign. Though the picture does not do it justice, the result turned out great for far less than what a sign fabricated with real exotic wood would have cost.


Sign With Exotic Di Noc Vinyl on Backer


Whether you are contemplating  an upscale sign; wrapping a piece of furniture or perhaps creating a focal wall, Di Noc is the perfect vinyl choice. Contact Vital Signs today to speak with our design team about your custom Di Noc project. 


And Please Don't Forget To Sign Up For The Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY! We just added a new prize..suitable for Business, Personal or even a Christmas Gift! Go to our homepage to click on the contest link: Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY!

(412) 494-3308


Monday, September 12, 2016

The Season I Hate Most!

The Climate Is Horrible


Typical Political Campaign Sign


We all have our favorites when it comes to all of the seasons we experience each calendar year. But there is one season that I hate, no matter which date it falls on. That is..the Political Season. It is no surprise to anyone who knows me, that I dislike few things more than I dislike politics. Sadly, it has nothing to do with the political signs that we design and produce at Vital Signs. But to be safe, I will not open that can of worms here.

What Is The Law In Pennsylvania?


To Use Or Not To Use...


Instead I thought it might be helpful to take a look at what the statute says in Pennsylvania regarding the use of campaign signs. Pennsylvania statute (181.1) requires that campaign signs that are approved by a candidate or campaign must have a line that states that the sign is authorized by the candidate. Alternatively, if the sign is not authorized by the campaign, the sign should say so. 

Where Can Campaign Signs Be Placed?


In terms of sign placement, Pennsylvania does not allow signs to be placed within a room where voting is being held statute 1220 (c) . Also, according to a recent Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Signage Brochure, signs should not be placed in the public right-of-way, including utility poles. PennDot is legally required to remove signs that violate this law--owners will receive a warning that the sign must be removed, after which the sign will be confiscated and fees of up to $500.00 may be assessed.


Campaign Signs En Masse


Do Campaign Signs Really Work Anyway?

According To A Recent Study...



The answer is Yes! 


A recent study by Vanderbilt University's Cindy Kam and Elizabeth Zechmeister suggests that they do. In the study, the scholars placed four large signs for the imaginary school board candidate "Ben Griffin" on a street where roughly half of the parents passed each day as they drove their children to and from school. Three days after the signs were put up, the local PTA surveyed parents about their preferences in the upcoming school board election. The survey results indicated that parents who drove along the street where signs were placed were ten percent more likely to say that Ben Griffin was one of their top three choices for the position. The huge difference in favorability for Ben Griffin between those who saw the signs and those who didn't, suggests that campaign signage is a viable way for candidates to build name recognition.

So there you have it..political campaign signs do work..even if they can have a tendency to be placed in crowed areas. In any event, Vital Signs is happy to produce your single or double-sided campaign signs no matter who your candidate is.


 Please give us a call TODAY@

(412) 494-3308



Monday, September 5, 2016

Someone Forgot To Look At The Proof

What Is A Proof Anyway?

So what is a proof in the first place? As defined in the FAQ on the Vital Signs website: A proof is a visual image of a customer's sign design sent via email, fax or given to the customer by hard copy prior to the project production.

We like to think of it as "sign insurance" for both our staff and our customers. A proof is a customer's physical opportunity to review what their sign/custom graphics project will look like as presented on paper before it is actually produced.

Actual Proof For A Grand Format Banner For Convention Center


Speak Up Now Or Forever Hold Your Opinion

Reviewing a proof is the time when the customer should take a critical review of ALL of the design details. Is there a misspelling? Is the font choice correct? What about the color? Is the color correct or does it match a specific color in the customer's logo? Is there enough color contrast? Is the design layout how you want people to view it? What about the size..should it be smaller, larger or is it just right? Does it elicit the impression that you wish others to receive about your company?

It Helps Your Sign Manufacturer Too

Proofs = Quality Control


Any good sign/graphics company will have a proof process in place, not only for the sake of the customer, but also for their own in-house quality control purposes. Afterall, we want to make sure that we have dotted all of our i's and crossed our T's as they say. While we follow an additional informal quality control process in-house, the proof process is extra insurance for us and ensures that the customer receives exactly what they asked for and approved.

Custom Sign Project

Let's Not Go Here


Creating custom signs and graphics can be a pricey proposition. A mistake in the final project output can be a costly one. A mistake, I might add, that neither the customer or the sign/graphics manufacturer wish to pay for. From the customer's standpoint, it is often felt that the sign/graphics producer should "fix" their mistake. From the sign/graphics production standpoint, it is always felt that the proof process is in place for exactly this reason..to avoid costly mistakes. It is the customer's opportunity and responsibility to address any problems or mistakes PRIOR to producing  a custom project. Afterall, most, if not all sign or graphics projects are custom projects that cannot be re-sold to others. So as you can see, paying close attention to a project proof is essential for the customer to avoid any project mistakes or "mistake ownership" discussions.

If someone forgets to look at the proof, make sure it's not you!

If you have any signage or graphics needs that we can help with, we would be happy to assist you in any way. Don't forget to sign up for our Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY..the next winner will be chosen at the end of this month. You can enter from the Vital Signs Homepage, click here.

Call Us Today!! (412) 494-3308

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

What Makes An Effective Retail Sign?

The Details Count


Back in the olden days (as our kids would say), signage was simple and usually hand-drawn. But these days, signs and the marketing plan in which they are based upon, are beyond sophisticated. Companies spend a great deal of money for marketing companies to tell them what type of branding to use and why it works.

For many years signs were not given a lot of design consideration and were probably considered one of the more disposable aspects of a retail store. Businesses have now realized that customers are the lifeblood of their success, and as such, spend a great deal of time focusing on the customer experience in their stores.

Effective Components of Retail Signage


Universally, there are a handful of signage components, if appropriately included, which will ensure the success of retail signage.

1. Legibility: Stores spend a great deal of planning time looking at the layout of their store, the traffic patterns and isles. It is important for the directional signage to be easy to read. Curly fonts are fun..in the right setting...maybe a small boutique. But when you need to find the isle for a specific product in a large store, you want quick, legible and easy-to-read signs.

2. Dimensional: A sign/shape that can be measured (such as height or depth). Flat signs will most always do the job of providing information, but a dimensional sign invites more attention, usually in a fun or interesting way. Seeing large dimensional letters on a wall to name a store department are far more attention-getting than flat letters. And with the myriad of designs and materials available, dimensional signs/letters can be produced to fit the company's theme.

3. Materials: The world of signage is dynamic and always changing, as are the products and materials we use to produce them. Never before have there been so many design options to choose from in finding just the right sign options. There are sign systems which can provide a universal look, feel and function to a store layout. There are also many other creative materials from basic to upscale and a lot of in-between to choose from.

4. Lighting: There was a time that the only type of lighting a store considered, was the fluorescent overhead lighting used to light the whole shopping floor footprint. Lighting has now become an integral part of retail design. There are LED technologies and methods of highlighting featured displays, as well as creative exterior lighting routinely included in retail design.

5. Experiential: Sometimes referred to as "engagement marketing", seeks to create a closer bond to the customer by immersing them in a fun and memorable way. 

Trader Joe's Does It Well!

Distinctive, Yet Casual Font/Letters



As I looked around for examples of a store that includes all of the above sign components, I came across Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's does a wonderful job of including effective sign elements. For instance, their signage name Trader Joe's is universally represented by a casual, easy-to-read, red font. The lines of the font give a relaxed feel to the letters/name, rather than formal straight lines.

Fun At The Beach


Anyone who has ever shopped at a Trader Joe's knows that the design features are fun, casual and tell a story of fun and family. There are typically underwater scenes, beach scenes or palm trees and sand. These design elements are representative of  activities which are typically enjoyed by most people/families on a vacation or in an outdoor lifestyle. Everyone can relate to the fun. Even a trip to the restroom at Trader Joe's is fun.

Rustic Frame With A Sign Hand-Written In Chalk


The signs that represent the Trader Joe's brand are a mixture of hand-written chalk signs; dimensional wall letters or dimensional elements added to flat signs; They are easy-to-read and always reflect the casual design esthetic that is the Trader Joe's brand.


Metal Dimensional Letters

Dimensional Elements On Flat Wall Water Background



Even the lack of an internal public address system is addressed by a fun large bell ring at Trader Joe's (1 Bell ring means open another register; 2 Bell rings indicates customer/staff questions that need to be addressed and 3 bell rings signal the need for a manager). What a simple idea that screams we have great customer service and you can see it & hear it in action!

Ringing The Bell Of  We Give "Immediate Customer Service"


Let Vital Signs Help


So about now you may be thinking..that your company does not have the marketing budget to hire a marketing company to develop your brand in a 'larger than life' way. No worries. Vital Signs has been at this signage biz for several years now. Our design staff knows how to effectively include the sign elements that will get your brand noticed. Thinking about how you can refresh your visual branding? Let Vital Signs brainstorm with you. With one of the largest sign galleries in the Pittsburgh area, we can show you examples of what works and some of the exciting new products we are working with to do the job. 

We're Waiting For Your Call!



(412) 494-3308

Oops...I almost forgot. Go to our homepage to sign up for the Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY. This quarter's giveaway is a set of Magnetic Signs!!






Monday, July 25, 2016

Time To Take A Signage Inventory

Visuals Count

Make Your Windows Count!


How often do you take an inventory of your signage? If you're saying to yourself, never..you would fall into the majority of most business owners. Signage is often a last thought. Most business owners forget to include signage from the beginning of the marketing plan of their business, which is a big mistake.

Use Color To Your Advantage

The reality is that signage should play a huge part in your marketing plan. Certainly signage serves the purpose of identifying your business and/or providing wayfinding directions to your customers. But if planned & designed correctly, your signs can do a lot more than just direct people to a location.

Look Around..

Take a pencil & paper & walk around your business. Use a critical eye in trying to identify each opportunity for signage that you could be taking advantage of. Do you utilize any/all of your windows for branding? What about wall signage? Is your reception area adequately branded? Does your floor have large expanses of area which could handle colorful floor graphics? Do you have any stairs that could be enhanced by graphics?
Bold Impact!


What about the ceiling? Is it appropriate to hang a large, graphic piece to a room to send a big message? And what about your existing signage? Is it fresh and attractive or maybe time for a new look? Are there any opportunities to include your brand in upscale design elements?

Larger Than Life Branding Utilizing Ceiling Space




What about your outside signage? Have you taken advantage of every branding opportunity that is available to you? Can you "wrap" a bench, chair or trash receptacle? Have you used every allowable outdoor signage opportunity to your best advantage?

A Big Message That Can't Be Missed


Do you have any elevators that could share your branding message. Elevators are great areas to send your message to those people already on the elevator or those waiting to get onto the elevator.

Capture Riders With Your Elevator Wrap Branding Message!

Don't Waste Your Signage Opportunities

Think about this. You already pay a hefty rental or mortgage amount with a lot of overhead just to have a business. Don't you owe it to yourself to capitalize on every bit of branding that you can create? 

Go Big Or Go Home!


Not sure where to start? Give Vital Signs a call. We are happy to send one of our design professionals out to help evaluate your space inside & out to make branding suggestions. You've heard it a million times, in business you have to set your business apart from the rest. That doesn't just mean with the products & services you provide. Your physical business impression should send a message that people will remember.

Call Us TODAY! We Can Help You Brand Your Possibilities!

(412) 494-3308


* Don't forget to sign up for the Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY! Go Here to sign up!



Monday, July 11, 2016

Magnetic Marketing

Yes...It's A Thing

So what am I talking about? Is it a dynamic marketing message or just marketing on a magnetic sign? Both! There are few people who have not seen a pair of magnetic signs on some company vehicle driving around, right. But there are various ways to use magnetic signs.

Magnetic Car Signs



The most typical and widely viewed way to use magnetic signs is on a vehicle. The convenience of their size and remove-ability makes them a popular choice to get a branding message out. But magnetic signs can be used in different settings as well.

On A Wall


Home Schedule

On a Wall? You bet. Have a magnetic surface or wall within your business or home? You may wish to get your marketing message out by using changeable magnetic signs. Any wall can become a magnetic surface with a coating of magnetic paint. Want to keep track of a schedule, grocery list or just let the kids produce their works of art? Why not put a dry-erase board with a magnetic backer right onto the wall. Vital Signs can help you with the design.

On A Menu Board


Easy-To-Change Menu Board

Many restaurants have figured out that their menu selections or  pricing needs to be changed frequently. By having a magnetic menu board system, making changes to food selections or pricing becomes an easy and inexpensive change. Creating an attractive and custom magnetic menu system is easy and does not have to break the budget in the process.

Safety or Countdown Signs


Safety or Countdown Signs

Need to motivate employees by showing how many days the company has gone without having an accident? Or maybe your having a company-wide countdown until the Corporate Anniversary Event. Magnetic signs work great for this type of need.

Gallery Wall


Magnetic Gallery Wall

Want a great idea of how to use those family pictures you have thrown in a box or other creative artwork? Creating a magnetic gallery wall is the perfect idea. What better way to showcase your many memories or design esthetic than to keep a changeable wall gallery.

Kid's Room Design


Kid's Room Magnetic Wall Design

Kids love to play with things that they can manipulate. A magnetic wall is the perfect solution for allowing creativity to bloom or zoom. Whether it's magnetic cars on a magnetic road, magnetic paper dolls or ABC's and 123's, magnetic design is a fun & smart solution for kids.

That Reminds Me...

Hey..all of this discussion about the smart uses for magnetic signs reminds me that Vital Signs has just launched it's 3rd Quarter Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY. And guess what? Our third quarter GIVEAWAY is a pair of magnetic signs up to size 18 X 24. That's right..Vital Signs is going to help you to market your business or send a message with magnetic signs. All you have to do, is to go to our Vital Signs Homepage: Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY to sign up. You can even sign up every day if you are so inclined. The more you enter, the better your chances. Now granted, it's not the Powerball, an HGTV house or 12 Days of Christmas Ellen giveaway..but FREE is FREE and we love giving back to our local community. So be sure to get your entries in!!

Magnetic Brainstorming

Have an idea for magnetic signs that we can help with? The Vital Signs Design Team is ready for your call! Call Us Today! 

(412) 494~3308

www.vitalsignspgh.com

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Give Them Space

Unique Space That Is..


We've either had them, will have them or been them...teenagers that is. And there is one thing that is pretty universal about teenagers. They like their own space. Often, they choose to spend a lot of time in their rooms, good, bad or ugly. (I'm talking about the space...not the attitude.) The attitude can be challenging to change, but the space...not at all. Now more than ever, Vital Signs has a large variety of vinyls and digital products that is sure to calm the savage, snarling teenager and bring big color fun to the teen space.
Decorate The Door

Start At The Door

The one thing that most teenagers aspire to achieve is their independence. And let's face it, they are at that stage that is somewhere between pre-adult and adolescence and trying desperately to feel grown up. They want their own space with their own personal touch applied to it's design. Mom's may still have some influence here, but typically the pre-adult teen calls the shots here. Not to worry. Vital Signs can help navigate this design territory and come up with an all-around acceptable design. And there is no reason that design shouldn't start at the door. Fun and whimsical or from another dimension, we'll take this entry to a new universe.

Focal Wall Mural

A Focal Wall Mural

Wall graphics have come a long way from taped up magazine tear-outs. A creative focal wall featuring your teen's favorite sport or hobby is sure to bring on a happy mood. If your child is going to spend a great deal of time in his/her room studying, resting or socializing, the room should be a fun reflection of who they are.

Make it a Mom/kid project. Why not invite your teen to be an active part of the room planning design. Let them infuse their design creativity into the plan. This way, they will feel more invested in the process and enjoy the completed room design more.

A Fun City-Scape

Nothing's Permanent

A Few Simple Graphics With A Big Message

I remember when my daughter and I decided to re-do her room (a long time before the ease of digital graphics). We decided to paint each wall & the ceiling a different color. All my husband kept saying was..the next people who buy this house can change this room. We had painted the ceiling a deep 3 coat layer of magenta. But there is no need to go to those lengths. With digital prints and vinyl graphics, it's easy to get a colorful design effect which will last as long as you want it to. 

Here's A Unique Split Panel Mural

Add A Sport

Custom Wallpaper

If you're looking to customize the entire room, custom wallpaper may be the option you want to consider. Vital Signs can now create one-of-a-kind wallpaper. Imagine a pattern that includes your child's school name, or maybe your child's name or possibly the school mascot. We can do it! 

The Materials

As I mentioned, customized graphics are just that. We now have materials that are as simple to install as peel and smooth vinyl. Like to change the look frequently or maybe the spouse just learned about a transfer & the house needs to be put on the market... you can put the room back to it's original state within a short period with our removable graphics. 

We'll Help You Plan!

Call Vital Signs Today. 

(412) 494-3308


Our design team is ready to help you create a teen space that is sure to get you a little "parent cred" and even a few smiles!


Don't forget to enter the Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY! The drawing is coming up June 30th. Go to the Vital Signs Homepage to Enter!

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

The WORD Is...

In Living Color

Monument Sign With A Digital Message Center

Everyone has a message, and churches have a lot of them. Of course the weekly verbal message on their day of worship is the most important one. But there are various other messages that are utilized in churches and synagogues which take on different forms.

Typically a church will have a building identification sign somewhere on the lawn outside of the church. It most often will be what the sign industry refers to as a monument sign. Usually, this is a larger sign which may or may not incorporate: Lights, Digital Messaging, Changeable Letters, etc. Did you know that Vital Signs can even match your monument sign to the same material that the church is built from? (Brick, Stone, Stucco, etc.)

Some churches may opt for a smaller, more modest post and panel type sign. There is a huge variety of the signage types and materials in which to choose from. Signs that incorporate a digital messaging center allow daily or weekly variability of posted messages and information. If digital messaging is in the sign budget, the sign will easily pay for itself over time. Digital messaging provides an on-going dialogue from the church to community and travelers passing by. It is an excellent way to invite the community in and build up church membership.

Stained Glass

Stained Glass Look-Alike Window

Churches with beautiful stained glass windows leave me in awe. No matter what church I am in, I always love the beauty of stained glass windows and the story they tell. But let's face it, not every church has the budget to put in expensive stained glass windows. But Vital Signs can provide an equally colorful and attractive economical version. 

Vital Signs has access to media that can be printed on and installed into the windows for a hard-to-tell-the-difference stained glass look-alike. 

Church Backdrops

Holiday Service Backdrops

The church that we attend and I know of others like it, offer modern and creative backdrops for specific events and holiday services. It doesn't get much more impactful than to have the church and choir singing a hymn backed up by a beautifully lit background. 

Youth, Fun And Fellowship


Door Wrap With Youth Group Event

What about other signage and custom graphics throughout the church facility? In addition to the typical room number signage; ADA/Braille signs and others, Vital Signs can produce door, floor and wall wraps and in general, spiritually-themed artwork wherever you need it. No one ever said that church graphics/signage needed to be boring..in fact...just the opposite!

A Contemporary Curved Wall Praise Message

Call Us Today!  (412) 494-3308



Not sure what kind of design you want to add to your church? Give the Vital Signs Design Team a call today. We are happy to help you brainstorm the colorful possibilities. We will even visit your space to make suggestions...just give us the WORD!!

Call Vital Signs TODAY! (412) 494-3308


Don't Forget To Enter The Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY Today! We will be drawing our next winner at the end of this month!  You may enter here: www.vitalsignspgh.com