All Gender Restrooms Part II

A Sign Of Confusion

As Sign Makers we have never given a lot of thought to the signs that we make. We want to please our customers & provide them with the best version of their sign desires. Most the the signs we make are custom. That is, they are not signs that someone can go purchase off of the shelf at a big box store.

Sign images featured in the Nov.15, 2015  New York Times Article

Things Change

Along with the rest of the world, we have watched the metamorphosis of simple bathroom signs used to label the basic use of a public space turn into emotionally charged legal battles in many places. Thinking (at the time) that we were making the most acceptable version of the widely desired gender-neutral bathroom signs, last year we made the wheelchair, female, male pictorial signs with another figure wearing a divided skirt and pants for one of our customers.

Gender Neutral Signs

We have now come to learn (and let me stress the word learn) that those who identify as gender non-conforming, don't appreciate the reference to them as "half of a gender". I can understand that and it never would have occurred to me to think about the image in that way. I don't know who came up with that version of a gender-neutral restroom sign. It seems to change so quickly that it is hard to keep up. Especially, since there is no universally accepted version.

In an excellent article by Aimee Lee Ball in The New York Times, Aimee noted "that even when the intention is inclusivity, the reality is complicated. Strict plumbing codes or landmark status mean that businesses can't just change the signage and then be in compliance. Multiple codes regulate the requirements depending upon the type of building, the year it was built and occupancy." It also never occurred to me that code compliance would enter into this seemingly simple signage issue.

The Bottom Line

I know that many people have passionate opinions about how bathroom signs should stay the same or change to reflect the changes in our culture. I have always thought that it is hard to totally understand someone's position (no matter what the topic may be), unless you walk in their shoes and their experience. When needing the use of a restroom, I don't think that anyone should be forced to hold their bladder until they risk an infection, and I believe that everyone deserves to be safe..that hasn't changed for me.

So Which Image & Text Do We Put On The Sign?

All Gender?

We have now seen the text of Gender Neutral, Gender Inclusive, Gender Open, Unisex and All Gender. We have seen various pictorial images, the latest being a simple toilet. We have seen only text and text paired with image(s). 

We don't know the answer, nor do we wish to debate the argument, just know that Vital Signs is happy to provide you with whichever custom sign you need with any design that you want. All of our customers are important to us, no matter who you are.

Call Vital Signs Today For Your Sign & Graphics Needs!

(412) 494-3308

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Exhibit Professionalism

Make The Right Impression

Another day, another tradeshow. Same ol', same ol'. Well, not anymore! There was a time when a simple banner on a pull-up banner stand set up at a tradeshow was the norm for everyone. 

Times have changed within the graphics and signage industries. Along with those changes have come an explosion of cool, colorful and creative tradeshow exhibits.

Large  Extra Wide Banner Stand

You Decide..We'll Design, Print & Fabricate

There is no excuse for ordinary anymore. If you are going to put your product or business out there for the world to see, go big or go home. There are endless possibilities for your choices of tradeshow eye candy.

The important thing to remember, is that your tradeshow display is an investment into your business. People often forget that the initial front-end expense of a tradeshow exhibit (and they can be costly) can pay big dividends over time.

Fun, Table-top Banner Stand in Different Sizes

What Does Your Tradeshow Display Say About Your Business?

Your marketing collateral speaks volumes about your product or company. What kind of impression would your business card make if each time you handed it to someone, the name of the printer who provided the cards to you for free, was printed in the corner of each card?

Would it say that your company is a successful company? This is equally true of a cheaply made banner stand or shoddy tradeshow exhibit. You don't even have to be a sign professional to spot a flimsy banner stand that is likely to break after a few uses. The bottom line is that it sends the wrong message about you and your company.

Custom Stretch Table Throw

Do It Right Or Not At All

If you can only afford the cheapest banner stand you can find..just wait. Keep saving your marketing dollars until you can purchase the display that will best represent you and your company/product at it's best. Don't take a chance of making the first and lasting wrong impression.

Hanging Rectangle Display

Hanging Square Display

Tiered Ring Hanging Display

The Good News

The good news is that Vital Signs is here to walk you through the process of finding the tradeshow exhibit that will best represent you and your product/company. Our designers are ready to brainstorm the design possibilities with you.

Large Master Exhibit With Over-head Lighting

Customizing your display is what we do best. We were recently contacted by a customer who had an idea for a tradeshow display, but did not know if it could be done. After discussing the idea with our customer, our design team came up with a solution to create a one-of-a-kind color-change display.

This unique project has a remote-controlled color changer. The color, speed and mode of presentation (fade, constant, strobe, etc.) are easily changeable. Vital Signs created an acrylic box with stand-off clips attached to the box to hold the 3 individual signs. This double-sided display can function as part of a tradeshow exhibit, be used on a surface (when not at the tradeshow) or can easily be hung, if the customer chooses.

We think that this project turned our great and so did our customer!

Let Vital Signs Help Design Your Tradeshow Exhibit!

One More Thing...

Don't forget to sign up for Vital Signs quarterly Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY! This quarter we are giving away ...OOP.S..gotta go to our homepage & click on the treasure chest to find out (and submit your entry)! Enter Daily.

Call (412) 494-3308 to brainstorm your Tradeshow Needs!

Custom Wallpaper..Yes We Can!

Did You Know

There was an interesting movie created in Pittsburgh awhile back, called: Perks of Being A Wallflower. It definitely had/has an intriguing name. I don't want to brag by mentioning that I made my star debut in the movie, by playing an enthusiastic spec in the football crowd. But, I did in fact play a very convincing seat warmer on the bleachers of the Peters Township football field. I never actually saw the movie after it came out. At some future date however, I do intend to enjoy the teenage angst of it all.

Wallflower ~ Wallpaper..What Eva

So what made me think about that movie name? I found myself thinking about the fact that Vital Signs offers custom wallpaper. So the "Perks Of Custom Wallpaper" can feature your own creative, custom design.

Have you ever had a specific room or wall in which you wanted a very specific look but could not quite put your finger on it. Or perhaps you know exactly what the look is. You saw it somewhere?? Hmm. Was it a magazine, was it showroom vignette in a furniture store. You can't remember where you saw it, but it was really cool. If only you could re-create it right?! We can help!

Where To Start

Vital Signs has access to a very extensive collection of art files that you may choose from or our designers are here to help you create that one-of-a-kind design.

We recently created some custom wallpaper/art work for one of our customers. The Bruceton Grill called for that unique Pittsburgh "hometown" touch. We were given art files that were specifically created for our customer by a caricature artist.

The Vital Signs design team can easily work with outside designers to create your wallpaper. Not only that, we actually have a few different medias for consideration. A traditional wall covering (requiring a pasted application) is one option. Or we can provide a media that is easily applied to the wall & smoothed out onto the surface (no messy hands or fumes involved). This media offers a light tack adhesion, and can be easily applied and removed.

One Of A Kind!

Whether you are looking for a custom wallpaper for a business environment or your residential space, Vital Signs can accommodate your project. No more sitting for hours looking through wallpaper sample books...design it yourself. 

Call Us Today (412) 494-3308

Don't forget to enter our Build Your Brand 

Quarterly GIVEAWAY..we just added a new prize!!

Visit our Homepage & Click On The Treasure Chest To Sign Up!

www.vitalsignspgh.comhttp://www.vitalsignspittsburgh.com/

Let's Talk Price

The Search

We've all done it, tried to barter on a price or two. In our tech-driven society, now more than ever, we price shop, compare product features and in general, try to get the best bang for our buck. And I'm all for that and do the same online research..for some products or services. But not for all. And let me tell you why.

I had never given much thought to the manufacturers or crafters of products that I purchase, until we started a small business. I have seen first-hand, what goes into the design and manufacture of the signs and custom graphics products that we make for our customers. 

What Are You Paying For?

You're probably saying, "Duh, the sign I'm purchasing." But you are really purchasing so much more. For instance, when Vital Signs sells a custom sign or graphics project, the customer is receiving the benefit of many years of experience and expertise in sign design. Vital Signs is a member of two trade groups in an effort to stay educated on signage & graphics trends, and learn about new products and medias. Equally, we subscribe to professional trade journals. Our customers come to us for a huge variety of signage needs. The signage industry is not a "one size fits all " proposition. Our sign craftsmen need to have product knowledge, along with other sign considerations which include sign location; building type, etc.to provide the best signage option for the customer. Vital Signs is committed to providing the best products that we can for our customers. The cost for that institutional and on-going knowledge is and important part of what is included in your sign purchase from Vital Signs. Your business means a lot to us. We are committed to providing you with quality signs and a hassle-free experience.

QUALITY

It is a given that all consumers want quality. Quality in the way a product is made. Quality in the type of materials used to produce a product. And quality and integrity from the business in which we are dealing with. Anyone can go online and perhaps find a sign cheaper than what Vital Signs would charge to produce it. But you need to ask yourself if the materials and customer service are of the highest quality? Do you have a company that provides superior customer service and does whatever it takes to make you happy with your sign? Will an online supplier stand behind the product or replace it if it fails? Will the sign have a guarantee or warranty? Can you trust the supplier? Maybe and maybe not. 

There are intangibles that carry a great deal of weight in the sign purchasing process and the bottom line is, that you get what you pay for. Through the years, we have had some customers that called us for a price for a sign. It was clear that they were moving down a list calling several sign companies to price shop. And then weeks later, they contacted us telling us what a disaster experience and sign they ended up with by trying to save a few dollars. After missing a deadline, and starting the process over, they ended up paying far more for their sign(s) in the long run. Your signage is not a cheap investment, yet it says everything about your business. If you've invested much of your blood, sweat, tears & dollars to start and build a business, isn't branding your business with a quality-made sign for the world to see, important? It should be.

Apples To Apples

Some online sign retailers or home-based sign shops can lower their prices because of a reduced or absent overhead, Vital Signs does have overhead costs, which in turn can be the difference in the cost of a sign. But the one ingredient that is typically not found with online retailers that you have with Vital Signs..is a relationship. We are invested in our customers and their success. We greatly value the opportunity to help our customers and will go the extra mile to earn and keep your business.

If We Can Help You, Please Give Us A Call TODAY!

(412) 494-3308 or info@vitalsignspgh.com

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VITAL SIGNS BUILD YOUR BRAND GIVEAWAY

We're being STAND-OFFish..

About Sign Hardware...

Sign with Stand-Offs

Today I would like to take a moment to highlight a product that we routinely use in the sign industry. It is also a product that is used within the advertising and interior design industries as well. The product, is actually hardware that we refer to as: Stand-Offs.

What Are They?

So what is a stand-off and how is it used? 

Stand-offs are a small, decorative (mostly barrel shaped) and square shaped pieces of metal that come with fitted caps. They are made for the purposes of securing signage; shelves and artwork in both interior and exterior settings.

What Are They Made From?

Most stand-offs are made from aluminum, stainless steel and plastic in various heights, diameters and decorative colors and finishes. Stand-offs serve a couple of functions. They secure a sign or art piece into place, but can also serve as a decorative touch to the sign or art piece. Just by the nature of their barrel or square shape body design, they will off-set a substrate (sign or art piece) a short distance from the wall.

How Are They Used?

There are various methods in which stand-offs can be mounted. The can be used a basic (close to wall) wall mount, an edge-grip (which inserts the substrate into the stand-off) or as a projecting wall mount. The size of the sign or art piece and the desired location for installation will dictate which stand-off and mounting method would work best. 

 Looking For That Upscale Touch?

Stand-offs offer an upscale touch to the sign or artwork being displayed. They often provide a slight shadow offered from the lighting surrounding them which draws attention to the installation.  They come in various finishes from dull and matte finishes to brushed and shiny. So if you are contemplating your next sign or art installation, please talk to us about how we can elevate your application with stand-offs. Vital Signs is being "Stand-Offish" and we're happy about it, you will be also!

Please don't forget to get your entries in to our Vital Signs Build Your Brand GIVEAWAY! It won't be long until we draw our first name for the custom banner giveaway.

Call Us Today To Discuss Your Signage Needs!

(412) 494-3308