A Monumental Choice

What Is A Monument Sign Anyway?

Pittsburgh Public Schools

Monument Signs are typically large freestanding exterior signs. They are sometimes mounted on a base. Monument Signs can be fabricated from a variety of different materials, such as: concrete, brick, wood, wood composites; foam, stone, metal, aluminum, glass and more.

Monument Signs can also include different sources of lighting (internally lit, backlit, or indirectly lit).

Warrendale Village

Monument Sign Locations

There are a variety of settings in which a monument sign works well, such as:

* Commercial and Residential Entrances

* Parks

* Churches

* Shopping Centers

* Farms

* Ranches

* Cemeteries

* Hospitals

* Schools

Flabeg

Alive or Not?

St. Andrew Lutheran Church

That is, to add an LED Message Center or not, that is the question? It depends. The type of Monument and budget will dictate whether an active LED center is called for. Locations that have changeable information; announcements and invitations, may wish to utilize this popular method of getting their word out to the general public & traffic around their location.  While an LED message center will admittedly increase the cost of an already costly sign, a monument sign is always an investment that pays off over the life of the sign. 

Our Signs Sell Your Business

When comparing the cost of a Monument Sign which includes a message center, it is necessary to consider the traffic costs per view over the long term. LED center or not, a monument sign is typically large enough to command attention from anyone passing by. And clearly, the design of the sign can go a long way in presenting the type of image the purchaser wishes to exhibit.

If you are considering the possibility of adding a monument sign to your business or residence, please give Vital Signs a call. Our design team can help you to discuss  product/material considerations; design and other information that can assist in making your monument sign everything you need and want it to be.

Call Vital Signs to schedule your FREE sign consultation.

(412) 494-3308

info@vitalsignspgh.com

What's Your Sign ROI?

Maybe The Question Should Be...

Maybe the question to be asked is, did you know that signs are an investment into your business and your brand? As a company who works daily with new and established businesses, we are still surprised at the lack of planning we see when it comes to the process of obtaining signage.

We frequently speak with folks who totally forget to consider their signage in the planning (both pre-design & budget) phase of their business start-up. Almost as bad, are the companies (large and small) who purchased signage as a necessary evil, did not consider the establishment and building of their brand when in the initial designing phase of creating their signs, nor at any time after their installation.

The importance of having marketing for your business includes the creative use of signage as part of that big picture. Signs project not just the name of your business, they can also project: The voice/feel of your brand; your company culture; the type(s) of product or service you sell, etc. The appearance of your sign(s) is a direct reflection of your business.

GOOGLE...Does It Right!

Fun and Colorful Logos

Consider the example of Google. What do you think when you see a Google Logo/Sign? Big fun color, Right! Their brand is fun. the Google Search Engine Logo always has a new and interesting logo change that makes us smile; the Google workplace is so comfortable, colorful and inviting, that it makes employees at other businesses jealous. Google's signs and their company brand sends the message of fun, valuing their employees and not taking themselves too seriously. Clearly, the folks at Google understand the ROI on their signage, logo & brand and should be an example to all of us about how to enhance our brand to it's fullest potential.

Contemporary Use of Logo by Direct Application To The Brick

Who Wouldn't Want To Work Here

Now more than ever, the graphics and signage industry has given us a huge variety of media and materials in which to produce cutting edge signs and graphics options. In other words, you don't have to settle for "ordinary". At Vital Signs, we enjoy the opportunity to put our knowledge of those cool materials and medias to work in producing the best sign presentation of our customer's brands.

Do Your Own Marketing Research

So how can you figure out your Sign ROI? Do your own market research. Look around when you are out and about. Pay attention to the signs that surround you. Look at a sign & ask yourself if it represents a business that would attract you. Does the sign look professional and in good condition?

Does the sign give you an idea about what the business does? What does a shabby, broken or degraded sign say to you? What does your sign say to others? Is it ho-hum? Does it represent your company and brand at it's most impressive presentation? Does your sign enhance all of your other marketing collateral?

Your sign will work for you...if you let it. It is the only part of your marketing strategy that will work for you 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year. Most other marketing efforts cannot say that. Your signs are worth making the financial investment and time to ensure a continuing ROI to your business.

Vital Signs specializes in getting brands noticed. Let our design team work with you to produce a sign(s) that is sure to produce a positive return on your investment.

Call Today for a FREE design consultation!

(412) 494-3308

Etched Glass Design At It's Best

For An Upscale Look

There are very few of us who aren't impressed when we see an "etched glass" design on anything. Let's face it, etched glass designs look cool and upscale. So how can you get that same upscale etched glass look without the glass?

The same effect can be had by using frosted vinyl for your application. That is, Vital Signs uses a frosted vinyl application that gives the appearance of etched glass. Whether you are trying to achieve privacy, or are just looking for an attractive design, frosted vinyl is the perfect answer.

Frosted vinyl comes with either a matte finish or a frosted vinyl which has a sparkle effect when the sun hits it. Both are excellent choices to achieve the etched glass look. 

Not Just For Commercial Applications

As a room divider & decoration in the workplace

As A Pittsburgh City-Scape Window Accent

Frosted Vinyl on Residential Window

(412) 494-3308

These applications can be used in the commercial work space or in a residence. Some businesses use frosted vinyl as a room divider. Other businesses used frosted glass in the design of their business name or advertising. Frosted vinyl can enhance an ordinary window or mirror in the home also. One of the benefits of using frosted vinyl applications is the ability to have a design which still lets a lot of light through. Frosted vinyl is an economical choice with big design impact!

Please call  Vital Signs to help you with a frosted vinyl (aka etched glass) design TODAY!

First Impressions Matter!

What Kind Of Impression Do Your Signs Make?

Whether we like it or not, we all develop "first impressions" about lots of things, people and places. On the one hand we are taught not to judge, and on the other hand, first impressions help our thought processes and decision-making.

Let's be honest here, we all do it...which brings me to some questions. What kind of first impression(s) run through your mind when you see a shoddy, worn-out sign? Are you annoyed if a wayfinding sign doesn't show you the way? Or what about a business sign(s)? The letters are faded, the logo is tired and the message is uninspired. Is the business or store that supports this sign motivating you to go in to conduct business? 

If you had an identical menu being offered by two restaurants right next to each other, and one had a bright, fresh, colorful sign and the other featured a peeling and weathered sign,which one would influence your selection? What kind of message (first impression) went through your mind when you looked at the sad, shabby sign?

The truth is that consumers are influenced by the marketing and branding presentation that they see. The process of making first impressions happens so quickly and unconsciously, that we don't even realize how much our purchasing behavior is influenced.

How Often Do You Evaluate Your Sign(s)?

If you are a business owner, how often do you evaluate your signage? Are you guilty of installing your signs and then giving them very little thought afterward? Your signs can have a direct correlation to the amount of business you conduct each day. Think about a sign(s) that you passed which immediately made you smile or elicited  a "Wow, that is really cool sign" response. If you can still recall that sign(s), then that business owner left a positive and lasting first impression with you.

What Is A Customer Worth To You?

As business owners, we should all strive to ensure that we are putting our best marketing foot forward. That means featuring an attractive invitation to do business in the form of our business signs. The investment to create or freshen up your sign(s) is a small price to pay when considering the cost of attracting & growing your customer database.

Vital Signs can help to evaluate your signs for any possible rescues or face-lifts which may be needed. For instance, channel letters (the large letters that light up at night on a business) can be manufactured to look one color during the day, and a different color at night. Or maybe just highlighting certain parts of your sign(s) with a high intensity vinyl which sparkles or has a 3D effect. Perhaps you would like to put some brightly colored company branding in your large storefront windows, but still need to see out the windows...Vital Signs has you covered. Exploding in popularity, perforated vinyl is an easy way to grab attention without obscuring the view outside.

We Create Effective First Impressions For Your Business!

It's really pretty easy to ensure that your business sign(s) create a great first and lasting impression, and Vital Signs knows how to make those impressions happen! To make sure that your signs are working for you around the clock....

Call Vital Signs Today! (412) 494-3308

Are You Taking Advantage of ALL of Your Sign Marketing Opportunities?

Every Business Needs A Sign or More..

We all know that businesses need Identification Signs to attract customers into their business. But signs should be more than another thing to do on the "To Do" list. And they should never serve just one function. Signs should be an opportunity to present part of your business's marketing strategy.

Are You Using Every Sign Opportunity To Market?

There are so many opportunities to market a business with signage, whether you have a brick and mortar location or not. Beyond the business identification sign on the exterior of a facade, consider the following possibilities:

A Lobby Sign...

Reception areas are the perfect location to place an attractive business/logo sign. If your business provides a waiting area for guests to sit, then give them something to look at or read on the wall. A lobby sign sends an unspoken message, as well as giving your business name. It is a message that lets your guest(s) know that your business is a credible business, or a an upscale business or a fun business. That's what is great about a lobby sign. The flavor of your business should be visible in the style of your lobby sign.

An Attractive Lobby Sign In The Reception Area

What About The Wall Decor?

Yes... what you decorate the walls with can also be a part of your marketing strategy. Do you sell widgets that might lend themselves to modern art-scapes? Can you capture your customers in artwork which depicts them interacting with your widgets that you can share on your walls with visitors? What looks like fun artwork can also send your marketing message. And Vital Signs has the perfect media to send those messages without damaging your walls!

Unforgettable branding!

Moving Messages?

Exploding in popularity, LED scrolling and changeable message units are on constant marketing duty when programmed with your marketing messages. Easier than ever, inside or out, business owners can program their electronic message center to send out messages in bold colors, fonts & graphics. Admittedly, these LED signs are a financial investment and are more expensive as they graduate in size. But the attention that they capture from viewers will likely offer an ROI that will easily pay for their cost and will constantly work for your business.

Your Message Works Around The Clock For You With An LED Message Center

Big, Bold Banners!

There will always be a place for banner marketing for every business or organization. Banners are one of the most economical attention grabbers that a business/group can use. Banners can go mobile or be utilized on the inside or outside of a business or in various locations. Created with the right vinyl media, banners can literally last for years. If your business or organization is not using banners...two words...why not?

Banners In Every Size!

A Frames

Portable, Easy & Attention-grabbing! Need to highlight a special or temporary offer or highlight pricing? A Frames are the perfect sign option. Single or double-sided choices are available & are hard to miss. If you are trying to grab that pedestrian attention, a colorful A Frame is the perfect choice!

A Frames Work For A Variety of Messages!

Flags and Wavy Things

I don't know about you but I am always drawn to flags and inflatables that flap in the wind...aren't we all! It's human nature to have our attention drawn to moving messages..We see them and yes...we read them too! And sometimes yes...I do think they are corny & funny...but they work. That's why businesses continue to use them. Looking for a creative way to float your marketing message? Contact Vital Signs today!

Bow Flags and Other Wavables

Mobile Marketing ... Marketing On Wheels

Does your business have business vehicles that move about town? This is a no brainer...your business should be utilizing your mobile marketing spaces on all of your vehicles! Okay...maybe you don't own a business fleet of vehicles...maybe your personal vehicle does double-duty for both your personal & business use. That's okay too. You should still use that vehicle space to move your marketing message wherever you travel. Vital Signs can install vehicle graphics to your car in a way that won't be missed. And if you are looking for a removable (daily) option, we can create magnetic signs for your vehicle. If you have to sit in stopped traffic, you should make sure that the delay counts by presenting your company's marketing information for others to read.

Make Your Vehicle Work For You!

Tradeshow Displays

Tradeshow sign opportunities abound! Consider the typical tradeshow space. You've been given a standard 6' (possibly 8') table & two chairs, surrounded by curtains. Vital Signs can design & fabricate the perfect logo tablecloth for your company. A logo tablecloth can have the design placed on the front of the table cloth that hangs in front of the table. Or if you want another option, we can also create a 6' banner that hangs on the front of the table. The curtains which frame the back of the tradeshow space can also serve to host a banner backdrop with your company information. Vital Signs offers a variety of portable table-top custom displays for use on top of the tradeshow table. In addition to table-top displays, many companies utilize a banner stand to attract attention to their booth space. There are a large variety of other marketing ideas which can compliment the average tradeshow space. Please call us today, so we can brainstorm the best options for your next tradeshow!!

Banners, Tablecloths and More for your Tradeshow Space

Window Graphics

Another ad space that should be taken advantage of. The windows of a business serve as the perfect space to send a marketing message. One of the coolest materials that Vital Signs uses for window spaces and vehicles, is a perforated vinyl that will allow for the outside viewer to see the picture/marketing message, while the inside occupants can still see out of the window. Of course, the windows can be used to display needed business information such as hours of operation and phone numbers. But taking advantage of large windows to market in a bigger-than-life colorful and attention-grabbing way, utilizes the space in the best possible way. The windows are a passive part of the business space, why not put them to work for you!!

Using the Logo To For Window Graphics

Floor Graphics

Carpet, wood or concrete (sidewalks) and more, Vital Signs will floor you with a marketing message made for your foot traffic. With new media that adheres to almost any surface, no one will miss your floor surface message! Floor graphics are exploding in advertising popularity. Businesses are learning that the best way to capture a customer's immediate attention, is from the floor which surrounds them! As soon as we learn to walk, we learn to look at where we are going. It's human nature to look at images in our path. But there is nothing that will make a customer smile more quickly, than to place your fun marketing message or event enhancement at their feet. Memorable? You bet! Let Vital Signs show you how it's done.

Sidewalk Graphics To Promote Your Event/Business

So there you have it. These are just a handful of ideas that you could and should be implementing to take full advantage of the various sign marketing opportunities at your disposal. Vital Signs is happy to come out for a FREE sign marketing consultation. Please call us today (412) 494-3308. We're happy to help you get the most bang for your marketing dollars!