One of our most commonly chosen modifications to engraved brass plates is the choice to oxidize your engravings.
A standard engraved brass plate has a shiny, reflective finish that is quite stylish and sleek. However, from a distance, the engraving can be harder to read. This is where oxidation comes in handy.
So how does oxidizing your custom brass plate help you?
Oxidizing engraved brass plates gives your sign a unique and elegant look while also preventing your engraving from further oxidization. This allows your sign to last longer without corrosion or signs of tarnishing.
Here’s how it works:
Every brass plate is engraved using a diamond-tip rotary with whatever custom text you choose.
After being engraved, a solution is carefully brushed over the brass plate.
After the solution is applied, the brass quickly oxidizes, only taking about 30 seconds to react to the solution, giving it a matte black finish.
Although the solution is applied all over the plate, it only oxidizes the engraved letters due to a protective film that is carved away during the engraving process.
The excess solution is then washed away.
Leaving a perfectly oxidized brass plate, ready to dry off and get shipped out!
These brass plates make for beautiful appreciation or memorial plaques. They are also often used as signage in restaurants or offices, like the one shown above. The classic color gives a more elegant feel to many custom signs, leading businesses to choose brass for more official signage needs.
Get everything you need to create the perfect custom signs for your business at Custom Signs! Our wide selection of metal signs, including custom brass and aluminum, will help you create any signage you need, whether you run a business, restaurant, or simply looking for some home decorations.
The holiday rush is coming. People across the country will be shopping for the best deals on the perfect gifts for their loved ones. Your business needs to stand out to catch the eye of every potential customer, but how effective is your sale signage?
A bright, flashy sign may seem like a great idea, but what effect will it have? We addressed how to use psychology for your sale signage in a previous post, and we wanted to expand on the effect of the techniques addressed.
Signs Improve Sales
The purpose of your Black Friday sales is to move product, right? Proper labeling, even for items with unchanged prices, may improve your business’s numbers. Luckily, savvy marketers and researchers have already studied ways to capture sales.
Business Insider references an unpublished MIT study that separated products into three groups. The first was the control; unlabeled at regular price. The second group had their prices reduced by 12% without signage. And, the final group kept the normal price but marked with sale stickers.
The second group had an approximate increase of 17% in sales. But, the third labeled, unchanged-price group sold over 3% more compared to the control. This study’s conclusion demonstrates that sales improve by posting sale signs.¹
The end goal of your signage should be to influence a customer into committing to a sale.
Customer Influence
Attracting new customers should be an integral part of your Black Friday sales. Studies show that appealing signage is great at bringing in new business and securing sales.
According to a FedEx survey, 68% of people make a purchase because a sign grabbed their attention. Additionally, 76% of Americans visit a new store based on their signage.²
Color and your product’s appearance also plays a major role in securing sales.
Results of Implementing Colors
Reading how colors influence customers is a great first step towards improving your store’s signage. But, how effective is it? In a previous post, we addressed how color influences people.
To recap; people associate emotions and reactions depending on which colors they see. Reds invoke a faster heartrate, blues elicit a sense of trustworthiness, greens indicate health or prosperity, etc.
What does this mean for your sale signage? Well, as mentioned previously, a large majority of consumers make purchases because a sign caught their eye. Additionally, roughly 93% of people claim that the visual appearance of a product is the main reason for their purchase.³ Furthermore, a study from the SCMS Journal of Indian Management estimates that a customer’s willingness to read and selling potentialincreases by 80% when color is present.4
Prepare for Black Friday
To give your business the best chance at taking advantage of the busiest shopping day of the year, we’ve aggregated some Black Friday statistics and frequently asked questions. Understanding key aspects of Black Friday shoppers and numbers helps in your preparations.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday is November 29, 2019
How Much Does the Average Person Spend on Black Friday?
Finder estimates that the average person will spend between roughly $252 and $626 depending on their age5
How Many People Shopped on Black Friday?
Over 34 million people shopped in stores in 20186
How Much Did People Spend on Black Friday 2018?
Over $717 billion total between in-store and online7
While there seems to be a downward trend for in-store shopping, ignoring the millions of brick-and-mortar shoppers is ill-advised. Your sale signage can play a major role in ensuring a successful Black Friday and holiday season.
With so many people shopping, both online and in-store, you need to prepare the best deals and signage to stay competitive and catch the eyes of any and all potential customers.
CustomSigns.com is the best online store for ordering high-quality, eye-catching sale signs and business banners. Customization is always free and most orders ship next business day. Attract new customers for Black Friday and special holiday sales with CustomSigns.com.
With winter fast approaching and your holiday sales starting soon, if they haven’t already, you may want to consider some of the psychology behind successful signage. How does color affect customers? What do numbers mean to consumers? These are questions to bear in mind when designing signage for your sales.
How Colors Affect Customers
Since signs are a visual form of advertising, colors play an integral role in the success of your sales. According to The Ultralinx, over 84% of people say that color is the main reason they buy something.¹ With this in mind, the color of your sale signage influences your customers decisions.
The Color Red
Generally, sale and clearance signs are in red, but why? A 2011 study found that grip strength and the velocity of the force increases when a person sees the color red.² The study concludes that red encourages a fast, physical reaction from individuals. Additionally, red conjures up feelings of urgency and can lead to an increased heart rate. With all these factors combined, red is the perfect color to entice shoppers into taking advantage of sales.
What About Other Colors?
Other colors evoke intrinsic reactions as well. Shades of blue instill a sense of trustworthiness and dependability, green hues show health and wealth, and yellows elicit positivity.³ Depending on your business, you may want to play with colors that are in-line with your brand and what you want to convey to your customers. While colors are the first thing consumers notice, what your signage says should further entice a sale.
The Numbers Matter
If you’re planning on adjusting prices for your holiday sales, you may want to consider the specific numbers used. Numbers play an important part in any marketing or advertising campaign, and your signage should reflect that value. Prices ending in 7, 8, or 99 indicate value according Mark Ellwood, who wrote “Bargain Fever: How to Shop in a Discounted World.” Items priced with “.99” generally advertise special savings while “7” or “8” are usually used for clearance items.4 The psychology behind “.99” comes from the idea that consumers tend to round down these numbers. For example, an item priced at $4.99 is perceived as $4 rather than $5. This plays into how your customers perceive the sales you launch during the holidays. Are your sales meant to convey value or that you are attempting to clear out your stock?
Dollars Signs Are Discouraged
In addition to how your sale prices end, you may want to reconsider including the dollar sign on your signage. Cornell University researchers conducted an experiment with customers of St. Andrew’s Cafe. They made three menus to test which one led to increased sales. One menu listed items with the dollar sign ($), one with the word “dollar” spelled out, and one with nothing next to the prices.
The study found that customers spent more money when they ordered from menus without the “$” or word “dollar.”5 The researchers concluded that the symbol or word solidified the idea that customers would be spending money whereas leaving them out meant the numbers were less concrete in the minds of the consumers.
Suggest Bulk Offers
Offering bulk discounts or sales touting savings for purchasing multiples of the same product is a tried-and-true marketing tactic. Buy one, get one has been around for decades, but advertising bigger can entice consumers to buy even more. John Gourville of Harvard Business School states “many people buy the amount, or buy in increments….”6Consumers perceive an inherent value when a greater number of goods is suggested for the same proportionate deal. Including this method on your holiday signage can help increase sales and move more merchandise.
CustomSigns.com is your one-stop-shop destination for all your business signage needs. From sale banners to hours of operation signs, you can find and customize the signage your business needs to succeed.
There are many aspects to making sure your business runs smoothly and effectively. Advertising, finance, and customer service are just 3 of the many roles that serve a huge part in your business’s success. While these are all essential duties, making sure your customers have a pleasurable experience may be the most vital task. Clearly displayed business hours, designated parking spaces and handicap accessible restrooms show customers that you care. By installing signage inside and around your building, you’re telling your customers they can trust you.
Here is a list of signs that every business should display:
Grand Opening
Once your storefront has come together, you’ll want to let customers and clients know you are open for business. Personalizing a grand opening banner can inform onlookers that you are up and running. Drive customers in with creative designs, a custom logo, and opening promotions. You will want to include your company name, phone number, location and web address. Give your hard work the recognition it deserves and make sure you implement enough advertisement to bring in excited customers.
Parking Spots
After attracting the customers to your store, make it easy for them to park and walk in. Depending on your location you may have storefront parking, a stand-alone lot, or street parking. Show customers you care about their convenience and display signs for your business’s designated parking spots.
You can get creative and design your own parking sign or order a pre-made template. Before installing a sign, find out if you are authorized to make those changes. Whether you need to contact the city or the owner of the complex your store is in, take the time to get the information you need.
If you can’t hold certain spots available, you can display a sign informing future customers where available parking lots/spots are for those who wish to enter your business.
Hours of Operation
It is wonderful to gain repeat customers and loyal clients! While you and your staff work hard to keep your store up and running, you can only stay open for so long. Displaying a sign that solely contains business hours is essential. Clings and decals can be placed in the window by the front door, or you can hang a sign for optimal visibility. If hours are flexible or you just opened and are figuring out your hours of operation, you can display a reversible open/closed sign. You can hang it next to your hours of operation sign and flip it depending on if your store is open or closed.
Restroom Signs
Whether you serve food, goods, or service, you most likely have restrooms for your patrons. It can be hard to spot the bathroom if you do not display signage. You can help point them in the right direction with a directional sign. You’ll be surprised how helpful a simple arrow sign can be to a customer who is unfamiliar with your building.
Once they get to the designated restroom, make sure you distinguish the type of lavatories provided. Are your bathrooms for men and women, family, and/or handicap accessible? Show it!
Depending on your establishment, you may or may not be required to provide a washroom for customers to use. Make sure to check your state and local laws when finding a place for your business.
In Case of Emergency
While you should be taking the proper precautions to prevent any emergencies from occurring, accidents still happen. If a problem does arise, it is imperative that you have had emergency signs placed to ensure staff and customer safety.
Mark the proper doors as emergency exits and use a directional sign so people can locate the fire extinguisher. If your place of business has multiple floors, make sure to use a sign that states using the stairs in case of an emergency. For any tripping hazards, you should use a caution watch your step sign.
Keep your business running safe and effectively by displaying the proper signage. This is both a courtesy to your customers, but will also help protect your business from liability. Customize signs or order templates to make sure you convey important information to customers, clients, and staff. For all your sign and plaque needs shop our online store at Customsigns.com.
In March of 2017, a California law was passed that required all single-user restrooms in any business to label their restrooms with all-gender signage. Many other states, including Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington, just to name a few, have banned discrimination in public accommodations based on gender identity. Numerous cities across the country have also passed legislation allowing any person to use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
As business owners, respecting and servicing our customers should always be a top priority. There are plenty of reasons why your business should have gender neutral restroom signage, even if it’s not located in any of the above mentioned cities or states, so today we’re here to share some insight and give you just a few of those reasons.
You’re Showing Respect for your Customers
Just like any other controversy, the battle over the bathroom was started for a reason. Most people would agree that using the restroom is not a privilege but instead a human right. Before this issue was brought to the surface, students all across the country were bullied and ridiculed when they would use the restroom of their choose – in fact, many still are, to the point that they would rather deal with health issues instead of using the bathroom.
By placing gender neutral signage outside of your single-user restrooms, you’re showing your customers that you care. You respect their choice in how they identify and grant them their right to use whichever bathroom they please. This respect will go a long way and could even be one of the reasons customers choose to support your business.
You’re Decreasing Restroom Wait Times
By allowing your patrons to use whatever restroom is available, you’re cutting back on wait times and eliminating lines forming in your business. If your business is a high-traffic area, this could especially be beneficial.
Restroom lines take up space within your restaurant, retail store, etc. and can even become a hazard. Many customers will admit they use whichever single-user bathroom is open, even if it’s clearly labeled for a different gender. Eliminate conflict and make your business a safer place with gender-neutral bathroom signs.
You’re Setting an Example
If you live in a city or state where all gender restroom signs are not required or still highly debatable, you can set an example for your fellow business owners by labeling your bathrooms with all-gender signage. Such a small decision on your end could mean the world of a difference to your customers, and can inspire change within your small town or city. By doing your part to promote a more equal and open-minded world, you could inspire the rest of the world to follow.
Changing the signage for your single-user restrooms is simple enough, but be mindful of your state laws before transforming larger, multi-use facilities to all-gender restrooms, like the University of Maryland did on their campus. Each city and state will have different legislation in place for gender neutral restrooms, so we encourage you to look into the laws in place in your town before deciding how you can make an impact. Find all-gender restroom signage here on Custom Signs.
If you’re a business owner of any degree, whether it’s a privately-owned small business or a large corporation, one thing is true: signs are everywhere within your building. Signs help your customers find your business and they also keep your employees safe. They can motivate your team to reach their sales goal or introduce your customers to your products. Signs are a crucial aspect to any business and there’s an endless number of ways to utilize them. Here at Custom Signs, we like to think of ourselves as the sign experts, so today we’re sharing with you the good, the better, and the very best sign options for your business.
The Good Signs
When a customer or a new employee enters your building, there are many things you may want them to know or be aware of without verbally informing them every step of the way. For example, if you own a restaurant and there are a few steps leading into the dining area, you will want to inform your patrons to watch their step to avoid accidents. We consider printed text on a piece of paper and taped to a wall a “good” sign. The sign is present and it’s probably doing its job keeping your customers and employees safe, however, it may reflect poorly on your business. The quality of your signs is a representation of your establishment. If it looks like you put minimal effort into your sign, it’ll appear as if you’re putting minimal effort into the other aspects of your business.
The Better Signs
Custom banners are a great way to take your interior and exterior signage up a notch. The possibilities are endless when creating your vinyl sign since they can be full-color and completely customized. Feature your business’ logo, introduce your products to customers, or motivate your employees! Vinyl signs are available in poster, mounted to corrugated plastic, PVC or aluminum and can also be laminated for a longer-lasting image. A vinyl sign is the better option for a professional yet cost-effective way to share your message.
The Best Signs
In the same way a sign represents the quality of your business, a sign can also show your employee how much you value them. An engraved sign featuring your employee’s name and title tells them you see them as a permanent member of your team and appreciate their position. It also helps build relationships within your business as other employees passing by will know who this team member is and what they do. Whether you use your engraved sign to identify a team member or warn and inform your customers, we consider this sign to be the best sign to represent the highest level of professionalism.
When opening or revamping the look of your business, signs are a huge element to take into consideration. What do you want your customers to know about your company? How do you want to encourage your employees to have their best day, every day? All of this can be accomplished with your signs. Choose the type of sign that is relevant to the importance of your message and how you would like your business to be represented.
The year is quickly coming to an end, is your business ready for the New Year? Holiday plans are made, guest lists are checked, doors gearing up to be locked, and it’s time to start looking forward to 2015. You may be ready but is your business?
While so many see the New Year as a time for new beginnings and starting over, they aren’t the only ones. All throughout the year, various committees have come together across the country to work out a series of new and important business sign regulations over a variety of sign types, and formats. Many of these new sign regulations and laws will be taking effect throughout the beginning days and weeks of the year. Are your company’s business signs up to snuff?
Just last month in Gilroy, California the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce got together to discuss the business sign regulations already put in place. Among the issues discussed, was the topic of how long a business is permitted to display a banner and how much of a business’s windows could be covered with signs whether they are vinyl or otherwise.
On the other side of the country in Stockbridge, Massachusetts a recently formed sign committee again took aim at the use of banners as well as neon signs and signs that aren’t even on the specific business’s premises. As a result, Stockbridge’s business owners are fighting back in their attempt to get noticed and therefore attract customers and profits.
It’s true that we often overlook signs as we drive around our own native cities. We’ve become so bombarded with them that we’ve become desensitized. But if you actually stop to look around and really think about it, there are signs all over our cities and streets. Businesses rely on them to pull in prospective customers. But with the New Year comes new changes, and now is the time to make sure all of your businesses signs are up to code and won’t penalize you, your business, or your customers in 2015.
Here at Custom Signs, we make it our business to help get your business in ship shape and not just for the New Year – but all year long! We offer a variety of custom signage in an assortment of material types for you to choose from. We’ve been in the custom sign industry for over sixty years and have built our business on the idea of producing high quality products and selling them at a low cost. We know how important customer satisfaction is to any business which is why we pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service skills.
Have a lot of sprucing up to do? No problem! We’re capable of super fast turnaround times and give free two day shipping to every order that comes through our doors! All of our products are constructed with high quality parts and products in order to give you the best possible results.
Wondering if your town or city has changed or made adjustments to their sign regulations? Contact your local chamber of commerce for more information!
It feels like just yesterday we were shedding our summer shorts, and trading them for a nice sturdy pair of winter jeans. Oh wait, we here at Custom Signs are based out of Florida – so it kind of was just yesterday! Even those of us who have lived here our whole lives get thrown off by the constant weather shifts that seem to occur within the blink of an eye. One minute it’s raining the next it’s hot and humid; one minute it’s freezing and the next we’re headed to the beach. You would think I was making this stuff up, but sadly I’m not – Florida has some moody weather.
Already October is on its way out, as it continues to get cooler and cooler outside. In just a few short day’s we’ll already be in to November! Where does the time go? And while September and October may have gotten all of us reacquainted with the fall season, by this point we’ve been opening our windows at night, carving pumpkins, and figuring out our plans for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. But before we all gather round the table to carve the turkey and gorge on homemade mashed potatoes, there’s one more fall tradition to take part in before settling in for the long winter. The county fair!
For patrons and vendors all over the country, the dates have been set, signs erected, and anticipation has been steadily growing to return to the Ferris wheels, fun houses, junk food, and all the vendors we’ve loved since childhood. So for those who happen to run and operate the resident county fair food trucks or carnival game booths, ‘tis the season to start generating those profits”! So what do we suggest? This sounds like a job for a one-of-a-kind custom banner!
The truth is that the use of a custom sign can give your profits a much needed boost! As any business owner could tell you, visibility is one of the many important components to success and what better way to increase your visibility than with a sign! Constructed with high quality vinyl and made in our very own factories here in Jacksonville, FL, our custom banners are capable of any vibrant and colorful images and/or text. Unlike traditional signs, banners can be easily put up and taken down, either at the end of each day, or at the end of the event and then stored away somewhere until you need them again! Our vinyl banners are flexible and can therefore be folded up and stored just about anywhere until next time.
We here at Custom Signs have been in the signage industry for over 60 years! With our business experience combined with the unique and seasoned skilled professionals, there is no limit to what we can create! As an added bonus, all of our orders ship fast, so don’t worry if you think there isn’t enough time to order before the fair comes to town and you’ve got to be out there and set up! We’re here to help you make a difference, so order your new custom banner today and get ready to be open for business!
Who says that Florida doesn’t have seasons? Yes there are certain temperatures and days in the blistering hot summer where it is just too hot to go to the beach. No, just because it doesn’t snow in the wintertime does not mean it isn’t still freezing outside – and what is that period of time that takes place after the sweltering summer heat begins to subside and all the kids go back to their classrooms around the country? We like to call that wonderful season Fall.
Yes, even way down here at the tip of the continental United States, we experience those famous autumn days – and I can promise you, that we are every bit as excited for them as the rest of the country. From cozy knit sweaters, to pumpkin spice lattes, and relaxing nights with the fall breeze filling our homes through open windows (a rarity in Florida) – words cannot express how excited we get for this wonderfully cozy time of year! Even though our leaves may not change in the same colorful ways that their northern counterparts do, there are still plenty of other seasonal sights, signs, and activities that we have come to associate with Fall regardless of the lack of Fall foliage.
But next to the changing leaves, what else signals the arrival of Fall? Pumpkin patches! Yes, pumpkins appear to be the perfect decoration to add to any home no matter if it’s to decorate for Halloween or Thanksgiving! But instead of buying from your neighborhood grocery store – a pumpkin patch is always the best way to go when celebrating the new season! So when that Autumn season pokes its head around the corner and all the pumpkins have been harvested and are ready to go, how can you make sure that your own particular pumpkin patch gets noticed and makes a decent profit this year?
We here at Custom Signs have never made a secret of our dedication and commitment to helping business owners big and small. With our awesome high quality products, we work hard to make sure that your business gets the kind of attention it deserves with the help of some attention grabbing signs. For the past six decades, we’ve dedicated ourselves to perfecting both our craft as well as outstanding customer service skills.
Whether you want a custom engraved sign, a detailed full color printed sign or a reusable banner that can be used over and over again, we’ve got you covered! Banners in particular are great for small road side stands or businesses! Large, bold, and capable of a full spectrum of colors, our large banners make your stand easy to see from the road when driving past, or even if your potential customers are walking in the distance. While engraved signs work well and will also suit your business just fine, banners easily fold up and can be stored nearly anywhere and when it comes time to take them out again – they look good as new!
Already have your design in mind? Perfect! Just email us your artwork and we’ll do the rest! Here at Custom Signs, we pride ourselves on our stellar turnaround time and look forward to helping your business grow!
