Southern California Sign Blog

The Electronic Message Center Market

EMC Summary

• The term “electronic message center” (EMC) encompasses vast differences in scale and sophistication.

• Products may be designed for interior or exterior applications and may range from one-line monochrome text and time & temperature units to full-color billboards and video walls.

• EMC screens are configured in a matrix of individually addressable light source “pixels”. The closer the “pitch” (distance between pixels) the higher resolution the screen is capable of.

• The most common light source for EMC pixels are LEDs. Common monochrome colors are red, amber and green; full color pixels are made up of red, green and blue (RGB) LED clusters.

• Messages and images are usually controlled through manufacturer’s proprietary software, which may be connected to a network that controls multiple units.

• Access to the EMC market requires investments in technical training, equipment and licensing.

• License requirements differ in all cities, but most locations require a permit.

• An electrician’s license is necessary to connect to primary power.

• Installations are subject to inspection by the authority having jurisdiction.

• EMC installation involves building a robust support structure.

• EMCs are regulated through local sign codes and city ordinances and range from outright bans in some locations to various restrictions on size, brightness and change frequency.

• EMC variables: color, resolution, viewing distances, viewing angles, all of which affect readability.

• The EMC Supply Chain

• Most manufacturers sell directly to sign companies or end users.

• Products are not generally available through distributors.

• EMC Manufacturer Resources

• Product information

• Installation guidance

• Sales leads

• Technical training

• End-user support

• Leading EMC Manufacturers in the US (2010)

• Adaptive Micro Systems

• Daktronics

• Grandwell Industries

• HiTech LED Display

• Mitsubishi

• Optec

• Salescaster

• Sony

• Trans-Lux

• Wagner ZipVision

• Watchfire (by Time-O-Matic)

• YESCO (Young Electric Sign Co.)

The Sign Studio is a proud Partner with the above listed Manufacturers and hope this information will be helpful to you. If you have any further questions or would like to see a Demo of an Electronic Message Center, please give us a call at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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Do I need to do a Site Survey before I decide on my signage? Absolutely!

Before starting on any sign project, it is essential to do a site survey. This holds true for monument signs, channel letter signage, outdoor banners etc. The initial survey is the single most important step of your design and marketing effort. Without the information from the survey, the most impressive signage can be rendered ineffective by existing conditions not otherwise recognized.

When conducting the survey, the following conditions should be documented:

• Approach - The distance measured along a line of travel from the point where the signage display first becomes visible to the point where copy is no longer readable (having passed perpendicular to the line of sight). Consider the approach to the business. What speed is permitted on the street(s)? What obstructions are along the approach? How clear is the line of sight?

• Exposure Time - Exposure time is the amount of time an observer has to view the content of the sign. Exposure time is a function of the approach, noticeability of the sign, legibility of the sign, and rate of travel along the approach path.

• Noticeability - This term is actually a combination of detection and conspicuity.

• Conspicuity - The quality of an object (sign) or a light source to appear prominent or to stand out in its surroundings. The depth associated with the individual channel letters contributes greatly to this quality.

• Detection - The quality or state of being perceivable by the eye. In many outdoor applications, visibility is defined in terms of the distance at which an object can be just perceived (i.e. detected) by the eye. Since channel letters can be spaced without an associated cost in square footage allocation, a spread pattern can often be used to increase the distance at which the letters can be discerned and read.

If you have any questions or need help with your Signage Site Survey, please give us a call at The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com
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HOW TO CREATE SIGN BANNERS that catch your ATTENTION!

Here are some statistics about basic color combinations, font styles, margins and graphics usage in successful banners. Since the primary goal of a banner is to grab the viewer's attention and then communicate a message, the banner should be readable and visually attractive. The following steps are a good place to start to create an appealing and attractive banner, and to maximize its effectiveness.

1. Choose appropriate font styles.
Avoid using more than two type styles on a banner. The more fonts used, the harder it is to read. Sans serif fonts like Helvetica, Futura and Antique Olive are the easiest to view from a distance. They should be used for the primary message on your banner. Likewise, serif fonts such as Goudy, Benguiat or Times are appropriate for a secondary message. Fonts such as Old English Text or Engraved are almost impossible to read correctly from a distance and should only be used when the viewer is stationary for a period of time (such as in a conference hall, meeting room or retail store) to be able to absorb the entire message at their own pace.

Take into account the type of business or event where the banner will be used. A bridal shop or beauty salon banner can be dressed up with a script font such as Brush or Commercial Script; however, these fonts would be out of place in an auto parts business.

Also, try to stay away from using all upper case lettering on your banner. It can be used for one word or a line of text for emphasis, however, it takes the human eye longer to read and process words in upper case.

2. Use Graphics Appropriately
Logos, clip art, borders, etc. can effectively be used to grab the viewer's attention, but should not overpower the sign's main message. If the viewer is only concentrating on the cool clip art or graphic, the message has been lost.

As a signage professional, we have already developed an eye for what works and what doesn't so if you need our help or have any questions, please give us a call. As you drive around your community, look around at all the banners grabbing for your attention. Notice the ones that stand out. Mentally take a note about one or two elements of the banner design that grabbed your attention in the first place.

3. Consider viewing distance and viewing time.
"How far away will the banner be from the viewer?" If a grand opening banner will be on the front of a business with a large parking lot between the storefront and the street, the letter height must be large enough to be viewed by drivers on the street. Also, keep in mind that a driver only has about 1.5 - 3 seconds to read a message while in motion. The chart below will help determine the correct height vs. viewing distance.

4. Use effective color combinations.
The following chart shows the most readable and successful color combinations in order of viewing effectiveness. Color combinations with high contrast between the background and letters are easier to read and can be viewed from greater distances. Always consider the type of business or event when choosing colors. Pink, purple, teal and orange colors aren't shown on this chart, but still can be used for certain holidays, special events or parties.

5. Banners need margins and white space.
Margin widths are usually the most abused spaces on a banner. Common errors include stretching letters and graphics to fill the entire banner to the edges, or the text and graphic is too small for the sign and the margins are too big. A general rule of thumb is to have the top and bottom margin be 10% of the height, and right and left margins be at least as wide as one of the banner's main font character width. For example, a 48" sign should have a 4.8" top and bottom margin. A three-foot wide banner should have at least a 3" margin on the top and bottom. Avoid filling the empty spaces of the banner with graphics. White space helps keep the viewer's eyes concentrated on the text.

Although these are good general guidelines, they might not always produce desired visual results. Use your own discretion and intuition. Creating attractive and effective signage is essential.

If you have any further questions or need The Sign Studio to design your banner or signage, please give us a call at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com.

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Business and School Signage of all kinds!

Over many years, The Sign Studio has provided signage systems for many public, private and parochial schools, as well as conference centers and corporate training facilities.

Campus (or multi-campus) signage for all levels of facilities - elementary, middle, high school; community, junior, and four-year colleges - must facilitate the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, both inside buildings and on the grounds. Buildings and rooms must be identified, often by their generic (functional) name as well as their proper name.

With our vast experience in this type environment, The Sign Studio can assist in the design, wayfinding, and implementation of campus-wide systems. Solutions must recognize the need for durability, flexibility, consistency, and economy of scale, while also sending an underlying message of institutional identity compatible with the organization's values.

Drawing from a wide selection of signage materials and manufacturing methods, The Sign Studio can help plan and design solutions to meet practically any budget.

If you have any questions or need help with your Business or School Signage, please give us a call at The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com.

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Banners & Flags

Get your message across with big, bold banners and flags. At The Sign Studio, our banners and flags provide a powerful way to draw attention to your product, event, business or organization. Whether displayed indoors or outdoors, hanging or in stands, there is no better way to make an impact. Durable, flexible and portable, banners and flags keep working for you—again and again.

Banners-Indoor

Attract new customers and grow sales with one of the most cost-effective advertising methods available. Banners are seen, read and acted upon over and over again each day. Whether you want to create product awareness, introduce special pricing, promote an event or draw visitors to your tradeshow booth, colorful indoor banners are a sure way to make an impact and generate excitement.

Banners-Outdoor

Draw attention and awareness to your business or organization—or promote an event, product or service—with high-impact outdoor banners from THE SIGN STUDIO. Highly visible everywhere you go, banners are a versatile, durable and affordable way to get noticed, even from a distance.

Flags

Make a statement with colorful flags from THE SIGN STUDIO. Whether you want a polyester pennant string, a company logo or a grand patriotic flag, we offer a wide variety of flags to meet your needs. Choose from a range of sizes, materials, colors and designs, all made to be durable for use indoors or out.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact THE SIGN STUDIO at (818) 843-9200 or e-mail us at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

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Vinyl and Graphic Sign Banners - How great they are!

Banners can do many things for you!
Vinyl Banners are meant to be noticed. Whether you are looking to target market potential clients, advertise an event, or send a message to the world, a banner will more than accommodate your plans.

The Sign Studio and it's team of design specialists, trained in the design and marketing field, use the most innovative technology available today. The Sign Studio is equipped to provide you with the most spectacular banners, your message is sure to be an attention getter. With a weather resistant vinyl format, these state-of-the-art banners easily mount to any location. Easy to display, rain or shine, a vinyl banner by The Sign Studio offers reliability without the stress of wondering if anyone will see your words. A stress-free, bold, brilliant color banner is beyond a doubt the answer to conventional advertising.

Aside from the fact a vinyl or graphic banner by The Sign Studio can feature full color photographs, customized to suit every need, it is an economically smart choice. Comparing the astronomical cost of print advertising to get the attention of potential clients, a vinyl banner is a far wiser choice. Even black and white newspaper and magazine ads cannot cost compare to a full color banner.

Ordering a custom banner is simple, either e-mail us a request at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200. In addition to the professional service and easy steps it takes to order a banner, there are no hidden fees. The Sign Studio will send you a quote within a few minutes and we understand your need to advertise on a budget. Ordering a cost effective banner is not an opportunity you can only take advantage of certain times of the year. Vinyl banners by The Sign Studio are available at an economical price all year long.
Moreover, the quality of our banners demonstrates just how understanding the company is, knowing banners are not always used for advertising purposes. A family reunion, your child's baseball game, a neighborhood picnic, welcoming guests on a colorful banner is a keepsake to be remembered. A banner makes for a special gift when celebrating a birthday, birth of a child, even an anniversary. The Sign Studio always delivers high quality vinyl banners without substituting style and personal taste.

Delivering nationwide, ordering a vinyl banner for your personal event or business function relieves the stress of finding a quick turn-around company. Available at your fingertips, The Sign Studio realizes your need to have all of the particulars worked out in a timely manner. A 24-48 hour turn around time from the moment you sign off on your layout is simply another outstanding service you will receive from The Sign Studio. In addition to understanding the importance of a timely turn around, The Sign Studio acknowledges a businesses need to invest in a tool for long term. These superb vinyl banners can be used multiple times and always remain outstanding in color, giving you the results you need each and every time.

If you have any questions or need further information or simply want to order a banner, please send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200.

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Wayfinding signage and Planning Services aka Directional Sign Systems

If you have any questions or need further information or simply want to order a custom vinyl banner, please send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200.

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Buying a Custom Sign
Every business organization wants to look their best at all times. A great way to do that is with a high quality sign that projects the right image for your business. Many are surprised to find that getting a custom made sign seems easy at first, because there are many sign shops/manufacturers to choose from, only to find that the information required to obtain a quote is confusing. Some of this is due to lack of experience on the part of entrepreneurs as they may have never had a sign made, but the problem can be compacted by sign makers if they are not experts in the sign industry. Know your options and what will work best for your everyday use.

Custom Sign Options
First you must determine where your sign will be located and the drawing that you want to use to narrow the field of materials and custom options for your sign. The biggest factor is whether the sign will be protected from the elements inside/outside or where it will be exposed to the weather factors. This should be considered for the sign material. The agenda will be the budget for the sign, since the cost will be directly connected to the material used, the number of colors and a custom design is needed.

Inside Custom Signs
Indoor signs are usually much cheaper than their outdoor counterparts because they are in a protected environment. You no longer need to worry about strong winds, rain, snow, animals or vandals. Considerations should be made so that the sign blends with the building design and still captures the attention. Material options include custom interior signs, plastic, aluminum and PVC with variations that are a combination of the above substances, such as Dibond or Aluma-plastic signs.

Outdoor Custom Signs
Outdoor signs face many threats, including weather, animals, vandals and other external factors. The first step to an external sign is to verify the legal restrictions from your city, province and the owner or operator of the property. You may need special permission to hang a new sign or have a certain size, color or material requirement/limitation. Knowing this, before you begin your sign design will be very helpful.

If you have any questions or need further information or simply want us to take charge of your project, please send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200.

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Outdoor Banners: The Bigger the Better!

In advertising.....size is important! If you have small outdoor banners you may get a few people to notice, but they won't take them very seriously. To make a serious impact on your market, you need to go bigger!

Big outdoor banners will attract people with their color and size! Whether you want to advertise a promotion, event or anything else, large scale vinyl banner printing is the way to go. Why? Because people like to be distracted! And size distracts! The bigger you go, the more necks you will crane and there's virtually no size limit. Which also means there is no limit on the size of your audience.

So if you really want to turn heads, think about the biggest outdoor banners you've seen and imagine your image and tag on them. Then get creative with what you want on your customized vinyl banners. Think of a clever phrase and lots of colors. That way your outdoor banners will be interesting and hard to forget.

If you have any questions or need further information or simply want us to design and print your large custom vinyl banner, please send us an e-mail at info@signstudiola.com or give us a call at (818) 843-9200. The Sign Studio is here to help YOU!

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