Southern California Sign Blog

Los Angeles Signs | Signs for the "MOM & POP" aka Small Businesses

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 @ 06:01 AM

Signs for the "MOM & POP Stores" aka Small Businesses -

Signs and The Small Business - Clearly, Signs provide Marketplace Entry

Of course, the chains, corporations and franchises that utilize these powerful forms of signage, tied into National Advertising Campaigns, have a tremendous advantage. How can "Mom and Pop" aka Small Businesses; compete with such an advantage? What will grant the small business owner entry to the American marketplace?

The answer is simple: The on-premise sign. It is the least expensive, most effective form of advertising available to the small business. Even in its most basic form, it has been shown to be responsible for bringing in as many as half of all new customers, though 25-35% is more likely to be the case. When it is designed as part of an overall site package and tied in with other forms of advertising, its benefits to the bottom line can be even more substantial.

Signs open the doors of a community to all and allow all to participate in the economic activity going on there. Over half of all first time customers will stop because they saw the on-premise sign. The sign allows anyone who wants to open a business, no matter who they are, to effectively compete with a wealthy or well-connected business owner. Furthermore, the sign tells everyone who sees it that they are welcome to come inside and conduct a business transaction.

If you have any questions or need further information, please give us a call at (818) 843-9200 or visit our website at www.signstudiola.com – You can also reach us by e-mail at info@signstudiola.com

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Topics: sign information, Sign Fabrication and Design, New Sign

Signs Los Angeles | What kind of Sign are you looking for?

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Mon, Oct 3, 2011 @ 06:10 AM

What kind of Lobby Sign are you looking for? - The Sign Studio, Los Angeles, CA

Lobby Signs and Much More for Your Company -

Whether your needs are for lobby signs that are premade, or custom design, The Sign Studio has everything you need. The best thing about getting the signs you need from The Sign Studio is choice and quality. There are many different options available for your business.

You can choose from a wide variety of premade lobby signs, or get your own custom design made perfect. The most popular signs we make are sand blasted, window graphics, or illuminated signs for custom design lobby signs. The Sign Studio also offers routine sign maintenance and repair.

The Sign Studio has so many choices, that you will be able to find anything here to fit your specific needs, come see our showroom of samples. We also offer banners, vehicle graphics, dimensional letters, monument signs, site signs, architectural/directional signs, as well as graphic and logo design. The choice is up to you on what you choose, but our helpful and professional staff is here to help you make the best choice for your company.

Signs here are made of the best materials, while keeping the prices affordable. This means your signs will be less likely to break, wear down, or need replacing after a few years. A project is never too big or small, or to complicated. If you want a lobby sign to truly impress your customers, then look no further.

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

Topics: Banners, Sign Company, sign information

Los Angeles Signs | Sign Information

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Tue, Apr 19, 2011 @ 06:04 AM

Sign Information

Signs are communication mediums that respond to our mobile lifestyles. Signature buildings such as the widely recognized McDonalds restaurant building designs are signs. A facelift to a building such as the old western village false storefronts is also considered a sign. Thoughtful use of the visibility features of your business site expands your ability to communicate with passersby. Regardless of the type used, your signs must be appealing to potential customers and the message must be easily understood.

 

When faced with the task of reviewing the many choices of signs available, it helps to approach it by first looking at the three primary locations in which you will typically use on-premise signs:

1. Building Mounted signs
2. Freestanding signs
3. Interior signs

Keep in mind that there are dozens of possible sign options and configurations, each as unique as a business' needs.

Here are some of the options you may want to consider in your sign:

Building mounted on-premise signs may be attached to the roof, parapet, marquee, or building fascia. These signs may be either parallel or perpendicular to the building surface.

Freestanding on-premise signs are generally supported by a structure attached to or cast in a foundation. . The structure and attachments to the foundation may be concealed with a decorative covering. Freestanding signs can be further enhanced by landscaping.

On-premise signs can be either internally or externally illuminated. For retail businesses, on-premise signs should be illuminated too accomplish communication with potential customers during nighttime hours.

• Sometimes a building itself functions as a sign. This occurs most often with franchise and chain retail operations, where standardized (or "signature") buildings and colors, as well as traditional on-premise signs, announce the presence of the business.

• Buildings also may be fitted or retrofitted with "trade dress" to design a theme. Retrofitting of a building-facade is often described as a "face lift." Both building and freestanding signs should be designed to echo the theme or trade dress.

Changeable copy boards or electronic message centers enhance a sign's effectiveness by providing space to advertise time dependent messages. Such sign or sign additions can be electronically controlled (the electronic message center), or changed manually (the changeable copy sign).

Interior on-premise signs are those that advertise the location of businesses located in a common building such as a mall, office building or entertainment complex. They have two major purposes:
1. to influence buyer choices and encourage certain "point of purchase" transactions; and
2. to provide guidance in a safe and efficient manner, as required by local regulatory authorities and federal law.

Primarily, there are building mounted, freestanding and interior signs, within which are many types of signs. Carefully reviewing the many types of signs, and considering how well they will meet your location and business' needs, will enable you to select the kind of signs you need for your greatest business success.

Here are descriptions of various types of signs you might use:

Building mounted signs are essentially "signs that are applied or attached to a building." Within this expansive definition, however, fall many separate types of building mounted signs. Here are some different signs you might use.

Wall or Fascia
A sign that is attached to the exterior wall or fascia of a building. The building fascia is that portion of any elevation of a building extending vertically from the grade to the top parapet wall or eaves, and horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation, including slanted wall surfaces sometimes referred to as a mansard.

Building Mounted Signs

Awning
A building mounted sign that provides additional functionality as shelter. Awnings are most often found over walkways, doorways or window areas.

Projecting
A building mounted sign with the faces of the sign perpendicular to the building fascia.

Sign band
A horizontal area above a multi-tenants' building's entrances, architecturally designed to accommodate complementary signs for each tenant.

Roof sign
A building mounted sign erected on the roof of a building.

Parapet
A sign mounted on top of the parapet of a building.

Window
A sign that is displayed in a window, whether it is attached to the window, or it is applied to the window.

Freestanding Signs
Canopy
A sign that is displayed on a marquee or Canopy.

Pylon
A freestanding sign with visible support structure or with the support structure enclosed with a pole or pylon cover.

Joint Tenant sign
A sign used to display the names of tenants of a business complex.

Monument
A ground sign with low overall height.

Pole
A freestanding sign with visible support structure.

High-rise pole
A tall freestanding pole sign.

Directional
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Electronic Message Center
A variable message sign that utilizes computer-generated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs include displays using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs or a flipper matrix.

Interior Signs

Directional Sign
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Directory
A sign that identifies the names and locations of tenants in a multi-tenant building or in a development made up of a group of buildings.

Regulatory Sign
A sign having the primary purpose of conveying information concerning rules, ordinances or laws.

Mall Signs
A wide variety of typical on-premise sign types located within the interior of a multi-tenant building or mall.

Point-of-Purchase (POP)
Signs that advertise a product at its point-of-purchase.

If you have any questions or need further information, 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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Topics: sign information, Sign Questions, Sign Research, signs in Los Angeles County CA

SIGNS LOS ANGELES | SIGN VISIBILITY CHART AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Thu, Nov 4, 2010 @ 21:11 PM

If you are looking for signage or even thinking of adding or replacing new or old signage, prepare a checklist after reviewing our "Letter Visibility Chart?"

Have you ever wondered what the readable distance for maximum impact is?  Have you ever wondered what the maximum readable distance is?  Is the maximum impact of reading time important to you (length of time letters are readable when moving?)  Have you looked over or discussed color combinations that have proven the most effective and the easiest to read? 

Remember, a good color selection can dramatically increase readability, especially when at a distance.   

Before you make any decisions, please review our "Letter Visibility Chart" and if you are confused or have any questions, please give us a call at The Sign Studio (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.netNeed Quote.

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Topics: sign color chart, Burbank Signs, sign information, Sign Visibility Chart, Letter Design

Los Angeles Signs / THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR SIGN

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Sun, Sep 5, 2010 @ 22:09 PM

Whether it is illuminated channel letters, neon signs, a lighted sign cabinet, an LED message center, a pole sign, a
pylon sign, or a monument sign that lights, an outdoor custom electric sign on the front of your business is the least
costly means of advertising available to you over time.

It is the most targeted advertising you can do according to the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which also
states that 85% of a businesses sales usually come from within a 5 mile radius. Your sign constantly advertises your
business to a potential customer who frequents the area where your business is located.

If a sign costs you money it is not doing its job. It should effectively advertise your company and earn you money.
Good signs incorporate design and marketing decisions creating the message, look, colors, sign types, sizes, quantities, etc. to create the required impact.

As an example, how important would a free-standing pylon sign be to your business? McDonald’s says that on average simply changing a monument sign in front of one of their stores to a pylon sign increases their store’s
business 15%. A Whataburger that was unhappy with their new store’s volume removed their brand-new pylon sign and installed one 40% larger and taller. The store’s volume immediately increased 23%.

Again quoting Small Business Administration research, 89% of businesses that fail do so because of improper signage!

Stated differently, good signage gives a business an almost 90% probability of success.

The SBA says that an LED Message Center increases store volume 15 - 150%.

Purchasing the right signs for the job helps a business survive by bringing higher returns.

We can help, so long as your landlord and the City understand the importance of good signage and allow you to
install signs that will help your business. Unfortunately this isn't always true. Choose your location(s) wisely (and
receive your landlord's approval of your signage package BEFORE you sign your lease.)

And remember the axiom “Location, Location, Location!” The supreme importance of “location” is the numbers of
potential customers that will see your sign...and be able to read and understand it. Very important design and
marketing considerations.

Surprisingly 30% of traffic on almost all business streets occurs when it is dark; people see your sign only if it is
lighted when it is dark out, including on dark days when everyone else's sign is lighted.

With 18.6% of the entire US population moving each year, your sign will be constantly seen by MANY potentially new customers.

Your sign forms that very important “first impression” your potential customer has of your business. Your sign must always look nearly as good as it looked the day it was installed so that you don’t give potential customers a worsening
impression of your business as your sign ages.

Later you will discover how we make each sign to last; including the use of rust-proof metal, high-end automotive paint, high-impact plastics, and most importantly, sophisticated Protective Coatings. .)

If you have any questions or need any help with your signage needs, please contact us at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net or (818) 843-9200. 

 

Topics: Sign Design, The Sign Studio, Signs, Logo Design, Commercial Signs, Burbank Signs, Outdoor Signs, sign info, sign information, sign help

Los Angeles Signs | Guide to Using Outdoor Signs

Posted by Julie and Chris Ramirez on Wed, Aug 11, 2010 @ 00:08 AM

Guide to Using Outdoor Signs

There are a variety of outdoor signs you can use to promote your business. Depending on your budget, some options are more feasible than others. The type of business you're in will also impact your choice. You'll need to familiarize yourself with the different problems that may arise when it comes to advertising your specific business.

You may own a service business that is hard to advertise because you don't have a storefront. Perhaps your business gets lots of drive-by traffic at night and you'd like to tap into that. Or maybe your target market is hard to reach because you sell luxury goods or an unsought product or service. There are business signs that can help with all of these situations:

1. Use yard signs to advertise your service business. This type of outdoor signage is placed in the yards of customers around town.

2. Consider using outdoor signs to help potential customers notice your building. By putting up a lighted sign, people will notice you at night and in bad weather.

3. Reach specific target markets en masse by using large commercial outdoor signs. Billboards and similar types of signs yield high visibility.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done.  Contact The Sign Studio for a Quote or give The Sign Studio  (818) 843-9200 a call and we will send our Consultant out to meet with you or come to our Studio Showroom for samples located at 831 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505.

Use customized outdoor signs to spread your name around town

Yard signs work best for folks with service businesses. Roofers, landscapers, lawn services, real estate agents and construction contractors can all benefit from the use of yard signs. Whenever you've done a job you're proud of, ask the customer if you can stick a small sign in his yard for a short period of time. This will draw the attention of neighbors and visitors, thus, increasing the possibility that you'll get some new clients. If you buy these signs in bulk, you may qualify for a quantity discount. Note that the outdoor sign holders usually come separately from the signs themselves.

Brighten your business with an outdoor lighted sign

While your business may not be open at night, late-night passersby will take notice of signs that are lit during these hours. Also, inclement weather may make your sign less visible at times, especially during heavy rain or fog. Use these signs to draw attention to your business and set it apart from the others. Lighted signs can be in the form of expensive LED signage or a more basic backlit sign mounted to the facade of your building.

Appeal to the masses with large-format outdoor advertising signs

Billboards are likely strategically placed around your city and its nearby highways. You can actually reach your target audience en masse this way. Find some billboards in areas of your town that are highly trafficked by members of your target market. For example, if you specialize in high-end dermatology services, putting your ad on a billboard near a country club might be effective. On the other hand, if you're a bail bondsman, taking out a billboard located in a high-crime area or near the county jail may get you some new customers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

•  If you plan on staying in one business location for years, consider installing an architectural outdoor sign. These are usually made from stone, brick or concrete and have a more professional look to them as opposed to neon lights or brightly colored channel letters. You can mount these signs to your building, but they also come in freestanding styles.

 

Topics: Sign Design, The Sign Studio, Signs, Sign, Burbank Signs, Outdoor Signs, sign info, sign information, sign help