How Built Up Letters Can Make You Stand Out

There’s a good reason that built up letters are so popular for everything from shop signage to commercial business signs. These 3D letters are designed to really pop, giving your brand instant and powerful visual appeal. Striking and distinctive, they’re also totally bespoke and the processes involved in their manufacture are the most complex in the industry. When you’re looking for a sign company in Littlehampton who can give your premises the wow factor, checking whether they can produce high quality built up letter signs is critical.

3D letters: get the effect

Obviously, the kind of standing 3D letters you see outside commercial organisations have the most wow factor, but you can achieve a similar effect on a budget if you explore some different options – a good sign making company will be able to advise you on the smart choice for your shop signage.

Flat cut aluminium and acrylic letters can both be attached to a backing board to create a very subtle and cost effective 3D effect. Both are lightweight materials that can be effectively painted to match your branding colours. Acrylic can also be pigmented, so it doesn’t peel or rust.

Foamex letters are another affordable alternative that can be wall mounted or raised on a stand-off of your choice. Foamex comes in a range of widths, so you can play with perspective. Coated with an acrylic or dibond, you can create a robust and premium feel for your retail signage. They have a high strength to weight ratio and can stand up to all but the harshest weather conditions.

Polystyrene letters can also be a savvy choice when you need something temporary that makes a strong and dramatic impact. These types of letters are gaining a lot of currency at events where the ability to create a great social media photo opportunity is factored into your marketing strategy.

New and innovative products are emerging in the market all the time. Your sign making company will be up to speed with new technologies and materials as they emerge, in order to give you the widest range of options available.

The premium choice: channel letters

True built up letters are known as channel letters and are created using a channel letter bender machine. However, once the machine has finished its job, that’s just the start of the process. This is when the finishing touches are added to your letters, making the difference between full on impact or disappointing damp squib.

It’s at this point that your letters can be wrapped in various films, given a distressed look, or fitted with different types of LED lighting. Stainless steel lettering, either used alone or in combination with other materials like perspex, gives a really strong architectural look, while powder coated aluminium can replicate any RAL corporate colours for letters that are robust, weather resistant and lightweight, for use just about anywhere.

Standout signage: current trends

While polished metal letters continue to be hugely popular for creating that premium association between your shop signage and your brand, distressed letters and those with an aged patina are becoming incredibly popular, particularly across the hospitality and leisure sectors. Effects like verdigris can add real star quality to your standout letters. In the heritage sector, letters crafted from bronze and copper add a weighty, traditional feel.

Illuminated letters continue to increase in popularity, either front, open or halo lit. The uptake is being driven by low cost LED lights that last for years with low maintenance. They are infinitely customisable in terms of colour, brightness and warmth.

Light up your signs: the Halo effect

There’s a reason why halo illuminated letters are becoming more and more popular. A halo illuminated sign is distinctive, stylish and really comes alive at night to give a stunning iridescent effect to your shop signage. A halo LED sign is the perfect way to differentiate your business from the competition.

Halo or reverse lighting doesn’t illuminate the face of the letters. Instead, the lighting is directed onto the wall behind the letters and then reflects back, giving the distinctive halo effect. If you’ve invested in 3D built up letters, then this is the most effective way to light them and create a real sense of depth for a sense of drama. Halo illuminated letters can also be seen from a greater distance, boosting the impact and the legibility of your 3D sign.

Best of all, by using low energy LED lighting, you can create a wide range of effects, highlighting different parts of the sign with different colours, while driving down your energy bills.

Get the effect for your business

There’s no doubt that built up letters and illuminated signs can really take your signage to the next level. When you’re looking for a sign company in Littlehampton to take your designs from conception to installation, you’ll need to think not just about reach and impressions, but the return on investment from your 3D signs.

At the Sussex Sign Company, we’re experienced in helping our clients get the best value for their investment, whether that’s in vinyl car wraps or built up letter 3D signage. If you want to see how a combination of clever signage design and LED lighting can give your signage and displays the ultimate wow factor, contact us via phone or email today and our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to help.

Choosing The Best Sign Material For The Job

If you need new signs, then the chances are you’re looking for a high quality sign making company to deliver on your concept. You’ll need to think about design, manufacture, installation and the type of material to be used.

Whatever the kind of signage you have in mind – whether that’s a shop window sign, wayfinding signage or signs for schools – it’s critical that you choose the right material for the job. Will you be wall mounting your sign, creating a car wrap design or covering up an existing signboard? Or will you be creating a new freestanding rigid sign or display? Is this an interior or an exterior sign, and for permanent or temporary display? When you have the answers to those questions, you can start making choices about available materials.

As with any aspect of the sign making process, a good sign company in Arundel or elsewhere will be able to guide you through the process, offering the right material for the signage you have in mind.

I want to cover an existing rigid sign

If you have an existing sign that you simply want to cover with a new image, then printed self adhesive vinyl is the savvy choice. This has a white surface and can be overprinted with your branding, slogans, or even a high resolution image. It’s a clever way to recycle existing signage without breaking the bank.

I want to put a sign in a window

Printed clear self adhesive vinyl can be printed on in reverse, stuck to your window, and then backed with white vinyl. The effect is crisp and smart and the vinyl is lightweight and can be easily removed when you want to update your signage.

I want something flexible

If you want to create a stunning wall display, or a car wrap design with plenty of impact, you need cut self-adhesive vinyl. This comes in a wide range of colours and is most often used to produce single colour text or silhouette shapes. Unlike using a wall stencil, it’s easy to unpeel cut vinyl, making it ideal for temporary displays or to add design accents for summer or Christmas promotions.

These types of cut stickers are often seen as single panels on a car, when a fully vinyl wrap is not required. They can even be used on display stands to spice up your exhibit, but remember to remove them if your stands are hired.

I need a rigid sign, after all

There are three main types of material that are used for rigid signage. These are usually known by their brand names: Correx, Foamex and Dibond. These are also sometimes known by other names and come in various thicknesses. Each has its particular strengths and weaknesses as a material, which your sign company will explain.

I want an estate agent’s sign board

The cheapest form of sign board is Correx and it’s ideal for estate agent signage. This is a type of corrugated plastic sheet that’s super lightweight, and it should be printed with weatherproof inks, then laminated, for superior weather resistance. Correx signs are often used when low cost temporary signage is required – on a building site or for a short term exhibition, for example.

For outside use, a Correx sign should be mounted to an additional wooden board for strength, as the material is prone to bending along the flutes when caught in a strong wind. Washers should always be used to stop the screwheads ripping through the board.

I want an outdoor wayfinding sign for a visitor attraction

PVC foam sheet is an excellent material for use indoors and out, and comes in 3mm, 5mm and 10mm thicknesses. Foamex offers good durability while also being cost effective and it behaves like a solid plastic sheet.

Foamex has an excellent strength to weight ratio, although the 10mm sheets can be quite heavy for larger signs, making Dibond a better option. Because this material is so easy to cut, it can be used to create really exceptional signage for indoor and outdoor use. It’s waterproof too, so it can withstand the worst that the British weather can throw at it!

Opt for lightweight 3mm for indoor boards that can be wall mounted with velcro, and use the thicker boards for outdoor signage that has great strength, resistant and durability – ideal for wayfinding signage. These outdoor signs are simple to drill and attach with screws.

I need a permanent display sign for a coastal café

You need Dibond, the longest lasting of the rigid materials. Consisting of a solid sheet of polyethylene at its core, sandwiched between two thin aluminium panels, Dibond is just 3mm thick, but can stand up to heavy wind and rain.

There’s no limit to the signage shapes you can create with Dibond, as it can be drilled, screwed and shaped with ease. It has a huge range of uses, from shop signage to exhibition and event signage and so much more. Dibond can also be clamped to metal poles for even greater stability.

Dibond is fantastically light and terrifically strong, making it the premium choice for rigid signage, especially where it needs to stand up to all weather conditions and stay looking good for years.

I need to find a good sign company in Arundel

At the Sussex Sign Company, we can help you create permanent or temporary signs for interior or exterior use that will make the best possible first impression. When your visual assets are so important, let us help you maximise your return on investment by creating signs that use the right materials for the perfect installation. Contact our friendly and knowledgeable team by phone or email for more details.

Create Great Vinyl Car Wraps And Watch Your Impressions Soar

Great advertising is all about creating that first impression that lasts. So it may or may not surprise you that, according to research in the US, bright and attractive vinyl car and van wraps created an astonishing 1.26 million impressions in a year.

So what’s so great about vinyl wrap advertising? Obviously, mobile advertising has a much greater reach than static advertising and a well-wrapped vehicle with an eye-catching design will attract attention wherever it goes.

Perhaps more importantly, this type of advertising isn’t in your face and that can be crucial in creating the right impression. There’s nothing aggressive or hectoring about a vinyl wrap and customers generally respond well to advertising that isn’t so direct.

So you’ve decided to invest in wrapping one or more vehicles in your fleet, to exploit the power of this clever, high impact form of marketing. How do you create a vinyl wrap that promotes your products or services in the best possible way? The easiest course of action is to find a sign company in Crowborough with a crack design team that can work with you to create that killer vinyl wrap.

Don’t waste the opportunity

Vinyl wrap advertising can create powerful and long lasting impressions, with strong branding and a clear message. But so often, businesses waste the opportunity by creating designs and messages that just don’t work. That’s why you need an experienced designer who knows the ins and outs of car wrap design and how to exploit the medium as effectively as possible.

Start with the brand

Before you even begin to think about using a vinyl wrap to market your business, stop and think about the effectiveness of your brand. If you have a poor brand identity or an unmemorable logo, then you’re simply wasting your money on a vinyl car wrap and you’ll miss out on those marketing opportunities.

With car wrap design, the brand is the message. If your brand doesn’t measure up, then you may need to think about a complete overhaul of your marketing image, in which case, your vinyl wrap could be the ideal way to launch your new logo and brand image. However, never use a different logo for your car wrap, no matter how much better than your existing logo and branding it is, without changing the logo on every other piece of branding you put out there. This creates a confusing impression and can really put customers off.

Your car wrap design really is all about strong brand integration, so avoid using photos that can be meaningless to your potential customers. A memorable message and your well designed logo will make your impressions for you.

Keep it short and sweet

Don’t write an essay or use a bullet list as customers won’t have a clear takeaway message. This is the time to keep it short, sweet and simple, with the following hierarchy: brand, tagline, web and/or phone number. Again, the focus should be on strong brand implementation, which is why you need a good designer who understands what works and what doesn’t.

Make your tagline memorable by thinking of your vinyl wrap as a mobile billboard. Think of posters you’ve found effective and use them as a template.

Stand out from the noise

While your instinct may be to add some fancy background graphics or interesting fonts, any good designer will steer you away from visual tricks towards something much more pared back and classic. Why? Think of the kinds of branding that’s really memorable – Apple’s classic white with the simple apple logo, for example – and how that stands out from all the visual noise around it.

You’re aiming for that same kind of strong visual impact amidst all the visual noise of the everyday world, and your vinyl wrap designer will help you achieve an innovative design that helps you stand out from the crowd. Sometimes less really is more.

Make it great

Never confuse car wrap design with print advertising. Where the latter gives your customer time to really absorb the message, you’ll have one chance with your car or van vinyl wrap to create that impression. If a passerby has to work too hard to figure out your advertising message, then that moment is gone and the opportunity to create a strong impression is lost.

Your designer will understand how to steer you towards creating one strong principal takeaway message that your customers will recognise immediately. They’ll also be clued up on distance legibility, so your message loses none of its impact wherever it’s viewed from. A good designer will also take into account the shape of your car and tailor the design accordingly, so it flows and wraps around the contours accurately.

You have a very limited amount of time to capture your viewer and get your branding and message across. Don’t waste it, make your design great.

Create a return on your investment

At the Sussex Sign Company, we believe in helping you exploit the power of car wrap design to create an eye-catching advertising statement that creates thousands of impressions and maximises the return on your investment. Our designers have the skill and expertise to create that clear, attention-grabbing message and design for you, so if you’re looking for the best sign company in Crowborough to take your ideas from concept to car wrap, give us a ring or an email and we’ll be happy to help.

Estate Agent Signage: Still Relevant In A Digital Age?

If you’re trying to sell your property, you might have mixed feelings about displaying a for sale sign. In some parts of London, there’s a £1000 fine for estate agent signage that isn’t removed in a timely fashion, and some areas of the country are considering following Brighton’s lead and banning the signs altogether.

The pros and cons of estate agent signage

So why are estate agent signs so contentious? Critics say they’re an eyesore, with no relevance in the digital age where people search for properties online. They argue that boards can be actively off-putting, making prospective buyers query why a particular area might be littered with them.

Those in favour of estate agent signage respond that a For Sale of For Let sign remains the best way to advertise your property, and is a key marketing tool, even when compared to a website. Why, because nothing lets a prospective buyer know your property is for sale or rent more easily than a clearly visible sign.

Some buyers work on gut instinct and will make an enquiry there and then when they see an estate agent board. Boards also generate word of mouth interest in your property, and when buyers come for a viewing, that signage acts like a wayfinding sign, pinpointing your property.

Eye-catching design

When you’re deciding on the best sign company in Worthing, knowing that they have a designer who can create eye-catching signage is critical. It’s the same whether you’re an estate agent or your property is for sale or let by owner – great design and simplicity can make the difference between a sign that simply adds to the visual clutter, or one that stands out from the rest.

Colour and layout are key when creating standout estate agent signage, so work closely with your sign company’s design team to get it right. Avoid green if it’s likely to merge with the surrounding greenery. Likewise, a bold colour like red can get lost against brick properties. One simple trick to differentiate your sign and make it pop visually is to add a white border.
Giving your boards visual appeal if you’re an estate agent is critical if you want them to attract both buyers and sellers. An effective board will catch the eye of passersby who will then cross the road to note down the details. There are a few elements that need to be on your estate agent signs – whether the property is for sale or let. These are your contact details including website, and your logo. If you feel there’s value in QR codes, adding one that takes prospective buyers directly to more information on the property can be a useful addition.

A good design team will be able to advise you at every step of the process, so you get the right signage for the situation. For example, you may need additional information including details of any open house days or reductions in the price. Your designer will be able to come up with the best solutions for displaying additional information and will ensure full integration between your signage and your online presence.

Your sign company should also be able to provide a number of design, production and installation packages, utilising different materials to fit your budget. Estate agent boards need to be lightweight yet durable, so consider using foam board rather than longer lasting wood or metal. They should be able to offer T-boards, flag boards and even shaped boards to really help your signs stand out. Again, a good sign company will have flexible options to suit your needs.

Get the installation right

At the opposite end of the spectrum, your signage installation needs to be professional and effective in order to create the best impression for both buyers and sellers.

Estate agent signs should always be placed near the pavement, as proximity to the property can feel intrusive. If the building is in a corner location, consider using two signs – one on each street – to maximise interest from passing traffic. For out of the way properties, you’ll need a prominently positioned wayfinding sign that piques the interest of potential buyers.

When you’re looking for a sign company in Worthing, they should offer an integrated service that backs up the physical process of sign manufacture with the expertise of knowing how best to install and display your signage for maximum effect. If you also require signs for your office, then your sign maker should also offer a programme of preventative maintenance, so your signage continues to look smart and professional and creates a strong first impression.

Equally importantly, the company you use will have a good working knowledge of the rules and regulations governing the use of estate agent signage, ensuring that your signs don’t run foul of the local council. For sale and/or rent signs are an effective part of your marketing arsenal, so make sure they don’t contribute to the bad publicity around estate agent boards.

Dependability and fast lead times

When you need estate agent signs, you need them fast, as the property market moves so quickly. You won’t want to wait for signs to be printed and installed, as potential customers walk by day after day. At the Sussex Sign Company, we focus on dependability, fast lead times and maximising your return on investment, so you need never miss a sale. Call or email today to find out more.

Finding The Right Sign Company To Create Your Killer Illuminated Signs

The right illuminated sign can give your business massive visibility – literally. An illuminated sign not only adds real impact to your brand, but it keeps it visible even when darkness falls. Develop the right signage strategy and find the right sign company to implement it and you’ll boost recognition and return on investment.

Why do I need an illuminated sign?

Illuminated signs are versatile and flexible, keeping your brand in the public eye 24/7. They’re an effective advertising medium that can take advantage of those passing by after hours to get your name out there in a surprisingly cost effective way, particularly if you use energy efficient LED lighting.

But simply having an illuminated sign is not the same as having an effective illuminated sign. You need to make some strategic decisions about the environment where your sign will be displayed and the type of lighting you’ll use, in order for your sign to be as effective as possible.

What’s your lighting environment?

Take a look at your premises after dark. Is the lighting environment a soft and ambient one, with no harsh street lighting or bright competing signs, or are you in a busy location with headlights, neon lights and bright street lights?

Obviously, what works in one situation may not work in the other, but it makes sense to match your lighting to the general scheme, so you don’t either overpower the street or fade away into a corner.

You’ll also need to consider the image you want to convey of your business – if you’re a pizza restaurant. you’ll want to convey a different image to a boutique hotel, for example. Getting it right with illuminated signs can make your business up to 35% more visible, so you need to find a sign maker that can walk you through the process from design to installation and who understand your particular lighting environment.

Light up your letters

Getting the right effect with an illuminated sign depends on several factors, including the way you choose to illuminate your sign. If you choose individual letters, then you’ll really make them pop if you illuminate them from behind with an LED halo effect. Hollow 3D letters are then wired with LEDs which cast their light onto the wall behind the letters, creating a silhouette or halo effect. You can play around with the colour of the LEDs to create different intensities.

LED light can also be used to illuminate the face of the letters, which produces a crisp look for your branding, or you could choose to have your letters created from acrylic, which can create a colourful and eye-catching display using different coloured LEDs.

You might also choose a debossed (stencil cut letters or logo) or embossed (slightly raised letters or logo) sign, which takes the form of a metal box with an illuminated acrylic panel.

You’ll need to find a company who can manufacture channel lettering to your specifications for improved day and night visibility and who understand the latest advances in LED technology, so they can create signs that have the wow factor you’re looking for. Your signage is your biggest digital asset, so take the time to get it right.

Ask the right questions

Finding the right sign company in Lewes can be the key to successfully lighting up your signage. Of course, you can look through the Yellow Pages or search Google, but the point of using a local company is to tap into their knowledge of what works in your area. Ask for recommendations from other businesses whose signage you particularly like and then draw up a shortlist of possible companies. Now ask them these questions:

What’s your track record? A well crafted illuminated sign should last you a long time and can represent a significant investment, so you need a company who’ll be there for you if anything goes wrong. The company you choose should have a long standing record creating signage that companies are proud of, so they should have no hesitation in putting you in touch with businesses they’ve worked for.

Can I see a portfolio of your work? A sign company may be offering everything you’re looking for, but you want to know that the sign they create will differentiate you in the marketplace. Ask to see examples of their work, so you can see the diversity of their designs. If they only seem to create one kind of sign, count them out.

Can I see what my sign’s going to look like? A good sign company will be able to mock up the final effect for you – there’s nothing worse than being excited by the initial designs and then disappointed by the final result.

Can you take me from design to maintenance? When you’re looking for a sign company in Lewes, it’s more cost effective to use one that can integrate all the services you need, from design to installation to programmed maintenance, to keep your sign in tip top condition – a real consideration with illuminated signs. Check that your company can undertake every step of the process for you and can deliver on time and within budget.

How will you find out what I want? The best sign companies will offer expert guidance through every stage of the process, including a detailed first briefing so that you both understand exactly what will be involved throughout the process and can create the best signage solution.

At the Sussex Sign Company, we can advise you on the most appropriate illuminated signs for your company, taking you through the entire process from conception to final installation and beyond, ensuring the best possible return on your investment and the biggest possible impact for your brand. Call or email today for more information.

How To Choose The Best Sign Company In Bognor Regis For Wayfinding Signs

Every business needs wayfinding signs, and a strong wayfinding strategy is a critical part of a cohesive communications strategy. It’s all about providing an intuitive and user friendly experience for your customers which, in turn, can generate a huge amount of trust and goodwill for your brand.

However, your wayfinding strategy must be combined with high quality signage so that your users get the optimum benefit from the environment you’ve created. Get you signage right and you’ve added another weapon to your branding arsenal.

But how can you find the best sign company in Bognor Regis, or East Sussex as a whole, to create a range of wayfinding signs that are perfectly adapted to your needs? Knowing what to look for in a signage company ensures that they’ll produce the right signs for your company that take into account your space, needs and brand identity.

What are your wayfinding signage needs?

Your wayfinding signage needs to enhance your brand, creating a user friendly environment. Therefore you need to find a sign maker who has experience working with similar companies or on similar projects.

Can they provide you with examples of their work? Do they have experience of your sector? If you already have ideas about how your brand should represent itself through your wayfinding signage, is the company capable of making that vision a reality?

Does the company have design experience?

You may have the vision, but very few of us have the professional design expertise to know how that concept can be turned into a reality. A professional designer will have a clear idea of how your signage can be impacted by logistical concerns or regulations governing accessibility and wayfinding signs, for example.

A professional designer will also be able to conceptualise your ideas in such a way that, even when working within budgetary constraints, they can make compromise look like intention. They’ll also keep abreast of the latest trends in sign design and technology, to help you produce the most cost effective, high impact sign, on time and within budget.

Can your chosen sign company help with permits and regulations?

Accessibility is critical when it comes to producing wayfinding signs that work for all users, and a good quality sign maker will be able to advise you on the ways that your signs need to meet your legal responsibilities. In addition, they should be able to help you understand any regulations pertaining to the display of signs. This is critical knowledge that any good sign maker will have at their fingertips.

If your sign company doesn’t know the relevant guidelines to keep your wayfinding signs fully compliant with accessibility legislation, then go elsewhere.

Innovative solutions

If your aim is to create a unique wayfinding environment for your customers, then you need a bespoke design solution, not off the peg signage. Your sign maker should be capable of creating innovative solutions that incorporate modern production techniques and technologies with unique materials for the optimum result.

Don’t compromise your vision for the sake of cheap materials and printing processes that don’t accurately reproduce your critical corporate colours.

Streamlining

What differentiates you from your competition is a cohesive approach to your branding, and your wayfinding and other interior signs are part and parcel of that approach. Therefore, it pays to streamline the approach to design, manufacture and installation, so that your signs have the same look and feel across every panel and display.

Does your Bognor Regis sign company offer in-house manufacturing capability, to ensure consistency in the printing of your signage? Outsourced signs are unlikely to have the same quality and consistency as those manufactured in-house, where you can have a hands on approach to the entire process.

Poor quality signs not only give an unfavourable impression of your organisation, but they won’t last as long, meaning you’ll end up paying more for maintenance and repair in the long run.

Your sign company should also be able to professionally install and maintain your signs, and have experience in securing a wide range of different signage and display panels. Ideally, you will also be able to rely on them for maintenance and repairs, so that should anything go wrong, your signs will be functioning again as quickly as possible.

Do they offer a wide range of appropriate materials?

If you want to go beyond standard signage to create a visually appealing and cohesive brand experience for your customers, you’ll need to consider the materials you use. Does your chosen sign maker offer quality materials that reflect your brand and your company image. For example, if you work with glass or metal, can your sign makers create wayfinding signage that incorporates those materials?

Can you expect support at every step of the process?

The best sign company for your project is the one that offers support and solutions at every step of the process, from design to execution. Not only will a good sign maker lead you through every step of the process, they’ll also deliver quality at every key stage.

Do they have a dedicated customer services team or have they assigned an individual as your point of contact throughout the process? Is this a company who builds customer relationships and stands behind the quality of their work? Do they pay attention to the little things – careful shipment and using the right fixings for installation?

If your sign company is willing and able to answer all your questions and show you examples of their work, then they’re the right choice of sign making company to create your wayfinding sign environment. At the Sussex Sign Company, we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible return on investment and adding value every step of the way for our customers, so call or email us to find out how we can help you make your vision a reality.

Finding The Best Sign Company In Seaford To Create Vinyl Wraps

When it comes to outdoor advertising, a vehicle body wrap offers one of the lowest costs per impression. A well designed and executed custom vehicle wrap gives you plenty of strategic versatility for both long and short term campaigns and really demonstrates your company’s creative side.

In fact, if you want to target local customers in Seaford, there is no better way than by using car advertising wraps and driving, or parking, in the centre of town. You’ll raise awareness of your product or campaign if your vehicle is seen in busy areas, at sports events and trade shows.

Beyond their versatility and brand consistency, the use of a vehicle body wrap has some non-marketing benefits, too. A car vinyl wrap cost is a fixed cost, and this weather resistant outer wrapping will protect your vehicle’s paint work from damage, adding to its resale value.

You’ve done your research, and now you’re ready to invest in one of the most powerful and economical advertising tools around. So how do you find the best sign company in Seaford, to create vinyl wraps that will boost your visibility and target the right audience?

What services does your sign company offer?

Ideally, your sign company will have a range of integrated services from concept and design through to installation. You can use separate companies for each stage of the process, but it’s more cost effective if you can integrate the different stages of the process.

However, design is critical in creating a car wrap that attracts the eye, so don’t be tempted by a sign company that offers great printing or installation services at the expense of an eye-catching design.

Why great design matters

You need a sign maker who understands that an effective vehicle vinyl needs to work consistently with your existing branding. They should create a car wrap design that uses the right font and an accurately produced logo, combined with colour coordination and image quality for an outstanding result.

Whichever sign company you’re considering, ask to see their portfolio to assess the quality of their designs. If it takes more than 5 seconds to understand what product or message is being sold, then that design is a failure. If you can control the rights to your own design, then you’ll be able to use it in future. It may be that you have a talented designer on your team – however, it pays to make use of professional car wrap design expertise to get it absolutely right, for maximum impact.

One final thing to consider is whether your campaign will be long or short term, as this can affect the prominence you give to certain elements of the design. You may even prefer to leave space in a design intended for long term use for short term campaign flashes.

What print and finish technologies does your sign maker offer?

Printing and finishing technologies in car wrap vinyl are constantly evolving, so if you want a particular effect or finish, the chances are that it can be achieved. Vehicle vinyl is one area where there’s no ‘one size fits all’, so it should be relatively straightforward to get what you want when it comes to your vinyl wrap.

When you’re investing in car wrapping, it’s important to use the right media for your needs. If you’re intending that your car wraps become a fundamental part of your long term marketing strategy, then you need to use long lasting and durable cast vinyl. This conforms easily to the contours of your vehicle and will continue to look its best for up to 7 years. For a short term or one off campaign, then an intermediate or calendered vinyl is more cost effective.

Make sure that your chosen sign company offers these products, along with a good quality and durable ink, that will stand up to British weather conditions. Look out for any warranties and guarantees that your sign maker offers, and ask for a sample of printed vinyl wrap to ensure that colour reproduction and stability will give the best possible result for your campaign.

Finally, your sign company should offer at least liquid lamination to protect the investment you’re making in vinyl car wrapping. If your budget can stretch to film lamination, then you’ll experience a better level of protection and easier vinyl wrap removal at the end of its useful life.

Installation counts

A stunning design and outstanding finish won’t mean much if your car wraps are incorrectly installed. A good sign maker will understand that high quality installation is an art, the final piece in the jigsaw when it comes to car wrapping for optimum effect.

Not only will an experienced installer inspect your vehicle before wrapping, they’ll also understand the material they’re working with and exactly what it can and can’t do. It pays to be aware that installation usually involves the use of knives and other sharp objects that can damage your vehicle’s bodywork when improperly used – another reason why experience counts.

A talented and experienced installer will pay attention to detail and will wrap your vehicles in such a way that it maximises the lifespan of the vinyl wrap and offers optimum protection to your vehicles.

Finding the best Seaford sign company for vinyl wraps

If you pay attention to design, printing and installation, you should be able to find an experienced and reputable sign maker who can meet your vinyl car wrapping needs. At the Sussex Sign Company, we specialise in all three, to create vinyl car designs and installations that really stand out from the crowd. If you’d like to know more about the vinyl and sign services we offer, get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team via email or phone and they will be happy to help.

Top Tips For Choosing The Best Sign Company In Newhaven

When you’re looking for the best sign company in Newhaven or the wider Sussex area, you’re likely to be making a substantial investment. Whether you want halo illuminated signs to make an impact or a shop front sign that brings in passing trade, you need a Newhaven sign company capable of producing high quality, high impact signs that last for years to come.

What signage do you need?

The type of signage you need will determine the sign company you decide to use. Whether you need car wraps, educational signs, estate agents displays or wayfinder signage, your signage company should be capable of producing exactly the signs you need, in budget and on time. Do you need design services or do you have an in-house designer? What materials can and should be used? How quickly do you need your signs to be available? These are all questions that will influence your decision.

Will this Newhaven sign maker meet my needs?

Once you’ve decided what kinds of signs you’re likely to need, you also need to decide whether you’ll need design and maintenance services. It’s far more cost effective if you find a company that can group all these services together, particularly when they’re backed by the reputation of a well-respected name in the business.

Do they offer integrated services?

Whatever your signage requirements, you need a company that can grow with you if you suddenly require twice as many shop signs or decide to invest in a van body wrap or car signs. A good sign company will offer integrated services that begin with design, before working through conceptualisation to installation and maintenance. The perfect sign company will synergise your company with the perfect signs for the job.

A really good sign company will be proud to offer you the widest range of services available, and will deliver a complete package that is tailor made for your requirements.

How long has your Newhaven sign company been in business?

It’s essential that you know how well established the sign company is and whether they’ll be in existence over the life cycle of your new signage. When your shop front signage is the visual image of your brand, you need to put your trust in a well established company, who’ll still be there if things go wrong.

High quality signs are built to last up to 15 years. You need to know that your sign company will still be capable of supplying new components and parts for your displays through the warranty period and beyond. Years of experience give your sign maker the knowledge to be able to produce exactly what you require.

Get recommendations for a Newhaven sign company

Consider shopping for a signage company, just as you would any other purchase. Do some comparison shopping and ask around your business colleagues to find out which sign maker they recommend.

Any companies that you’re considering should have examples of their work and testimonials from satisfied customers that you’re free to take a look at. If the sign company you’re considering is interested in attracting new customers, they’ll be happy for you to contact satisfied clients.

An expert opinion

If you’ve never purchased signs before, or you are moving into new areas of display, a good sign maker will be able to advise you on the types of signs you need, their positioning and any legal requirements. A good sign making company in Newhaven will be able to advise you every step of the way, whatever the signage you need, in order to maximise the return on your investment.

For example, when first designing your sign, a quality sign company will give you various options and pricings, with expert advice on which represents the best ROI for your business. If a company can’t offer that level of expertise, then stay away.

Is your Newhaven sign company legitimate?

Are they listed in the phone book and do they have a website? Is their website sleek and contemporary, or still stuck in the past? Do they offer insurance should anything go wrong at the installation stage or after?

Establishing the legitimacy of a sign maker that you’re considering doing business with is absolutely vital. Unfortunately, sign making businesses can come and go, leaving your business in limbo. A little research into their background and any professional affiliations will pay off in the long run.

Does you sign company offer the quality you want?

It can be tempting to cut corners when choosing and installing signs – until you realise the critical value of great signage for your business. Try and install the best quality signs you can afford, because they will be more robust and long lasting, and they’ll continue to give the best possible impression of your business for years to come. A shabby and dilapidated sign won’t do your business any favours.

It’s not just the quality of the materials used for your sign that you need to check. Also take time to investigate the kind of fixings that are used in installation. Nobody wants to experience the ignominy of their sign falling off the wall!

At The Sussex Sign Company, we offer fully integrated services from design to maintenance, and we take pride in advising our clients on the most appropriate signage to ensure the best possible return on their investment. Why not contact us today via phone or email?

Where’s The Toilet? The Top 10 Features Of Great Directional Signage

Directional signage is crucial to the way we navigate our environment. Whether we’re driving or going shopping, being able to find our way simply and efficiently to our destination is the true purpose of directional signage and if we can’t find the toilet, or the right exit, then those signs have lost their function.

Good directional signs should achieve a number of design goals. On the roads, they should help to reduce the time it takes us to travel from A to B. Elsewhere, they should increase accessibility for all, by clearing marking disabled lifts and access. For your business, they can enhance brand awareness and provide a superior customer experience, which, in turn, boosts your revenues. Get your directional signs right and you can help a mother with a fractious baby or get a client to their meeting on time.

So what separates a good sign from a terrible one, and what features should your directional signs possess in order to provide your users with a seamless experience?

Function before form

Don’t lose sight of clarity when designing your signs. You don’t need to show off your linguistic skills or design flair. Simplicity should be your watchword – don’t include any unnecessary information or any jargon or technical terms. Always consider the user experience over the aesthetics of your sign.

Keep it consistent

If there’s a pre-existing visual hierarchy in the signs you use, don’t break it. Keeping all of your signs consistent creates a professional impression and strengthens your branding. Most importantly, by keeping your signs consistent and standardised, you’ll give them a uniform look and ‘voice’, that allows users to understand how you structure and present information, so they can decode your signs quickly and easily.

Pick the right font

If you’re keeping your signs standardised, then you won’t need to choose a font, but if this is your first directional sign, then you’ll need to be very careful in the font and font size you select, to ensure the sign is easy to read. Again, simplicity is key. Don’t use script fonts, but prioritise the use of sans serif fonts that comply with DDA regulations.

Take your cues from established design best practice. For example, directional signs at airports often use a font that maintains a consistent thickness through the characters. These fonts are legible at smaller sizes, allowing users to glean information quickly and easily.

Get the grammar right

Incorrect spelling is all too common on official signage, and it creates a poor impression of your organisation. Always use a spellchecker to make sure you’ve got it right, because a badly spelled word in your sign can create confusion for your users. Try not to use capitals for at a glance signs, as capitals are less easy for the eye to decipher than lower case letters. Capitals should be used at the start of signs and can be useful for standalone, static signage.

Focus on colour

Wayfinding signs need to feature colour contrasts that make them legible for everyone, including those with a visual impairment. Hazard signage should feature black text on a yellow ground, while mandatory signage features white text on a blue ground. Getting the colour contrast right not only helps your signs to pop, but ensures they are compliant with Government safety guidelines.

A picture says a thousand words

This is never more true than when used with directional signage. However, if you intend to use pictograms in your signs, make sure they conform to internationally recognised norms.

Getting creative with your pictograms may seem like a clever way to differentiate your signs, but it can be totally confusing for people who don’t read or who don’t understand your language. By contrast, using universally understood pictograms and symbols can transcend these barriers and can be priceless when used for some emergency signs, as they can be seen and decoded from a distance.

Arrows point the way

A sign can only be referred to as a directional sign if it actually has arrows on it. Make sure that your arrows are easy to decode and are clearly pointing the right way.

Get the positioning right

To navigate to where they’re going, your users need to be able to clearly see your wayfinding signage. Position signs where they’re unmissable – at eyeline level, near escalators and lifts, above a shopping aisle – and make sure their placement makes sense, and is unobstructed and away from other visual noise. You’ll also need to think about getting the size of the font right in relation to the mounting height, for maximum readability and impact.

Think about materials, size and finish

An outdoor sign should be durable and weather resistant, while a sign in a hospital must be easy to keep clean. Your priorities for the materials and finish for your signs will obviously be dictated by their usage, but for wayfinding and directional signs, it’s imperative that they have a no glare finish, so the information is easy to see at all times.

An exterior sign will generally be larger, to accommodate bigger font sizes intended to be viewed from a distance. An interior sign is usually much smaller and in proportion with its indoor position.

Be accessible and inclusive

Always consider every member of your potential audience and design signs that can be understood by people who don’t speak the language or who have a visual impairment. Use translations, Braille and other tactile signage where necessary, to make your signage as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Ask the professionals

If you need to create professional, inclusive and accessible signs for your business, then contact us at the Sussex Sign Company. We can advise you as to the most appropriate signage for your needs and help you to design signage that is efficient and cost effective, call us today on 01273 424900 or email us here.

The humble LED that’s lighting the way for marketing

The LED has come a long way since it illuminated all our simple on/off switches. Now LEDs power everything from printheads in wide format printers to a wide range of illuminated signs including backlit halo signs that create such a visual impact. But the next iteration of the LED is on its way – say hello to Li-Fi.

What is Li-Fi?

Li-Fi or Light Fidelity is a way of running visible light communications (VLC) at exceptionally high speeds, using common household LEDs to achieve data transfer speeds of up to 224 gigabits per second. Professor Harald Haas of the University of Edinburgh coined the term in a TED talk he gave in 2011, where he foresaw that the ability of LEDs to flash on and off instantly could act like a kind of wireless router using visible light.

By attaching a microchip to an LED and harnessing the power of binary, Professor Haas claims that we’ll be able to download an HD movie in just a few seconds. Because of the multiplicity of light sources already available, this technology could open up connectivity in tube carriages. Instead of us sharing limited bandwidth, it will be multiplied out through available lights.

Li-Fi has its limitations – the inability to pass through walls means that connectivity in the home depends on having LEDs in every room. However, for a large conference hall or an outdoor space, this new technology could prove limitless, leaving conventional Wi-Fi in the dust with double the connectivity for a fraction of the power.

Who’s using Li-Fi?

So far, there are two Li-Fi products on the market, a ceiling unit and a desktop unit, both of which provide both light and connectivity. The implications for the Internet of things are obvious, but this is also an interesting space for retail business, allowing savvy shop owners to transmit personalised data to a shopper’s mobile securely, rapidly and remotely. There are already rumours that Apple has plans to integrate LiFi into future iPhones.

Updating Piccadilly Circus

The iconic billboards at Piccadilly Circus were switched off in January and will remain dark for the longest single period since WWII. Illuminated lettering has been a feature of the Circus since the 1890s, with the first ever illuminated sign – advertising the French brand Perrier – erected in 1908. Since then, the billboards have always moved with the times, embracing the new technology of neon and then projectors in the 1990s.

Since the WWII blackout, the lights have only gone dark for the deaths of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana, and the patchwork of screens have become a huge tourist attraction. The patchwork effect will remain, but the separate screens will be replaced by one massive state of the art screen, retaining the curved shape and with the capacity to be taken over by one company for short term promotions.

At 790 square metres, it’s the biggest screen of its kind in Europe and will reopen in the autumn. The new screen will also feature live streaming, social media integration and the capacity to personalise messages to respond to particular car brands or tourists’ cultures, adapting the language or advertising that appears. However, as Professor Haas argues, it could all be so much faster if the new screen was equipped with LiFi.

Using LEDs for advertising

Your business may not be in the market for screens and LiFi, but illuminated signs never go out of fashion, as Piccadilly Circus proves. In a visual landscape that’s crowded with competing signs, it’s the illuminated kind that catches our eye. LED has proved a popular alternative to neon, thanks to its relative stability and ultra low running costs. With a lifespan of anywhere up to 10 years, LEDs are the salesman that never sleeps, and LEDs are considerably safer than other forms of illuminated signage too, running at a very low temperature.

LED illuminated signs can also scroll through different colours and are easy to install. The overall lifetime cost of ownership makes this type of illumination extremely attractive from an investment perspective. There’s no limit to the kind of signs you can create, thanks to the flexibility of LED cables.

Create and differentiate

A well thought out LED halo sign will help you differentiate your business from the competition, by standing out from the visual clutter. Low cost LEDs can be illuminated 24 hours a day if necessary, meaning you’ll catch passing trade in the early morning and the early evening. If you need advertising that never sleeps, then LED is the savvy choice.

A well-designed LED sign communicates a sense of professionalism to your customers and can provide new touchpoints for engagement on the customer journey. Why be just another business, when a clearly thought out, well designed and well targeted sign can make your business a memorable standout?

Use the professionals

An illuminated sign works best when it’s professionally designed, installed and maintained, creating the optimum return on your investment. At the Sussex Sign Company, we’ll take your ideas and message and translate them into eye-catching signs that create instant impact. With our expertise, we’ll help you get everything right, from the message to the location, to create a bespoke illuminated LED sign that makes your business stand out.

If you’re interested in exploring the difference that a professionally designed and installed sign can make for your organisation, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you put your name in lights, call us today on 01273 424900 or email us here.