Rather than trying to put together a ton of signs and hope the matching colors show they all belong together, there are a few simple tricks of the trade to getting the most out of your signs.

Start Outside

While it may seem prudent to start on the décor of the inside of your space, starting on the outside can make a simpler process to creating design work. This helps you focus on what will impact the customer first and allow you to design as a customer will experience your signs. On the outside, consider what services are important for the customer to see first and what information you would like them to know before entering, such as what you offer.

Consider the Interior

When designing signs for inside the store, consider how someone will walk through the space. Signs will important information about services and ADA compliant signs should be easy to find when entering, whereas more specific signs should reside with the relevant products. This makes it easy to navigate the location without becoming overwhelming.

Additional Signage Can Help

Having floor and wall graphics, or even Window Graphics, can give more design and pop to a space while also helping customers get where they need to go. Temporary Wall Graphics can guide them to a big sale, while Window Graphics can showcase important products to passersby.

Work with a Full-Service Shop

Contact us at The Black Dog Sign Company to find out how a long-term relationship can enrich your marketing efforts and take the grunt work out. With a location at 5510 McGinnis Ferry Road in Alpharetta, GA, we work with local businesses for all their signage needs. Call us today at 404-456-9193 to find out how our specialist can help with a grand opening, big sale, or updating a business’s look. We serve the communities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, Milton, Cumming, and Sugar Hill.

The post Quick Tips to Start Branding Your Signs in Alpharetta, GA appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

Be Everywhere

A logo should always be included in a brand message. But this does not mean that you only feature your company’s name and logo presentation. Instead, consider the way you can work your corporate color palette into a variety of fun decals that appeal to your consumer demographic. When folks like your decals, they voluntarily put them on their notebooks, cars, skateboards, and bags.

Dress up Walls

Wall logo graphics for schools and sports arenas are fun ways to introduce a mascot. This image then becomes the face of a team and finds ample display space on jerseys, t-shirts, key chains, and tchotchkes. In this way, the wall displays become the jumping off points for a growing number of products. And, of course, the increase in visual presence quickly brands the team.

Use all Windows for Decals

You already know that window graphics and lettering are excellent advertising tools for a business. However, did you also know that the interior window panels, too, should feature decals that display your corporate information? Here, you can expand on the message as you can do with the decals you create for consumer goods. Present a motto, tagline, jingle, or a quote from the company’s founder. In short, expand on the brand. Then, incorporate this expansion into sales literature.

Boost Brand Awareness

Inside your storefront or office, you can significantly increase consumers’ awareness of your branding by placing customized decals on merchandise, counters, and display shelves. Depending on your business model, it may be necessary to scale down the presentations a little. For example, a law firm will have different brand needs than a sporting goods store. Working with our business sign experts to find the sweet spot for the expression of your message is a good idea.

Enlist the Help of Experts

Far too often, we work with clients who have fallen for the Siren’s song of an online print shop. The ease with which you can drag and drop style elements to create custom decals for walls, shelves, and pretty much everything else makes you believe that branding is easy. In reality, these products may become distinctive logo and name displays, but they might fail when it comes to accurately defining your image.

If they cannot accomplish this feat, they do not help the consumer to connect with your business on a gut level. And this mistake quickly puts you at a disadvantage when compared to your nearest competitor. In contrast, a consultation with a skilled graphic artist makes it possible to create multiple presentations around your theme.

Call us today to learn more!

The post The Ultimate Strategy to Branding with Custom Decals for Walls, Windows, and Consumer Goods appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

1. Draw Attention to the Lettering

The display of letters surrounded by a halo of light has an undeniably breathtaking effect. When done exactly right, it has this effect on the outside of a business with a channel letter setup. Now, imagine taking this technology inside, scaling it down, but letting the light present its effect in an enclosed space. It is fair to say that it amplifies the experience. Not surprisingly, the letters of your name will be the quick draw for the eye. That said, some business clients have begun playing around with the addition of a two or three-word niche explanation that they illuminate in this manner underneath the corporate name. Doing so now boosts the brand message of the lobby display.

2. Present a Sign that Your Competitors Do Not Have

Because each illuminated lobby sign is custom made, you can be sure that your nearest competitor does not have it. Moreover, when our technicians form the letters out of aluminum or acrylic, we add your iconic font to the mix. Although another business may have aluminum dimensional letters, it is doubtful that they have a set of backlit letters with a white (or colorful) illumination appearance. Standing out from others in your niche has never been easier!

3. Add Contemporary Flair to a Name

If you like your brand message but worry that it is getting stagnant, it may be time to overhaul its display. Doing so is different from re-branding, where you would tweak the color or font style. In this scenario, you switch out a dimensional letter lobby sign, or logo board, for an illuminated signage setup instead. Combine this move with an overhaul of your lobby’s décor if needed. The result will be a contemporary breath of fresh air that presents your brand appeal in a new light (pun intended).

What if I Do Not Want Backlit Sign Letters?

Lit letters are not the only game in town. Edge-lit acrylic boards are an attractive alternative that allows the light to escape from behind a logo board. Interior lightbox cabinets that present your logo are another option. Pair them with dimensional letters for an excellent presentation that still features illumination without actually lighting each style element.

Buy Backlit Sign Letters or Other Illuminated Lobby Signs

The Black Dog Sign Company serves the business communities in and around Sugar Hill, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, Milton, and Cumming, GA. When you want to take the brand message display of your lobby to the next level, our business sign experts are ready to lend a hand.

Call us today to set up a design consultation!

The post 3 Ways Backlit Sign Letters Reinvent Your Lobby’s Brand Message appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

1. Benefit from Graphic Design Assistance

The brand message should resonate within the targeted demographic. If it fails to do so, there is a good chance that the initial setup missed the mark. Frequently, entrepreneurs decide to go it alone with graphic design. After being in business for a while, they realize that the low-cost logo they paid somebody a few bucks to put together is not connecting with the customer. When these folks sit down with our graphic artists for a consultation, they are surprised to see how textures, colors, materials, and even installation methods combine to encapsulate the right brand message.

2. Take Advantage of the Opportunity to Realign Signage with an Evolved Direction

Case in point is the lobby sign. In the past, your business model was an elementary, middle of the road approach that others in your niche are taking. But over the years, you have evolved and carved out a niche within a niche. The original lobby sign no longer bespeaks your brand. Now, you might need illuminated dimensional letters rather than a basic logo board to communicate it.

3. Promote a Clear Brand Message that Emphasizes what is Important

Mistaking advertising for branding, you may have put together signage that combines “buy me” messages with the colors of your logo. This approach is not making sense to the consumer who finds the brand message of a competitor to be clearer and therefore more compelling. A good example is the use of trade show table throws. They show one corporate color and spell out a niche explanation. From there, images and graphics support both of these elements; you can transfer this “less is more” approach to your signage if it is too cluttered with information.

4. Help Customers to Recognize You with Unique Signage

If you have bought a fair amount of your business’ signs at the big box office supply store, you probably end up with generic products. Cases in point are yard signs that get a message across but fail to do so in a brand-specific manner. Customization is the antidote to the display of signage that the consumer reads but will not remember or connect to your particular brand. And customization is not something you find in a markdown bin at the store but only at a good full-service sign shop.

Reap the Benefits of Rebranding in Duluth GA

You may remember that we previously discussed deepening brand awareness around Duluth. Now is your chance to benefit from a rebranding that may be able to do just that. Our experts serve the business communities in and around Duluth, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Suwanee, Milton, Cumming, and Sugar Hill, GA. Call us today to schedule a design consultation with our graphic artists to learn more!

The post 4 Benefits of Rebranding in Duluth GA appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

Contemporary Monument Signs Combine Metal with Acrylic

Typical monuments consist of bricks, rebar, and mortar. They might feature dimensional letters for their facings. The next product solution that took the business community by storm was the pre-formed sign foam monument. Presenting in a broad range of sizes and shapes, these products are quick to put up, allow for fantastic brand enhancements, and withstand damaging winds. Now, metal is quickly gaining in favor.

• Built-in illumination. LEDs make it possible for the sign to light up. You no longer need to maintain landscape spotlights that may or may not work all the time. LEDs are inexpensive to operate and last for a long time.
• Push-through acrylic letters. Rather than presenting the typical dimensional letter setup, it is now possible to push these elements through the metal during the manufacturing process. This appearance is modern and appeals to the younger consumer generation.
• Durability. There is little doubt that metal is among the most durable material selections you can make for your business signs.

A Dimensional Letter Lobby Sign Fashioned from Metal Underscores the Endurance of Your Brand

By far the most common metal choice for lobby signs is brushed aluminum. Other finishes include polished aluminum or a variety of colors and metal hues. When aluminum is not to your liking, consider the use of copper, brass, or stainless steel. By the way, when you are thinking of joining the backlit lobby signage movement that is sweeping the nation by storm, metal is the ideal material.

Advertise, Brand, and Inform with Attractive Metal Post and Panel Signs

The post and panel setup is ubiquitous. One, two, or three column configurations accommodate hanging, flush-mounted, and elevated boards. One to three panels may feature information placed on the metal with a direct imprint or via an imprinted vinyl overlay. The preferred metal selection is aluminum composite. When treated with an anti-graffiti coating, you discourage taggers from pursuing their “art” simply by wiping off the scribbles when you discover them.

ADA Plaques Combine Compliance with Great Looks

Because signs complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) need to be touchable, ideal material options focus on acrylic and metal. However, when you want to add pizzazz to the product’s appearance, consider the display of cast metal plaques. The lettering is raised, as specified, while the Braille II dots look great against the textured background. Choose stark color contrasts that not only comply but also highlight the beauty of the metal.

How to Stand out with Custom Metal Signs in Duluth GA

Who knew that metal could be so versatile and instrumental in displaying your brand information? If we have piqued your interest in finding out more about metal business signs, contact our product customization experts today!

The post Deepen Brand Awareness with Custom Metal Signs in Duluth GA appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

How are ADA Signs Different?

The Act affects primarily wayfinding and safety signs. Geared toward the needs of the visually impaired, these products must make it possible for someone to find the desired location independently.

• Notable color contrast. No matter what color palette you favor with your interior décor, the color difference of a compliant ADA sign must be about 70 percent. A good example would be the color pairing of navy blue and orange.
• Touchable components. Wayfinding signs need to feature raised numerals, lettering, symbols, and Braille II dots. For a blind consumer who reads information in this way, the dots must clearly communicate the same message as the lettering.
• Mandated installation locations. The Act spells out where and how your compliant signage must display. The instructions are so detailed that they feature the exact height measurement from the bottom of the sign to the ground.

It is fair to say that compliance is not something you leave to chance. Eyeballing the display locations and moving a sign from right to left simply to make it look nicer is not acceptable. We recommend working with our specialists to schedule a walkthrough that lets us inventory your compliant signs and note products you are missing.

Marketing and Branding Message Communication with ADA Signage

There used to be a time when standardized signs from big box office supply stores would be the beginning and end to compliant signage. Clashing with interior decorating schemes and color choices, ADA signs have been the bane of many a company owner’s existence for years. Fortunately, you no longer have to make do with generic signs. In fact, it is possible to integrate your corporate color palette into the design of the products and present markers that are legal and look great in your space!

For example, did you know that cast metal plaques are ideal ADA signs? Durable, paintable, and visually attractive, they add chic and style to any setting. The use of metal instantly emphasizes the pizzazz of your office, store, or campus. By adjusting the material selection, cast metal looks at home in a minimalist setting as well as in traditional surroundings. Additionally, metal fits in almost anywhere. We integrate a corporate color and then use the ideal contrast feature to comply.

Acrylic is another excellent material option for this purpose. Its durability allows for constant touching while the versatility of the material lets you combine multiple colors, raised characters, and style elements. For example, envision the use of a soft image vinyl overlay that features your corporate logo. We present the ADA-compliant lettering with the proper color contrast and allow you to communicate a room’s function or a wayfinding direction while also adding a branding message.

Do not ignore compliance or mar your setting’s good looks with lackluster generic signs; order custom ADA signs. The experts at the Black Dog Sign Company can schedule a compliance walkthrough or consultation appointment today!

The post Custom ADA Signs Make Compliance Easy! appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

Q: What are barricade graphics?

A: Mall management companies seek to prevent ongoing renovations from disrupting the atmosphere they strive to create within their shopping centers. To do so, they require incoming retailers to erect a barricade in front of their storefronts that bars any view into the space. Usually made from plywood, this temporary wall is the ideal substrate for vinyl decals or wraps, which we refer to as barricade graphics.

Q: What do you put on the graphics?

A: When you consider that these barriers are large, there is plenty of room to put a lot of information. We usually focus on four distinct areas of marketing and branding.

1. Name recognition. If you operate a franchise, open a second or third location of an existing business, or intend to welcome shoppers to your very first storefront, you need to get your name out. We recommend a combination of your company’s name and logo to take the center of the display.
2. Brand awareness. Using corporate colors as much as possible is an excellent method for reinforcing brand awareness. When you succeed in having shoppers look at a particular tone and immediately associate it with your company, you know you have accomplished your goal. Consider using a primary corporate color for the backdrop hue.
3. Product knowledge. Our experts have noticed that business owners who display images of products they sell usually have higher turnouts on opening day. If you open a restaurant, depict your menu board and add photos of your dishes. Presenting larger than life images is an excellent idea. Support shoppers’ product knowledge by highlighting details with lettering.
4. Opening date. Although “Coming Soon” is fine, it is always best if you have a known opening date that you can advertise on the graphics.

Q: Is there an outdoor version of these signs?

A: Sure! We can use specialty vinyl for exterior applications and wrap a temporary barricade set up in front of your business. Another option is the display of window wraps or graphics for your storefront. If the building is undergoing extensive construction and you have a fence placed around the property, we usually create vinyl mesh banners that feature much of the information we previously discussed.

Q: Do Alpharetta consumers respond well to these types of branding signs?

A: Yes, they do. The combination of vibrant colors, eye-catching images, and succinct wordings presents a branding product that appeals to the shopper on multiple levels. The artistry may grab the eye, but the message holds the attention. The trick here is to design the style elements in such a way that they offer something new to see as the shopper walks past the barricade. Because of the larger size of these setups, this is usually not a problem.

In fact, call us today to set up an appointment, and we show you what we mean!

The post Read Our Alpharetta Barricade Graphics FAQ Section Today! appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

Q: How do you build channel letters?

A: We shape aluminum into letters that display your desired font. Depending on your selection of illumination, we close the front either with a polycarbonate facing or with aluminum. Our technicians paint the aluminum in a color that you select.

Q: What are the illumination options?

A: Channel letters are available as unlit products. That said, most clients pick a lit variety and opt for dimensional letters when choosing a building sign without built-in light sources. There are three primary illumination options.

1. Light escapes from the front. We refer to these products as front-lit letters. The LEDs illuminate the polycarbonate from the back, which causes your corporate colors to present with a distinct vibrancy after dark.
2. Light escapes from behind the letter. The result of this construction technique is the display of a halo. Bright light seems to bathe each letter in a circle of illumination.
3. Combination. Combining both setups is possible. Although you lose a little in lighting strength, you gain in display appeal.

Q: How do you install channel letters?

A: There are three options.

1. Flush mount. In this scenario, we install the letters flush to the wall, which creates a sleek appearance. To do so, our technicians need to have access to the letters’ backs from behind the façade. Also, the building material’s makeup must accommodate drilling multiple holes per letter.
2. Raceway. If your building is not set up to allow access to the letters’ wiring or the lease expressly forbids a flush-mount installation, we offer the raceway option. In this setup, we mount the letters to a narrow box that contains the needed wiring. We paint the material in the same color as the façade, which makes it seemingly disappear.
3. Panel. A third option is the panel installation. We can hide the raceway behind the panel if needed. Usually, our clients ask for this installation method when the color of the letters and the tone of the façade are too similar to allow the signage to pop. We paint the board in a color that corrects this problem.

Q: How does the logo display?

A: Our graphic artists design a box cabinet for the logo presentation. The construction is similar to the channel letter method. We shape the aluminum body to feature the outline of the logo; the polycarbonate displays the color you have chosen for this feature.

Q: Can I pair channel letters with secondary signage?

A: Yes, you can. We recommend the installation of customized window graphics or the display of an A-frame sign that underscores your brand message. Other options include window posters as well as banners.

Please contact our graphic artists today to learn more about the installation of channel letter signs in Alpharetta GA.

The post Need Channel Letter Signs in Alpharetta GA? appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.

Enhance the Reputation of Your Business

If you are in the market for a car repair and had two choices, would you select the shop with the decal showing affiliations with consumer watchdog groups and recognized industry-insider governing bodies or would you choose the one that does not have these? The odds are good that you would choose the shop that proudly displays its adherence to best business practices.

Do likewise by highlighting your professional affiliations and good standing with organizations that oversee your niche. Place these decals on windows near the entryway. If the group you work with does not offer these types of decals, consider working with us to create a product that identifies you as a member in good standing (depending on the group) or as a certified member (based on your set of credentials).

Spread your Marketing and Branding Messages

Work with our graphic artists to create a bumper sticker or similar vehicle decal that is visually so attractive that your customers will clamor to put it on their cars, trucks, or vans. We have found that 3D designs on translucent or metallic backgrounds are the most popular. Send them out with invoices; give them to buyers in the store, or run social media contests to get them into your clients’ hands.

Co-brand with Product Manufacturers

If you run a restaurant, put your customers’ favorite drinks into glasses that bear a decal showing your logo and the symbol of the manufacturer making the product. By co-branding with a popular producer, you establish brand and product awareness among your clientele. The next time they have a hankering for a particular beverage, they remember that you carry the product. This approach also works with office supplies, hair products, and any other consumer good from recognized manufacturers. Using decals rather than other types of vinyl displays ensures that these items last for a long time.

Communicate with Customers, Workers, and Visitors

Install safety vinyl decals in Alpharetta GA, warehouse, construction site, and storeroom settings. These products spell out any legally mandated safety procedures as well as the proactive measures you are taking to ensure that everyone at your location understands the protocols your company requires them to adhere to. For first-time visitors, this is of particular importance because they frequently do not know the dangers of your commercial setting. We suggest the use of decals in high-impact colors that are impossible to miss. Moreover, select heavy-duty materials that resist sun fading, water damage, and abrasion.

When you are ready to discuss the design of your vinyl decal products, contact our visual artists to schedule an appointment. We gladly use any graphics you already have on file or create an entirely new look from the ground up. Let’s get started on this project today!

The post What Can You Do with Vinyl Decals in Alpharetta GA? appeared first on Black Dog Sign Company.