Tips for Buying Business Signs: Some Things Never Change

I recently came across an article that was published more than a decade ago in Entrepreneur magazine, titled “Tips for Buying Business Signs.” Often we focus so much on how things have changed in business that it’s easy to overlook how much they’ve stayed the same.

Indoor signage communicates
a more personalized message,
like building employee morale

As the article quickly points out, signs are used indoors as often as outdoors, whether they’re hung from ceilings, attached to walls, or applied directly to surfaces. While outdoor signs are often more marketing oriented, indoor signs can do things like direct guests, communicate a more personalized message (like at a trade show) or even boost morale.

The materials used for a sign are an important consideration. As the article says, it usually comes down to lettering and types of substrate materials. At the time the article was written, painted signs were already on their way out. Today they’re nearly obsolete, having been replaced by vinyl, raised or engraved lettering.  Signs themselves can be made from materials as diverse as metal, wood, plastic and foam core, depending on the need and location.

A sign company needs to be able to
deliver what you need, on time and on
budget, no matter the challenge

Where the rubber meets the road, as the saying goes, is the design of a sign and how to choose a company that can deliver exactly what you need. In addition to color combinations, the article points out that “factors such as sign height, lighting and time of day can affect how easily the sign can be viewed.”

The article also emphasizes the importance of a sign company being able to provide the sign materials you desire, offer expertise in the planning and placement of signage, and give you the design and creative background necessary to help you achieve maximum impact with your project. Of course, being able to deliver those services at the right price can make all the difference.

Overall, the points made in the article still hold true. It’s important to trust your signs and displays to professionals who can get the job done right, do it on time, and work within your budget. Those are the keys to doing business that will never change.

You can read the entire article in the Entrepreneur article archive.

MIKE BOYD is president of Creative Source. Clients looking for sign companies in Canton, Ohio

and the surrounding region look to Mike and his staff for creative marketing solutions.