In any discussion about what you should know about Wall Signs, the first place to go is the various forms. There are a lot of controlling factors that will determine what type you can use that we will discuss later, but it’s best to know what your options are and to understand them well.
Last time we began by talking about Hand Painted Wall Signs, Wood Wall Signs and Dimensional (3D) Letters. This time we’ll continue our descriptions by discussing Neon Signs, LED Signs and High Rise Wall Signs. We will discuss Channel Letters in blog three as there are quite a number of options and issues to talk about.
So let’s continue!
Neon Signs
The term “Neon Signs” has over the years become just another phrase people generally use for any lighted sign. But what we are talking about here is a sign actually made using “Neon” or the bent glass tubing that when electrified is capable of displaying a very wide range of bright and unique colors.
Neon as a lighting technology has been replaced by LED signs and lighting, especially as it comes to its use inside of Channel Letters (see blog three). But it’s still a viable and unique option for certain sign opportunities.
The main benefit of neon is it’s brightness and clarity. LEDs are good in places where there is low light or in night time applications, but there is still nothing brighter than neon. And properly done, it can be seen for greater distances and with better clarity than almost any other type of sign.
It also has that nostalgic quality that lends itself well to restaurants and boutiques, both inside and out. And it’s a highly custom media that can be adapted to a wide variety of conditions and design needs, being entirely hand shaped.
Landmark Signs has the skilled neon tube benders to make a great Neon Sign for your building, and the design expertise to make your logo or message work beautifully. Be sure and call or email us if you are interested!
LED Signs
Like the phrase “Neon Signs”, LED Signs has also come to be a generic term that is a little confusing. Many people think of them as the changeable electric multicolor sign boards that are more typically are seen on freestanding monument, pylon or pole signs. They are rarely used on walls as shown above, but they can be in some cases a good option.
The benefit is of course the ability to display multiple, changeable messages and graphics. Some units (if you can afford them!) are capable of such color and resolution that they are like a bright television set, able to clearly display almost any beautiful image at will. Their downsides are expense if you want a really good, high quality unit, and the fact that most cities either outlaw them or highly restrict their use. It will probably be only in rare cases that you will be able to use one as a Wall Sign.
In the sign industry however, most actual LEDs are being used in Channel Letters (see blog three) instead of Neon as an internal lighting source. As such they are the preferred option, being considerably easier to install and less costly in energy use. You can see some examples of these on our website at http://landmarksignsinc.com/LED-signs-signage-landmark-signs.html.
High Rise Wall Signs
The “uppermost” Wall Sign is the High Rise, pun intended. It’s the “corporate image” wall sign because it’s typically placed upon office buildings where corporation offices are and which aren’t typically visited by walk in clientele. It’s usual use is to make a big impression, to leave viewers with the distinct notion that the business is very big and very successful, if only for the immensity of the sign alone.
They can be quite large (8-10 feet tall and 100′ in length) and are usually atop very expensive office and business buildings in the high rent districts. Very commonly they are of the illuminated channel letter type, since letters that look individual are especially impressive at night. They may also use a logo or simply be a logo (see photo below) in order to establish a brand identity properly.
The main benefit of a High Rise Wall Sign is it’s impressiveness. It’s hard to think of a downside. If you have spent the cost of renting some of the most expensive office spaces there are, why not take advantage of the opportunity to let everyone know? And you don’t even have to be a large corporation. Any business that wants to really show off and has the resources to do so can make themselves look successful virtually overnight. Just pick a spot in the nicest part of town, throw up a High Rise Wall Sign, and voila, you are the A-Rod of Professional Companies!
We at Landmark have designed and installed many High Rise Wall Signs. Needless to say, there are not a lot of companies that enjoy installing signs 300 feet in the air, but we do! If you have any interest in this type of sign, don’t hesitate to call us at 714-637-9900 or email me directly at johnm@landmarksignsinc.com.
Next Time . . .
Be sure and check back next time as we tackle the most prevalent type of wall sign, Channel Letters.
Thanks for tuning in!
John Myres, The Sign Expert
Of all the varieties of sign types you may use, the Wall Sign is the most prevalent. The problem is, there are so many kinds! What’s going to work best for your particular circumstances? Should it be lighted or not? How much should I spend? these are some of the questions you may have. In this series of blogs, I will answer all of these questions and more.
To begin with, a Wall Sign simply means a sign that is placed upon an exterior wall, very typically right over your business entrance. This should not be confused with the sign you may place on an interior wall in your reception area, or a small plaque mounted on the wall outside or your entrance. But it does include those very large and very high signs placed upon skyscrapers, whether that wall is a solid one or made of glass.
So in this blog we will begin by discussing the various standard types of Wall Signs, from the simple to the sublime. This will take more than one posting, so hang on and check back! I know you will find this interesting, informative and possibly profitable, especially if it helps you to pick the right one, the one that advertises and represents your business best, drawing great clientele.
So we will start with the non-illuminated Wall Sign types, moving on to the lighted wall signs next time. Here we go:
The Hand Painted Wall Sign
“Okay”, you may ask, “Why should I care about this outdated kind of Wall Sign?”. Well, believe it or not, hand painted wall signs are making a comeback! When you have a minute, check out this blog by a very skilled sign painter who is doing a new version of an old sign for people who want that nostalgic look.
When I was 15 or 16 years old, my dad (who was an “old school” sign painter) and I went and painted many Wall Signs of this kind. Of course since that was before the invention of the camera (joke!), I don’t have any pictures. And most of what is being done currently is restoration or imitations of old signs. But just because most of what you think of are these older examples, that doesn’t mean a modern logo or current image can’t be applied to an exterior wall too, just as in the past.
What are the advantages? Well for one, aesthetics. If you have a business that is nostalgic in nature or longstanding and experienced, this may be just the right thing to do. It immediately gives the viewer the impression that your business has been around for a while and gives it that very desirable classic image that is in vogue these days.
Another advantage is cost. Now you should not think “cheap” because it’s definitely not. There are few sign companies that can do this (Landmark can!), and so just finding a skilled sign painter is of course more and more rare. And so “rare” often translates into costly. But, the cost of materials is typically a lot less than any other sign type, and there are no mechanical installations necessary.
So, believe it or not, you may really want to consider a hand painted wall sign as an alternative!
The Wood Wall Sign
This is another sign type that is a little more rare but still very effective in it’s own way.
Wood wall signs are typically dimensional, being either sandblasted (as the example above) or routed. Sometimes they are flat or hand painted as a less costly but not nearly as dramatic or impressive option. If well made of the proper materials such as redwood or cedar, and finished with the right high quality sign paints (we recommend 1 Shot sign enamels), they can last a very long time and give you a lot of bang for your buck.
Their advantages are also mainly aesthetic in nature. Being dimensional, they have an impressive and custom appearance that tells your customer that you aren’t satisfied with just another sign, that you care and are a company of substance. They are also very well suited for doctors, lawyers and professionals, residential complexes, gift shops in tourist areas, any business or enterprise that wants to portray a beautiful and impressive image.
Since they are mainly hand made, they are not especially inexpensive. But they have an undeniably classic and custom appearance that can’t be matched in any other wall sign. And if designed and fabricated properly, they will last many, many years with a unique appearance that will represent your business well.
At Landmark, we specialize in wood signs and can design and manufacture a great one for you!
Non-Illuminated Dimensional (3D) Letters
Moving on to the more contemporary and business sign appearance, we come to these. Dimensional Letters are a very modern and desirable type of wall sign that we here at Landmark have done quite a lot of. They are best suited for new professional offices and buildings.
Good dimensional wall signs are those made of a variety of metals, and which are either mounted away from the wall or have substantial depth, giving them the appearance of substance that reflects well on your concern. We have used anodized brushed aluminum, polished plated gold aluminum, anodized bronze and stainless steel as examples of metals and finishes that last a long time and look great for years.
Their advantages are longevity and impressiveness. They work well for any business concern that needs to look substantial and solid. If made of the proper materials with the right anodized or stainless finishes, they will stand up well to almost any environmental condition and come away unscathed. Some of the materials we offer actually come with a life-time warrantee!
A disadvantage is the lack of illumination. They are less costly than lighted alternatives but don’t do well for retail establishments that need to draw clients to their locations day or night. So keep this in mind when considering them. If you are a 9-5 professional office that isn’t looking to pull in customers off of the street, then you will be served well. But if you rely heavily on attracting and bringing in people from your local area such as a restaurant, clothing store, laundry, or any typical retail business, you should use an illuminated sign.
Contact us today if you think this is the sign type for you!
Next Time . . .
So as mentioned, next time we will deal with the various types of Lighted Wall Signs, including LED sign, neon signs and high rise wall signs.
I hope you enjoyed this and as always, if you have any sign need or question, let me know! You can reach me at johnm@landmarksignsinc.com. I’ll always be glad to help you!
John Myres, The Sign Expert
The Sign Expert Says: Reception and Lobby Dimensional Signs – Do I need one? How nice should it be?
If You Have a Nice Office You Need One.
In Southern California where I live, we have many beautiful office buildings with thousands of corporate and company offices of every stripe. This is true in every major metropolitan area. But imagine walking into one of these glass and polished metal structures, taking the elevator, stepping into a well-appointed and beautifully furnished reception area, and seeing absolutely no identification anywhere as to who occupies that suite or what they are! Would you feel comfortable? Or would you wonder what was wrong there, why they wanted to remain incognito? Are they hiding something?
And what if what you did see was obviously cheaply made, old and worn or out of date? Would you be impressed? Or would you doubt the success and quality of services of the company you were visiting?
The fact is, companies spend tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars making their offices beautiful and functional, with just the right interior decoration, furniture and appointments, especially in the entrance lobby or reception area. The reason is, they commit such resources in order to make a positive and lasting impression on their clients and others. Everyone wants to do business with a successful company, and they want others to believe they are successful. (Not to say it isn’t true.)
At the same time, most business spend a great deal of money also on designing a beautiful and recognizable logo. They know that its design can greatly affect what their clients think of them, and so special consideration is given to its colors, fonts and shapes, making sure that they leave a positive mental impression in the minds of their existing and potential customers.
But having either no identification on your wall or a poor one wastes all of that effort, cost and thought. Having no lobby sign wastes the opportunity to show that logo and get the positive impressions that were intended. It feels unnatural and makes people uncomfortable because it’s not there. It makes them suspicious.
You Need an Impressive One.
If it’s obviously inexpensive, crude or inexpertly made, its impression can be just the opposite of what you have spent so much time and effort to achieve. It can make you look like you don’t care about what others think, or are failing as a business and can’t be trusted.
On the other hand, a beautiful and impressive lobby or reception area sign can be one of the least expensive ways for you to make a great impression on your clients. A lot can be done for a few thousands of dollars. Yet at such a low cost, it can be equally as effective as the tens of thousands you put into furniture, flooring or paint schemes! Certainly all that is wasted without it.
The Features You Should Have.
The best lobby and reception displays have dimension, texture and variety. Dimension or depth causes the lettering and images to cast a shadow against the wall, giving them greater prominence and an impression of solidity and power. Various finishes and textures give the displays interest and provoke positive thoughts.
The materials are also important. Foam, an obviously inexpensive way to get a thick letter should be avoided. It might have a nice face but those edges are unmistakable, and everyone knows what it is and how cheap it is. Using plywood (unless it’s high quality finished material) will make people wonder if you made it in your garage. There is nothing special about it.
On the other hand, metals, especially brushed or polished stainless steel or aluminum, give a very positive impression of strength and success. Gold leaf on a lobby sign will make your clients think you are solid and dependable – “good as gold”.
Textured, carved, sandblasted or stained finished woods are also great because they are warm and inviting.
Acrylics, especially when polished can be beautiful too and give you an opportunity to not only be dimensional but to display special colors or graphics.
Combinations of some or all of these materials can really be something special. Your clients will think you really care because you have put such a thoughtful effort into something that’s really pleasing.
You Can Get a Great One from Landmark.
At Landmark Signs, we have been designing and making reception and lobby area dimensional signs for decades. Our customers have been First American Title, Katten Muchin Rosenman, Verizon Wireless, Sunwest Bank, County of Los Angeles and many others.
Our lobby displays are made from the highest quality materials and create the most positive impressions. Our designers know how to work with your reception area style and components to harmonize your sign with your interior. We make sure your display is properly proportioned. And you can be sure your clients will be impressed and think highly of your company!
So contact us today at 714-637-9900 or at sales@landmarksignsinc.com. With Landmark you will get the kind of reception area sign you really need.
Best wishes!
John Myres, The Sign Expert.
Hello all! I am just announcing the completion of our recent 900 Wilshire Sign Program. For those of you who use them, I hope you’ll be impressed. If you are curious about what they are, I think the attached file below will give you an idea:
If you are in the market for one, let us know! We are experts at them and have done them all over the state of California. Just call 714-637-9900 or email us at sales@landmarksignsinc.com!
John
The advertising world is changing rapidly, becoming more internet and social media focused all the time. At the same time, people’s traveling habits are changing. Less and less people, especially of the up and coming Millennial Generation, are obtaining driver’s licenses and automobiles, preferring instead to ride share, use ride services like Uber or Lyft, public transportation, bike or walk. And instead of going to shopping malls to purchase clothing or durable goods, they are opting to use internet services like Ebay or Amazon instead.
Lyft co-founder John Zimmer predicts that by 2025 private car ownership will end. The Wall Street Journal suggests that self-driving cars will soon take over to such an extent that only “hobbyists, hot-rodders and flat-earth dissenters” will own cars. And according to an article on CityLab, there has been a growing trend starting with the GenX’ers and continuing with the Millennial generation that has led to a significant decrease in obtaining driver’s licenses and automobiles, with a preference to use other public and sharing modes of travel.
So what does this all mean for us business people who depend upon customers to come to our locations for services? Will on-premise signs even be necessary?
While it is true that it is imperative that any successful business take advantage of and spend a significant amount of their time and resources on social media and internet marketing, it is also true that through these mediums we are becoming inundated with advertising so that in many cases a good message is just going to be drowned out. So how can you, Mr. or Ms. Business Owner, really make your company stand out in such a crazy environment?
A well designed and attractive sign just may be more key to your success than ever!
Consider the following:
As people rely more upon ride sharing, biking, walking or public transportation, they are going to be doing things closer to home. In fact, mixed use developments are on the rise, where services such as dental, physicians, fast food, and specialty shops, etc. are all in the same buildings and complexes as the apartments where people live. As people stay closer to home, neighborhood shopping areas are going to be on the rise. And what will be the primary way they are to know about you and make a decision as to whether or not to use your services? Your sign.
Secondly, when people are riding either in autonomous vehicles, buses or sharing, they are going to have a lot more time to watch their surroundings. Have you ever experienced riding with someone else over a route that you have driven over hundreds of times? It’s amazing how many things you never noticed were there. Soon a lot more people are going to be able to do the same. And again, what will be the best way to inform them of your existence in such a compelling way that the next time they’ll tell their car “go to ‘Jones’ (your) Barbershop'”? By your sign.
The trends aren’t making signs less necessary, they are making them even more crucial to your success!
This is where “What a sign can do for your business” comes in to play.
Most people if asked “What does a business sign do?” will reply, “It shows people where you are and what you do.” But location and information are only part of what a sign really does. If that were all it did, then it would be enough to take a can of spray paint and have a teenager spell our your name, services and address on the sign of your building. And believe me, I’ve seen something like that on more than a few occasions!
But much more than just location and information, a sign does at least two other and arguably more important things:
It can make a favorable impression so that people don’t just know you exist and what you do, but are compelled to single out your business as preferable just because your sign is so attractive! And with a unique design it can drive your logo into the minds of the public by repeat viewing, so that when the time comes that your services are needed, they will remember you favorably and make a point of coming to you or contacting you.
Down the freeway from my house there is a warehouse location for Yamaha instruments. They don’t cater to the public and functionally they only need for truckers to find them to do pickups and deliveries. But they have a large, handsome and well made sign right on the freeway, much larger than it needs to be and much more expensive than was necessary to just let delivery vehicles know where they are. Why? Because they know that they have to be careful to take every opportunity to make a good impression on the public and create a repetitive, positive memory in their minds. You need to do that too.
With the necessity for making your business stand out and get favorable attention more imperative than ever, your sign could very well make the difference! Don’t skimp and buy the least you can get away with. Don’t waste a valuable opportunity to make a great impression and create a lasting memory in your customers. Perhaps thousands of persons are passing your door every day, do you really want to risk the possibility that they won’t notice you or consider you first when it comes to needing your services?
You need a Great Sign Company!
You need a great, marketing savvy and experienced sign company. One that knows the psychology of marketing and can do unique, compelling and beautiful designs. Signs although relatively costly, if made properly can last many, many years. For that reason, your business sign has always been and will continue to be the most efficient and cost effective form of advertising!
Finally, you need to know that we at Landmark Signs recognize and appreciate your need for great, well designed and effective signs. At Landmark we have one of the top sign designers in the world, having won first place in the state of California and finishing in the top twenty internationally! You can see some examples of our design expertise below.
We want to share our wealth of experience with you. We are offering highly discounted rates on custom sign designs in our working area. So call us today at (714) 637-9900 or email us at sales@landmarksignsinc.com. We can help you with a sign that really works!
John Myres, The Sign Expert.
Pylon Sign with “Pole Covers”
Sometimes the “lingo” or language used to describe signs and sign products is a little confusing.
This I think is the case with the terms “Pylon” or “Pole” Signs. Although everyone has seen one, you may not know why they are called that, what they are best suited for or even what they are. In this article I hope to clear all that up for you.
To begin with, “Pylon” or “Pole” Signs are typical terms for the very same thing. They are called that because they are signs that are mounted atop or over large steel structures made typically out of round steel pipe, ranging from 6 to 22 inches in diameter. Some you will see are very evident as the pipes may be exposed from the ground to the bottom of the sign. Others may have “Pole Covers” or other cladding to disguise or decorate the internal pipe structures more pleasingly. So essentially, they are called “Pole Signs” because they are mounted on steel pipe or “poles”.
Additionally, they are often called “Pylon Signs” because that same structure is very similar to the pylons or columns supporting bridges. The pipe structure like bridge pylons, is embedded deeply into the ground in large concrete footings. So, in the sense that they are like bridge pylons, they are often called “Pylon Signs”. But again, no matter what you call them, “Pylon” or “Pole” Signs are the same thing.
60 Foot Pylon Sign With Exposed Pole
Pylon / Pole Signs are the tallest ground signs made, exceeded only by those placed on top of skyscrapers. They are at minimum taller than monument signs, starting at about 12′. They can in certain circumstances be 200 feet or higher. Think of the large ground signs in Las Vegas. Although they don’t appear to be, many of those are easily in that size range.
The main benefit of Pylon / Pole Signs is that they can be seen from greater distances. Monument Signs by contrast, are much more intimate, being valuable to advertise at eye level to passing street traffic. But when your location can be seen from a distance, Pylon / Pole Signs make it possible for your business to be noticed over the top of ground obstructions such as trees, trucks and even buildings, far in advance of a driver arriving at your location. So it’s advantage is that you can attract attention in time enough for the passersby to turn into your location and take advantage of your services. Also, they are an advertising device that can often be seen by autos traveling away from or only near your business, planting your image in their minds as a service they may want to use at a future time. And typically they are much larger and more legible, meant to be easily read from a mile or more.
One major issue with Pylon / Pole Signs is that they are often frowned on or extremely limited by city codes. Understandably many cities consider them eyesores and either ban them, limit their height or require careful and creative designs that make them as attractive as possible. We at Landmark Signs know how to deal with city planners, take the most effective approach and the best way to design Pylon / Pole Signs so that they will be beautiful and accepted. So don’t worry, if a Pylon / Pole Sign is the best option for you, we can help that become a reality.
It Might Not Be Big But It’s A Pole Sign!
If you have a business that is hard to see because of nearby buildings, trees and ground obstructions, a Pylon / Pole Sign may be perfect for you. If you have services that are especially important to or need to be advertised to the traveling public along highways and freeways, a Pylon / Pole Sign may be essential to your success. If you want your company to make as many good impressions as possible to everyone near or far so that you are remembered and sought out when your services are needed, a Pylon / Pole Sign could be just the thing you need.
At Landmark Signs, we are highly knowledgeable and proficient at obtaining permits, designing, manufacturing and installing Pylon / Pole Signs. If you think one might be best for you, contact us today at sales@landmarksignsinc.com or at 714-944-7257.
Thanks for your attention and best wishes!
John Myres, The Sign Expert.
714-944-7257 (my cell).
Landmark Signs New Logo Rollout!
Hi Gang!
Just wanted the all to know that we are rolling out a new logo and slogan, ready to take on the “sign world”! In the course of the next few weeks, look to see that this will change on all our social media.
There has been a definite graphic trend towards cleaner and more contemporary logos and marketing that we both accept and find refreshing. The reason is, we are all being bombarded with advertising and visual graphics on every medium. It’s all over our cell phones, pads and computers, as well as on television and on signs. That means that whatever visual medium you are using, it needs to be as clear and impactful as possible. So, we are embracing this trend and reflecting that in our new logo / slogan change.
A major difference in what we are doing is increasing our use of the color blue. For decades it has been recognized that blue is the subliminal color of security and trust. It was said that the originator of the use of this color was the IBM Corporation and for good reason, since that company came to be known as extremely reliable with products of the highest quality and dependability in its day.
In this day and time, “the woods are full” of sign companies producing mediocre signs and services. The emphasis is on “cheap” and “fast” without the concern for long-term durability and the necessity for making the right impression upon the buying public. People often get fooled into thinking “a sign is just a sign” or that one is not different than another. And so there is a proliferation of “fast sign” companies with an emphasis on making a sale without consideration for the client’s long term welfare or giving the best overall value for the client’s hard earned dollars. Landmark Signs is not that kind of company!
And so, our slogan has also changed, not negating the previous one as unworthy, but with a more direct emphasis on quality. At Landmark Signs we take your overall needs into consideration, desiring to give you the benefit of our decades of service by making sure that what we provide you will last, and beautifully so. We save you money because we are making you a sign that won’t cost you over and over again as you have to replace it or constantly repair it. We also expertly analyze your needs and your location, making sure that your new sign from Landmark does its job as a marketing and identifying vehicle effectively. And all our products are permanent, manufactured of the highest quality materials and durable. Landmark Signs does not make “fast signs” just great ones!
So, if you are in the market for a permanent, well designed, high quality, extremely effective and beautifully crafted custom sign, Landmark Signs is your “go-to” sign company!
Contact us today at (714) 637-9900 or email us at sales@landmarksignsinc.com!
