Have you ever seen a sign in front of a local business that looks pixelated? Even the best brands can look lackluster when they suffer from low quality printing – and more often than not, hiding behind low quality printing is a low quality design file. 

As a business owner, you know your branding better than anyone. But have you ever stopped to consider your brand files? Learning which file formats are best for specific purposes can help you share your brand in high quality ways, no matter the size. 

At Optima Signs & Graphics, we’re committed to creating signage that highlights your branding. It takes top quality design files to make any project a success. If you’re sending digital files to a sign shop, here are a few things to keep in mind. 

Bitmap Graphics vs. Vector Graphics 

Bitmap graphics are the most common type of digital image in the world today. Made up of thousands of individual colored pixels, you’ll find bitmap images in most digital photos and countless other online files. 

In contrast, vector graphics are created with mathematical formulas. Instead of pixels, vectors create the shapes, colors, and placement within a digital file. This format allows users to resize the graphic to any requested dimensions without any distortion or pixelation. 

At Optima, we prefer to receive vector graphics from businesses whenever possible. The bigger you’d like your signage to be, the more important it is for your design files to be of scalable quality. 

Which Files are Vector Graphics?

We wish this was a simple answer! Unfortunately, just because a design file has a certain extension doesn’t guarantee it’s a vector graphic. However, you know you have a bitmap graphic when you see files with these extensions: 

• BMP
• JPEG
• PNG
• TIFF 

These are not the file types you want to send to your sign creator! In contrast, files with these extensions are more likely to hold vector graphics: 

• EPS
• PDF
• AI
• SVG

However, this list is not always a certainty. For example, have you ever clicked on an image online and found the option “Save as PDF?” In this instance, the bitmap graphic is saved in a PDF file format, but the image itself cannot be converted to a vector graphic file. 

Choosing and Sending the Right Files

With all of this confusing talk, how can you be certain you’re sending the right file to your sign designer? 

First, we recommend that you chat with your brand creator, whether your designer works in-house or for an outside agency. They’ll be able to tell you exactly which files are vector graphics! If you’re starting a new company or undergoing a rebrand, ask your designer to include vector files in their deliverables. Then, when your new brand is completed, you’ll have what you need for quality signage of any shape or size!

If you’re not able to get in touch with your designer, simply reach out to us. We’d be happy to take a look at your brand files and find the option that will give you the best signage in town! 

Ready to get started on your next sign? Give us a ring, shoot us an email, or stop by our Marietta storefront. We’d love to discuss how Optima Signs & Graphics can create signage you’ll love for years to come. 

First impressions are important, especially when trying to make a positive and lasting impression on potential customers or clients. 

While you can’t get a second chance to make a first impression, there’s one simple way to ensure your guests are impressed each time they visit your business’ reception area. An effective method to ‘wow’ your visitors is through reception area signage. 

There are several reasons why signage in your reception area is beneficial to your business. These types of signs provide various options and styles to create a look that puts your brand’s best foot forward. 

Three  Reasons Why Lobby Signage is Valuable

1. Business Identity

The first and most obvious reason for displaying signage in your lobby is so guests can easily identify your business. Simplifying the process for locating your business makes customers more likely to recommend your business to someone in the future. 

2. Word of Mouth

Word of mouth marketing is one of the most difficult to achieve and the one of the best ways to market your product or company. Word of mouth is an organic approach to generating conversations about your business that drives foot traffic back to your company in the long run.

Being able to easily locate their destination with bold signage leaves guests satisfied with their experience from the beginning. A positive experience will incline potential customers to share their feedback with others. 

3. Brand Building

Having your business name or slogan displayed in your reception area is an opportunity to compliment your brand. Businesses with a strong brand are more likely to be remembered and recognized. When your signage aligns with your company’s brand, your customers begin to think of your business more often.

People recognize a brand through visuals, experiences, and logos. The better they can remember your business through things like signs and easy accessibility, the more likely they are to return and eventually become a loyal customer. 

Four Types of Reception Area Signage 

1. Dimensional Signs

One of the most popular types of signs for a waiting space in an office is dimensional signs, logos and letters. These signs are classic, upscale, and completely customizable. 

There are many materials to choose from, such as fabricated and cast metal to flat cut and molded plastics. Many of these same materials, plus metals and plastics can be used for both interior and exterior applications.

2. Wall Murals and Wraps

Other great options to consider for your lobby space are wall murals and wraps. These allow for unlimited colors and designs giving you ultimate creative freedom and can cover an entire wall or partial wall. 

The beauty of this type of sign is that you have the option for it to be made removable or permanent. Photo Tex, used by Optima Signs and Graphics, is 100% polyester custom printable wall fabric. This means that it can be removed without damage to the surface for up to 10 years after the initial application. 

Wall murals can also be applied to various surfaces, indoors and outdoors. With so much flexibility in the design that can go on a wall mural, this makes them great for including additional brand elements like store hours, your company’s mission statement, products, and upcoming events.

3. Custom Cut Vinyl Signs

If you’re not looking to go as big as a full wall wrap, but still wanting flexibility in the design options, custom cut vinyl may be the best choice for you. Using a cut vinyl still allows you to customize your space with your logo and brand elements, but on a smaller scale. This type of sign is often used for simple graphics or texts. 

4. Panel Signage 

Panel signage is another popular option for a company’s reception space. These are commonly seen on the wall behind the receptionist, creating immediate brand recognition upon entering a business. 

One benefit to this type of signage is that it’s easy to move and relocate. This is a good option for businesses that want to transition or rotate multiple signs, either seasonally or are just updating an outdated sign. 

An additional feature of panel signage is that it comes in various shapes, and isn’t limited to a traditional rectangle. Panel signs can be cut into circles, ovals or cut to the shape of your logo, giving you flexibility to match your brand.

Choosing the Best Signage for Your Location 

The first thing your customers will notice when they walk intoin to your business is your signage. Greeting your guests with a great first impression with your lobby signage improves your likelihood for success. 

There are many reasons to have signage in your reception area and even more options to help you achieve what works best in the desired space. 

If you’re looking to enhance your lobby area and create a lasting impression on your clientele, reach out to Optima Signs & and Graphics to set up a consultation to find out more about what options are the best for you. 

When looking for custom business signs, you may ask yourself, “how much should I pay for a sign?” Have you ever heard the saying, “you get what you pay for”? Well, like most things, the saying rings true for signs as well. 

There are many factors to consider to get the best bang for your buck while also meeting the needs of the purpose of a sign. A custom sign can cost anywhere from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Once you’ve decided on your budget, there are a few things to help determine the best sign for your needs.  

Factors to consider that affect quality and costs: 

• Location
• Size 
• Single or double sided 
• Material 
• Short or long term use
• Interior or exterior
• Contour cut or straight cut 

Location Location Location

The first thing to decide is where you want the sign to be displayed. A few questions to ask yourself to get started: 

• Do you want it to be visible from the street? 
• Will this be an interior or exterior sign?
• Will it be used as directional signage? 

The location of your sign will determine the type of material you will need, whether you need a material that can adhere to the surface you chose (like vinyl), or if the sign is free standing, (like a monument style). The choice of material plays a big role in the final price. 

Location will also determine if your sign needs to be single or double sided. Like the example above, if you are displaying your business name or logo, or want to build a custom monument style sign, it would be a higher cost installation and design than something smaller like a portable sign such as an A-frame. 

Double-sided signs typically cost more than single sided signs, so it’s an important factor to take into consideration when determining your location and budget. 

Size Matters 

Once you have decided on the location, then you can determine the proper size. Size plays a big role in costs especially if it requires professional installation.

Examples of smaller, more affordable signs would be an A-frame, or easel display. They offer more flexibility, allowing you to change or rotate out the signage since they are more affordable printing options and mobile enough that they can be repositioned at any time. 

With printed signs, the same rules apply about costs. For example, single-sided signs will cost less than double-sided signs. The larger the sign, the more it will cost.  And, more durable materials such as aluminum composites are typically more costly than less weather resistant materials such as corrugated plastic.

 Heavy Duty Sign Holder        A-Frame Signage           Easel Display

A  smaller portable sign like a foam board on an easel or a plastic sidewalk sign can range in price from under $100 to several hundred dollars, whereas larger signs that may require professional installation and permitting could cost several thousand dollars. These types of signs are often used for menu boards, directionals, business hours, announcing sales or specials and much more. 

Making the Most of your Budget 

If a large sign  is out of your budget, but you still want to make a splash on your business front, there are creative options to make it happen.  Full color window graphics and banners are a couple of options that won’t break the bank.

Banners and window graphics allow more creative freedom when it comes to design choices. You can incorporate more brand elements with a banner or graphic rather than a store front sign with simple text. With the right quality and design these options can create beautiful signage to reflect your brand and message. 

Maximizing Your Signage Budget 

There are many options to choose from for almost any budget! Give us a call, send us an email, or stop by our store to discuss what Optima Signs & Graphics can do for your business.

Branding is everything when it comes to promoting your business. How someone portrays your name or logo is especially important as you have only a few seconds to grab attention. To make sure your sign has maximum potential, here are eight common mistakes that businesses make with their signs that you want to avoid:

Poor Readability

So often, we see signs where we have to do a double take to see what it says. The goal of a sign is to display a message, so it’s ineffective and honestly a waste of money if potential clients or customers (as well as current ones) can’t immediately read what it says.

Reading a sign up close has different readability than, let’s say, 100 feet away. This is important to consider when designing your sign. Make sure that the text you choose is in a highly readable font and properly spaced.

Serif is a great font to consider when deciding which font to use.

Color Scheme

There are several reasons why the color scheme of a sign is essential. The color of your sign reflects your brand and catches the eye of people passing by. It’s important to incorporate these colors in a cohesive way that is appealing to customers.

Although, color isn’t just for the aesthetic. There is psychological reasoning behind the color you choose for your sign or brand. For example, lighter shades of purple tend to soothe or calm viewers. This is why the color purple is often used for marketing and branding or massage and skin care brands.

Remember to take the time to find the perfect color scheme that matches your brand when designing your sign.

Too much information

Research shows that you now have eight seconds to grab somebody’s attention before they lose interest. Whatever message you are trying to convey must be portrayed as quickly as possible.

Keep words to a minimum. If you are making a sign for a specific event, only put important details like who, what, when, and where. Try to leave out fluff like why the event is happening or the dress code for the event. These are details that can be posted on your website, social media, or other advertisements for the event that the community can refer to.

Remember to keep it short and sweet white providing all the main details.

Wrong materials

You’re probably familiar with the phrase “quality over quantity.” This is especially true when discussing the quality of your sign.

Outdoor signs need to withstand weather like rain, snow, and wind. Wear and tear is also natural and expected for outdoor signs. No matter how creative or stunning the design of your sign is, it doesn’t contribute to its durability.

Make sure to consider a reputable sign shop when starting the process of making your sign.

Neglect

It can be easy to put things off until the last minute. We advise you NOT to do this with your sign!

Neglecting issues with your sign will almost certainly make them worse. Please don’t ignore problems if they arise. This could be costly to fix later rather than in a timely manner.

In some cases, it could even become dangerous. If parts of your sign become loose or unsteady, you want to get that taken care of immediately before something bad happens. Regular maintenance is recommended to keep your signage in top shape.

Bad Location

Strategizing location is extremely important when deciding where to put your sign. You want to make sure that the chances of someone reading your sign are more likely than not. For example, what side of your building is more visible to pedestrians or people driving by? That is where you want to put your sign.

When considering the location of advertising for your company or event, where does your target market frequently visit? Do they live on a specific side of town?

These are all things to consider when planning the location of your sign or advertisement.

Improper installation

It’s common to think that the most important part of this process is creating the design of your sign, but installation is just as necessary.

For your sign to hold up properly against natural elements like weather, it must be installed correctly. Only consider a professional or your sign shop to install the sign. This will ensure the safety of others as well as the effectiveness of your sign.

A properly installed sign (along with being properly made) will guarantee its longevity!

Choosing the wrong signage team

Businesses’ most common mistake with their signs is choosing the wrong sign shop. Make sure to do your research and ask your friends, family, and other companies who they recommend.

We’ve seen many instances where businesses had to redo their sign because they chose to work with the wrong sign shop.

Optima Signs & Graphics offers a wide variety of sign products and services that get your message out to the world in as little as 24 hours. We avoid all of these mistakes as it’s our mission to create high-quality signs and banners that achieve your goals.

Could you imagine if sign and banner trends came and went as fast as fashion trends? As much as it can be tempting to keep the same sign and banner for as long as possible, it’s crucial to stay on top of current trends with your branding.

Think of how often you have chosen something because it was more appealing to the eye, even if the branding had nothing to do with the product. That is because we choose things for aesthetic appeal.

The signage industry is no exception. Businesses need to keep up with marketing and advertising trends because this is how they’ll retain customers and generate business growth.

If you’re looking to rebrand or update your signage, here are the latest trends in 2022 for signs and banners.

Minimalist, but with a splash of color

Don’t get me wrong, minimalism is still in and is a beautiful concept, but we just get to add color now! It’s time to ditch the black text on white background. Obviously, if that’s your thing- go for it! But it doesn’t have to lack color to be minimalist.

For many things, black and white work well together. But when it comes to signs and banners, many people find that they look boring. Instead, design a clean and uncluttered look with natural colors and simple shapes and designs.

How many times are you driving by and aren’t able to read a sign in its entirety? Remember not to overwhelm your banner with too many words. Keeping the verbiage light and simple. Adding subtle and earthy tones will allow your product to speak for itself and project an image of simplicity and style without sacrificing color.

Retro

Remember how high-waisted shorts and wallpaper made a comeback? We love to be nostalgic here in the states, and it was especially heightened during the pandemic. Nostalgia provides a feeling of safety and comfort because it can feel so familiar.

Retro style especially made a comeback. Maybe it was binge-watching old sitcoms or the desire to socialize and go back out in public. Whatever it was, retro is the new trend of 2022. So, when considering your new banner or sign, don’t be afraid to incorporate bold and vivid colors along unique design elements. If this is a little bold for your taste, stick to the earthy tones I mentioned in the minimalist trend above.

Traditional fonts

Believe it or not, font is everything. Well, almost everything. It is essential to pick an easy-to-read yet appealing font to have on your sign. Serif fonts are especially in because they’re traditional, established, and trustworthy.

Remember how much we love familiarity? Hopefully, you’re starting to see a trend here. Serif fonts may seem dated, but that’s exactly what’s appealing about them in 2022! They are simple and clean fonts that use small perpendicular lines at the beginning and end of each letter for an old-fashioned yet sophisticated look.

This is the perfect font to use to grab attention in a subtle yet classic way.

Monochromatic Colors

Different color hues are in, and guess what? They aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Take advantage of this long-lasting trend when it comes to designing your sign or banner. Use color gradients to incorporate your brand’s colors as this will make your sign look creative and put together. The best monochromatic schemes use at least three colors. This will be helpful if you incorporate shapes or designs or multiple phrases so that everything on the sign or banner flows cohesively.

Location

You’ve probably noticed the amount of signage that has been used to help others navigate to specific locations. This is becoming more and more popular as it’s important for companies and retailers to guide customers and clients in the right direction. These can range from arrows on the ground guiding patients to the check-in kiosk, or to the “For Sale” signs throughout the neighborhood that lead to a house that’s on the market. When it’s easier and more convenient to find the destination, people are more enticed to follow through and utilize the specific service.

Special Occasions

We’re all familiar with the old-school “Happy Birthday” string banner, but it’s time to turn things up a notch, and that is exactly what’s happening this year! Making your celebration signs bigger and better is one of the latest trends. Here’s a list of events that are perfect for using signage and banners:

• Graduation announcements
• Sporting Events
• Trade Shows
• Corporate Functions
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• Big Sales Events

Personal Goals

Believe it or not, people are more motivated to do things when it’s written down. You might as well make it match your aesthetic!

With things you see every day, like your monthly calendar or your team’s quarterly goals, it’s a good idea to have them in a physical form that is neat and organized. Being able to physically mark things off or put a checkmark on a task that’s been completed has been proven to satisfy the human brain. Our brains thrive off of organization, whether you’re organized or not. This is a great way to be reminded of your daily tasks and goals as well as help you actually achieve them!

When creating the design of your banner or debating on getting a sign made for a special occasion, consider these seven trends that will make sure your sign stands out positively and effectively!

If you’re looking for a sign – this is it! Whether your current business sign is outdated and needs a refresh or if you’re just looking to add a sign in general, it’s crucial to find the right sign shop to get the job done.

How people perceive a sign is extremely important to your business and/or community. It can be the first time someone notices your business or it could be a deciding factor between someone choosing you or a competitor. It’s important to ensure you go to the right sign shop for quality service and excellent results. Here are a few things to look for when searching for the right sign shop:

Customer Service

Customer service is one of the top things to look for when searching for the right sign shop. You want a company that will meet your needs and ensure you are satisfied from the moment you ask for a quote all the way to installation.

For a business, it’s important to choose vendors to partner with and to become a loyal customer. Building this relationship with your vendor will come with many perks throughout your time working with them. For example, your company was nominated for an award and you need a banner made as soon as possible. If you have developed a loyal relationship with a sign shop, they will make sure you receive this banner on time and to your specifications.

Reputation

When searching for the right sign shop to make your signs, you want to look at their past work and testimonies. This will show you real-life stories and help prove if they can produce your vision. It’s also nice to gain inspiration from projects they’ve already completed for other customers. This is also an excellent time to look at social media again and see how many followers they have and how many people utilize their services.

It’s equally important to see what kind of customers they cater to. Some vendors have a minimum order amount and different areas of specialization., so you want to make sure you are going somewhere that will cater to your needs.

Make note of who other business owners, friends, and family recommend. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of advertising with 92 percent of people trusting their friends and family over social and traditional media! Keep these recommendations written down somewhere that you could easily look back at in case you wanted to try a different shop.

Services

Working with several contractors can get stressful and confusing. The ultimate goal is to find a one-stop shop. In this case, finding a sign company with all of the services and capabilities you’re looking for eliminates the need to work with other vendors for similar tasks. For example, say you want a banner made along with a few matching decals. Finding a shop that offers several services saves time, money, and the hassle of managing multiple vendors for a single project. This will also help you keep up with marketing and advertising trends.

The more variety you can choose from, the better! Not only will this help keep your banners and signs fresh and trendy, but also give you more options that will help with your marketing and advertising.

Maintenance and Installation Services

Depending on the kind of sign you decide on, you may need maintenance down the road. This is important to consider when choosing a sign shop. Do their services stop immediately after you pick up the sign and swipe your card? Or will they nurture you as a client throughout the customer journey, including future needs? It’s good to prepare for the future when your signs may need to be repaired, updated or replaced.

A good sign company will keep accurate records and files of all past work. This is another reason why it’s important to form a long-lasting relationship with your sign shop. That way, when you need repairs or when it’s time to replace the sign completely, you have a great company that can produce, install, and maintain your sign accurately with minimal effort from you, the customer.

Another critical detail to consider is installation. You want to be sure to ask about this service before purchasing. Keep in mind that if you’re choosing a reputable sign shop, the installation will most likely be offered as the shop wants to ensure that the sign is installed correctly.

Permitting

The permitting process is something to research and discuss when getting a new exterior sign. Believe it or not, there can be many rules and regulations with signs, so you want to ensure you take all the necessary steps in this process. A lot of sign shops won’t begin creating your sign until your city has approved it. With that being said, you should ask the sign shop if they handle the permitting process. Since they are experts in this industry, they can easily communicate and make necessary modifications based on your town’s requirements. There will most likely be a small fee for this added service, but many business owners find it worth the investment!

There are many things to consider when selecting the right sign shop. Branding truly is so essential when it comes to marketing your business and building a reputation. You want to have full trust that you are paying for quality work. Using these five methods will make sure you find a shop that you can establish a loyal relationship with. That way, the process becomes faster, easier, and less stressful for future projects.