Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

Remember the NBC TV show The Office (which may soon get a reboot! Stay tuned.). Bare walls were one of the main visual clues the show’s creators used to portray the gloominess of the workplace.

Obviously you don't have walls that have that have a downer vibe. But so often interior artwork is an afterthought in offices. That’s a shame.

One of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to convince your Cleveland-area clients and your own employees that your company is committed to creativity is to incorporate artwork into your interior workspace. And to mix it up as often as feasible.

We’ve all visited or worked at companies that have artwork that never changes. It may have seemed dynamic at one time but as it hangs year after year it just blends into the scenery. People don’t even notice it anymore. Or start to feel annoyed by it.

Why should you care? Consider studies outlined in Forbes that underscored artwork have an impact on employees’ working days. In fact, a study by Exeter University’s School of Psychology found that when you freshen art – or allow employees to freshen art in their own workspaces – the impact is powerful. The productivity rose 17 percent compared to those in “lean” workspaces, reported Forbes.

Of course not everyone wants to let employees go wild with artwork in their cubicles and other personal spaces, for many solid reasons. But that doesn’t prevent you from talking to employees, gathering their input and reviewing possible artwork that would fit in your business. There are plentiful options from murals to 3D wall signs, raised lettering and beyond.

Yes, you have to pay for new artwork. But consider the payoff as evidenced by a report in Work Design Magazine that detailed the results of a survey in collaboration with the Business Committee for the Arts and the International Association for Professional Art Advisors.

Workers at such employers as food distributors to law firms found that 94 percent of respondents agreed that art enhanced the work environment, 78 percent reported it reduced stress, 64 percent said it boosted creativity, and 67 percent said it enhanced morale.

When you think of all the money you invest in employee retreats, happy hours, bonuses and off-site training in the hopes of leading employees to enhanced creativity and productivity it’s clear that interior artwork is a smart investment.

So why don’t more employers invest in murals, 3D wall signs, wall graphics and more? The choices seem overwhelming.

That’s where we come in. Talk to us about your company’s vision, your philosophy and your style. We will guide you through the visual options that will boost creativity, good humor and relaxation among your staff.

And remember, we’re business people too. We understand budgets. We will work within yours. The key to boosting visual benefits is as close as your phone. Call us for a free consultation.

Those of a certain age remember the years when hospital visitors would follow different colored tapes on the floors to find their way to departments. Written instructions might read like this: “Follow the red line from the waiting area until you see a blue line. Turn left at the blue line and follow that until you see a window marked ‘X-Ray.’”

It was a simple system that was often credited with stress reduction for both visitors – who were anxious to find their destinations – and staff who often had to stop work to offer directions.

Why not offer visitors to your Cleveland-area business the same easy-to-follow, stress reducing directional sign system?

Clearly, you won’t mimic the past signage of Cleveland hospitals of yesteryear and place tape on the floor. Today floor tape is generally only used in factories, garages, storage areas and other industrial settings, often to alert occupants to hazardous areas.

The good news is there are a host of contemporary options for professional interior office signs – colored and clear – for stores, offices, medical settings, car dealerships and other businesses. And whether you have an office building in Euclid, a car dealership in Parma, or a store in Fairview, there are interior business signs to suit your needs.

The best thing about modern color-coded directional signage is that it can be custom crafted for your business. Many style offer you the option of selecting corners, fonts, wording and additional information such as logos can create the easy-to-follow, professional signage map you want to offer while subtly highlighting your brand and mission.

And the array of available business signs allows you to choose what works best in various parts of your company. Corridor signs might be preferable to guide visitors to elevators or stairs but curved directional signs with arrows are an efficient way to point visitors toward various clinics, offices, or other areas with your company.

And many of these signs grow with your company. The clear-lensed windows on some directory signs allow you to change the names of staff, departments and other variables as your company and staff grows and changes.

It’s no secret that life moves a lot faster today than it did even a few decades ago. Allow custom signs to show your clients, customers and staff you are there to make their lives easier.

Let us show you how cost-effective such signage can be.

You spend more than $4,000 each time you hire a new employee and it takes on average 42 days to fill a position, according to the Society of Human Resources Managers (SHRM).

And that’s just the start. If an employee at your Cleveland-area office earning $40,000 each year leaves, you can expect to pay $20,000-$30,000 in recruitment and training costs.

Clearly it’s in your best interest to keep productive employees happy.

Recruiters will tell you small celebrations – such as taking a photo of the employee on the first day – is one way to motivate employees to stay. Want to know another to way to provide a boost? Individual office signs – the ones that tell those that visit a certain office the name of the occupant – may be one of the best motivators you can offer.

The signs are budget friendly and add an extra bit of style to your office. And you can even add a bit of whimsy – engravings, a specific font or color – to each.

Want to show your commitment to the community, an important motivator for millennials? Think about adding Braille signs or letters.

We’d love to talk to you about how signs identifying your employees can boost your employees’ morale, your company profile and more.

Want an artful way to tell your clients, customers and general public about the philosophy of your Cleveland business?

Consider the interior signage at your business.

It’s a grievous mistake to not regularly review your lobby and office signs. Sure, you thought it was great when you placed it, but you likely don’t even notice it now. Your clients, customers and even the general public likely do, though. And they judge your business by what they see.

The old style lettering that looked elegant in the 1980s gives your business a dated look and feel. Customers may assume the difficult-to-follow office and directional signs around your company signal that you don’t pay attention to details or just don’t put a lot of thought into helping your customers save time and avoid frustration.

Add your customers’ reliance on electronic devices and you understand why office signs are worth your time and investment.

What many people don’t know is that fonts, materials and colors can clearly relay your company’s philosophy and commitment to customers – or give people a poor first impression of your business, even before they meet you or your colleagues.

Now the good news – it’s easy to develop signage that works just as hard as you do, if you know where to look.

We are design specialists. We are ready to discuss your business, philosophy and needs to ensure your signs work for you and your clients.

Call us now. We’ll offer you our best advice, free of charge, and show you how excellent signage within your budget will pay for itself time and time again.

One of the easiest ways to boost productivity in your Cleveland-area business is to add artwork to your environment.

But no, hanging mass-produced paintings or motivational posters won’t cut it. Think back to your own experience with such images. We bet they didn’t do anything for your mood or company loyalty. Why would you colleagues have a different reaction?

The good news is that wall murals, vinyl, 3-D or other stylish lettering are more cost- effective than you realize. And unlike those posters and paintings you see in stores, murals, lettering and other wall or window graphics can be customized while staying within your budget.

Why go to the trouble? Consider that more than 82 percent of full-time employees surveyed for Capital One stated company leaders can’t encourage innovation unless the workplace design and environment is innovative, reported Contract Furnishings News (CNF). How to show innovation? Artwork and creative imagery was cited as vital by 44 percent and bold colors were sited by 26 percent of those surveyed, according to CNF. And 69 percent of those surveyed reported local culture was not reflected in their workplaces.

You’re in luck. As you know, there is an abundance of local culture in Cleveland – from University Circle to the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – from which to pull. And our artists can create murals, 3D letters, and an array of signage – inside and outside your business -- that swirl local character with elements of your business personality.

The shame is that many East Ohio employers are afraid to even dream about murals on conference room walls, reception areas or other highly visible locales. Not only are they missing out on adding beauty to the workplace but ramping up stability and loyalty among employees – at a fraction of the cost of lost revenue and employee turnover.

You may recall our earlier example that the cost of turnover is six to nine months of the employee’s annual salary, reported ZaneBenefits. That means it costs at least $20,000 to recruit and train an employee whose salary is $40,000 annually.

Don’t worry about budgets now. Or even fine-tuned messages. Call us and we’ll help. That’s why we’re here.

You can’t promote your business 24 hours a day – but your sign can.

Studies have found that more than 80 percent of potential customers pass your business at least once a month. And that often means in the evening, when they are driving home from work, taking the kids to football games, or going out with friends.

A clear, well-positioned outdoor sign that’s designed with the proper colors, materials, lettering, and a logo is always there to tell potential customers about your business. Such a building sign is one of the best investments you can make to effectively market your company.

Come to us and we’ll help you choose the size and placement that will best suit your business. Then you can choose what materials have the greatest appeal for you and your clients. Do you want a traditional sign built from HDU, metal, aluminum or another material? Perhaps a routed sign or even a rock sign – such as those built into rocks at the entryway to your business -- would better suit your style. What about a custom sign mounted out front by the street for maximum exposure?

Whatever you choose we have the expertise that turns your ideas into reality that will last for years to come.

Here in the Cleveland, signs endure a variety of weather conditions – from the heat and humidity of summer to the icy cold of winter. Our customers partner with us to design and create signs because they know we guide them toward the material, lettering and designs that will work best for their specific needs and with the zoning restrictions they face.

Don’t put off your exterior business sign any longer. Call or email us today to learn about options and decide what is right for you.

It’s difficult to believe fall is here and the holidays are around the corner.

This is a great time for your business, community organization or non-profit to bond with the Cleveland community whether it’s about public programs or your business’ offerings. The great news is it doesn’t take a huge outlay of cash or time to make a positive impact.

All you need is an exterior digital sign.

A few years ago, digital signs were strictly for large businesses but that’s all changed. Now smart organizations in Cleveland, Parma, Brooklyn, Rocky River and throughout the area are making the move to digital signage. And as the exterior signs and building signs have grown in popularity, their costs have decreased dramatically.

Liken digital signs to cell phones. Once they were strictly for the well moneyed. Today almost anyone who wants a cell phone can afford a great looking, sophisticated phone.

Digital signage is used in a host of environments including what RavePubs calls “gamificaiton,” such as in-store leader boards or even interactive games and the large display marketing signs you see in New York and other major cities.

But just because major players such as Apple and Ford Motor Co., use such signs doesn’t mean there aren’t ones that will work for your Cleveland-area business. Think of some of the digital signs you’ve seen at banks, churches and even community centers. The simple “Happy Holidays” greeting, simple notification of an event or shout outs to various members of the community are easy and well-received ways to show the public there are caring people inside your organization.

Sure you can use more rudimentary tools ranging from poster boards to vinyl signs but consider how difficult it is to read those as you drive through town. And now that the world has seemingly gone digital it only makes sense your signage should too. Otherwise you run the risk of conveying your business is dated or behind the times.

Whether you want to wish people Happy Holidays, alert them to sales or other events or highlight a community event, you’ll find a digital sign conveys the message in a modern, cost-effective way that doesn’t eat up staff time.

Call us today to discover how to put digital signs to work for you.

Signage tells your customers more than the words it spells out.

You’ve likely seen plenty around Cleveland that work very well – and some that don’t work at all.

The difference likely hinges on time, not cost. When business owners take the time to partner with professional designers and weigh options, the reward is signage that works.

Why is that important?

Think of Apple’s signage or its soon-to-be-laptop styled building and signage in Chicago. It tells everyone the company is modern, whimsical, cutting edge.

Or what about the signage for Whole Foods? The new digital signage they’ve adopted shows that they are not just concerned with informing their customers but extremely tech friendly – a very important element for millennial customers.

There’s no doubt that one of the most important decisions you can make for your North East, Ohio company is what signage will best represent it.

And that takes collaboration between you and the designer who will craft the signs for you. Signage looks simple, but savvy business people know that it’s artwork, the face of your company.

And there are plenty of options from which to choose that can best convey your written and visual message. But there are some stumbling blocks, especially with exterior signs.

Those often come in the form of local zoning. Your Cleveland, Ohio area community has laws that govern height, width, materials, lighting and even typeface of exterior signs. Some municipalities also restrict certain messages or words.

Work with a savvy sign designer and you’ll avoid the costly and time-consuming problems that arise when you inadvertently run afoul of zoning law.

Once you know what you’re allowed to have, the fun begins. That’s when our designer will introduce you to the array of options available. Color. Font. Spacing. Logos. Materials. Lighting. Do you want vinyl, dimensional or 3D lettering? Or something else?

What about placement? Have you decided where the sign will live?

There’s a world of signage that you look at every day as you drive around the Cleveland area, but it takes a professional to help you decide what will best market your company.

Sure, you can order ready-made, do-it-yourself signs. Every kid’s car wash has one. And of course yours would be better than that.

But don’t you deserve a building sign that really showcases your business? An excellent sign can answer dozens of questions for customers that they didn't know they had before they saw it. Again, think of Apple. Or Whole Foods. Or any of the businesses you frequent in the Cleveland area. Some signs work. Others don’t.

It's not difficult to choose and design a budget friendly effective signage, but it’s not a quick process. Consider that most people spend weeks mulling wedding invitations before they commit to a style, typeface and wordings. Your business deserves at least that much, if not more, consideration.

Now’s the time to think about the impression you want your company to make in the New Year. Set up an appointment now so we can partner with you to produce building signs you deserve.

The Milennials on your Cleveland area staff are among the employees that want to feel their workplace is home, reported Fast Company. Industry analysts say satisfying that desire by adding color, nature and other elements to your business signs and office walls, warehouses or other work spaces will make staff happier and aid in retention.

Clearly a stable workforce is vital for your North East, Ohio, business for many reasons including the cost of turnover, which the Society of HR Managers estimates is six to nine months of the employee’s annual salary, reported ZaneBenefits. That means it costs at least $20,000 to recruit and train an employee whose salary is $40,000 annually.

One of the easiest ways to do just that is to incorporate murals, 3D letters, and wall signs into your workplace. Employee lounges with murals of waterways, a mural on a conference room wall showing smiling people and even the company name and philosophy spelled out in vinyl, dimensional and 3D lettering are some of the options that can give your employees a feeling of home.

And don’t relegate artwork to employee-only areas. Murals in the lobby or entranceway to your business are a great way to tell visitors about your company whether with a modern font that echoes your style or words that reflect your company’s philosophy. 3D letters, lighted letters, dimensional letters and more spelling out words you choose such as “Honest,” “Responsive,” “Innovative” and “Fair” can’t help but have an impact on anyone who enters your workplace.

Now you’re likely wondering how to get started. At this stage, don’t worry about cost or installation time. Instead daydream a bit.

Take photos, print out web pages and otherwise capture the types of murals, letters and signs you find attractive and functional for your workplace.

Then talk to us. We will work with you to determine position, size, color and more. We’ll also discuss budget and installation timeframe to make sure it suits you.

Murals and lettering not only boost the visual appeal of your workplace, they save you expensive and time-consuming employee turnover – and make everyone who sees them calmer and more efficient.

And isn’t that what you really want?

We often get this question and it surprises people to hear that often times we need time for planning, permitting, fabrication and installation of building signs. We have found through experience, that a well executed sign installation is best done when we have been able to establish plans that all stakeholders will understand as we go through the proper detailed journey.

I admit, at times I get caught up trying to help potential clients when they are desperately trying to get a sign installed on a building within 3 weeks. I would love to help, but the reality is, exterior signs are usually large, heavy objects that require planning and informing the municipality. It simply does not happen quickly, I like to say it's usually a journey.

Planning

Planning is a combination of vision, budget, building style and city ordinance. We conduct surveys to come out and listen to your vision, measure the sign space, take photos, determine how the sign will mount to the building or ground, look up ordinance for size requirements and then we can provide a realistic quote.

Design

Here we provide a look into how the sign will look in position, size, and colors. The rendering may not be exact, but it does give a pretty good indication how it will look. We cannot generate a proof using the exact materials, but there are instances it can be done. We generally have materials on hand to show how signs are constructed and the color pallets and the materials. This is the stage we provide a detailed quote of the project.

Detailed Sign Plan

If the client likes what they see and are willing to move ahead with our work, we then add more detail to the plan, prepare city permit paper work, have an engineer develop stamped plans if required, and have the property owner and the client sign the plan.

Permitting

At this stage we head off to the city. Each municipality has their very own set of rules, procedures and forms. For a fee, we provide the forms, plans and attend meetings in order to secure the permit. There are cities around Cleveland that take 2 to 4 months and there are cities that take 3 days. The fastest we have ever secures a permit was 2 days.

Sign Fabrication

Depending on the product produces, this can take from 2 weeks up to 12 weeks. If thee project is complex, we may need to consult the client or an expert for help. This is rare, but the possibility exists. Weather could be an issue for delivery November through April.

Sign Installation

Finally we head out to the location with sign in hand! (or in the truck) This can easily be affected by weather but I am always impressed by the staff who head out in all kinds of inclement weather at high elevations to get the job done. This is also a point where we can find challenges do to unforeseen circumstances. Poorly constructed walls or poorly labeled wiring, etc..

Hopefully in can see that exterior building sign fabrication is a journey and we help through the entire process. At Epic Signs & Graphics, we provide knowledge and expertise to guide you to a successful installation. Call today for a free consultation!