Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

Since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA as it’s more commonly known, has been widely enforced in all public buildings. In fact, did you know that in Cuyahoga County, Ohio all ADA compliant signage is mandatory in both the interior and exterior of buildings as well as parking lots?  And, that if a sign identifies a permanent room or space in your facility it must also comply with ADA standards? Furthermore, certain standards apply to exit signs and signs that direct or inform about useable spaces in the building including anything pertaining to the site’s accessibility features.

Additionally, there are many regulatory signs which display codes and ordinances which could have additional requirements. However, when it comes to office signs, many folks are mistaken in their assumption that braille or raised lettering qualifies them as being code compliant.

It’s a given that you’re required to have these and other types of signs present at your business, so why not let the king of North East Ohio sign companies, Epic Signs & Graphics, secure all your ADA signage needs and help you navigate the world of compliance?

ADA Compliance Signage

While requirements are specific to interior and exterior spaces, some of common types can include:

• Particular size and/or character letter height
• A universal font and typeface or symbol
• Designated contrasting colors
• Ordinances that require a non-glare finish
• Mounting in specific locations.

In addition to the specifications listed above, we incorporate Grade II  braille to office signs identifying your restrooms, exits, stairways, elevators and areas with handicap access.

Beyond that, many inspectors require public buildings to properly display an emergency evacuation map (EVAC). This serves to safely direct people where to go in case of a building fire or other disaster.

Depending on local regulations, you may actually be required to display additional signage. The same is true of local codes based on where you are in the state of Ohio. Don’t leave it to chance, our experts at Epic Signs & Graphics can help you with your property ADA compliance.

Regulatory Signs

We also specialize in informational signs that appear in public buildings and parking areas including:

• No parking
• No loitering
• No skateboarding
• Tow-away zone
• Handicapped parking signs
• Private property
• No trespassing
• Handicap van accessible
• Customer parking only
• Speed limit signs
• Authorized parking
• Resident Parking Only
• Fire Access Lanes
• And more.

Our past clients include local and state governments as well as general contractors and architects, all of whom turned to us to ensure they were equipped with the proper regulatory signage. But it’s not only our expertise that draws them in.

Made Using Durable Materials

We use heavy-gauge aluminum which is not only durable enough to withstand Ohio’s most severe weather, but can also be lacquered with reflective paints which make the signs visible at night. We can also customize them or create regulatory signage in screen-printed, digital graphics or vinyl materials.

However, it’s not only during the permitting process that you’ll need to take signage under serious consideration. In fact, many city inspectors and/or local ADA personnel make audits on an annual basis to ensure facilities stay up to code. Save yourself the headache of having to explain a potentially costly penalty fee to your higher ups and call us to secure all your regulatory signage needs.

We proudly serve our customers in Cleveland, Parma, Parma Heights, Olmsted Falls, Middleburg Heights, Berea, Strongsville, Brookpark, Brooklyn, Old Brooklyn, Seven Hills, Independence, Lakewood, Fairview, Rocky River, and Bay Village Ohio. Be it federal, state or local codes, our highly trained professionals know how to secure ADA compliance. Don’t trust your building or exterior spaces to just anyone, the experts at Epic Signs & Graphics are standing by waiting to assist you!

Picture this: A patient is running a few minutes late for his appointment at your dental office and not only is he anxious about the impending procedure, he is unable to find suite numbers or company names listed anywhere. After much guesswork, when he finally does reach your office, your receptionist scolds him for being late and tells him that he must reschedule the appointment entirely. Because office signs for identifying suites and directory signs to show people the way were not clear or not available, it was not easy to locate your office. Will your customer be happy to re-schedule?

So much heartache could have been avoided in the scenario above if all businesses and professional offices in Cleveland, Ohio invested in directory and suite signs.

Affordable Way to Direct and Inform

But this isn’t solely true of medical professionals. Regardless of whether your organization is a school, law firm or apartment complex, your sign makes the first impression on any potential client or competitor. It is your “signature” and conveys information about your brand long before you ever make the sales pitch. A custom lobby sign is a great way to artfully represent your business, solidify branding and is often an inexpensive way to advertise.

At Epic Signs & Graphics, we are experts in crafting custom designs based on your branding strategy, and can breathe new life into any sign!

Our lobby signs are reasonable in price, and we fabricate office signs and ADA signs with quality materials. Depending on the factors involved we can install with custom frames or stand-offs and can even use double stick tape or double stick magnetic tape for updating plaques as needed, no fuss, no muss. For heavier signage, it’s easy to install studs behind the signs to ensure they are secure and our installation experts can hang all of your signs on your schedule.

Additionally, it is not uncommon for us to mount custom dimensional letters to a pre-installed background panel for a completely finished, high-style lobby sign. Lobby signs can include not just text in a variety of fonts but also your logo or graphics.

We’ve seen and done a little bit of everything over the years. Below are just a few of our favorite ways to get the most out of your directory or suite signs for Cleveland OH.

Best Uses

Our commercial sign company is adept at finding the best uses for directory and suite signs including:

• Large office complexes - Set yourself apart from the hundreds of other suites contained within the same venue.
• Office buildings - Imagine your sign or logo on doors, lobbies or reception areas advertising your business 24/7.
• Medical or dental complexes - Make it easy for patients to find your offices in time for their appointments and avoid scheduling mishaps.
• Schools - All the way from preschool to universities, show your school pride.
• Hospitals and laboratories - These areas can make consumers anxious. Why not make it as easy as possible to get around and find the correct room or lab?
• Imaging and X-ray offices - Whether dealing with broken bones or potential illnesses, being lost should be the last thing your clients have to worry about.
• Apartment complexes and leasing offices - Let us outfit your apartment complex with a uniform set of numbers.
• Community libraries and recreational centers - Did you know we can even incorporate braille? With Epic Signs & Graphics, we make sure your signs are in compliance!
• Gyms and co-ed physical fitness centers - As fun as it is to work out, many folks might not be totally comfortable showering or changing in front of the opposite sex. Our signs can help you designate gendered changing spaces.
• Banquet halls - Part of the fun of dining in a banquet hall is the name. Show yours proudly with a plaque or suite sign.
• Convention centers - Notoriously large and designed to house thousands of people at a time. Avoid any unnecessary confusion with our custom interior signs.

Custom office signs are well worth the investment. Especially if it helps to ease tension with your customers and effectively promotes your brand. Give us a call today or click on the action button below to obtain your free quote!

Since medieval Europe, innovative merchants convened to share their goods with the public using imaginative exhibits full of flair and the unusual. Keeping with this tradition, trade shows are now wildly popular among industries of all varieties.

Reasons You Need to Shine

Whether you’re looking to upsell an existing product, launch a new line, or increase your customer base, a trade show is just the stage on which to market your goods.

With holiday shows fast approaching and conference season right around the corner, now’s the time to start pricing and planning. Naturally, you’ll want to put your best foot forward, ensure those hard earned marketing dollars are put to good use and give your on the floor sales associates a leg up.

However with some venue spaces spanning 3,00,000+ square feet, can you really afford to get lost among a sea of competitors? The right mix of professional displays including show banners, displays, stands, and table covers is the sure-fire way to win attendees while standing out among your industry peers.

For those retailers, service providers and commercial building owners in the Cuyahoga County, Ohio area, Epic Signs & Graphics are the professionals to satisfy all your trade show needs. Just listen to all these unbeatable displays!

Top Portable Trade Show Displays

By using three or more of these popular displays, you’re sure to provide trade show attendees with a highly educational experience at your booth. Don’t know which combination to choose? Worry not. We can help you formulate the best combination to fully market your product!

• Floor graphics - Help conference attendees feel extra welcome with your logo at foot level. It sets the stage for brand reinforcement.
• Banner stands - Encourage a closer examination of your booth with enticing banner stands. Our experts will help you properly space them so as to draw attendees to your stand like a magnet.
• Table covers - Solidify your brand by stylishly promoting your logo and overall color scheme. We’ll be sure all printed words are consistent and appear in the same typeface as your signage.
• Pop-ups - Define the space for your booth with these diverse pop-ups. Whether you need them to serve as background on display tables or full pop-up tents with front or side walls, our pop-ups are sure to catch their glance.
• Panel systems – Promote or highlight a new product or put your best sellers on display with a stand-alone panel system. They create an easy-to-set-up backdrop for your display tables and demonstration areas.

Recommended Uses

Virtually all types of businesses benefit from displaying their products or services at a trade show. Here are just a few industries who are primed to take advantage of our custom displays:

• Retailers - Get new customers in the door by displaying the popular and new items you carry.
• Professional service providers - We recommend attorneys, accountants and notaries use imagery and text to explain why their services are crucial in today’s business environment.
• Skilled trades - Plumbers, electricians and contractors benefit tremendously from showcasing their expertise, displaying new product options and highlighting available services.
• Schools – Want to enroll new students by marketing to parents and older siblings? Preschools and elementary schools might choose to highlight art and mathematics programs that give children a competitive edge.

No matter your chosen trade, Ohio residents in and around the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County areas know quality when they see it. When you choose Epic Signs & Graphics as your portable trade show display provider, you’re making a bold statement that only the best will do.

Next time you’re planning a booth setup, trust the experts to help you with everything from making size adjustments to offering you sound advice on the best combinations of portable displays.

The typical trade show booth in the U.S. is about 10 ft X 10 ft. It’s a little space with big costs and even bigger potential revenue. Choose wisely or better yet, let us help you choose the perfect display products!

Introduce the sophistication and durability of metal plaques to your commercial or private property. Whether you intend to add some outdoor signage or plan on making the inside of your property pop, metal is the kind of material that delivers without fail. Epic Signs & Graphics has the metal plaques Cleveland business owners, professional organizations and nonprofits need!

Material Choices

Stainless steel offers supreme durability with the silver color that you have come to love. Opt for a brushed and polished finish. Since this material is easy to take care of, you have the option of using it for interior and exterior signs. In contrast, plated steel is useful for interior signs only. It may be black and feature silver or gold typeface for a striking contrast.

Brass is the type of metal that bespeaks sophistication. When you plan on placing these metal plaques outside, be sure to have our friendly graphic design artists add a lacquer for the protection of the material. Interior signs are easy to polish with material-specific cleaners. Other popular material choices are bronze and copper. While the former has a yellowish appearance, the latter features an attractive reddish hue.

Popular Outdoor Uses

Stakes are commonly used in park and nursery settings. They alert passersby to the names of flora and fauna. Even in the business setting, these stakes identify the company that takes pride in its landscaping and eco-friendly approach to using native plants around the building. Use them to expand on your commitment to environmental conservation.

When a business is confident in its longevity, it may be a good idea to express this confidence by choosing a metal address plaque. These plaques are made to outlast the lease on the building. Photo plaques are striking signage option for the business that wants to offer a bit of information about founders and important corporate personalities. Incorporate these kinds of signs in a landscape or mount them on the building itself.

Common Indoor Uses

Metal plaques are frequently seen indoors. They augment the interior decor of an office or store. For example, the coveted employee of the year award is usually mounted on coated walnut or bamboo. It features a sublimated image that displays the company’s name and logo. In contrast, employee of the month awards generally merit a plate on a perpetual plaque. Engraved on the plate are the names of the chosen employee and the date of presentation. Depending on the size of the plaque, there may be enough plates for a 12-month period or even longer.

By the way, interior plaques also come with photo options. Some offer a ready-made frame that allows you to simply slide in your picture. Some companies have also decided to use metal plaques for directional signs. This is usually the case when the interior decor is heavy on stainless steel or – conversely – relies on dark wood. It is interesting to note that metal plaques add strikingly beautiful accessory options for either design choice.

Keeping the Metal Plaques Clean

Cleaning metal plaques is easy. There are large numbers of home-made recipes that use salt, lemon wedges and baking soda as base materials. Others call for little more than mild dish soap and lukewarm water. Of course, the easiest cleaning options point to the material-specific cleansers that are currently on the market.

At Epic Signs & Graphics, we understand that you want to differentiate yourself from your competition with the types of signs that you put into your business. If you are a homeowner, we recognize that this type of signage identifies you as the kind of property owner who appreciates the finer things in life. In short, metal plaques and signs are distinctive in material choice and exquisite in graphic execution. Entrust us with your design needs today to create an appearance that is flawless.

The Black Friday signs Cleveland retailers need this season span both the inside and the outside of the location. In the past, excellent exterior signage was sufficient to generate foot traffic and get plenty of consumers into the door. This year, there are reports indicating that holiday shoppers are not as likely to part with their hard-earned dollars as they were last year. As your competitors get ready to get out their Black Friday signage, do not leave your foot traffic to chance. Better your odds of getting plenty of window shoppers by relying on a powerful one-two signage punch.

Outdoor Banners

Popular marketing message options to consider as holiday signs for Cleveland retailers this year are outdoor banners. They are durable, highly visible and attract attention because of their temporary nature. Temporary banners always signal consumers that there are special deals, products or services being offered by a retailer.

You have the added flexibility of putting them up or taking them down in a jiffy. For example, if you are advertising a two-hour sale on electronics, you can hang the banners early on but take them down when the two hours have elapsed. The experts at Epic Signs and Graphics suggest using colorful designs, your logo, typical signage typeface as well as customized graphics. This not only educates customers about your specials but also assists with overall brand recognition.

Indoor Banners

When it comes to interior Black Friday signs, Cleveland retailers cannot go wrong with smaller version of the exterior banners. Yet – anticipating the heightened foot traffic – it may be a good idea to also add some banners for directional purposes. Let visitors to the store know right away where you keep your one-day-only specials, your electronics and your sales section. This avoids a bottle neck at the door and keeps the flow of shoppers going at a good pace.

Indoor banners continue on the marketing conversation that you started with your outside signage. Expand on the deals, offer additional details and do not neglect to also offer additional specials. For instance, it never hurts to let customers know which products are commonly used to accessorize a good. If there is a very popular product that your customers will look for, be sure to let them know what other shoppers buying this item have also chosen to purchase.

Augmenting the Banners with Flags and Floor Graphics

Floor graphics are perfect for augmenting your banner message with branding information. Get your store name associated with popular brands, which will generate additional interest in your other products. If you are operating a relatively new store, putting down floor graphics of popular brands or products is a great way to bring in consumers who may be less likely to try something new. When they see ads for a product that they usually buy, they are more likely to enter your store in the hope of finding other already-known or experienced merchandise.

Flags are a great means of adding a festive atmosphere to your venue. When they blow in the breeze, the movement is also a perfect eye-catcher. Choose flags that are of the same color as your banners, logo or store colors. Imprint them with your logo, with pictures of popular products or leave them blank. Since Black Friday marks the official opener of the holiday shopping season, you might even want to hint at the Christmas holiday with a few well-placed candle, reindeer or Santa Claus graphics.

There is no doubt that the Black Friday holiday signs for Cleveland retailers must entice would-be buyers to head over to your retail location for a closer look. From there, the interior signs pick up the conversation and transform window shoppers into actual buyers. Make sure that you get your share of this year’s seasonal spending money the consumers are willing to part with. Talk to Epic Sign's graphic artists for more information on banners and additional signage.

Vehicle magnets are the types of mobile advertising solutions that are gaining in popularity. When your customer or client base is not located in the vicinity of your storefront, finding the right number of eyeballs to take in your marketing data is a crucial component of business success. Realtor vehicle magnets are a prime example for an ad campaign tool that works in and around the Cleveland area.

Cleveland Real Estate News

Overall, the Cleveland real estate market is finicky. The Plain Dealer has already reported that sales are up when compared to last year, but down when compared to last month. Condominium sales are heating up, which heightens the competition between real estate professionals. Another segment of the market that is doing well is the sale of pre-owned homes. To find listings, the professional must go out and court would-be sellers. Vehicle magnets for real estate agents are the best advertising tool possible.

Mobile Advertising Works

Epic Signs & Graphics realizes that vehicle magnets can easily become the bread and butter of your referral network.

• Frequent and consistent visibility. Wherever you go, your advertising material goes with you. When you are on the road showing homes to prospective buyers, your vehicle markets your services. As you are parked in front of a condo tower, other would-be sellers see you showing a unit and notice your name and contact information. Even if they are not yet ready to list their properties, seeing you in action might encourage them to call you – rather than a generic listing agent – when they are ready to make the move.
• Target all segments of the population. With high-ticket sales items – like real estate – it pays to get your marketing out to the broadest segment of the population. Positive interactions with members of the public may get these folks to pass on your information to friends or family members who are thinking of buying or selling a home. Therefore, realtor vehicle magnets do heavy lifting even while you are waiting at a red light, letting another car merge, pay for the customer behind you in the drive-through or wait politely at the crosswalk.
• Repetitive marketing gets results. If you take the same route to work every day, your vehicle magnet engages in repetitive advertising. Motorists and pedestrians who are also taking this regular route begin to notice your business name and contract information.

Getting the Most Out of Your Magnet

Working with seasoned graphic design artists on the creation of your vehicle magnet is crucial for best results. Why?

1. Color choice. The professionals will ask you about the color of your vehicle. You want your sign to pop but at the same time, you want it to be aesthetically pleasing. Choose a complementing color for best results.
2. Wording. Include too much information on your magnet, and the message will get lost in the minutiae. Limited by space, distance and the speed with which you pass by your target audience, rely on the advice of seasoned professionals to come up with the perfect jingle for your message.
3. Design. Include your logo in such a way that it conveys quite a bit of the message without taking up too much valuable space on the magnet. Experienced graphic artists can help you find the perfect design.

Vehicle magnets for real estate agents are excellent marketing tools for reaching future clients from all across Cleveland. Spread awareness of your business’ name, contact information and also brand awareness with the help of typeface and logo usage. You already know that the local real estate market is tough, and competition is fierce. Get an edge over the competition with this ingenious advertising tool.

In keeping with its motto of “progress and prosperity,” the City of Cleveland is growing by leaps and bounds. New lofts and apartment buildings are being built in downtown to attract a hip urban crowd. Home owners are adding on to their properties and expanding on the homes that they have simply outgrown. Inner city neighborhoods are undergoing a gentrification process that calls for new buildings, new building styles and plenty of renovation work. In short, contractors are in hot demand in this city.

So, do you get a lot of the phone calls that the competition is getting? Are you invited out to provide estimates for mid-sized and large jobs? If you are not sure – or if you know that the answer is not the one that you want to give – you might have a problem with your marketing. Adding vinyl truck lettering to your overall advertising approach may be able to turn the tide in your favor.

Getting Noticed Just for Being on the Job

Vinyl truck lettering for Cleveland contractors is the affordable and no-nonsense way of getting your company name noticed. When you pull up at a job site in the standard white work van or truck, you are just one of many contractors there. If you turn your work vehicle into a mobile billboard with vinyl truck lettering, you suddenly stand out from the crowd. Even after you leave for the day, the presence of your work vehicle is sure to have left an impression with nearby property owners. After all, you are going to be at the job site anyways; so, go ahead, and bring your marketing with you!

Durable and Long-lasting

Any type of marketing device must be durable if you want to get the biggest bang for the buck out of the ad material. In the past, vinyl lettering was not considered suitable for fitting into this category. With the advent of the latest innovations in vinyl technology, this perception is now changing.

Today’s truck lettering is fade and chip resistant. Park your work van out on the road, in the full sun or in the pouring rain; your vinyl lettering will not suffer. The adhesive is so strong that it resists peeling.

Affordable and Adaptable

When you call the friendly sign experts at Epic Signs & Graphics, we gladly discuss your options with you. After all, each Cleveland contractor business is different. What works forone business may not work for your company. For example, you may choose monochromatic vinyl lettering for a strong effect. When you want to tie this marketing tool into your already existing advertising media – monument signs, dimensional lettering or window graphics – it is always a good idea to choose similar colors to support brand awareness of your contractor business.

To further enhance this brand awareness, consider pairing your vinyl lettering with vehicle graphics. If you have a company logo or some work-related images that you use for ads in flyers, direct mailers or emails, we can add them to your truck’s exterior. Another choice is a combination of vinyl lettering and a partial wrap. The wrap greatly enhances the details of your graphics while the lettering communicates your company name and contact information.

When you are serious about getting noticed in the crowd, vinyl truck lettering for Cleveland contractors is an excellent choice. You stand out at the job sites, take your company name on the road for all to see and ensure that your fleet of work vehicles labors as hard as you do. Contact us today to explore the lettering options that most suit your needs. We can add lettering to just one work vehicle or outfit your entire fleet of vans or trucks.