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Epic Signs & Graphics Blog

School Signage Solutions

Posted by John Grigoli

Oct 15, 2020 11:45:00 AM

St. Raphael wall decalNavigating a school building is like finding your way through a maze. Whether you’re on a college campus or the grounds of an elementary school, it is so simple for anyone to get lost. It begins by locating the proper building, followed by figuring out parking and entrances, and then finally finding your way through endless hallways, alleys and staircases inside the structure to get to your destination. It can certainly be frustrating and it takes practice! But having clear signage inside and out of your school’s campus will help everyone get on the right path. Plus you can do it all while promoting school spirit!

 

Signage Needs in Schools

There are many instances when it’s important for a school to convey directions or a message to students, staff and guests.

 

  • Safety: This comes first on the list for a reason—everyone’s safety is of the upmost importance. In general, a lot of the direction in this category comes from state and local requirements and guidelines. But beyond signage for safety exits and evacuation plans, schools need signs for pedestrian traffic, school crossings and speed calming signs. Standard metal signs on stakes will help with many of these needs.
  • Exterior Directional: Beyond safety directions, there are many reasons a school will need other directional signage outside of the building. Signs are needed to direct traffic for carline pick-ups, bus pick-up/drop-off areas, and parking spot signs for visitors. For larger campuses, signs are often needed to direct drivers and delivery trucks toward popular buildings and areas of campus. Again, metal signs will work for these needs, as well as wooden post signs.

cuyahoga valley career center directional sign

 

  • Interior Directional: The maze continues! Not only will students need to find their way to your building, but inside as well. Directional signs help students find their way to certain wings of a building, a cluster of classrooms, the auditorium or gymnasium. But individual room signs are also necessary so students can find their specific classroom, a restroom or office.

interior signs for Cuyahoga Community College, west

 

  • Building Welcome: Is it clear to newcomers that they have indeed found the right building? It’s important for a building to have the school name attached to the outside of the building, as well as street signs welcoming people to the school. This is a sign that often gets overlooked. Schools are usually happy to just stick with what’s been there for decades. But having dimensional letters attached to the building with its name is important, as well as a street sign (which can be a standard sign, or electronic for announcing important upcoming events and due date reminders).

Lutheran East  school digital exterior sign


  • COIVD-19: The pandemic brings additional needs for signage—by showing the proper direction to walk to minimize crowding in halls and safety markers so students keep a safe distance in lunch lines and from the office desks. These can be done through vinyl wall and floor art, making them easily removable.

 

  • Team Spirit: Using signs to decorate and promote school unity and team spirit is definitely one of the more fun sides to school signage. Window clings are great for projecting a message as people enter your building (the clings are see-through from the inside), and creating colorful, promotional window posters for display cases also will get your message across. Vinyl wall panels can help brighten up a hallway and cheer on your students.

school window posters

 

Get an A+ for Proper School Signage

There are so many ways Epic Signs can help your school provide people with the directions they need and promote school spirit. Whether it’s through interior vinyl wall panels or exterior digital signage, we can help get your message across. 

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Topics: Custom Metal Plaques Cleveland, Vehicle Vinyl Lettering Cleveland,, Wall Stickers Cleveland, Vinyl floor graphics Cleveland, Epic Signs and Graphics Cleveland, Exterior Signs Cleveland, Vinyl Window Decal Posters Cleveland, Wall and Window Graphic Cleveland, Election Signs Cleveland, Exterior Letter Signs Northeast OH, Vinyl Window Decals Northeast OH, 3d Wall Letters, wall mural

Find Your Way with Proper Signage

Posted by John Grigoli

Oct 8, 2020 12:30:00 PM

visitor parkingWith all the technology we easily have at our fingertips these days, even if a person happens to get lost, it’s so simple for them to find their way. Google Maps, Waze, MapQuest … all these directional apps can help someone get where they need to go. But once a traveler arrives at their destination, there are times when they need specific directions within and around a business. Having proper directional signage can save a lot of time and confusion, making for a smoother visit.

 

Times When Directional Signs are Needed

When a person arrives at your business for the first time, regardless of if it’s a new employee, a delivery person, a prospect, visitor or client, there are times when having directional signage can help them know where to go. For example:

  • Delivery vehicles come from all over the country to deliver supplies and products. A lot of times, they arrive at places they’ve never been before. So if it’s a large truck arriving at your location with a large cargo, a sign directing them to the proper door or loading dock can make driving, parking and unloading that large vehicle a lot simpler.
  • On a smaller scale, for individuals in their car, if your business shares a large lot with others, it can help if there is signage pointing a driver toward parking, as well as even having parking spot signs exclusive to your visitors. It makes for a friendly welcome!
parking sign
  • Once inside your building, safety signs are the most important signs to have (plus they're required), directing people to safety and emergency exits. It’s important they have clear directions and are placed in crucial spots (your local Fire Marshall can direct you where they should be put).
  • If you have a large business with multiple offices and rooms, signs that direct visitors toward groups of office numbers and restrooms can minimize confusion and help them get where they need to go on time.
pointing the way
  • With COVID-19 continuing to wreak havoc across the nation, having signage to direct traffic flow through heavy-traveled areas is important, as well having signage to encourage people to keep a safe distance from others waiting in line or from your front welcome desk.

foot prints

Signage Suggestions

Once you’ve identified what directional signage your business requires, you’ll then need to consider a few things—budget, design and communication. It’s important your signs clearly communicate where you want people to go, while staying on-brand and within budget. At Epic Signs & Graphics, we have the design expertise to help you communicate your message, as well as so many options to help you fulfill all your directional signage needs.

 

For exterior signage, we have simple, low-budget options like yard signs and banners, as well as more permanent options like metal or woods signs on stakes or posts. For interior directions, vinyl wall or floor art can easily adhere to almost any surface. Window clings and artwork are also another way to direct traffic. But for something more substantial, we have the capabilities to create plastic, metal or wood wall signs if that’s what you prefer.

 

So whether you’re directing traffic, helping visitors with parking, or pointing clients toward your office, having clear directions is so helpful—and your guests will appreciate it. We can help them get there ... easily!

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Topics: Custom wall graphics Cleveland, Exterior Directional Signage Cleveland,, Parking Lot Signs Cleveland,, Vinyl floor graphics Cleveland, Post and Panel Signs Cleveland, Exterior Signs Cleveland, Vinyl Window Decal Posters Cleveland, Vinyl Window Decals Northeast OH

Why Good Building Signage is More Critical Than Ever

Posted by John Grigoli

Sep 17, 2020 11:30:00 AM

For Sale signs, windows boarded up, landscape not kept up with… This is a familiar scene across America right now as we continue to face a global pandemic and a major recession. In fact, according to the Washington Post, over 100,000 small businesses have closed since March. With small businesses closing left and right, if your business is still going strong, it’s important to project stability to your customers and prospects. It’s also critical to let people know, “Yes, you are open!” so they don’t pass you by. One way to do this is by having effective business signage.

Ground Sign

Here’s the Math: It’s Affordable

Many businesses are being careful with their spending right now. But those businesses that continue to invest in themselves are the ones who will step ahead of their conservative competitors. They are the ones people are seeing and hearing!

 

Example: Let’s make a conservative estimate that 10,000 vehicles pass your business every day (that’s the average for a moderate to low traffic area). And a newspaper ad in the Plain Dealer has the possibility of reaching 125,000 readers in a day. Divide 125,000 by 10,000, and you will find that the sign reaches the same value as the paper ad within 12.5 days. Signs last much longer than that, of course, so you can expect the cost per impression to be quite low over time. Plus, the business sign does something the ad does not do: It delivers multiple impressions to your potential client base. This helps build your brand recognition.

 

Good Signs are a Sign of Good Business

So how can you update your exterior marketing without breaking the bank? We have some ideas! Are you more likely to check out a business with outdated or home-printed signs or one with modern graphics clearly more recently applied? Fresh signage builds trust! Here are some low-cost signage updates you can consider:

 

  • Window Signage: By applying full-color perforated window graphics to your store front windows, it not only makes a statement, but it provides additional marketing space and can be see-thru on the inside.

 veterans commision window graphics

  • Yard Signs: Remind passers-by you’re here and in business with simple signs on the street. Use them to highlight features like drive-thru availability.

 

  • Banners: If you’re adding a new service or changing a service in a lasting way, share and promote it with banners in front of your building or on the nearby roadways.

 Window Graphic

Signs are Simple, Effective & Affordable

We are living in an odd time. There are so many places going out of business, so it’s your duty to make sure your customers and prospects know you’re still there for them. Drive by your business and assess where you can do a better job of showing off your business. Then let us help you figure out the sign that best accomplish your goals.

Contact Us!

 

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Topics: Exterior Signs for Delis and Restaurants Parma, Vinyl Window Graphics Cleveland, Banners and Signs Parma OH, Epic Signs and Graphics Cleveland, Outdoor Signs Cleveland, Vinyl Window Decal Posters Cleveland, Exterior Letter Signs Northeast OH, Vinyl Window Decals Northeast OH

Promote Safety While Staying on Brand with Vinyl Decals

Posted by John Grigoli

Aug 20, 2020 12:18:00 PM

foot traffic

Whether it’s practicing social distancing, increasing the use of sanitizer wipes, or wearing masks, the importance of safety in a business setting is something we all face on a daily basis these days. It’s important to communicate to anyone entering your place of business the safety requirements and precautions you’re taking during these unprecedented times. Vinyl decals are a great way to provide the signage you need.

 

The Importance of Clear Signage

It’s important your visuals clearly communicate with your visitors. Sure, anyone can grab a piece of paper and tape it to the window, or slap masking tape on the floor. But it a) won’t look professional, b) won’t represent your brand, and c) can be unclear. Visitors can be confused about where to go or what requirements are involved once they enter your business. By applying window decals and vinyl decals throughout your workplace, you’ll make it clear you’re taking the situation seriously and they can feel safe entering your business.

 

Vinyl Sign Usage

There are many ways you can use vinyl decals and window vinyl decals to communicate with people who come to your business.

 

1) Directional Signs

In these COVID times, it’s so important to communicate where people should go. Many businesses are required to have different entrances and exits of their facility. Also, they need to be able direct the flow of traffic in order to minimize contact with others, as well as show where pick-up areas are. Vinyl signage is great for this because it can easily be applied to any window, wall or flooring to make the pathway clear for your visitors.

EPIC-Signs-and-Graphics_Interior-Signs-Signage_(43)

 

2) Social Distancing

It’s important to keep your distance while waiting in line, whether it be to check in at the front desk or checkout counter. Having a big duct-tape X on the floor isn’t very appealing. But with vinyl decals, they’ll not only look professional, but won’t peel up like tape will. They stay put!

 

3) Mask Wearing Requirements

It’s important to remind people to wear their mask before entering a building. By having a vinyl window decal communicating this, you’ll avoid the uncomfortable conversation of having to ask them to leave. They’ll clearly see it’s required before walking in.

 

4) Enhance Your Barriers

In many restaurants and beauty salons, they now have clear, vinyl barriers put up between patrons. But you can make them more attractive with decorative signage applied to those barriers, or use a frosted decal to provide more privacy between guests.

Frosted_Glass_1

 

It's important to visually communicate how safe your business is--and Epic Signs & Graphics can help you. Keeping everyone safe is important to us, too!

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Topics: Vinyl Window Decal Posters Cleveland, Frosted Vinyl Door Graphics Cleveland, Vinyl Window Graphics OH, Vinyl Window Decals Northeast OH

Address Customer Concerns with Smart COVID Signage

Posted by John Grigoli

Jul 23, 2020 12:19:40 PM

Because we've never experienced something like COVID-19, there is no instruction manual for us to refer to for how to operate our businesses right now. Mask suggestions turn to mandates and back again, operating hours may be different, store capacity is limited to this or that, aisles might be one-way or both ways... it's all very confusing for customers, especially when it's written on a single sheet of paper taped to a window. To ensure your customers feel comfortable and protected, use smart signage outside and inside your place of business. Here are a few examples. 

Outdoor Business Signs

Without regular foot traffic, businesses that are a little off the beaten path may take a hit. Putting a few yard signs along the nearest road or around the edge of the parking lot is a great way to remind folks driving by that you are there and open!

Storefont Graphics

Vinyl Graphic Entryway Signage

I've seen plenty of signs that are hand written or typed but in a 12 point font. Customers are going to breeze right by those, meaning they won't be following your rules. Make it clear what a customer can expect using vinyl window graphics on your storefront. A mask policy, capacity limit, directional instructions, and anything else they may need to know before entering should be displayed clearly and legibly.

IMG_0640

Directional Signage 

Once they're inside, directional signs can be useful to help them find what they need quickly.

directional signage

If you have aisles and you'd prefer traffic to go one way to keep things flowing, and limit congestion, consider vinyl graphics on the floor. There are lots of great ways to execute this, from the simple arrows, to something a little more fun. Check out the installation we tested at our own office below.

vinyl window decals

Also consider simple reminders to stay six feet apart.

social distancing graphics

Keep Customers Informed with COVID Signage

It's possible that we may be adjusting the way we do business for awhile. Take the time to ensure your customers are informed while also staying on brand with custom signage throughout your business. Not sure where to start?

Contact Us!

 

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Topics: Vinyl Window Graphics Cleveland, Vinyl Window Decal Posters Cleveland, Vinyl Graphic Lobby Signs Cleveland, Vinyl Door Graphics Northeast OH

US Nail & Hair Salon Advertises with Vinyl Window Decal Posters in Cleveland!

Posted by John Grigoli

Aug 26, 2014 7:00:00 AM

Take a look at the Yellow Pages, either the big old paper book or online. Look up Salons. You will see that in Cleveland alone there are hundreds of different types of salons offering an array of services. Passersby may see your salon as they perform their daily tasks, but without nail salon window graphics in Cleveland, they will not know exactly what services you offer.

US Nail & Hair Salon recognized the need to get the word out that they were more than just a hair and nail salon, so they contacted Epic Signs & Graphics to help them with window signs.

A Little About Our Client

US Nail & Hair Salon is located on Fulton Road in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood. They specialize in nail care, including manicures and pedicures. But, they also provide much more, such as massages, facials, bikini waxes, highlights, and more. They have been keeping Cleveland area patrons looking and feeling great for many years.

 

Whenever a local business comes to us for new signage, we love to help. We believe quality signage can help any enterprise, and we like to improve the local business community. US Nail is located in a strip mall that gets a lot of foot traffic. They came to us looking for a way to let these pedestrians know about their complete menu of services.

US Nail was working on a tight budget, so we recommended vinyl posters for their windows. Vinyl is currently one of the most popular materials in the signage industry due to its versatility. For US Nail, we created three custom nail salon decal posters for Cleveland. One advertised their gift certificates, another gave the pricing for their popular nail services, and the third sign listed their services.

US Nail was ecstatic with the finished product and have experienced an uptick in business since the posters were installed.

Window Graphics for Your Business

If you are looking to enhance the glass on your doors, storefront, or office windows, then window graphics are the ideal choice for advertising, informing your customers, and decorating. It is pretty boring just having bare, unused window space. Many companies turn to online retailers for generic decals or stickers. However, they have less of an impact, and you are forced to install these on your own.

Window graphics and vinyl decals Cleveland

Epic Signs & Graphics uses vinyl from the foremost manufacturers, 3M, Avery, and Oracal. We have an endless array of colors and can precisely match your business’s colors to keep branding consistent. We can place graphics, messages, and text directly on the windows of your storefront. Best of all, we install these graphics (or change them out) in minutes. Vinyl window decals can be used to:

  • Announce your retail store’s business hours
  • Promote specific services or products
  • Make windows pop with stunning graphics of all sizes and shapes
  • Publicize huge discount days and sales
  • Create seasonal displays

If you would like to convert your storefront windows into attractive sales conversion powerhouses, contact Epic Signs & Graphics today!

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Topics: Vinyl Window Graphics Cleveland, Epic Signs and Graphics Cleveland, Vinyl Window Decal Posters Cleveland

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We provide your organization solutions for a memorable impression whether it is an event, trade show, vehicle graphic, lobby sign and more.

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