Matt Medel, Author at Super Cheap Signs

Color Combinations for Yard Signs

Matt Medel February 7, 2012 0Comment

Have your ever walked by yard signs for a business and completely ignored them because you couldn’t read what it said? All of us have done it, and you think to yourself, “Why even have the sign up?” Unfortunately the reason you are unable to read the signs is simply because the color combination is just not a match made in heaven. Even though the rainbow is beautiful and has all the colors under the sun, one should not think their sign should appear as a rainbow. We always get asked by customers what are the best color combinations for business yard signs or campaign signs. We have compiled a list of the good, the bad and the ugly. The main thing to ask yourself when picking colors is what would look good together at a distance of ten feet or more? If you know at that distance light green and yellow will blur together, it’s best to go in a different direction.

Below we have screen printing color combinations that will make your customers stop and read and others that will have them just walking on past.

Good:

Blue and yellow on white material
Red and blue ink together
One single ink color on white material
Good Primary Ink colors: Navy Blue, Blue, Forest Green, Green, Burnt Orange, Orange, Red, Maroon, Purple, Brown, Black
Good Contrast Ink colors: light blue, teal, light green, yellow, pink, grey, white(only an ink color on yellow material. Doesn’t cost extra on white material)

Bad:

Pink on yellow material
Light green on yellow material
Purple on yellow material
Navy Blue on Black inks on any material
Purple on Black inks on any material
Forest green on black inks
Light blue as primary ink color (supposed to be a contrast color)

On your next purchase of yard signs keep these color combinations in mind and see if you get different results. You may just see a perk in sales just from your selection of colors.

Be Easy To Find: Business Cards and Business Card Magnets

Matt Medel July 26, 2011 0Comment

You know the drill: you’ve looked everywhere for that scrap of paper where you jotted down an all-important phone number. If only you’d programmed it into your phone. Oh, how frustrating…

Not if you have a business card magnet…

Business card magnets are perfect for home or office. Your customers will probably stick the magnet on their refrigerator door, which means when it’s time to call the vet, the hair stylist, the personal chef service, or any business that delivers to the home, your contact information is right there.

Business card magnets also serve as a reminder to use your service. Your potential customer might be stuck on the exact name of your company, yet be thinking, “Gee, it would be great to see if that family catering place could come up with a creative spread for our family picnic.” On the other hand, if there’s a business card magnet on the fridge or filing cabinet, they’ll be on the phone with you, pronto.

And Business car magnets go hand-in-glove with printed business cards. These days, when websites are becoming as de rigeur as cell phones, it’s easy to overlook a paper promotional product. Yet the best way to help someone you meet at a networking event remember your website is to give them a business card.

While some companies offer standard business card templates, our business card are custom designed, so your card will be as unique as your company. Why blend in when it’s much more beneficial to stand out?

So get your customized business cards and business card magnets- and get more business!

Visit our website today! www.supercheapsigns.com

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Follow The Signs To Sell Your Home

Matt Medel March 21, 2011 0Comment

Real Estate Sign Basics

Whether you’re selling your home yourself or through a real estate agent or broker, one of the first steps is placing a sign in your yard to show that the home is for sale. If you’re selling your home on your own, your real estate sign will say, “For Sale by Owner.” More commonly, however, are real estate signs that state the house is being sold through a broker or agent. In this case, the sign depicts the real estate company’s logo and the agent’s name and contact information.

The Right Direction

Like Dorothy and her Oz-bound companions, you want to point prospective buyers in the right direction. Directional signs are popular on weekends, when the bulk of home shoppers turn out in search of their new abode. Directional signs are placed at intersections to indicate a house that’s for sale up the block.

By the same token, if you live on a remote country property, a directional sign can signal a lovely home for sale a few miles up ahead.

Also, consider where your home is situated in relation to the strategic placement of your real estate yard signs. If you’re in the middle of a block, a single front lawn sign will be visible from either direction. If you have a corner lot, it makes sense to place signage on both streets to reach all prospective buyers as they drive past.

Quality and Content

Durable aluminum signs make the best real estate signs, because they hold up in all kinds of weather. And if your home doesn’t sell right away — or if you have a change of heart and decide not to sell for the time being — an aluminum sign will last for years.

If you’re creating your own real estate sign, make it attractive yet simple: use no more than two colors, such as red on white, which is easy to read and professional in appearance. And be sure to include a contact phone number in boldface.

Yard Signs, Online Tours and Ads, Oh My!

Finally, remember that today real estate agents can usually create a virtual tour of your home, so potential buyers can view your house online. Combining a traditional newspaper ad and virtual tour with real estate yard signs can lead prospects rapidly down the road to your successful home sale.

How to Install Vinyl Lettering

Matt Medel March 2, 2011 0Comment

Vinyl lettering can be the perfect way to add a professional look to your business while driving traffic. However, the only way it’ll look professional and bring in new customers is if it is installed correctly. You’re probably reading this article because you have already ordered some vinyl lettering and are just now trying to figure it out how you get it from the box it was delivered in to your storefront window. This guide is here to help you with the installation of the vinyl lettering so that you can quickly get that lettering working for you.

Step 1) Be sure to clean the surface you wish to apply the lettering to. If this surface is a window outside, let it warm up a bit in the sunlight. It’s preferable to have a warm surface for the decals to mount on.

Step 2) Position the lettering on the surface and tape the sides down so you have an idea of what it will look like. Measure and make sure the lettering is straight and in the right place. Check twice! Or even three times!

Step 3) Place masking tape only on the top half of the lettering so you have a way to lift the letters off the wall without losing their position.

Step 4) Cut every letter apart so they each have their own hinge. This way you can install one letter at a time and check your progress along the way

Step 5) Apply fluid and spray the adhesive on the decal.

Step 6) Let a squeegee be the only contact that applies pressure to the lettering adhesive

Step 7) Slowly pull back the application material and check for air bubbles.

Now you can sit back, relax and admire your handy work! Try to maintain your lettering by keeping the window clean on both sides. Preventing dust particles from getting under the lettering will extend the life of it. But do try not to scrub at the lettering. This will only lift the edges off the window and create curling.

Lawn Signs: Making an Impact

Matt Medel December 27, 2010 0Comment

There are many different ways that you can promote your business. Marketing campaigns come in all shapes and sizes, no matter what you might need. One of the most affordable and effective marketing tools available is the use of lawn signs to advertise your business. There are a variety of sizes and designs to choose from, letting you determine exactly how you make an impact with your signs.

Lawn signs are a great way to promote a new business, inform people of specials and sales going on, and to get visibility for many other purposes. You are probably used to seeing these signs during election season. However, they have many more uses beyond that. It’s all about finding what they can do for you.

The most common yard signs are made of a hard, durable plastic that is able to withstand the elements. Of course, there are lighter bag-style signs that are stretched over wire sign holders to provide a more affordable or flexible style of advertising. It doesn’t matter which signs you choose to work with, because they just need to work for your specific needs. There is no point in spending money on something that won’t last, so make sure that you choose signs that will hold out over time.

When you’re just starting out, these signs can help you build your brand. People will see your signs and remember your business as the place to go when they need products or services that you offer. As time goes on, you can continue to benefit from yard signs. You can use them to promote new services or products, advertise deals and specials, and let people know what’s going on in your business.

You can place the signs in the yard of your business, at your home, at homes of people in the community, and even along busy roads and intersections to get people interested in your business. If you have an event going on, these signs will be helpful in promotion, as well. A newspaper ad is only seen by people who read the paper. However, if you put a lawn sign in a place that most people drive by regularly, you’ll get much more visibility.

Finding the best marketing campaigns and tools for your business is the goal here. If you want affordable marketing ideas that provide better success rates for less money, you should consider lawn signs. It doesn’t matter whether your business is big or small, or what type of marketing you are trying to accomplish. Whether you use the signs in a specific location or for a certain event, they will be effective in many different situations.

Time for a Grand Reopening

Matt Medel December 22, 2010 0Comment

If business is stagnant and needs a refresh, consider a grand reopening to reboot your business. Change the look and feel of your business and reinvent what you already do. Change the interiors, update them with the new style, remodel your lobbies, and take a look at adding new services. A change of pace might be all that’s needed to invigorate an aging business. If you’re in the restaurant business, you might need to refresh the menu and add some new items that the customers might be craving.

If you’re considering a grand re-opening you’re going to want to consider how you’ll inform the public that already knows you’re there or has forgotten. Word won’t get around that an already established business is reopening its doors. A new store sign that’s refreshed for the times will help but if people aren’t looking for a redesigned store, they won’t find it. A good way to initially advertise the grand reopening is by using vinyl banners outside the business to announce the news. Banners are large and are nearly impossible to miss. Every store in a strip mall will have a sign that’s similar looking. Not everyone has an eye-popping vividly color banner. Draw attention with the banner so people know you are there.

Additionally, you can use lawn and yard signs to advertise in the surrounding areas. Place your lawn signs near the intersections with all the hustle and bustle, and place them near your place of business so that at the very least, drivers that see the sign might turn for a second to see what’s going on at your store. They might notice the new changes and be interested in coming for a later visit. Be sure to reach as many people as possible with the new signs and banners. Use your signage to briefly explain what changes have been made. New Menu Items? Tell them! New services? Tell them!

Refresh your business, attract attention, and build a new customer base. Those are the key steps to invigorate your business.

Bandit Signs: Making a “Stand”

Matt Medel December 6, 2010 0Comment

Elevate Your Outdoor Advertising: Modern Solutions for Displaying Bandit Signs

In today’s marketing landscape, visibility is key. Whether you’re drumming up attention for a local event, promoting a real estate venture, or rallying support for a cause, bandit signs can be a powerful tool in your promotional arsenal. But how do you ensure these signs stand out and comply with local regulations? Explore three contemporary and effective methods for displaying your bandit signs:

1. Metal H-Wires: The Durable Choice

For a sturdy and reliable option, metal H-wires, also known as wire stakes, are your go-to. Available in various sizes, including large H-wires for bigger signs and smaller half-wires for compact displays, these stakes are designed for easy installation. The H-wire’s design allows you to slide the top part through the flutes—corrugated plastic slats—of your bandit sign, securing it firmly in place. Then, anchor the sign by pushing the stake’s bottom into the ground. Choose from regular or heavy-duty H-wires to match your durability needs.

2. Wooden Stakes: The Eco-Friendly Alternative

Prefer a more natural look? Wooden stakes offer an eco-friendly solution for sign placement. This method involves driving a wooden stake into the ground and attaching the sign to the upper portion using staples or nails. While this option might require more effort and may not be as stable in certain soil types, it’s an economical choice suitable for softer terrains. Wooden stakes blend seamlessly into natural settings, making them ideal for community gardens, parks, and rural areas.

3. Sign Staplers: The Versatile Option

For maximum flexibility, consider using a sign stapler or staple gun. This method allows you to affix your bandit signs to existing wooden structures, such as trees or utility posts. However, it’s important to exercise caution and respect for property and local laws; attaching signs to telephone poles or other utility structures is often prohibited and can damage property. Always seek permission if using public or private structures to display your signs.

Making an Impact with Responsible Sign Placement

Once you’ve chosen the best display method for your bandit signs, it’s time to strategize their placement for maximum visibility while respecting community standards and legal guidelines. Effective sign placement not only captures the attention of your target audience but also demonstrates your commitment to responsible advertising practices.

Remember, the effectiveness of your outdoor advertising campaign hinges not just on the message you’re broadcasting, but on how and where you choose to display it. By selecting the right method for your bandit signs, you’re setting the stage for a successful and impactful promotion.

Signage Recipe: Cooking up Effective Banners and Signs

Matt Medel November 30, 2010 0Comment

Ok, so what in the world do I mean by “signage recipe?” I can already hear you thinking that I have gone right off my rocker. But this is a very effective analogy when you get right down to it. Having that perfect recipe for cooking is the goal of chefs around the world. Obviously because this is the only way of making customers remember them and hit sales. Now, let’s relate that to advertising: a perfect recipe is also needed when coming up with advertising campaigns in order to catch the taste of consumers and get their support for your product.

Your experience may tell you that in order to have an effective banner or sign you have to follow a lot of solid principles that most graphic designers use to create attractive, high impact custom signage that will help you yield the greatest return on your advertising expense. This is true most of the time because they are the experts. Some entrepreneurs spend their money just to get the experts’ advice. However, with a few tips you can save some of that expense and get straight to creating that special sign recipe that will have clients wanting more.

You need to meet with your colleagues to discuss exactly what you want to display on your banners and signs because just one missing ingredient can have a negative effect. You want to be as clear and concise in as little space as possible because the majority of people are either driving by at speeds that demand their full attention (meaning you get just that two second glance to make your impression), or they already have their own goals and objectives in mind when they glance over and you want to create enough lure to make them stop and take notice. A jumble of words will have them walking on pretty quick or turning their attention back to the street.
Custom Sale Banners We all know about IM and text messages. We also (most of us) have joined one or two (maybe more) social networks online. Etiquette says that all capital letters means you are yelling. While yelling might be what you want sometimes (come on, admit it…) yelling at customers is not one of those times. When creating that special recipe for your banners and signs, do not use all capital letters. Contrary to popular belief, this does not make you message stand out more. Mixing upper and lower case text is friendlier to the eye and has been scientifically proven in visual tests to be more legible. You may have thought (or used?) that using those capitals would a great attention grabber when it can actually have a very negative impact. Remember your manners and who you are. Be polite. Don’t yell. You are not desperate so don’t give that impression!

Be careful when choosing the text font for your message. Don’t overdo the text in an attempt to stand out from the crowd. To maximize legibility of your text use an easy-to-read text. In addition, do not use more than two different type faces in one banner or sign. This is also irritating to the eye and can have people turning away before they ever get your message!

That perfect dish can be a mouth watering delight or it can be a savory hint of flavor and spice. When it comes to cooking, less tends to be better. Too much spice can bury the flavor of the dish. The same applies to advertising. The general rule of thumb is the fewer words the better. This is because you don’t want to jumble your message with a lot of meaningless chatter; doing this will simply make your message a hodge podge and the meaning will be utterly lost on your audience. Fewer words will make it easier for people to retain the message you want to convey. Another key thing to remember: the less you say the easier it is to remember later!

When cooking, “HOT” spices generally have a red label, mild spices tend to have yellow or pastel labels (go on, go check the spice rack…), and bolder spices – those packed with stand out taste – have a lot of black, yellow, white and red in their labels. Have you ever wondered why? No? Well… you should! Color says a lot. You can say SALE in bright red words with a white background and you have just caught the attention of about half the population. Saying Sale in big black letters on a red background will not have the same effect because it appears too aggressive. Your color scheme is just as important as your message.

To make a perfect sign recipe, use a subtle blend of simplicity, color and appeal. Stir gently and serve!

Turn Your Car Into An Advertising Machine

Matt Medel November 19, 2010 0Comment

Company cars cost a business a lot of money over their lifetime. There’s the initial purchase, the registration and insurance, the gasoline, and the cost of repairs and maintenance. Naturally a company should try to get every bit of utility out of a big investment like a vehicle. The best way to start adding some value to a company vehicle is to start turning it into an advertising machine. If you have a company car and are looking to turn it into a moving billboard, here’s a guide to help you.

First of all, if you’re willing to make some permanent changes to the look of your vehicle, you might want to consider using vinyl decals and lettering on the body of your car. They’re professional looking and can be big and easy to read. The only downside is that they’re fairly permanent and can’t be taken off and put back on. If you do plan on going this route make sure your car’s color will work with the vinyl decals and lettering you choose. For a simple example, white lettering on a white or silver car is going to be very hard to read.

If you’re not willing to permanently change the appearance of your vehicle you can also look into car magnets. These custom magnets can feature your business logo, address, and phone number. To boot these magnets can be removed and replaced just as easy as well….a magnet! So if you ever decide to sell your company car or want to change the look later, the magnets won’t mar the appearance.

Depending on your situation, you might want to go with either of these options or even both. Maybe you permanently want the truck to have contact information for the business, but would like a magnet that has the driver’s contact information on it. That way each driver can switch out the information. Which route to take is up to you.

Construction Signage: Multiple Density Overlay

Matt Medel September 20, 2010 0Comment

MDO is a hybrid material made for outdoor applications such as sign painting. It has a core of 5 or 7-ply plywood that is manufactured using moisture resistant resins and bonding agents between the ply’s.

MDO, or construction signs as they are more commonly referred to, are the most versatile of all the signage. MDO signs are very popular in situations where longevity is important. The most common application for an MDO sign is as a jobsite sign or an entrance sign where cost is of moderate concern. One of the most time-honored materials used for today’s signage, MDO (medium density overlay) signs are plywood laminates with a very smooth finish. One of the most versatile materials available, MDO signs can be seen at businesses, churches, schools, construction sites, billboards, and just about any other place one can think of. MDO signs carry a clear message and deliver the structural properties required of large signs.

MDO plywood is a treated wood that has special paper that is impregnated with resin on either one or two sides. This creates an ideal surface for paint and vinyl application, and makes for an incredibly strong sign that will last a long time. This material is ideal for the outdoors and is widely used for signs in 1/2″ or 3/4″ thickness. Also called Crezon, it is covered with a bonded layer of a stiff paper product providing for a smooth, longer lasting surface. It is then primed & painted and ready for vinyl application.

MDO surface overlay is generally opaque and smooth. The surface veneer is typically wood-toned color but other colors are also available. Manufacturers offer textured and factory-primed MDO plywood that is well-suited for siding applications (in homes) and painted signs. MDO plywood is chemical-resistant (it resists benzene, chloroform, methyl alcohol and acetone), weather-resistant and wear-resistant.

The MDO sign is a very common sign company product used for site signs, heavy duty exterior displays and main organization signs for long term exterior life. MDO Plywood signs are rigid and durable. They are primarily used for signs that need extra strength and are semi-permanent. They are great for real estate or construction applications.

Long lasting durability make construction signs one of the most cost effective solutions to your signage needs. Not only are you getting a product that will be a never ending salesman, but you are getting one that can, like the mail man, provide potential customers with your information through snow, rain, heat and gloom of night for years and years to come!

Matt Medel