After all my years in the sign making industry, there’s one thing that stands out among all others when determining the worth of a sign maker. In this blog, I explain to you what that is, along with 4 other key aspects. Plus, we look at 3 types of commercial signage you may not be aware of.
So, you’re in the market for a Melbourne sign maker. These days, Google makes it easy to find a business near you that does what you need – but how do you know if they do it well?
Your commercial signage is an investment. It’s advertising, and you want to make sure it brings in the business you need to make it worthwhile. I’ve been designing and creating all types of signage in Melbourne for over a decade. I’ve worked with clients from a wide variety of industries, small businesses, big business and government departments. I’ve seen what works and I’ve seen the pitfalls that many fall victim to when looking for signage companies.
Here’s how to find a capable and reputable sign company for your corporate signage needs.
5 Tips When Looking for Commercial Signage in Melbourne
- The right experience and capability.
This is an obvious one, but important. You want to go with a sign maker who has worked with businesses similar to yours – a sign maker who knows your industry and what can work within your budget. Whether you’re a big business, small business or even a council, look for evidence that they’ve worked with similar clients to you.
If you’re a larger business, you want a sign writer with the capability to design and manufacture large scale products with the technology and skill to create a range of effects – edge lit products, LED neon, 3D lettering and feature lighting, etc.
If you’re a smaller business, you might want a sign writer who can offer more guidance, explain the different options, and can provide a quality product within a more limited budget. Check out their gallery, their past work, testimonials and Google reviews to see who they have worked with in the past.
We’ve worked with small businesses like hairdressers through to medium-sized enterprises like medical clinics, all the way up to big corporations such as Continental and V8 Supercars. We’ve also had extensive experience working with various councils.
- What’s their communication like?
In my opinion, this is the most important aspect of a sign maker – particularly for smaller businesses or those who need a bit of guidance. Even for bigger companies or councils, you still need a signage company that responds promptly and keeps you updated on the progress of the project.
But for smaller businesses, you really need to work with sign companies that can explain articulately the different options available to you. Time after time, clients come to me in need of a replacement for the ‘permanent’ signage they bought 18 months ago from another company. Without enough information, they simply went with the cheaper option, only to find themselves back in the market barely two years later.
Find a sign writer who can educate you on your options, plainly tell you the advantages and disadvantages of each product, and what is best suited to the location where the sign is to go. On our site, people can fill out a form or contact is by email, but by far and away the best option is to simply pick up the phone and give us a call. Having a chat with me is the best way of getting an idea of how I communicate. Afterwards, ask yourself how familiar you are with your options and how well your questions were answered. That’s how you determine good communication.
- What are their design capabilities?
Sign making isn’t only about creating the finished product with the right technology and tools. It’s also about having the creative background to help with design. This isn’t just about logo design, as many clients already have that sorted. This is about knowing what grabs the attention of passers-by, what sort of designs work depending on size and location, as well as the key components of colour and composition.
If the version of your logo that you have on file isn’t the best quality, you’ll want a sign maker with the capability to edit it and improve the quality so that it can then be used for a range of marketing services.
This is all about finding a sign maker in Melbourne who can provide all the relevant services so you don’t have to talk to (and pay) ten different people to get one project done.
- Do they provide installation?
This one is often not even contemplated until it’s time to get the sign installed and the signage company turns around and says, “Oh, sorry, we don’t do that”. Or, at best, refer you to a third party. Find a sign maker that offers the full service – and that includes installation. Many out there only offer the design or the manufacture.
We offer full installation services. We provide all necessary frames and mounts and we can install all the signage that we make.
For you, this means that you deal with one person – me – and you don’t have to spend more time that you don’t have shopping around for a company that provides installation services. As we talked about earlier, one of the key aspects to finding the right Melbourne sign maker is finding one that provides the full service, from design to installation.
Save yourself time. Save yourself money.
- Do they help with permits?
Yes, permits. Many clients come to us unaware that the signage on the front of their shop needs a council permit. In fact, there’s a whole range of signage that requires permits.
Again, this comes down to experience. We’ve worked in this area for a long time; we know what’s required and we advise our clients on the permits they might need. These regulations usually revolve around size, lighting and message displays, all of which we can discuss with you.
Applying for permits can be a confusing and time-consuming affair, but we’re here to help in any way we can, such as providing any and all relevant drawings and specs.
3 Corporate Signage Options You Might Not Know About
Shop front signage on windows
We’ve worked with several medical clinics who have window signage that, every now and again, needs to be updated (they might be changing their range of services, for instance). However, businesses like this don’t want to have to pay for a whole new sign every time this happens.
Vinyl cut are the answer. This super handy window signage option allows you to replace one word or a line at a time. No longer offer a particular service, or are you now offering a new one? With vinyl cut, you can remove parts of the sign and replace them with new advertising. It leaves a seamless result, and it looks professional and slick.
Event signage
When it comes to portable event signage, there are three materials at play: acrylic, ACM (aluminium composite material), PVC and corflute. The main point of difference between these materials is what they look like side-on, rigidity and weight. Basically, with ACM, PVC and corflute, you can see the layers from which they’ve been made when looking at them side-on, which in some situations is undesirable.
Acrylic, on the other hand, looks like one solid piece on the side, creating a very sleek look.
Which one is for you? Well, it depends on the situation. For things like Farmers’ Markets, corflute is more than adequate. At these events, people aren’t expecting high-end, corporate signage – quite the opposite, in fact. Corflute is a great, cost-effective option here. And if you can store the signs in a dry place, out of the sun, they should last a decent time.
For corporate events, acrylic is generally the way to go, as this material produces a very professional look – from all angles. It’s the most expensive option out of the three, but you get the premium look and a solid, durable product. PVC & ACM is also widely used in the events industry; it just comes back to your budget and the look you are after. Recycled paper card stock is also getting popular for those looking for a greener, planet-friendly substrate.
Stretched vinyl banners
A lot of large, outdoor signage is constructed from ACM; it looks good and it’s durable. But it can also get pricey.
Depending on the location and purpose, stretched vinyl is an alternative worth considering. It can be made to any size, just like ACM, but it’s a much more cost-effective option. The only downside is that it’s less durable than ACM; although the banner is made from PVC and is tough as nails, the actual artwork is digitally printed with solvent, latex or UV INKS. If the location is in full sun, expect stretched vinyl banners to last around 1 to 3 years. However, if it’s on the south side of a building, or simply more shaded, then it can last longer.
It’s a worthwhile consideration depending on the purpose and location of the sign.
Avanti Signs Melbourne – we have a sign solution for you.