Features and Benefits of Digital Signage

Digital signage is already common place in almost every industry. It is a type of electric display that makes use of graphics, videos, animations, RSS and other audio-visual components to capture the attention of viewers and exert direct control over them. In the private and public sectors such as education, health, transportation, business, retail and government sectors, these displays may be found on a large scale.

 Digital signage is a user-friendly technology that transforms bland information displays into multimedia-rich displays. Furthermore, they give attendees at conferences, seminars and other public meetings a fresh way of remaining informed and engaged.

 A digital signage solution can undoubtedly bring information displays to life. The following are some of the great advantages and features of employing a digital signage solution for any kind of business:

Connect Better with Viewers

 With its eye-catching visuals it is sure to get the viewer’s attention. LCD displays not only capture customers' interest, but they also have a significant impact on their purchasing behavior and experience.

Easy to Install

These signage solutions are user-friendly and enable consumers to create sophisticated digital displays without the assistance of a programmer. Furthermore, their user-friendly design allows both expert and novice users to set the systems up quickly and easily.

Storage Space Without Limits

Surprisingly, digital signage systems have no restrictions, allowing users to store infinite films, animations, images, RSS and other audio-visual components. It is, without a doubt, an effective solution for people who want to change the content of their signs on a regular basis.

Quick Access from All Locations

The best aspect is that users can upload, schedule, update, start up, monitor, store and even reboot the signage from any remote location with a digital sign. By transferring the display media's files and folder to information displays, the display media may be copied on to any number of displays.

Interactive and Cost-Effective

Digital signage gives some incredibly budget-friendly options. The display information may be simply monitored and altered from any location, allowing you to keep your promotions relevant without having to spend extra cash on printing. Apart from these advantages, these signs can adjust to the audience and also interact with them.

Customer Engagement

Digital displays may also be equipped with touch screen displays, bringing the entire advertising experience to life and immediately engaging the customer; this is the most relevant sort of marketing currently available. Remember that if you feel like you're being marketed to as a group, you'll participate less, but, if you feel like it's tailored specifically to your preferences and wants, you'll engage more and even consider buying more freely than if you're in a group.

Digital display solutions make it simple and affordable to distribute information and manage signage systems. It may be used in a corporate setting to announce new campaigns, promote goods, services and brands, display real-time updates and sales and showcase display instructions and announcements as well as corporate staff development activities. These panels are available in a variety of styles, including sound acoustic wave (SAW), resistive touch and infrared. Resistive touch is the ideal option for outdoor usage since it is more waterproof, sturdy and lasts for three to five years.

Most medium and small businesses will use digital advertising in some way or the other, whether it's a flat screen or a digital poster in an LCD shell, for outdoor digital signage. However, one thing is for sure: the electronic signs business is flourishing, while the global economy is experiencing its worst downturn in five decades. One of the best ways to get the right digital signage for your business is to get in touch with the right professional.

What's the Difference Between Digital Signage and Video Wall?

Users searching for a cost-effective solution to display information or media might consider digital signage and video walls. However, while they serve similar goals, they are not identical. Since video walls are costlier than digital signs, most people prefer to use the latter. At the same time, video walls, do offer a great level of personalization that makes them perfect for huge organizations, such as colleges, that need to deliver multiple pieces of information at once.

Price Comparison: Digital Signage and Video Walls

A video wall will cost substantially more than digital signage, but various factors contribute to this cost — as well as the cost of digital signage — ranging from mounting equipment and installation to the software needed to transmit material onto the screen.

Installing a Digital Sign:

In total, you may have to pay between USD500 to USD 5,000 for digital signs, without including the cost of Wi-Fi, mounting equipment, content management software, installation and more.

Installing a Video Wall:

The most basic video walls (aimed at individuals rather than enterprises) will likely cost roughly USD4,000, plus the cost of software and mounting hardware. However, a video wall, especially one that is huge and intricate, will most certainly be pricey when compared to digital signs.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Digital Signage

A digital signage option can be pretty straightforward to put up, especially if you're only looking to install a single monitor. As previously discussed, they're also more economical if you stick to a tiny display screen. Basic digital signage may be available for less than a thousand dollars.

However, one disadvantage of putting up digital signage is that you will have less creative flexibility; compared to video walls, you will not be able to install multiple screens to display your message or material. Furthermore, a huge wall with one monitor will appear empty in comparison to one with multiple screens.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Video Walls

It's simple to construct a system that fits the real wall because video walls are often made up of numerous smaller displays. Video walls also have the benefit of letting viewers watch various sources simultaneously; this is perfect for situations where a company wants to display distinct pieces of information on every screen.

However, since the screens utilized for creating video walls are big in size, they will not work or may not display information at a reasonable resolution, unless you buy a good processor, which is normally an additional expenditure on top of the pricey video wall equipment. You can expect streaming delays if the processor isn't up to par, leading to a lag across screens.

Most people prefer digital signage to video walls because the total system is more cost effective in comparison to the latter. However, because more affordable choices are becoming accessible, video walls may also become popular with time. Nevertheless, your specific circumstance will most likely be the defining factor when you have to choose between the two options. Cost, space and video quality are some of the factors you will have to consider when making the final decision.

Caring for Your Window Signs

In case you are one of those genius retail outlets that use window decals to increase their sales, you probably would be wondering how to keep those signs in good shape. The only way to make sure your signs give you the bang for your buck is by maintaining them well. Signs that are poorly maintained may end up costing too much.

Vinyl Decal Signs

Signs made of vinyl can be applied inside or outside the window. They have a powerful adhesive which ensures that they are held tightly on the surface. Vinyl signs can easily last for three years if they are printed with high-quality ink.

The most effective maintenance tip for vinyl decals is to give them a thorough cleaning and prevent grime and dirt build-up across the edges. It is essential that the windows are cleaned periodically with the use of an ammonia-free cleaner.

Cleaning agents that contain ammonia can deteriorate the graphics over a period of time. Fading is a common problem with ammonia-based cleaners.

One-way Vision

These signs are made of perforated vinyl and are generally installed at the forefront of the windows. They display full-color images but are almost invisible from within. As the material comes with small perforations, it is extremely important to clean the material on a regular basis after the installation. Outside exposure may lead to build-up of dirt and grime and may eventually cause fading of the sign.

Also Read: Why Customized Decals Are Important for Any Business?

Window Clings

Window clings are temporary promotional signs that are a great add-on to advertising during promotions and sales. This sign works well for retailers as it is extremely simple to install, can be removed, and even reused easily when needed.

The material of window cling is known to have really robust "cling" ability with no adhesive. Therefore, correct maintenance is extremely important to keep this decal looking good. Every time you install a window cling you should make sure you keep its protective backing. This can help in storing the decal later on.

In case you have discarded the backing, make use of wax paper for easy storage. When reusing the material, simply apply it with water. This assists in preventing stretching of the graphics. It is best to remove the window clings during window cleaning. Also, they should never be installed on the outside of the window.

Get exciting window signs and make your shop stand out from the rest of the competition. Advertise and promote, and see how you can attract customers easily. Merely by peeling the backing off, you can give your store a brand-new look without spending thousands of dollars on drastic renovations. However, make sure you choose a reputable sign maker to create your decals. This is because the quality of the graphic is the only thing that will decide its attractiveness and its longevity.

How to Use Real Estate Signs Effectively?

It is a tough proposition to sell real estate, whether you own a house or are a realtor. However, there are several tools that can be used for improving your chances of a sale by attracting potential customers. After deciding to sell a property, you will have the enormous task of letting everyone know that the house is available. Erecting real estate signs close to the property and also at other locations is a good way to put the word out.

Signs by Owners

Home owners who do not wish to use realtors to sell their house can use simple signs with little information.

Signs for Agents

Realtors have to create signs that are more informative. These signs serve two purposes - of attracting the attention of potential customers and also promoting the agent and brokerage. Normally, such signs display the address and name of the brokerage, company logo, office phone number and website. Certain signs may also comprise additional panels with attractive information such as price reduction.

Sign Placement Is Significant

The primary reason a signage is put up is to get the attention of interested parties and potential buyers. Once the perfect sign has been designed, it should be placed at the right spot to get maximum effect.

A very important aspect that should be remembered is that signs should have proper visibility. When placing them, you should consider factors such as existence of trees, parked cars and even other signs that may impact visibility.

It Is a Good Idea to Put the Sign Close to a Sidewalk

For houses situated at the corners, it is a good idea to install two signs on both the streets.

It is useless to place signs in places that attract very few visitors. In case the house is at a location faraway with limited traffic, consider requesting other home owners who live in high traffic areas to place your signs in their yard.

Real estate signs can certainly attract a lot of people if they are designed creatively. This is why it is so important to choose a good sign making company when searching for sign makers. An experienced provider will make sure you get the right kind of attention. Using signs to offer information about the real estate that needs to be sold is a simple and inexpensive way of giving the property some exposure. It is easy to customize such signs to meet individual requirements. However, make sure the company you choose has the capability and experience to understand your needs to cater to you accordingly. The best way to find out about such companies is to look online. When you search for ‘real estate signs near me’, the internet offers detailed information about good sign makers. Moreover, most providers also have websites displaying their work, testimonials and contact information. You can use that to shortlist your options and then make your final decision, based on price, work quality, turnaround time and more.

Also Read: Why Customized Decals Are Important for Any Business?

How to Choose a Logo Design Company?

Logos make a huge difference in how a company is perceived. When invested well, logos redefine the image of a brand and boost businesses with unmatched credibility and better recognition. Just by looking at the half-eaten apple, do you not trust the brand’s performance value blindly? Similarly, as soon as you see the three stripes or a check mark on a sports gear, you instantly trust the provider and blindly purchase their items without a doubt in your head.

Here are some tips to assist you in finding the best logo design providers so that you can create the type of brand image that will sell:

1. Their Previous Work

What is their experience and what are the types of companies they have worked with in the past? What are the industries they have serviced? Who are their previous clients?

Check everything to find out if they are merely boasting or if they actually deliver what they are claiming.

2. Recommendations and Testimonials

Testimonials from other companies are a great way to learn about the qualification and credibility of the provider. Listen to what other people are saying about the company. How many people praise these professionals? If you feel that the good reviews out do the bad ones then you can definitely decide accordingly.

3. Is There a Branding Team?

Designing a logo is about branding. This means that just having a professional with excellent designing skills is not enough. The person must also have a proper understanding of the client’s business and must create logos that can attract customers and increase the credibility of the company.

4. How Do They Create Ideas?

Do they scribble a logo by casually listening to your needs? Do they create logos from company initials? Understand how their ideas flow, what actually is the thinking process behind it and how skilled they are in permeating your brand’s value and message into your logo. By collaborating with experienced individuals who keep the marketing aspect in mind when designing a logo can go a long way.   

 5. Support for Client

You may not like the very first logo a company designs for you, you may ask for some revisions even after the fourth attempt, or you may even want to include some suggestions of your own. In such a case, it is important that the provider offers excellent support. Their executives should be friendly and must put your requirements above everything else. It is also important that they have a strong post-sales support, wherein they are available to offer you advice and assistance even after their services for you have been completed.

These are a few simple tips that can assist you in finding the right logo making company. Of course, these tips should be taken as advice as they are not fool-proof. However, they do offer good results. By performing a thorough research before shortlisting a company you will be able to gain all the benefits that an experience, skilled provider can offer you and your company.

The Purpose of Signage

Signs are a part of everyday life. We use them in relation to our work or business and we see them nearly everywhere around us. In fact, signs are so all-pervasive and a part of every aspect of our lives that we do not appreciate the role that they play in providing us with the information that makes our life easier. If you are a retail establishment or a business owner, you need to realize that signs are an important part of your business and they play a crucial role in your success. Have you thought about the purpose of the signs that you are displaying and whether you are using them in the right way? To get you started, here is a brief summary of what signs can do for you.

The Uses of Signs

The first thing to understand: What is a sign? The answer to this could be long and complex, but a simple one will suffice. A sign is an object that contains words and/or images and conveys a message or information. Its uses include:

Advertising & Marketing: What your business has to offer customers, what makes the products or services stand out, why people should choose to come to you to learn more and why yours is the best place to buy from are among the many core pieces of information you need to convey quickly and persuasively to your market. Well-designed advertising and marketing signs are the best way to do this.

Generating Footfalls: From getting a potential customer into your establishment to the actual point of sale is often just a distance of a few feet, but as every seller knows, that can be the biggest gap to bridge. Well placed signs that draw the customer in are the best way to bring him from the doorway to the selling point.

Brand/Business Recognition: The ability to recall is a key factor in creating customer loyalty. When a customer realizes that he is in need of something, it is this factor that will direct him to your place of business to acquire it. Previous purchase experiences will influence this, but the starting point is that your business or brand is linked to the fulfillment of the need and this is achieved by keeping your market profile high. Brand and business signs are the right way to do this.

Be a Resource: Not every sign needs to be directly related to sales. If your business puts up signs that provide direction, health or safety information to passersby, you will be perceived as being civic-minded. A business with a positive reputation of this kind will automatically rank high on customers’ preference lists.

Appearance: A sign that has nothing to do with business can be good for business too. A sign that is artistic and pleasing to the eye, but is not business-related, will remain etched in memory. The fact that your business paid for it will enhance your profile in the community and that will, in many indirect ways, pay for itself.

Signs, when designed, fabricated and located properly, can have a huge positive impact on the profitability of the business. Signage technology is evolving and being aware of what is available and knowing how to apply signage will influence business growth. If you are interested in maximizing the business benefits that come with the right use of signage, contact a professional signage company.

Using Signs to Boost Retail Sales

Store owners and managers often wonder why the new signs that they put up have not resulted in the increase in sales that they expected. They look around their establishments and see big signs everywhere giving customers tons of information. That may be the problem – the excess of uncoordinated information leads to clutter, loss of customer focus and attention fatigue. So the intent to buy does not translate into actual purchase. Signs are still the most effective selling tool in the brick and mortar retail trade, but they have to be used in the right way. When using signs to improve retail sales, keep these factors in mind:

Branding

Whatever the type of sign or the purpose, one common thread should run through them all – branding. The images, fonts and colors should all work to increase awareness of the store and what it offers customers. Brand recall is not only for large corporates – it is important to every store that wants its customers to keep coming back.

Attention

Attracting attention serves two purposes. It informs the customer of something he did not know before – such as an upgraded or new product. Being reminded that a product is available may trigger the recall of the need to buy which had been forgotten.

Promotions

Discounts, special offers and other product promotions can be very tempting, but customers need to be informed of them and not just in general terms. Customers need to be reminded  that the special offer is right there, just a few steps away. This will capture their interest and bring them in contact with the product which is the basis of a sale.

Loyalty

Using signs, typically easily changeable digital ones, to provide customers with information that may not be directly sales related but is of interest to them can build loyalty. For example, a sign announcing that the store has been around for ten years will create a bond with a customer who has been shopping there for even a year or two.

Quality Signs = Quality Sales

As important as what a sign conveys is how it does so. The sign must catch the attention of the shopper, give him (in the second or two that he looks at it) enough information to make him want to know more and be such that it stays in his memory so that he can follow up on the interest that has been created.The different signs in a store must all work together towards a single purpose – providing customers with the inputs that they need to make purchase decisions. To create effective signs requires a combination of skill, experience, artistic ability, technology and an in-depth understanding of how signs work. If all these attributes are present, the money spent on signage will more than pay for itself and the pick up in sales will be tangible. The only way to ensure that the signs you use are going to do what you expect of them is to have the signs conceptualized, designed and made by a professional signage company.

Interior Signage To Improve Your Brand Image

When it comes to signage, a lot of emphasis is generally given to exterior signage and branding. A key aspect in extending this brand recall memory and imagery, is the use of interior signage. Interior signs are a great extension of your brand and can do wonders to further add value to your company’s products or services.

Interior signage options to increase brand visibility:

Floor graphics

Adding floor graphics to your stairs and hallways can do wonders to spruce up dull areas and add life and color to your space. You can use them to reinforce key messages or simply just as directional signs. The power of high-quality floor graphics and creatives is under-rated.

Wall murals

In case you like to add a famous quote, inspirational words or even wish to communicate key messages about your brand, wall murals can be extremely engaging for customers who visit your space. Transform the area with soothing images to create a warm atmosphere within the office space.

Table graphics

Every office space and storage facility has tables. These are great opportunities for you to showcase your brand and keep reinforcing your message. They also add life to otherwise dull tables and uniquely differentiate them from the others. Watch, as you start seeing Instagram posts of your tables! They also help identify specific areas of the office with tables, which can be personalized as required.

Window graphics

Window graphics can be used, to extend branding to the exterior décor and can have a practical use in blocking the sun, or areas which you do not want to be visible to outsiders. Displaying contact information and exhibiting product or service photographs in action ,can make your business look more appealing.

Glass graphics

The use of graphics on the glasses within the office offers you a lot of area to work with. Most office spaces or facilities have a lot of glass partitions which can be covered with graphics to showcase the brand or messages. They not only offer privacy but also make the space lively in the process.

Which interior signage works best for you?

So how do you go about choosing the best interior graphics for your space? Well the answer to the simple question, “What does my space mostly consist of? ” will help you . If you have more of solid walls than glass partitions, then wall graphics or wall murals might look impressive. Do you have a lot of open floor space or staircases within your facility? If yes, then floor graphics definitely should be  considered to make the space look cheerful.

Conclusion

Several options exist for interior branding and you need to understand the space available, in order to decide which form of interior branding you want. Think a bit about what makes up most of your space and then work towards filling them with engaging and lively interior branding.

Boost Your Sales with Large Format Digital Printing Products

Marketing departments continue to face new challenges even in the age of digital advances and automation. According to the 2017 State of Inbound Report, some of the top challenges included identifying the right technology for marketing needs. This is quite significant as technology is a great enabler in the hands of marketers. 

Consider printing for example. Offset and other types of printing technology are laborious, cumbersome and time-consuming; they slowed down the pace of campaigns, until the advent of large format digital printing in 1991.

What is large format digital printing?

Large format digital printers are much larger computer-controlled printing machines; they use much larger print rolls, the width of which can range between 18” and 100”. No plates or cylinders are involved in the printing process. The technology is generally inkjet, where nozzles fire jets of ink directly on to the large-sized print roll fed into the printer. 

Why is it so popular?

Business organizations rely hugely on large format printing today, as it’s a great combination of low-cost, quick turnaround and high quality printing.
 

• Affordability: Other forms of printing such as lithography and offset require first templates that use film plates, photo chemicals and lots of ink; no wonder they cost more. In contrast, digital printing requires no such preparation; printing is done directly and instantly and so it is affordable.
• Flexibility: Since the data for printing is created and stored digitally, it’s easy to make quickly design changes and enhancements in real time and with minimum effort, allowing multiple designs to be printed in every batch.
• Consistency: Other types of printing such as screen and offset show variations between one print to another; this is due to dependency on hardware. On the other hand, digital printing software controls these parameters effectively, and hence prints are consistent throughout.
• Variety: Digital printers use water-based inks or UV curable screen printing inks. The latter allows printing on any surface or material such as paper, glass, wood, vinyl or sintra.
• Speed: There is no need for any preparation or prior setup and all processes are digital. Thus, large format digital printers can output 5x4 or larger prints than other print technologies, making it possible for the entire printing job to be completed the same day.
• Eye-catching: Large format banners and posters used in billboards or hoardings are terribly eye-catching; they bring more conversions than print media content, making them ideal for advertising.
• Long-lasting: Thanks to the quality of inks used in large format digital printing, banners, posters and billboards printed this way can last for months or even a year, braving the elements without any deterioration in quality.
• Eco-friendly: Other forms of printing require printing to be done in bulk. This is wasteful and toxic to the environment as the unused prints are dumped as trash. In contrast, digital printing requires no preparation, and so prints can be taken as and when needed.

Large format digital print products

The following are popular large format digital print products:
 

• Vinyl Sign Banners
• Custom Printed Signs
• Posters (cloth/paper/vinyl)
• Booth Graphics
• Printed Stickers
• Retail Graphics
• Hoardings and billboards
• Backlit Signs
• Stretched, fine art Canvas Prints
• Floor Graphics
• Canvas Prints
• Wall Paper
• Building wraps
• Printed Table Cloths

Large format digital prints are what you may need to boost your sagging sales. It is best to engage a reputed professional agency, which will do a good job and record impressive returns from your outdoor campaigns.

Tradeshow Collateral : Getting them Right

Across industry sectors, tradeshows are the most important weapon in the arsenal of Sales and Marketing departments of small and mid-sized organizations. They provide an opportunity to study in a quick and convenient manner the level of competition, the emerging trends in the business, and the cream of prospects.

No wonder, tradeshows are big business in the US; in 2015 alone, they consumed a whopping amount of 12.6 billion USD (source: Statista.com). 

Addressing tradeshow challenges through collateral

Despite their popularity, tradeshows are not without their share of challenges, some of which are listed below:
 

• Booth Management: The first major challenge is to arrive at the right number-and-profile mix of competent people that would operate effectively the booth.
• Outsourcing or not: While it has become a trend to outsource booth staff, it doesn’t work well for every type of business.
• Effective Communication for Conversion: Clearly, the most important aspect of the tradeshow is to convert warm prospects that visit the booth into hot leads for sales. This requires effective communication and meaningful interaction.

Booth graphics have emerged as a common and dependable solution to address these challenges. A judicious blend of fixed and mobile signage elements of different sizes would be handy: they can answer graphically frequently asked questions of prospects, impress them with stunning imagery, and coax them into a decision by presenting insightful data. 

Getting right tradeshow collateral elements
 

• Logo or Header Banner: Tradeshow exhibitors today junk away the simple nameplates provided by tradeshow organizers, and replace them with custom-made, large-sized banner or panel with the company’s logo, tagline and impressive imagery. These are backlit or frontlit to stand out from a distance and attract visitors. Some companies have even gone on to replace this with an LCD screen that plays videos and animated graphics.
• Booth Wall Graphics: Also called backdrop panels, booth wall graphics can occupy either part of or the entire wall space provided by the organizers. These are usually vinyl rolls, which can be rolled and carried in a canister. The panel banner can reflect spotlights all around and can be distracting; but rolls that have a pebble finish surface can solve this problem by deflecting part of the light.
• Standees or Banner Stands: Since the late 1990s, collapsible standees or banners have become the rage at tradeshows. This is because they are retractable rolls that can fit neatly into a metal container. Unlike booth graphics, these are mobile enough to move around and ease human traffic, or entice visitors when kept at booth entrances. These can feature eye-catching imagery and thought-provoking copy.
• Signage: Signage could be hanging posters and banners that carry little nuggets of information about the company, or products. These can feature attractive images and could be given away as souvenirs.
• Tabletop Displays: In addition to brochures and printouts given to prospects, tabletop displays too could be small, foldable paper knick-knacks that contain useful information, prizes, offers or coupons. These can charm prospects and incentivize them into making a decision.

Booth Graphics can make or break your tradeshow participation by alluring or turning off prospects. Engage a competent professional agency that can develop high-quality booth graphics and other tradeshow collateral, which can make prospects spend more time in your booth. This in itself is a big victory for you and goes a long way in increasing sales.