Summary
Hey, check out the image below. ?
What do you see?
It’s a clever sign created by Zoo Zurich to raise awareness about the need for more space for elephants.
They were building an elephant park and asking for donations to make it possible.
The image of a cramped elephant really tugged at people’s hearts and caught their attention.
The thing is, businesses today understand that customers want more than just a product; they want an experience.
And having good signage is a crucial part of creating that experience.
That’s why signage is so important.
Believe it or not, signage can have a big impact on a business, even if you don’t think about it much.
In fact, studies show that around 76% of people have walked into a store or business they’ve never been to before, all because they were attracted by the sign.
This can be the reason why the global digital signage market will reach a whopping $63.3 billion in 2031.
So, if you’re thinking of getting into custom sign printing business, it’s a pretty smart move.
But here’s the thing: Businesses need more than just generic signs.
They need custom signs that speak directly to their brand and their mission. That’s the kind of signage that really works.
So, in this article, we’ll explore the importance of custom signage, identify ideal customers, discuss different types, and learn how to sell them effectively.
We’ll also weigh the pros and cons of custom signs.
Let’s get started!
What is Custom Signage?
Custom signs are like a personalized way for businesses to talk to their target audience.
As a custom sign printing business, offering custom business signs means providing your clients with the opportunity to create signs that reflect their brand identity.
Unlike generic signage, custom signage allows businesses to incorporate their own branding elements, such as logos, colors, and fonts, into the design.
This customization helps businesses stand out and make a memorable impact on their customers.
Whether it’s a storefront sign, promotional banner, directional sign, or any other type of signage, customizing them ensures that they align perfectly with the brand’s aesthetics and objectives.
By adopting this personalized approach, you can help businesses create a strong visual presence with your custom sign printing and add more value to your custom sign printing business.
Elevate your clients’ branding with custom signage
Who Can Be Your Ideal Customer?
The potential customer base for custom sign printing is vast and diverse.
Virtually any business or organization that aims to promote its products, services, or events can benefit from custom sign printing.
Some examples of businesses that frequently utilize custom business signs include:
Small Businesses:
Small businesses need custom signage to stand out in a competitive market.
They require signage that reflects their unique brand identity and captures the attention of potential customers.
From storefront signs to promotional banners, custom signage helps small businesses create a memorable and enticing visual presence that drives foot traffic and boosts sales.
Event Organizers:
Event organizers rely on custom signage to brand their events effectively.
They need attention-grabbing banners, backdrops, and custom business signs that communicate the event’s theme, showcase sponsors, and guide attendees.
Custom signages help create a cohesive and visually appealing atmosphere, leaving a lasting impression on participants.
Restaurants and Food Establishments:
In the highly competitive food industry, restaurants and food establishments need custom signage to entice customers.
They require visually appealing menu boards, outdoor signage, and digital displays that highlight their offerings, promote daily specials, and communicate their unique brand identity.
Custom signage helps create an appetizing and inviting environment that attracts customers and encourages repeat visits.
Retail Stores:
Retail stores rely on custom signage to enhance the shopping experience and drive sales.
They need captivating window displays, aisle signs, and promotional signage that grab customers’ attention, guide them to specific products or sections, and promote sales and discounts.
Custom signage helps retailers create a visually appealing and engaging environment that encourages browsing and purchase decisions.
Professional Services:
Businesses offering professional services, such as law firms, healthcare facilities, and real estate agencies, need custom signage to establish a professional and trustworthy image.
They require signage solutions that display their logo, company name, contact information, and relevant messaging in a polished and visually pleasing manner.
Custom signage helps convey professionalism, credibility, and expertise to clients and visitors.
Educational Institutions:
To ensure efficient navigation and communication on campus, custom signage is a must for educational institutes.
They require directional signs, campus maps, and signage solutions that guide students, faculty, and visitors to various buildings, departments, and facilities.
Custom signages help create a welcoming and informative environment that promotes seamless navigation and a positive campus experience.
Also read: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Custom Sign Printing Business
Different Types of Custom Signage
Custom signages come in various forms, each designed to serve a specific purpose and suit different environments.
Here are some common types of custom signage:
- Monument Signs:
These signs are sturdy and permanent installations that are fixed to the ground.
They serve as a way for businesses and organizations to make a strong impression and stand out in their surroundings.
Monument signs can be constructed using materials such as concrete, metal, foam, or stucco.
Their main function is to enhance visibility and provide clear location information to the public.
- Post and Panel Signs:
Designed for practicality and information, post and panel signs are commonly used for guiding people, providing directions, and identifying businesses or locations.
They consist of a panel that is mounted between two posts.
The materials used for these signs vary and can include aluminum, metal, wood, or foam.
Post and panel signs are an affordable and effective option for drawing attention to a business or helping individuals navigate an area.
- Sandblasted Signs:
These signs offer a rustic and textured appearance, perfect for outdoor settings.
The sandblasting technique is used to carve designs into materials such as wood, cedar, or high-density urethane.
This process creates raised patterns and textures, giving the sign a unique and professional look.
Sandblasted signs can be customized with different colors, fonts, logos, and artwork, making them visually appealing and durable against various weather conditions.
- Wayfinding Signs:
Essential for large spaces like hospitals or campuses, wayfinding signs aid in providing clear navigation and improving the user experience.
These custom signs can be mounted on walls or posts and are tailored to meet the specific needs of the location.
Their purpose is to guide visitors, reduce confusion, and ensure smooth and efficient movement throughout the area.
- Dimensional Signs:
These custom signs add depth and visual impact by utilizing three-dimensional elements.
Typically made from materials like acrylic or metal, dimensional signs feature letters or shapes that are cut out and mounted on a backing.
They can be used both indoors and outdoors and are often employed as a focal point in a room or for branding purposes.
Dimensional signs are designed to capture attention and leave a lasting impression.
- Banner Signs:
Offering versatility and temporary messaging, banner signs are a popular choice for events, promotions, or short-term advertising campaigns.
These signs are typically made from durable materials like vinyl, which ensures longevity and resilience.
Customizable and cost-effective, banner signs provide an impactful way to convey messages to a specific audience.
- Hanging Signs:
Hanging signs make a bold statement and create a unique display for businesses.
They are suspended from brackets or hardware, allowing for visibility from a distanceto attract attention.
Whether used indoors or outdoors, hanging signs offer businesses an opportunity to showcase their brand in a visually striking way.
How Can You Offer Custom Signage to Your Buyers
When it comes to selling custom signs, you may find yourself wondering about the most efficient approach.
Hiring a designer to cater to each client’s customization needs, going back and forth multiple times, can be time-consuming and inefficient.
Luckily, there’s a better way to handle this.
By integrating a sign design tool into your existing e-commerce business, you can effortlessly offer custom signs to your buyers.
This tool seamlessly integrates with your website, allowing customers to design their own banners.
They have the freedom to add their logo, taglines, and images, and preview them before placing their order.
The best part is, they can see the real-time pricing for each design change they make.
Once the order is placed, you’ll receive a print-ready file, ready to take it further and bring the design to life.
This streamlines the process of offering custom signs, eliminating wastage of resources and dissatisfaction.
Some noteworthy elements of the tool are:
- Unleash Creativity: Empower your customers to create unique and personalized signs with a wide range of clipart, artwork, and image upload options. Let their imaginations run wild!
- Endless Font Possibilities: Offer an extensive font library and the ability to upload custom fonts. Your buyers can choose the perfect typography that aligns with their brand or style. Limitless options for stunning signage!
- Total Control: Take charge of the customization process. Set custom pricing, enable or disable specific features, choose preferred printing methods, and safeguard designs with watermarks. Stay in the driver’s seat!
- Professional-Level Designs: Provide professional design tools like bleed lines, cut safe areas, rulers, and real-time warnings for low-resolution images. Ensure that your customers’ designs look polished and print-ready.
- Preview and Save: Eliminate dissatisfaction by allowing buyers to preview their designs before ordering. They can also save their progress and come back later to make revisions. A seamless and worry-free experience!
- Design Anywhere, Anytime: Enable your customers to design custom signs on the go with a mobile-friendly tool. Whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the move, they can create signage at their convenience. Freedom to design on their terms!
Discover how you can offer an effortless and engaging customization experience to your buyers.
Bonus: Challenges and Solutions of Custom Sign Printing Business
Challenge 1: Diverse Customer Demands
Solution: Integrating Sign Design Software
Customers have unique requirements, and catering to their specific needs can be a real challenge.
Limited options and a one-size-fits-all approach can hinder your ability to provide personalized signage solutions that truly resonate with each customer.
However, by investing in advanced design tools and resources, you can expand your design capabilities.
By adopting customization-driven sign design software, you provide your customers with the tools they need to bring their ideas to life.
This seamless and user-friendly software not only enhances the customer experience but also enables you to deliver personalized signage solutions as per different business needs.
Challenge 2: Long Turnaround Time:
Solution: Streamline the process with a Print ERP system that automates artwork proofing, quote generation, job assignment, and inventory management.
Running a custom sign printing business often involves a time-consuming design process.
Reviewing artwork, generating quotes, assigning tasks to your team, and managing inventory can be quite labor-intensive.
This manual approach can lead to delays in completing orders, frustrating both you and your customers.
However, there’s a solution to make things more efficient.
By implementing a Print MIS ERP system, you can automate these tasks. The system can automate artwork approval, generate accurate quotes based on predefined pricing rules, assign jobs to the right team members, and keep track of your inventory.
This streamlining of processes saves time, minimizes errors, and enables you to deliver high-quality custom signs faster.
Don’t let delays and inefficiencies hold your back your business
Challenge 3: Not Meeting Expectations
Solution: Understanding your client’s business needs and providing them a preview before printing.
It’s not uncommon to face challenges in meeting your customers’ expectations.
Sometimes, there’s a disconnect between what they envision and what you deliver.
This can lead to dissatisfaction and the need for additional revisions, straining your business relationships.
However, you can bridge this gap by understanding what their business is and what they are trying to convey through the sign.
Along with it, a glimpse of how their signage will look before finalizing the design is also a must.
It provides them with the opportunity to provide feedback, make adjustments, and ensure that the end result aligns with their expectations.
By offering this preview feature, you enhance communication, reduce misunderstandings, and ultimately make your customers happier with the final product.
Challenge 4: Not able to keep up with the trends
Solution: Stay up-to-date with the latest industry knowledge.
In the continuously evolving print industry, staying current with the latest trends is crucial.
If your designs or materials start to feel outdated, you may lose potential customers who seek modern and trendy signage solutions.
To stay relevant, it’s essential to stay informed and keep up with the latest industry knowledge.
Take the time to research current design techniques, materials, and styles that are popular in the signage industry.
Attend industry events, connect with experts, and engage with relevant communities.
By staying updated, you’ll be able to offer your customers the latest signage options, ensuring that your business remains relevant and attracts a steady flow of customers.
This is Your Sign To Start Selling Custom Signs?
The custom sign industry is booming, and now is the perfect time for you to get in on the action.
Businesses everywhere are realizing its importance, and customers are loving the unique touch it brings.
So, why not seize this opportunity and start?
But wait, you don’t have to do it alone!
With over a decade of experience in the print industry, our experts are here to lend you a helping hand. From setting up your business to integrating customization features, we can help you with everything.
We’ll provide you with the necessary training and firsthand experience with our products.
You’ll have a clear understanding of the customization options available, empowering you to offer top-notch personalized signage to your customers.
Have questions or want to learn more?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
