How to Build a Sign for Promotions
A cleverly designed sign, placed in a strategic location, keeps a company message in front of locals, even when the business is closed for the day. The shape, size, colors and type of material used to make a sign can be as important as the message. Hands-on sign design and implementation may give some businesses a more personalized message and a competitive edge.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Graphic software
- Posterboard
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Vinyl
- Aluminum
- Wood
- Circular saw
- Stencil
- Water
Instructions
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Design the sign. The proper wording, color and message will attract more attention from passersby and potential customers. Keep printed information to a minimum and use a simple, legible font.
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Choose a sign type. Banner stands, used at trade shows, direct attendees to booths. Magnetic signs, often used on delivery cars and vans, keep your business name in front of other drivers and pedestrians. Illuminated signage makes your message stand out at night in busy urban areas or remote locations.
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Decide on the suitable material. Flashing neon will bring customers into a roadside diner at night. Light corrugated plastic signs can be printed with any color background or design, placed on any surface, or affixed to a lawn with a wood stake. Vinyl, aluminum, PVC and other sturdy materials are appropriate for outdoor use or high-traffic industrial areas.
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Purchase materials to build the sign. Buy corrugated plastic and vinyl (with or without magnetic backing) from any packaging wholesaler or online. Home improvement stores stock aluminum. You may also consider buying wood from a lumber yard to make outdoor signage.
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Design promo posters on a computer with design software. Prepare a computer and software to design promo posters. Promo signs made of poster board, corrugated plastic, vinyl with magnetic backing or other lightweight material can be designed using graphics programs. Depending on the size of the sign, you may need to use a professional printing service to produce the final version.
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Use a circular saw or other tools to cut wood, if desired, to the specified size. Sand it to get a smoother texture. Paint the background using beige or other light color. Paint your promo message over the background color, or use a stencil to format wording. Stenciled messages may be left plain or painted.
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Design a promo message, in black or white lettering, on your computer to transfer to an aluminum sign. Print this lettering on a transparent sheet. To make an aluminum sign on your own, you'll need to buy or rent a special stencil machine that uses UV rays to press wording onto the material. Put the transparency on a glass compression plate. Let the transparent sheet "bake" for three minutes. Take the sheet out. Wash it in water and the wording will appear. When the sheet dries, paint the lettering with a color of your choice.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Truck Signage image by J Cross from Fotolia.com
