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Way-Finding Signs and Letter Size Paper

Way-Finding SignsModular way-finding signs give you the ability to take control of your sign program and maintain consistency across your office or campus environment.  This post is specifically about hallway signs, also referred to as corridor signs or flag signs, where you can print your own inserts.

With respect to taking control of your sign program, paper insert signs are something you can do cost effectively and quickly without having to call a local sign company.  These corridor signs or hallway signs, whichever you prefer, can be printed in spot color or full color from your desktop printer.  Two examples of these way-finding signs are FSF11U and FSF12U where you can take your printer output and trim a few inches off the top and you now have high quality paper insert signs.  You then put the paper insert signs into the frame and add the clear cover.

One thing about hallway signs is that they are not very volatile with respect to content.  If you use hallway signs to denote a department section of the building it will not likely change.  If however you use them as way-finding signs you may experience more volatility especially on college or university campuses.

Corridor signs can support other materials in addition to paper insert signs.  They can take vinyl, PVC and a number of other substrates.  Whether you mount these corridor signs on the wall or ceiling they are one of the most versatile type of way-finding signs.

 

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5 Things to Know About Vista Triangular Pylon Signs

Vista Triangular Pylon Signs

What are the five things you should know about Vista triangular pylon signs?

1.  They are great wayfinding signs that can be used as directory signs as well as directional signs.  Because of their modular nature they are, by default, great directional signs.  However, may clients use them as directory signs by creating separation in the graphic inserts versus using individual panel separators.

2.  Vista pylon signs are great for interior signage as well as exterior signage applications.

3.  Like their wayfinding counterparts, pylon signs will support a myriad of substrates.  For indoor signage applications, especially when the sign copy changes frequently, paper or card stock is the preferred choice.  For outdoor signage applications, such as directory signs or directional signs where the sign copy is fairly static, various forms of vinyl, plastic and metal are used.

4.  The pylon signs come in 14 different widths and can be cut to various heights depending on the given sign requirements.  This is particularly advantageous from a wayfinding perspective given the complexity of sign specifications as well as local code restrictions.

5.   Finally, they are eco friendly signs made with eco friendly materials.  Vista’s entire wayfinding line are all eco friendly signs including directory signs, wall signs, table signs and flag signs.  They are made with eco friendly materials, are 100% sustainable and LEED certified.

Vista System wayfinding signs are contemporary with a modern, clean look. They are simple to us and easy to update by yourself.  Most importantly, they are high quality and 100% guaranteed.

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Flat Suspended Signs from Vista System

Vista Suspended Sign FramesVista System, the pioneer of MCFT (Modular Curved Frame Technology) wayfinding technology, recently launched flat suspended signs to expand its already robust product portfolio.  The suspended signs complement the wall signs, corner signs, table signs and directory signs which comprise the rest of the offering.

Suspended signs, like their wayfinding counterparts, are used in a variety of ways.  They are used for advertising purposes including new product promotion as well as branding.  Suspended signs are also used in corridors or hallways as directional or wayfinding signs.  Finally, they can be used as destination signs such as over an information booth or registration counter in a hotel, convention center, campus or similar venue.

Suspended signs are extremely advantageous where wall space is limited or non-existent.  This also holds true for large passageways where flag signs or standing signs might not reach the intended audience.They are also used to mitigate or deter vandalism, acceptable ceiling height limits permitted of course.

Due to the nature of this type of sign the copy should be relatively static.  For example, unlike wall or table signs where an employee nameplate can be easily accessed and replaced, the same may not necessarily apply to suspended signs.  Although the Vista System line does allow you to replace an insert in minutes it doesn’t account for the time it takes to physically get to the sign!

The sign frames support a wide variety of substrates to match any decor.  With custom sizes and colors available, Vista System can meet or exceed the most demanding wayfinding specifications.

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Introducing Vista System Wayfinding Corner Signs

Vista System just introduced a new line of flat wayfinding corner signs to complement it’s Vista System Wayfinding Corner Signscurved MCFT (modular curved frame technology) product line.  Vista System spent about twelve months looking for a company that had a similar, modular technology in the wayfinding space and found that company in GreenSquare.  GreenSquare was acquired by Vista System with a “definitive mission to offer an international solution to the sign industry that is both elegantly designed and technologically advanced”.

This wayfinding system offers flat signage solutions which includes corner signs in addition to wall signs, door signs, directory signs, suspended signs, flag signs and table signs.  They are designed to accept various types of inserts with varying thicknesses.  Because of its modularity, these signs can be tailored to match any need.  In addition, the number of extrusions available make it very easy to develop custom solutions for new projects as well as adapt to current standards.

Vista System fabricates these corner signs in three colors, namely brushed silver, black and gold.  This is true across the entire wayfinding line.  They can be used indoors and outdoors but please take caution that the inserts you use outdoors will withstand the elements.

End caps for these corner signs come in black and grey ABS plastic.  Unlike its curved counterpart, Vista System offers the entire flat wayfinding system with plastic end caps.  It is still to be determined whether metal end caps will become an option downstream.

Finally, custom colors are available for special projects should your specifications dictate however, the project should be large enough to offset the incremental uplift in price.

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Flag Signs – Top 5 Uses

Flag Signs GreenSquareFlag signs, also referred to as projecting sign frames, can be used as outdoor and indoor signs.  They can be found in restaurants, libraries, hospitals, campus/office buildings, airports, gyms, train stations and a myriad of other locations. You can see them in a flat sign (see photo) or curved sign configuration.  Although they have many purposes the top five that are most prevalent are as follows:

  • Bathrooms
  • Public Areas
  • Meeting Points
  • Security Information
  • Lounge Indicator

Probably the most common use of flag signs is to indicate public restrooms.  Most of the venues listed above use these type of indoor signs, although especially common in airports and train stations.

Projecting sign frames are used to denote public areas or meeting points.  Indoor signs such as departments within an office building (i.e. Information Technology, Human Resources, etc.) to college campuses (i.e. Biology Department, Nursing, etc.) are just a few examples of how flag signs are used.  You may also see projecting sign frames denoting Administration, Surgery  or Outpatient Services areas of a hospital or Jury Assembly within the Hall of Justice.

Indoor signs such as these may also indicate security or informational items to assist people.  This could be anything from police/security, emergency phone, fire extinguisher, emergency exit and other similar uses.

Finally, flag signs are becoming increasingly popular in airports as lounge indicators in addition to terminal and gate indicators.  Whether you go with a flat sign or curved sign configuration, flag signs are a highly visible and extremely efficient way to provide information and assist in managing pedestrian traffic.

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Flat Directory Sign Frames by Vista System

Flat directory sign frames are now part of the Vista System product line for interior and Vista Directory Sign Frameexterior signage use.  In conjunction with its curved line, GreenSquare, Vista’s newly acquired company, just announced it’s new product line.  When it comes to interior and exterior signage, Vista System offers the best in directory sign frames.

The GreenSquare product line comes in the same colors as the curved line, namely brushed silver, black and gold.  It’s still modular in nature and comes with a green suction cup to remove the clear covers much like its curved counterpart.  From an exterior signage standpoint, the directory sign frames will withstand the elements.  Depending on your geographical location you may want to consider the substrates you use for your inserts to make sure they too can handle the weather.  Directory sign frames can be mounted on an existing wall or post without the need for special tooling.

From an interior perspective, the GreenSquare line is aesthetically pleasing for even the most discriminating locations.  They blend in nicely with the existing decor and are simple to maintain.  GreenSquare is in the process of launching its wall frames, table signs, suspended signs and flag signs in addition to it’s directory sign frames so you can maintain that common look and feel throughout your building or campus locations.

They hold substrates up to 3mm / 0.12″ thick.  So in addition to paper inserts, it is possible for the frames to hold acrylic material, PVC and others in addition to ADA inserts.

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Letter Size Signs for Your Office

Vista System proviWFP84Udes a wide array of letter size signs for your office.  Creating office signs is fast, easy and economical so I put together a list of Vista frames that accommodate an 8.5″ X 11″ piece of paper without any additional cutting and pasting.  Just print it out, insert it and you’re ready to go.

First up in the office signs category is wall signs.  If you’re looking for horizontal curvature there’s the WFP163U, WFP160U, WFP86U and WFP84U (as seen in the photo).  If you prefer wall signs with vertical curvature there’s the WFL50U and WFL79U.  For easy identification, all office signs listed with “(Letter)” on the thumbnail image will hold letter size signs.  Note that the WFP86U has a 2″ ADA header in addition to letter size sign footprint.

If you’re looking for table signs there’s the T54U in vertical and T46U and T48U in horizontal curvature.

The Vista System flag signs have two options.  There’s the WBD10U in horizontal curvature and the WBD22U in vertical.

Some clients have done some very simple and cool things with their letter size signs.  One client took several of their WFP84U wall signs and made directory signs out of them.  They simply print bold lines to delineate the copy so when their directory signs change they print out the entire sheet and pop it into the frame.  (They’ve done the same will legal size frames too where they needed the extra space for copy).

Another client outfitted their office signs with specialty parchment paper from an office supplies superstore.  It cost a few extra cents, but letter size signs printed on this specialty paper look spectacular.  The options are limitless – hope this makes signing your office easier!

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GreenSquare Flat Table Signs

GreenSquare just introduced their line of flat table signs to complement their curved counterpart.  Vista System International acquired the Australian company in the beginning of 2012 looking for a company that had the same modular construction as its MCFT (Modular Curved Frame Technology) line.  These interior signs were designed for a number of vertical applications, some of which are included below.Vista Table Signs

  • Retail – Table signs are used to highlight discounts and special promotions
  • Restaurants – These interior signs suggest daily lunch or dinner specials or perhaps new entrees.
  • Hotels – Table signs are used at the main counter listing various services or important information.  They are also used in hotel spas and workout facilities listing hours of operation, pricing information and club rules.
  • Office Buildings – Department information, phone or contact information are just two of the ways table signs are used.
  • Hospitals – Hospitals use a variety of interior signs including table signs.  Visitor instructions, emergency information, on-call numbers and staff schedules are just a few examples.

GreenSquare, like its MCFT counterpart, has a complete line of flat interior signs to complement their table signs.  The signs come in a wide variety of standard sizes to fit almost any application.  Due to their modular nature, it is quite simple to create custom signs should the project warrant that level of specificity.  They’re easy to install and even easier to maintain.  If you have desktop software and a local printer you can replace your inserts in minutes.  Simply put, GreenSquare makes interior signs simple! B7W76UZBSV6G

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Vista System Flat Wall Signs by GreenSquare

Wall signs are typically used as wayfinding or directional signs.  In this, the first part of theVista Wall Signs series, I’d like to introduce the new GreenSquare wall frames and the pertinent information you need to know.

Wall signs increase visibility to your product or business.  They can be used as both interior or exterior signage as office signs or in the walkway or courtyard, respectively.  You might easily see wall signs in retail establishments, restaurants and airports hanging overhead, on posts or at the checkout counter.  Wall frames provide great POP (Point of Purchase) presence announcing a current sale, a future promotion or a new product that just hit the market.

Wall frames are also popular in schools, universities and office buildings.  Office signs with an employee or professor’s name and title are very common.  Office signs may also be used as directional signs, highlighting building or department locations or simply controlling traffic patterns.

Wall signs can be mounted on any vertical flat surface and come in numerous sizes and shapes.  The GreenSquare catalog lists many of the more common ones but you can customize your wall signs given the modularity of the product.  They’re all cut from larger extrusions so it is quite easy, and inexpensive, to have wall frames tailored to your office specifications.  In many cases it’s modularity allows you to match existing signage.

The flat wall signs by GreenSquare as depicted in the illustration are also aesthetically pleasing and crafted to complement even the most discriminating interior designs.

 

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File Types and Sign Frame Inserts

Sign Frame Vector Image IllustrationWhich file types would you use to create images for your sign frame inserts?  Vista signs make it easy to implement inserts into your office signs, but consider the following before making your decision.

File types will fall into two basic categories – vector and raster (or bit map) images.  The primary difference between them is that raster images are based on pixels and vector images are based on paths or strokes.  From a visceral standpoint, a vector image can be enlarged without distortion whereas bitmap images will distort the larger the image becomes.

Let’s say I’m installing a number of Vista sign frames in the building and my office signs consist of wall signs, table signs, directory signs and poster frames.  If I’m just going to put textual content on my directory signs for example I need not worry about a vector image here.  If I have a sign frame on my door with a picture of myself I may get by with a bit map image assuming the image resolution is high and the image size is reasonably small.

On the other hand, let’s say there are Vista signs in the break rooms and common areas with employee safety information consisting of full-color photo backgrounds and text.  In these cases I would highly recommend a vector image for maximum visibility.

If you’re not sure if a PDF, JPG or AI file is appropriate for your sign frame insert consult with your graphic designer or simply print it to size and make the determination yourself.