Tag: directory sign

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Directory Signs – The Ugly Truth

The ugly truth about directory signs is …. they are going to change!  That’s true, names directory signschange, tenants turn over, new companies come in and so on.  That directory sign sure looked great when it was installed but now you’ve got to update it.

Some of the more common problems when outsourcing your directory sign inserts include, but are not limited to, the following:

•  The font is wrong
•  The font size is wrong
•  The color is wrong
•  It doesn’t fit
•  My sign guy quit

I got my new sign insert but the font doesn’t match.  It’s close but it doesn’t look like the other ones.  Compound that over the year and the directory sign begins to look like hieroglyphics.

The next one has the right font but the size is too small – or too large.  The latest sign has the correct font and size but the color is wrong.  I now have all of that ironed out but this one doesn’t fit the sign frame.  I just learned today that my sign guy quit but the new person says it’ll be no problem to match – and the cycle starts all over again.

No worries, there’s a solution!  If you want to effectively maintain your directory signs then do it yourself.  Modular sign frame solutions like Vista System are designed specifically for that purpose.  The directory signs come with clear acrylic lenses that are easily removed with a suction cup.  The standard sign frame colors include brushed silver, black and gold with custom colors available upon request.

Need a custom directory sign?  No problem, all Vista directory signs are built to order.  Changing the size or the panel configuration is just a phone call away.

It’s inevitable that directory signs will change yet it doesn’t have to be an onerous process to get them updated.  We always welcome you thoughts and comments.

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Top 3 Office Sign Resolutions for 2020

Here are my top office sign resolutions for 2020 now that we’ve got a month behind us.  I know Vista Office Signoffice signs are always top of mind – so here goes.

1.  Make Office Sign Maintenance Easy –  Take it easy in 2020!  Maintain your office signs in-house by printing paper inserts like the pros for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere.  Keep your door signs up to date when a promotion occurs and make sure your directory signs don’t look like a cut-and-paste project because the local sign company won’t return your calls.  Creating inserts for your office signs is fun, fast and cost effective.

2.  Go With Modular Sign Systems – Find a modular sign solution that includes door signs, directory signs, desk signs and flag signs so that the money you invest in your sign program allows you to maintain signage consistency throughout your entire building or campus.  All too often door signs, desk signs or directory signs don’t match because the sign provider didn’t provide a solution that offers a comprehensive product suite.

3.  Get A Guarantee – Make sure your office signs come with a guarantee.  Don’t settle for inexpensive imitations when investing in office sign frames.

Cheers to 2020!

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Flat Portrait Directory Signs

The flat portrait directory signs from Vista System are made from anodized aluminum and come in brushed silver, black and gold.  The directory sign end caps for the flat system are available in grey or black plastic.  Outfit your directory sign with either grey or black plastic divider strips and remember the suction cups since they are needed to remove the clear acrylic lenses from your directory signs.

Check out the following flat portrait directory sign video for more information.

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How to Create Paper Inserts for an Office Directory Sign

Creating professional-looking paper inserts for you office directory sign is quick and easy. Choosing a sign system that allows you to independently create your own paper inserts will also save you time and money. All you need in place to create your office directory sign yourself is an inkjet or laser printer and a word processor such as Microsoft Word.

Maintaining an office directory sign can get expensive and may take weeks to get the frame inserts from your local sign company. Creating frame inserts yourself also ensures signage consistency which may be problematic if either the sign company experiences turnover or cannot find your templates from the previous order.

Since Microsoft Word is common to most businesses we will provide step-by-step instructions, complete with illustrations, as to how you can do paper inserts yourself without leaving the office. There are numerous variations you can use to create your paper inserts but we’ll keep it simple with the instructions set in this article. If you would like to see other variations in design visit our How To section of the site for more information. I’m using a sample sign similar to the DF39U for illustrative purposes, however the process is the same whether designing office signs or office directories. The instructions listed below may vary depending on the version of MS-Word you have installed.

Creating Paper Inserts for an Office Directory Sign using MS-Word

Step 1: Open MS-Word and create a new document by clicking New (Ctrl + N), select the “Office” button in the upper left-hand corner of the screen and click the “New” icon or click the “New” shortcut icon to create a new document. Any of these three options will work.

Make Paper Inserts Step 1

Step 2: Click the Insert Tab. Then click the Text Box icon in the Toolbar. At the bottom of the window click Draw Text Box.Move your cursor to the document (you will see a “+” sign appear) and drag it diagonally across the drawing surface while holding down the left-click button on the mouse.

Office Directory Paper Inserts 2

Release the left-click button and your text box will appear.

Directory Sign Paper Inserts 2a

Step 3: To size the text box enter the height and width of the insert you wish to create. Our sample sign happens to have (1) 2” x 5 7/8” header and (5) 1” x 5 7/8” panels. Below is the header.Frame Inserts for Office Directory

Step 4:  Once the size is set you can now choose your background color.  Click “Shape Fill” in the toolbar and choose a background color.  Rolling your cursor over the color palette will change the color on the background insert until you find the one that best complements your interior design color scheme.Paper Inserts for Sign Frames

Step 5:  Now you can add your text.  Add one or more text boxes to your template by clicking the Insert tab and selecting “Draw Text Box” like you did in Step 2.  Position the text boxes on the background and choose the font, font color and font size that you desire.  In order to eliminate the text box outline click the Format tab -> Shape Outline -> No Outline and now you have just the text.  To blend in your text box with the background you’ve chosen, highlight the text box -> right click the text box -> select Format Text Box from the drop down menu -> under Colors and Lines set Transparency to 100%.  You can also use the Color dropdown and select the color, texture or pattern to match the background you’ve already selected.Here is the header insert that we’ve created.Office Directory Inserts

We’re going to repeat the process for each of the (5) individual panels using the process outlined above.  Here’s what the layout looks like with the additional frame inserts.  Keep them on the same page to save paper during printing.Directory Sign Paper Inserts

Simply print the page and cut out the frame inserts. Below is the final product complete with inserts. Please send us your designs at sales@sign-frame.com so we can share them with our readers.Office Directory Sign Frame Inserts
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Top 3 Office Directory Sign Design Considerations

Office Directory SignAn office directory sign is a great asset for any building or campus setting.  Directory signs manage traffic flow and enhance the interior wall space.  To ensure maximum flexibility and ease of maintenance in the future, take into account the following design considerations when putting together your office directory sign strategy.

  1. Volatility – How often do you anticipate the copy changing on your signage directory?  If your tenants tend to turnover frequently you might consider using paper inserts for your office directory signs.  You can print signage directory inserts cheaper and faster without having to engage your local sign company.
  2. Expandability – Office directory signs should be chosen with provision for future expandability.  Having extra panels on your directory sign is the most simple and straightforward way to handle it.  Rather than leaving blank panels on your directory sign, most manufacturers have sliding plastic dividers that allow you to modify the signage directory footprint with smaller panels in the event of unforeseen expansion.
  3. Consistency – Whether you use a curved signage directory like the D1U or flat directory signs like the DF41U, you must ensure the panels are consistent.  If you do the paper inserts yourself save a copy of the template.  If you use a local sign company ask for the font type, size and panel colors.  Attrition and other factors may inhibit the sign company from keeping proper records of your signage standards.

Consider these factors when planning your office directory strategy and save tons of time and money.

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Directory Sign Elegance in Port Louis

Office Directory SignHere’s a picture of a high-quality directory sign that was recently installed in Port Louis, Mauritius.  These directory sign frames and other way finding signage was  installed at the Le Caudan Water Front Mall which is a high-end luxury mall with over 120 stores offering products from sports equipment to jewelry. This collection of sign frames is comprised of five long directory panels similar to the D5U in addition to a poster frame along the top.  The product line allows seamless matching of the various sign frames.

The client wanted their directory sign and other way finding signage to complement the various store interiors and to manage visitor traffic throughout the mall.  The directory sign frame inserts were fabricated using substrates that enhanced the existing color schemes.  Due to the wide variety directory signs and way finding signage available, the mall successfully met their objectives.

Not only were these directory signs elegant but they were flexible too.  The copy on the directory signs changes often as does a number of the other way finding signs throughout the mall.  Updating directory signs is fast and cost effective using these sign frames because you aren’t dependent on the local sign company for maintenance.

Having sign consistency throughout the mall cannot be overstated.  Whether we’re talking directory sign, flag sign, room sign or other way finding types, having a common look and feel throughout adds a extra touch of elegance that can only be achieved with a comprehensive sign system such as this.

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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.