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5 Tools Everyone Who Maintains Office Signs Should Use

If Office Signs maintaining office signs is your responsibility, there are 5 simple tools that will simplify your job.

• Desktop Publishing Software (DTP)
• Camera
• Printer
• Paper
• Creativity

DTP software is the cornerstone for creating simple, yet elegant office signs.  MS-Word is the most ubiquitous yet there is Illustrator, In Design, Photoshop and numerous others.  Enhance your office sign inserts with employee photos or perhaps photo background images.  Given the size of the image required and the quality of the smart phones available your camera will provide the necessary photos to complement your office signage.

Output your printed inserts to any desktop or all-in-one printer.  Quality office signs can be created quickly and easily using simple office printers.  Choose from simple white bond 20lb, 92 bright, paper to glossy 53lb photo paper for your office sign inserts.  Parchment or textured specialty paper is another great option for office signage adding a touch of class to your interior design.

Although not a tool per se, creativity will help to make your office signs come to life.  The great part about it is the fact that you can create aesthetically pleasing, designer-quality office signs by simply typing in your text and using specialty paper to print your signs.  This particular example requires little to no creativity but the more comfortable you become with the options available to you the better your office signage will become over time.

Get your free sign frame sample and see for yourself!  As always, we welcome your thoughts and comments.

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Flat or Curved Office Signs – 3 No-Fuss Ways to Figure it Out

Office SignsWhat are the primary drivers when choosing between flat and curved office signs?  Although there are many factors to consider when choosing which type of office signage to select, here are three that tend to surface to the top.

First, do you have a uniform sign program in place?  If so, stay with the existing office sign format for consistency.  Looking at mix-and-match office signs does not contribute to an aesthetically pleasing environment.  So if you have curved, stay with it.

Then there’s price.  If you don’t have office signs that you need to match then save the money.  Both the curved and flat office signage are durable, vandal-resistant and easy to maintain so find the size of the office sign you want and go with the least expensive one.

Another factor to consider when purchasing office signs is mounting.  All office sign frames can be mounted to glass with double-sided tape so there’s really no decision here.  Mounting office signs to a wall can be done with the same double-sided tape or with wall anchors and screws however, acrylic or masonite-backed sign frames may not always effectively support the latter.  Floating sign frames must be mounted with wall anchors and screws so choosing floating office sign frames for solid wood doors would not be pragmatic. Pay close attention to your mounting surfaces and the options available for mounting before purchasing your office signage.

Please share or comment on our blog.

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4 Things Learned in Kindergarten That’ll Help with Your Office Signs

office signsSo how can kindergarten help you with your office signs?  My daughter happens to be in kindergarten so I can say first-hand what I’m now – re-learning.

First, less is better!  A cluttered drawing is less desirable than an uncluttered one and the same holds true for office signs.  When in doubt with how to lay out the copy for your office sign go with the KISS principle (like the attached sign image).

Second, make it readable.  Use sans serif fonts for your office sign inserts so people can see them without having to squint.  The room signs in my child’s classroom are simple and bold which doesn’t get lost on adults especially as we get older.

Add color!  The more colorful room signs stand out from the others and the same holds true when it comes to your office signs.  Whereas coloring a room sign involves bright colored crayons in kindergarten, adding color to your office sign may include a photo background, an employee photo image or simply a colored background.

Last but not least – have FUN!  I look around and can’t find one room sign that doesn’t make me smile and so it should be when it comes to creating your office signs.  The simple desktop tools and technology make it easy to do and the creativity that goes along with it makes it fun and exciting.

If you’re interested in seeing for yourself we offer free sign frame samples just for the asking.We always welcome comments on our posts so please share them with us.

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Office Signs – 4 Things to Consider Before You Buy

Purchasing officeOffice Signs | Vista System signs for a small business or large complex can be intimidating given the various options available today on the market.  In compiling our customer feedback, here’s what they’ve considered important when purchasing office signage for their businesses.

Common Look & Feel – Office signs are an investment like anything else.  Then you decide you need directory signs or perhaps desk signs.  Making sure you select a company that has a comprehensive line of sign frames provides the opportunity to maintain that consistency.

Durability – Office signs should be a one-time purchase unless you are growing and need to add more.  Ensure the sign frames you choose are durable enough to hold up over time.

Recognized Manufacturer – Choose office sign products from manufacturers that will be around year after year.  Office signage solutions from respected companies means they stand behind their products and will be there to support your business growth.  This is especially critical for larger companies who have invested in office signs, directory signs and desk signs as part of a corporate uniform sign program.

Maintainability – This is by far the most important consideration when purchasing office sign products.  Unique or eclectic sign frames might look great on an architect’s rendering but become extremely problematic when it comes to updating or finding additional ones – not to mention the prohibitive cost.  Think thoroughly through the maintenance side of the equation before purchasing your office signage.

For more information about the WFFP31U sign frame included in this post and others like it check out our flat office signs or download our online catalog.  For questions please give us a call!

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Office Signs that Float?

Need office signs with a little dimension? These office signs are crafted with small brackets attached to the back of the sign frames which make them stand off or “float” approximately one-quarter inch from the wall.

Common applications include room signs, door signs, directional and wayfinding in universities, office buildings, churches and numerous other locations.  The entire suite of  flat sign frames is made from anodized aluminum and comes in three classic finishes. For more information we invite you to check out our video.

These particular office signs are mainly used for indoor use but support a variety of outdoor applications.  Because this is a modular sign system custom sizes, other than those listed in the catalog, are available.  The flat system supports ADA and numerous other office sign materials including paper, acrylic, PVC and vinyl.

Maintenance is fast and simple.  Replacing your office sign inserts is easily accomplished with the use of a Vista key or suction cup.  In the event the insert material is not flexible, simply disconnect one of the special cover extrusions mechanically fastened to the frame.

If you would like more information on these specific sign frames or if you simply have questions we’d be glad to assist.  We also welcome your comments so please let us know what we can do to make your signage work more effectively.

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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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Office Signs in Flat Portrait Orientation

Flat portrait office signs from Vista are perfect for office, campus, retail, medical and numerous other settings.  Print office sign inserts on paper or choose from a variety of other materials.  Made from anodized aluminum, all flat portrait office signs come with brushed silver, black and gold finishes and complement your office sign with either grey or black plastic end caps.

For more on flat portrait office signs check out the following:

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Top 5 Mounting Options for Office Signs and Office Directory Signs

office directory signMounting office signs and office directory signs properly will save you time and money. Whether installing an office sign in a business suite or an office directory sign on a college campus, the following tips will help ease the decision process given the variety of mounting surfaces available.

The most popular mounting options are:

  • Mounting Holes
  • Foam Tape
  • Very High Bond Tape
  • Velcro
  • Cubicle Pins

Mounting Holes

Commonly used for office directory signs or larger office signs, mounting holes provide a permanent solution and is suitable for most hard surfaces.  They’re relatively vandal-proof yet are easily removed using the proper tools.  The wall surface can typically be patched or painted to its original condition.

Foam Tape

Industrial strength, double-sided white foam tape is great for most office signs, such as the WFFP3U, and is suitable for most hard surfaces including walls, doors and glass.   If your surface is rough, porous or uneven, your office sign may not have a secure bond and  should therefore consider one of the other mounting  methods.  Foam tape is semi-permanent.

VHB (Very High Bond) Tape

VHB tape is a double-sided, high-bond permanent tape. It is used for smaller office directory sign frames along with most office sign frames creating a secure bond on doors, walls and glass.  Removal can cause damage to the mounting surface if not done using the proper tools.

Velcro

Velcro is ideal if you need to move your room office signs or office directory signs due to construction or related floor plan changes.

Cubicle Pins

Great for cloth surfaces such as cubicle walls, cubicle pins are the least permanent mounting option and are perfectly suited for small office sign frames.

Check out our website for more detail on each of these mounting methods.

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Choosing an Office Sign for Small Business

Choosing an office sign for small business can sometimes be intimidating given all the choices available.  When making the decision on which type of office sign is right for you consider the following:

First, there’s the cost of the sign itself.  Office signs can vary in price based on the size and type of material selected.  Signs for office environments are typically made of plastic or metal and come in either flat or curved orientations.  If you’re looking for an office sign that lasts and is aesthetically pleasing, then metal would be the preferred choice.

With respect to size, you want to make sure your office signs are readable and can accommodate the copy that will go on them.  For illustration purposes, we’ve chosen two of the more popular office signs for small business, namely the WFP4U and WFP5U.

WFP4U Office Sign

The WFP4U is a 4” x 4” two-part office sign with a 1” ADA header and the WFP5U is a 5” x 4” one-part office sign. Signs for office settings, especially small businesses, would find both footprints equally attractive and accommodate most sign copy.

The other consideration is maintenance. Maintenance on signs for office interiors can be costly and time consuming. Choosing a sign system that accepts paper inserts is highly cost effective, timely and is something that can be done within your office. Take your time in choosing office signs that meet both your specifications and your budget and you’ll be extremely satisfied.

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Custom Office Sign Creations

Office Sign AccessoriesAs if the inherent flexibility wasn’t enough, it is now possible to customize your office sign or room sign with additional accessories.  The line of MCFT curved office signs now support these add-on accessories to accommodate the ever-growing demands of today’s project specifications.

For example, you may have a horizontal curved office sign frame like the 4×4 WFP3U that you would like to customize by adding a decoratively cut aluminum insert.  The insert protrudes out from the office sign frame to create the unique design.  There are variations in the office sign accessories yet the illustration provides an idea of what you can do with these accessories.

You may also have a vertically curved room sign such as the 3×6 WFL10U that you customize by adding a decorative back plaque to the room sign frame giving it that unique design.  The plaque attached to the back of the room sign can be made from a variety of materials thereby creating a variety of eye catching designs.

The MCFT (Modular Curved Frame Technology) applied to an office sign or room sign offers the advantages of a modern modular system and the ability provide a customized solution at the same time.

Office signs are a great way to upgrade any office setting.  Office signs are also a way to improve corporate morale with inserts you can personalize and print yourself.  You need not be a desktop publishing expert to create high quality office signs like the pros.  It’s fast, simple and economical!