Tag: sign

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The 5 Most Popular Office Signs. Number 3 is a MUST!

It’s sometimes intimidating trying to find the ideal office signs for your business given the amount of options from which to choose.  You first have to pick the right sign frames and then you have to decide what type of inserts to use.  I thought I would take some of the more frequently ordered signs and briefly describe why I believe most people tend to gravitate towards them.  I’ll also take a few minutes afterwards to talk about Vista System office signage in general, including the features common across the entire product line which may help further explain why customers like these particular sign frames.

  1. WFFP2U    – Dimensions 3″H x 5.25″W.
  2. WFFP16U  – Dimensions 6″H x 6″W
  3. WFFP17U  – Dimensions 6″H x 6″W with a 2″ ADA header
  4. WFP1U      – Dimensions 2″H x 4″W
  5. WFP84U    – Dimensions 11″H x 8.5″W

 

The WFFP2U is the smallest and most economical of the flat product line.  The WFFP16U sign frame is one of the more popular office signs because it’s ideally sized for insert content with an attractive price point.  The WFFP17U is identical to the 16U but is a two-part sign frame with a two-inch ADA header.  The flat portrait office signs in general have become increasingly popular for the above reasons.

The WFP1U is the most cost effective of the office door signs.  Unlike the other three listed so far, the WFP1U is from the curved product line.  Since the curved line is LEED certified I believe this may be another contributing factor to the curved line popularity.  Finally, the WFP84U sign frames accommodate 8.5 x 11 letter-size inserts which make it an ideal solution for people who like to do-it-yourself.

Overall I believe people choose office signs from Vista System because they are competitively priced, aesthetically pleasing and most importantly, are extremely easy to maintain.  There are others too but maintaining your office door signs, for example, can be very costly downstream due to promotions, attrition, etc. By using paper inserts you can print new office door signs in minutes for a fraction of the cost of having to call your local sign company.

If you would like a free sample please let us know and we’ll send you one just for the asking.  We value your business and opinions so please comment on our blog or any of our other social channels.

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Directory Signs – Flat Landscape for Directional & Wayfinding

Directory signs with the flat, landscape orientation are typically used as interior office signs including directional signs, directory boards and in various wayfinding applications.  The flat landscape directory signs accommodate interior and exterior sign applications and provide navigation and traffic control within your building or office complex.

Wayfinding, by definition, encompasses all of the ways people orient themselves in a physical space and navigate from place to place.  More recently, wayfinding has been used in the context of architecture in reference to the experience of orientation and choosing a path within a built environment.  Directory signs, when used in a lobby for example, provide the information necessary to get the customer or client to their appropriate destination.  This is the most common use for these type of frames.

There’s also the other aspect of wayfinding which entails traffic control.  When used in hallways or corridors or upon exiting an elevator these directory signs become directional signs, typically with directional arrows, providing a clear path within or among buildings.

Vista’s modular line of office signage provides extreme flexibility from a design and implementation standpoint.  First, all flat landscape directory signs are built to order so custom sizes are expected without having the exponential cost factor applied to non-cataloged frames.  Second, because the landscape-oriented office signage is installed as individual panels, architects and designers have become extremely creative in their designs for directional signs by staggering the frames as well as creating complete murals across the grouping.  Combined with the various types of materials the frames can accommodate, they become interior design features versus simple office signage.

Check out our video channel or comment on this blog post.  We welcome your comments and suggestions.

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Sign Frame Installation – Wall Anchors & Screws

Sign frame installation for Vista System products is fast and easy and just one of the reasons why sign professionals around the world choose them.  This video clip illustrates how to install one of our 8.5 x 11 letter-size office signs using wall anchors and screws but the same method holds for directory signs, door signs and poster frames.  Take a look.

As you can see, installing your sign frames can be done in a matter of minutes and only requires a level and an electric drill.  Here’s a quick recap of the process:

Step 1: Level Your Sign Frame
Step 2: Mark Your Holes
Step 3: Set the Wall Anchors and Screws
Step 4: Add the Paper Insert and Acrylic Lens

Keep in mind that installing your sign frames with wall anchors and screws is meant to be permanent.  So, if you intend to move your office signs or directory signs frequently, or at all, other mounting options should be considered.  Also, consult your local building codes and regulations for mounting height requirements before installing your sign frames.

Because of the various surfaces in which you can mount your sign frame, the frames are not shipped with the mounting hardware.  Common wall anchors and screws can be purchased at your local hardware store based on your specific mounting needs.

One other point to note.  The WFP84U office sign used in this video illustrates the use of a paper insert with a clear acrylic lens.  By far, paper inserts are the preferred choice from a maintenance perspective from a cost and turnaround standpoint since you can do it yourself.  However, Vista System office signs support a variety of materials in addition to paper including acrylic, ADA, vinyl, photopolymer and many others.

Please comment on our video or visit our channel for more information on Vista System products.

 

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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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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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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.