A Printer's Guide to Everything Signs

Signs are magic! They help you find your way. They remind you of great experiences at stores and with products. They make you laugh and spark imagination. Printed signs are a staple of advertising everything from wristwatches to restaurants. They are even expanding their communication influence in banks, grocery stores, and any place where people congregate. The recent Mordor Printed Signage market report points to opportunities across all retail segments as they continue to grow their investment in visibility and awareness campaigns. 

To create that magic moment with signs:

1. Follow this handy guide.
2. Help your clients think about what they need to communicate, where the sign will live, and mounting options, for starters.
3. Before they make a final selection, point out all the options.
4. Guide them to the best type of sign for each requirement by creating a signage plan that identifies every place a sign will add value.

Each location will have different constraints and needs, but the good news is that 4over has a wide range of sizes and materials, from smaller Coroplast signs for outdoor wayfinding to Large Format billboards to focus attention on business locations. For clients with storefront operations, sandwich boards can be a great way to grab the attention of passersby, while window clings can promote seasonal specials and loyalty programs. 

For clients looking for long-term durability and high visibility, the team at 4over can help you explain the options. There are significant differences between low gloss, weather-resistant PVC that eliminates glare and keeps colors vivid, and the variety of aluminum options with extended durability that are rigid enough to mount almost anywhere. Remember to guide your clients through mounting options, like holes and mounting poles. The mounts should never interfere with the sign design and the placement of graphic elements. Keep grommets and bolts out of logos and messaging. 

For those looking for something a little less permanent, offer gator board, styrene, or foam core options. These are great options for vibrant signs that hold color. Foam core is a cost-effective option for indoor signage, but there are other options for outdoor signs. Styrene signs are a staple for Point of Purchase displays both indoors and outdoors. They make great wayfinding signs because of the many sizes that help them stand out in a crowd. Gator board has been the go-to for clients building exhibits or displays for many years because it is more durable than foam core but still ultra-light. Show clients the power of clear acrylic signs for permanent wayfinding and business visibility. 

While we think of signs for product advertising, point of purchase, and wayfinding, don’t forget that signs can also be mood setters. Banners and boards with seasonal images, local high school and college team sports images, and local landmarks make restaurants cozier and retail shops more inviting. 4over has signs in all the sizes your clients need to keep their messages fresh and visible.

To get started, review the many sign options with your 4over team to find the ones that will work for your clients. Consider building sign packages for new businesses, events, and business meetings to guide your clients toward packages that will lift their image while providing a budget break.

4over is always here to help you grow your business and deliver for your clients. And as a trade-only printer, 4over will never compete with you—the best measure of our success is yours!