Spectrum Signs recently worked with Monksland Town Team, Athlone to design and print a set of Heritage Signs that are now for all to see, telling the very colourful history of neighbouring areas, Monksland, Bealnamullia and Drum.
I’m always pleased to be asked to collaborate on local heritage projects like this, not only because creating and designing the artwork and branding is a nice challenge, but also there’s an appreciation for all the new information you learn about your local area. These information signs tell the story of a diverse and interesting past, most of which I was unaware. From Daniel O’Connell’s monster meeting held at Summerhill to our medieval ancestors ‘keening’ their dead on pilgrim roads, to ancient dolmens and the way our less distant relatives lived, working off the land and visiting the mills. Most interestingly we learn about the origin of the ‘Monksland’ name, and how land was freed up to build Athlone Castle!
I’d like to acknowledge and thank Monksland Town Team for choosing Spectrum Signs to work with them on this project. It was a pleasure from start to finish and I enjoyed the infectious enthusiasm of Fred Carney, with whom I spent many pleasurable hours working alongside!
The specification of each sign reflects the amount of effort that went into producing them from initial design to printing, assembly and installing, and each is laminaned with an anti graffiti film to make ant unwanted attention wipe away easily.
Below is the original artwork for each sign and some pictures taken at the official unveilling.
Enjoy!
Paul
In the retail business, your shopfront is your first contact with your customer. They will assess your business at a glance and that makes the difference on whether they pass by or call in. This short article is worth reading because it offers tips on maximising the potential of your existing shopfront and also explains what Spectrum Signs can offer if it needs improvement or replacing.
Back to Basics: In your mind, your shopfront may look fine….it’ll do. But there are a few basics to consider that will make all the difference. Cleanliness is a big one. Shops that are located on main streets are battered by the elements, splashed by passing traffic and even the sun causes bleaching and chipping of paintwork and window displays. You might not even notice, but stand back and have a look to see if your shopfront is looking tired or shabby. Does it need washing down? Are the windows clean? Or maybe it’s time to call the painter. It’s so important to realise that people will assume that the outside is a reflection of the inside.
A Peek in the Window: When people get used to seeing something, it gets to a point when they don’t notice it any more. That’s why it’s important to change your window displays. By changing things around like this, you’ll engage your customer’s interest again. They’ll ask questions, look for new items and be attracted to the change. Be creative and do this fairly frequently. Creating a theme for sales campaigns is a great idea. This can be easily done by using printed backdrops behind your products to give added dimension to make your items stand out.
Exciting window graphics can pique the interest of passing traffic. Customers will be drawn in by the visual displays that catch their attention and they will leave a lasting impression in their minds. Temporary displays such as posters and banners are a cheap and effective means of marketing. This allows you the flexibility to advertise sales, promote seasonal items or announce new products. With our wide format printing and extensive design capabilities, we can provide bold messages that attract attention and influence consumer response.
Shopfront Signtastic!: A strong business brand design is a very powerful marketing tool for advertising and promoting your business. Good branding should reflect your business and products and directly appeal to your target market. Your branding can be targeted to a specific audience such as a particular age group, male or female, or it can be traditional or contemporary, depending on the core clientelle you are trying to attract. It can be in the form of a logo or carefully chosen fonts with good colour choices. There should be continuity wherever your brand appears… on your packaging, vehicles, promotional workwear and of course, your shopfront.
At Spectrum Signs, our graphics team can design your branding and then turn it into stunning reality on your shopfront. We design, build and install all types of shopfronts and shopfront signage using the latest engineering grade composite materials, right from a simple printed flat panel design to a complex internally illuminated fabricated shopfront sign with pillars. There is a solution to fit every budget, big or small. We can upgrade your existing signage and carry out remedial and sign maintenance works. We manufacture everything in-house at our Athlone facility in County Westmeath, and install nationwide.
Please take a few moments to browse our galleries. I hope you found this article useful and if you think that we can help to boost your business we’d be delighted to hear from you!
The Christmas period is the busiest time of the year for retailers and the hospitality sector including pubs, hotels and restaurants. In the competitive on-line world we live in, It’s vital that businesses put their best foot forward and look the part to attract as many customers as possible. At Spectrum Signs, we can help you to do this both professionally and economically by tailoring some of the following popular products including Window Graphics, Signs, Banners, Backdrops, Posters & Props specifically to enhance your business and make it warm and inviting.
Christmas Window Graphics can be designed to fit your window dimensions and reflect your business image. We can provide traditional designs or more contemporary, slick designs that will totally lift the face of your shop, restaurant or pub. Simple text graphics are ideal for promoting sales and events and the message can be direct and very effective. Window cling material is also a great solution that can be re-used next year
Window Backdrops are a very effective means of enhancing items displayed in windows whether that is in the form of products or mannequins. Design is critical here because the objective is to add to the appeal of the items and to ensure that the focus remains on them rather than distract from them. Our graphic designers are highly experienced and will ensure best results every time. Full colour window backdrops also have the advantage of being reusable and interchangeable from season to season.
Window Display Props could take almost any form thanks to our CNC cutting capabilities. A variety of rigid materials can be cut, assembled and printed to any shape and used to add flair to any window display, such as snowflake or Christmas tree shapes for the seasonal period.
Banners & Posters are common items but their effectiveness is not to be underestimated. Well executed designs speak volumes and will always attract attention. Banners can be made all shapes and sizes for any purpose and for long or short term use. Pop-up or roll-up banners are ideal for in-store promotions or for advertising offers and events in any public area.
Christmas preparation in the retail sector typically begins shortly after Halloween, but the majority of shoppers (and particularly the men of course!) continue shopping right up until Christmas Eve, so it is never too late to consider some of these great sales tools, and remember, the January Sales are also a major event on the retail calender.
There are effective solutions that will work for ANY BUDGET. Call us any time to discuss your needs, even if you are unsure of what direction to go with your promotions. You give us the brief, we give you the solution!
All the Best and chat again soon from the Spectrum Signs Team