A New Look – The Better Business Bureau®

When thinking about your office space it’s important to consider the overall flow of the lobby and building entrance.  It’s important that the images, text, color scheme, and layout fit the culture of your company and set the correct tone for your customers. Infinity Signs NW recently completed this multi-wall job at the Better Business Bureau® office. Each of the 3 different spaces is conveying unique and powerful information to customers and employees, all while maintaining continuity with the use of the logo and the color scheme.

The team working on this project made use of the solid blue wall as an accent color to really make the white text and image pop off the wall.  The large wall art with the map catches your attention and quickly indicates the size of the area served by this organization.  The logo and location are incorporated in all 3 areas and help to tie everything together nicely.  Wall art such as the map are a great way to use images to send messages without the need for text.  The 3-dimensional text on the other two walls makes the text and logo jump out, as well as adds a clean look.  The color choices convey a soothing tone and send the message that we are an organization you can trust, while the modern font and layout let people know that this organization is staying up with current trends and is not dated.

Many companies are beginning to see the value of going beyond just having the company name on the wall behind the receptionist in the lobby.  There’s so much more that can be done with that space and it can be incredibly powerful in reaching both customers and employees with the vision of the business.  The professional designers at Infinity Signs NW can work with your company to come up with the best way to get the most out of your lobby space as well. We regularly work with companies moving into new locations as well as those just in need of a facelift.  Regardless of your needs, or your budget, we’ve got options that will help you build brand awareness and gain market share.  Your business can go from a design to a completely redesigned, beautiful looking lobby in just a matter of days with the help of Infinity Signs NW professional design and installation team.  This is the perfect time to get your new look before the holiday season and the start of another new year.

5 Reasons to Choose Corporate Apparel

The attire in the office or workplace sets the tone for the environment but many managers wonder whether actually requiring corporate apparel is in the best interest of the employees or not.  No one wants to be the guy that forced uniforms on everyone and led to a revolt over uncomfortable, out-of-style shirts.  The good news is that there are some significant benefits to corporate apparel and that studies have shown that the majority of employees actually like wearing them.  The options for selecting various shirts now include materials that are comfortable, chic and flattering.

The research shows that there are some notable benefits to selecting corporate apparel, here are 5 that do more than enough to give you the push to make a change.

1. Create a Company Culture – corporate apparel instantly creates a dress code which sets the tone for the type of company you are. It sends a subliminal message to potential employees as well as customers about what type of business this is. Studies have also shown that employees who wear corporate apparel are more likely to buy in to the company mission, goals and values and will do a better job representing the company well to customers.
2. Build Connections – corporate apparel builds connections between employees by instantly creating an “in-crowd” of everyone working for the same corporation. Employees feel that they belong to something.  It also breaks down barriers between employees on various levels of the company by creating a visual appearance of the employees all being equal.  This has led to better communication and an increased free flow of ideas.
3. Save Money – corporate apparel saves employees money in wardrobe costs. Many people spend a significant amount of money buying work appropriate clothes, most of which they don’t wear outside of the office. Eliminating this cost for employees is a great perk.
4. Improve Brand Awareness – employees aren’t just putting their work clothes on at the office they’re wearing them when they buy their coffee on the way in, when they pick their kids up after school, or on their way to the gym. This increases the exposure the public has to your brand and thus increases overall brand recognition.  All of this can certainly lead to an increase in sales.
5. Eliminate Dress Code Disputes – it seems that no matter how well your dress code policies are laid out they always get called into question at some point. There will be someone who pushes the envelope and a dispute will result.  Corporate apparel eliminates this issue entirely and allows HR, employees, and managers to focus on more important things.

The Power of Color

One of the most powerful tools you have when creating brand recognition is color.  The right color selection and placement will stick with customers, and forever be associated with your name.  However it can be tricky to select the colors that best suit your business, so here are a few tips to help you get started.

First, keep it simple.  Too much color will be overwhelming and completely lose its effectiveness.  You want the customer to associate the color with your brand so limit it to 2 main colors and 1 accent color.  The 2 primary colors should have similar tones and go well together, while the accent color should be different thus causing it to really pop off the page.  Your primary colors should both be either warm or cool.  Browns, tans, blacks, golds and beige are considered warm while white, silver, gray and ivory would be cool colors.

Second, be consistent.  Once you’ve settled on the colors you’re going to use they should be everywhere.  Your signage, website, logo, literature, company shirts, and advertising should all use the exact same colors.  You don’t want to have one set of colors for your website, but a different set for your building signage if you’re trying to build brand awareness.  Keep the colors, even the hues of the colors, the same across the board.

Third, consider your personality.  There are some key areas to look at for the personality type of your business, and thus the colors that will best reflect that to your customers.  Take a look at the break down below to help you sort it all out.

Feminine (pink) vs. Masculine (dark blue/brown)

Playful (orange/yellow) vs Serious (green)

Luxurious (purple) vs. Affordable (light blue/white)

Modern (black/white) vs. Classic (brown)

Youthful (pink) vs. Mature (black/brown)

Loud (red) vs. Subdued (gray)

Finally, know your audience.  While it’s important that your colors reflect your company, it’s equally important that they speak to your potential customers.  Give some consideration to the personality type your most likely to find in your customers and whether that’s reflected in your color choice or not as well.  Choosing your color scheme is a big decision and the designers at Infinity Signs NW are here to help.  We can work with you to make sure your colors will help establish your brand, speak to your customers and reflect your business personality.  Infinity Signs NW can take you through the whole process from choosing colors to turning that into signage, literature and employee shirts.

Why Salespeople Love Brochures

As more and more customers come into the sales process already thoroughly educated on the product they’re looking to purchase, thanks largely to the plethora of information available on the internet, it changes the sales process some.  The customer is no longer looking for the basics, they already have that, instead they’re looking for your salesperson to be an “expert”.  Having a high quality, print brochure can help your salesperson immensely in striving to meet this demand and earn business.  Here are a 5 reasons why:

1. Legitimacy – customers realize that virtually anyone can put up a website that can appear authentic, while in fact they may be a fly by night business. Having a well-designed brochure gives the impression of a solid, stable company that’s invested in their industry and will be around long after the sale is complete. It immediately improves the impression that person has of your salesperson.
2. Messaging – your brochure is a great way to make sure all of your salespeople are delivering the same message to your prospects. Encouraging, or requiring, the use of this tool will make sure the most critical points about your product or company are covered in every sales discussion.  It allows you to have some control over the messaging that’s being delivered in the field.
3. Talking Point – the brochure actually makes life easier for the salesperson by providing images they can reference during a discussion, fast facts that answer many questions that the customer is likely to ask, and creating an easy flow through the conversation. For many salespeople a good brochure is all they need to walk a client through their entire sales presentation.
4. Notepad – most sales calls require pricing discussions and many salespeople love to use the brochure to note price options, available discounts, and pricing for add-ons. It keeps all of the most critical information in one place for the prospect to reference after the salesperson leaves, and in many instances it can give the impression that this pricing is special, just for this client and just for this window of time, which encourages the prospect to move quicker in the sales process.
5. Images – in many cases the salesperson won’t have the actual product or service they’re selling with them so having good images is critical. The images in the brochure will draw people in, break up the stream of words, and explain complex concepts.  In the end the image is what is most likely to stick with someone after they close the brochure.

While it may seem that printed literature is a dated concept, it actually remains incredibly relevant in the sales process.  If you ask your sales team they’ll tell you that there are very few more effective marketing tools for them to have in their toolbox then a well-designed, eye-catching, quality brochure.  The professional designers at Infinity Signs NW are available to work with you and your team to create your perfect brochure.       

Promotional Products for Dental Offices

Almost everyone dreads going to the dentist. However, getting free things after a trip to the dentist can make it a little better for both kids and adults. Dentists have a great opportunity to increase their patient’s dental health, improve visits, and increase brand awareness by handing out branded promotional products.

Here are some fun ideas for branded promotional products:

• Stress Ball

The dentist brings out all kinds of stress and anxiety. A branded stress ball will help patients keep their anxieties under control during the visit and after. Both children and adults will get use out of it. There are many different shapes of stress balls like lips or a tooth that relate back to dentistry.

• Lip Balm

After dental work, sometimes the patients’ lips can get dry. Relieve that issue with some branded lip balm. They’ll continue using it long after leaving, which could possibly remind them to take better care of their teeth and recommend the dentist to friends.

• Toothbrush

Everyone needs an extra toothbrush or two at home in their bathroom. Whether the patient uses it themselves, or gives it to a guest who forgot to pack one, it can help increase brand awareness. It may not be the most exciting promotional product, but a practical, useful one.

• Compact Mirror

Compacts are generally used for adjusting makeup, but they can also be useful for flossing after a meal. Every time the compact is pulled out and used, it can be seen by others, increasing exposure.

• Water Bottle

Part of dental health is staying hydrated. Make it easier for patients to stay hydrated with a branded water bottle. There are tons of styles and sizes to choose from.

Talk to Infinity Signs NW about investing in these and other promotional products for dentist offices. Learn how they can be beneficial for bringing in new patients and maintaining a better relationship with current patients.

 

Advertising with Balloons

When it comes to promotional items, there are many choices available. From pens and pencils to coffee mugs and koozies, there’s a promotional item for every business. One that is often overlooked is the latex balloon.

They’re present at parties, tied to cars in car lots, and handed out to children at events. Why not use them to advertise?

Infinity Signs NW can print your company logo or other company message on natural latex balloons that are 100 percent biodegradable. Have them print a logo, or event information. Two-sided color imprint is also available. These balloons come in a multitude of colors that can be standard, luminous, and pearl.

Events

At an event with a booth, balloons can be a good way to get people’s attention. If they’re positioned high enough, they will catch people’s attention over all of the other banners, posters, and everything else going on.

They can also be passed out at events. This works especially well at family-friendly events with children. The kids probably won’t care what is on the balloon, just that they can have one. When the balloon is presented to the child, the parent will take notice of the company logo, creating brand awareness, which is associated with a positive memory.

Real Estate

With millions of signs everywhere these days, sometimes real estate signs can be overlooked. One way to get them to stand out is by securing balloons with your company logo to them. They aren’t expected and will catch the attention of those passing by. Hosting an open house that’s a little difficult to find? Use signs with balloons tied to them to direct people to the property. Advertising is important in real estate and balloons can help.

Talk to Infinity Signs NW about using printed balloons for advertising purposes. They can also help design and manufacture the sign or banner needed for the next event or open house. Visit their website today to learn more about the promotional items they have available.

3 Ways to Use T-Shirts to Grow Revenue

Embroidered Shirts and Hats

Many companies use T-shirts as part of their company uniform without realizing some of the other benefits T-shirts can bring to business marketing. Increase revenue and brand awareness by using t-shirts in the following ways:

1. Client Appreciation

Businesses thrive by gaining and retaining clients. One way to demonstrate your appreciation for clients is with gifts. T-shirts with the company brand show customers they are an important part of the company’s success, and how much they are valued.

2. Brand Building

T-shirts can be a cost effective way to build brand awareness. Having employees wear them, passing them out at events, or selling them at your storefront, creates a mobile billboard for others to see. The more people wearing your T-shirts around town, the more eyes see your brand. Including a creative design or catchy phrase on your shirts may even stimulate conversations which will further help to promote your business. This nearly free publicity may even open doors to other companies when the shirts are worn in the workplace.

For companies with smaller marketing budgets who can’t afford large advertisements, t-shirts can really get the company name out there. Prospective clients become aware of the brand due to the t-shirts they have seen, making them more comfortable with the brand and company.

3. Improved Employee Relationships

As mentioned above, one way to help brand awareness is with employee t-shirts. However, that isn’t the only benefit that can come from giving employees company–shirts. These shirts can give the employees the sense that they are part of a team, which can lead to increased productivity and a positive work environment.

Talk to Infinity Signs about designing a company t-shirt and starting a t-shirt program. The team at Infinity Signs can design t-shirts, or add your business logo almost any other type of clothing to help businesses grow.

 

3 Tips for Creating a Company Logo

Creating a company logo is an important step in starting a new business. It helps to shape the identity and often is the first thing customers will see. This is why it needs to symbolize what the company stands for.

There are three types of logos:

• Font-based logos: these are made up of a type treatment with a twist so they aren’t just simple print
• Illustrative logos: this type is literally an illustration of what the company does
• Abstract graphic symbols: these logos don’t necessarily have anything to do with the actual business, such as the Nike swoosh

Not everyone is a creative genius, which can make creating a company logo difficult. That’s where Infinity Signs NW comes in. Their graphic design team can help create the perfect company logo to put on signage, promotional products, and more. However, coming in with a few ideas is helpful. Here are some ideas to get started:

1. Seek out the competition

Some logos might not fly in a certain industry. It can be a good idea to check out what other companies are doing and which type of logo is used a lot in that industry. It can also give companies an idea of how to make theirs stand out.

2. The message

The logo is a direct message to customers telling them what the company is about. If the company is more conservative, the logo should reflect that. The target audience should also be taken into consideration.

3. Concise

Logos can’t afford to be cluttered. They need to be clean and able to be put on anything from a business card to the side of a vehicle. The best logos are easily reproduced and distinctive.

While actually creating the logo oneself isn’t the best idea, brainstorming some ideas can really help expedite the process. Talk to Infinity Signs NW about creating the perfect company logo to go on any sign or product needed.

Brochure Design Elements

Along with a variety of signs, promotional products, and vehicle wraps, Infinity Signs can also help design and manufacture brochures for businesses, non-profits, events, and more. When designing a brochure, there are some elements that make up a good design.

Format

Brochures come in different formats. Some formats work better than others for certain brochures and the type of information being presented. The most common format that comes to mind when people think of brochures is a tri-fold brochure. This format allows a lot of information to be presented because it is broken up by the folds. However, if big pictures and luxury products are going to be in the brochure, then a tri-fold style might not be the best choice.

White Space

While people want to include as much information in a brochure as possible, they also need to leave room for white space. Without balanced white space the brochure will look cluttered and confuse the eye.

Colors

The colors should coordinate with the company logo and color scheme. Avoid going overboard with color because too much will be off-putting. However, using no color will make the brochure boring and people will be less inclined to pay attention to it.

Typography

Because brochures are to be read, the font, its size and spacing matters. Avoid using small fonts just to cram more information on the page. Keep the text simple and easy to read. It needs to be large enough for the audience the brochure is targeting and should have sufficient spacing so it doesn’t look like the words are sitting right on top one another.

Those who plan on designing their brochure themselves before having Infinity Signs print it, should keep these elements in mind. The graphic design team at Infinity Signs can also help design brochures. Talk to them about creating the perfect brochure for the next company event.

Business Card Rules

Businessmen and women hand out hundreds to thousands of business cards each year. To make sure those business cards are making the right impression, be aware of how its format and information are coming across to potential contacts. Follow these five rules for an effective business card:

1. Only Important Information

Not every single detail needs to be put on a business card. Cluttering it with a small font can make it difficult for people to read or lose their attention. The basics should be the only info on the front of the business card. These include: name, title, business name, phone, email and website.

2. Legibility

The text on business cards should be simple and easy to read. While it might be tempting to add a fun font, it isn’t the best idea. The logo design can be a different, fun element that adds interest, while allowing the font to stay simple.

3. Printing

While printing business cards at home might save a little money, they won’t make as good of an impression as professionally printed business cards. The team at Infinity Signs NW can print business cards, as well as help design them for customers.

4. Keep the Audience in Mind

Business cards for a tailoring business will look different than those for a plumbing business. They will need to be designed thinking of the people receiving the business card and how they will receive the design.

5. Call to Action

To make a card memorable and interactive, consider including a call to action. It can be a discount, a QR code, or something else interactive. It can help generate leads and get people to call or visit your website.

Not sure where to start? The graphic design team at Infinity Signs NW can design business cards for any kind of business. They can also help design a logo for new businesses. Contact Infinity Signs today.