Table of Contents 

1. Introduction
2. What are the different ways to advertise using my car? 
3. What are the benefits of car decals?
4. What are the common uses of car decals?
5. Key Takeaways
6. Conclusion

Car advertising is one of the most innovative and effective ways to promote your business 24/7. It turns your vehicle into a mobile billboard, so you can easily reach a wide audience, whether you’re running errands, driving to work, or simply parked outside. While car advertising can come in many forms, car decals always stand out more due to their benefits. Let’s explore what sets car decals apart in this article by Signs.com.

What are the different ways to advertise using my car? 

Before diving into the benefits of car decals, let’s explore the different methods of car advertising. These are: 

• Car decals – Car decals are semi-permanent vinyl graphics that are placed on any part of the vehicle. These are very versatile and affordable and are best used for long-term promotions.  

• Car magnets – Car magnets are temporary and removable signs that stick to the car’s surface. These are often used for short-term campaigns or if the car is used for both personal and business purposes. 

• Vehicle wraps – Vehicle wraps are vinyl graphics that cover the entire surface of the car. These offer maximum visibility and are more suitable for large vehicle fleets. 

Not sure which type matches your business needs? Check out our comparison article on Vehicle Wraps vs. Vehicle Decals and Car Magnets vs. Car Decals. 

What are the benefits of using car decals? 

Now that you know the different types of car advertising, let’s find out why car decals are the best choice for car advertising.

1. They offer lots of impressions. Unlike traditional forms of advertising, car decals can generate high impressions while you’re on the go. Car decals are eye-catching and easy to spot, so your ad is immediately exposed to a diverse audience, whether you’re stuck in traffic, on busy highways, in a parking lot, or in front of a store. 
2. They are inexpensive. Car decals are a one-time expense. They don’t have any recurring fees and are perfect for small businesses or startups with a limited budget. 
3. They have tax benefits. Advertising your business using car decals can make you eligible for tax benefits. Any amount you spend that goes into placing an advertisement can be written off as a business expense. To make the most of these perks, make sure to keep track of your receipts and expenses and consult an accountant. For more information, read our Tax Benefits of Using Car Decals for Your Business article. 
4. They are easy to install and remove. Car decals do not require a lot of effort to install and remove. If you ever need to apply them to a car’s surface, update, or replace them, you can do it yourself without worrying about damaging the paint or you can seek help from a professional. Check out our article on How to Install Car Decals Like a Champ and How to Remove Car Decals Without Damaging the Paint for comprehensive guides. 
5. They are durable and long-lasting. Car decals are designed for long-term use, compared to car magnets that only last for a short time. They’re semi-permanent and made of durable, UV-, water- and weather-resistant material, making them the ideal choice if you want to promote your business for several years.
6. They give your car a professional appearance. Car decals add a polished and professional look to your vehicle. This grabs the attention of your audience, helps build credibility, and implements consistent branding if you’re using multiple vehicles. 
7. They are customizable. Car decals have various shapes, sizes, and designs, which make them customizable to match any business. You can apply them to your car, truck, or van, use minimalist text, go for bold designs, or add QR codes to link your social media page.

What are the Common Uses of Car Decals? 

Car advertising is not just limited to businesses — they can also be used across various industries and creative purposes. This makes car decals a great option for ads, as they are incredibly versatile and can be used in various ways. Here are some of the common uses of car decals: 

Brand Advertising 

Car decals are often used for brand promotions. Whether you’re a small business, a startup, or a large company, car decals are an excellent way for you to gain more visibility and advertise your services and business hours. 

Event Promotion 

Looking for more attendees or supporters for your event? Car decals are perfect for promoting various events, campaigns, or fundraisers. Make sure to include locations, ticket information, and event dates in your ads to encourage more people to come to your event. 

Seasonal and Holiday Marketing 

Take advantage of the holiday rush and use car decals to advertise special deals, promos, and discounts. Add festive themes in your design to capture the attention of your audience. 

Personalization and Custom Projects 

Car decals are not just great for promotions — they’re also suitable for personal expression. You can use it for showcasing your interests or spreading awareness about advocacies you stand for. 

Fleet Branding 

If you’re handling multiple vehicles like firetrucks, ambulances, police vehicles, or buses, car decals can help make your fleet recognizable through consistent branding. You can do this by ensuring the same logo, contact information, and design is applied to all vehicles so that they’re easy to identify from a distance.  

Car decals offer endless possibilities for businesses, individuals, and organizations alike. Find out more when you read our piece What Industries Use Car Decals as an Advertising Tool?

Key Takeaways 

• Car advertising is a cost-effective way of promoting your brand. 

• Car decals offer long-term benefits compared to other forms of car advertising. 

• Car decals are incredibly versatile and used across various industries. 

• Decals are easy to install and remove and can be customized to match your needs.
  

Conclusion 

Car decals are one of the most efficient tools that you can use for car advertising. They enhance brand visibility, are easy to use and customize, and won’t break the bank. Whether you’re looking to bring in more customers to your business, promote an event, or announce seasonal promos, car decals are a reliable choice for conveying your message and making your ad stand out.  

Ready to create your custom car decals and get started? Check out these Tips From Design Experts at Signs.com to make the most out of your car decals today. 

Related Articles

• The Benefits of Car Advertising
• What’s the Difference Between Car Magnets and Car Decals?
• How to Use Car Decals As Ads?
• Custom Car Decals: Tips from Design Experts at Signs.com
• Shift Your Marketing Into Gear: Full Vehicle Wraps vs. Vehicle Decals
• Revamp Your Ride: How to Install a Car Decal Like a Champ

The Benefits of Car Advertising

Signage is so ingrained in our collective minds that most of the time we go about our daily activities without even knowing they are there. They direct us, remind us and sometimes even inspire us to make decisions each day. For local small businesses, they are a priceless way to establish an identity and gain new customers.

Signs attract new customers and alert them that you exist. Recent surveys found that many customers would have never found a business unless they had seen its sign.

Signs help your business be more profitable. Installing a new sign such as a vinyl banner or yard sign, can increase business as much as nearly 16 percent. You might consider other types of banners as well as decals and vinyl in your signage mix as well. It’s a fast, easy way to plump up your bottom line without spending a bunch of money.

Small business signs are a vital part of the community. Many new people move into your neighborhood every year—your sign encourages them to drop by your business. Over 85 percent of your customers are neighbors—they live or work within 5 miles of your business. Your customers drive past your business daily; your signage keeps you top-of-mind. Studies show that consumers are more likely to remember your business from your signage than they are from television or radio ads.

Your signage draws people in on impulse. One survey showed that up to 45 percent of people reported stopping at a business on impulse last year. You’re already making money from customers who have planned to shop at your store—why not entice a few in on impulse? You’ll gain a new customer and they’ll gain a great new place to shop.

Infographic Transcription

The Benefits of Signs

Signs bring in new customers – The question was asked: How did you learn about us? The responses were: 50% On-Premise Sign, 33% Word of Mouth, 9% Newspaper, 6% Yellow Pages, 1% TV, and 1% Radio. Signs attract half of a start-up business’ new customers, 35% of passersby wouldn’t know your business was there without a sign.

Signs Increase Profits

Studies show that adding or changing a sign directly improves sales revenue. Here are the average increases in sales revenue for the Fast Food Industry: If you add one monument sign 9.3% increase and if you add a large pole sign (144 sq. ft.) 15.6% increase. And for the Retail Industry: If you add a large pole sign (144 sq. ft.) 8.6% increase, if you add a chain identity to the plaza identity sign 7.7% increase, if you add two new directional signs 8.9% increase, if you replace storefront wall sign with larger sign 7.7%.

What can signage do for you?

Research indicates that 85% of your customers live or work within a five-mile radius of your business. 17% of Best Buy’s walk in customers did so because of a sign.

Percent of Customers That Stop on Impulse:

Shopping Center

– Larger than 400,000 sq. ft. 20% on impulse

– 100,000 – 400,000 sq. ft. 25% on impulse

– Smaller than 100,000 sq. ft. 35% on impulse

Convenience Market 40% on impulse

Discount Club/Warehouse Store 20% on impulse

Fast Food Restaurant 40% on impulse

Sit Down Restaurant 15% on impulse

Service Station 45% on impulse

Supermarket 20% on impulse

Relocation = New Customers

13% to 20% of the population moves each year, which means you have 13% to 20% new customers to attract each year through signage.

How customers know about local businesses: 35% saw it while passing, 29% always knew, 14% word of mouth, 10% advertising, 6% all other, and 7% don’t know.

Signs Compared to TV & Newspapers

Billboard – A single on-site sign costs $.02 per one-thousand views

Newspaper – A 300 line newspaper ad costs $2.81 per one-thousand views and might only reach 53% of the market

TV – A single TV ad costs $9.82 per one-thousand views and might only reach 14% of the market

One Billboard – The value of on-site signage is equal to 24 full-page newspaper ads every year.

Sources:

http://www.signs.org/SignIndustry/Signage101/SignsTheBottomLine.aspx

http://www.signs.org/SignIndustry/Signage101/SignsasMarketing.aspx

http://www.bangadvertising.com/Why_Signage.pdf

http://www.whatsyoursignage.com/StepOne4.aspx

http://www.impactsignandapparel.com/PDF%20Files/SIGN%20FACTS.pdf

The Benefits of Signage [Infographic]

We’ll work to answer that exact question in our latest series called “The Effectiveness of Signage,” where we cover the do’s and don’ts of sign advertising.

Our First Experiment

On our drives to work every morning, we see all sorts of signs. There are yard signs for political campaigns, security systems, realtors and so much more. Along the busier roads, there are signs plastered all over telephone poles and crosswalks.

Then there are the sign spinners. Those guys or girls who hold signs and dance like their life depends on it. We’ve all seen them, but does all that boogying really work?

At Signs.com, we wanted to find out. We decided to test a few signs of our own served to oncoming traffic in a Metropolitan area, with the simple invitation, “Honk if you see this sign.”

Our ultimate goal was to see whether a person being present with the sign made a real difference in completed calls to action. The results might surprise you!

Too Long, Didn’t Read

Before we dive into how we conducted our tests, here are some of the nuggets we’ve pulled out of our findings you can take advantage of right now. We’ll go over the specifics of how we arrived at these recommendations throughout the rest of the article:

• Signs get noticed despite repeated studies claiming we’re blind to ads.
• Using a person boosts engagement: if it is appropriate for your business, try having someone stand out by the sign to help attract customers—the human element will drive a greater response rate than just having a sign posted.
• Use color contrast.
• Make your message short and clear for drivers passing by to read.
• If you want to get more people to respond to your sign, make your call to action (CTA) as easy as possible (low-involvement) to eliminate barriers. (keep your message simple)
• Give oncoming drivers enough time to react to your sign.
• Location matters—make your sign as visible as possible. Place your sign in a well-trafficked area when possible.

How We Did It

A good experiment needs a sound method. We wanted to see how design, sign size and amount of text could affect the responses of drivers on their morning commutes. Take a look at each of the 11 signs below along with how we used each in the test:

For each variation, we used three different ways of presenting the sign:

1. Sign Standing Alone: just set up on the side of the road with no one near the sign
2. Sign Held: No Motion—where one of our employees held the sign, but didn’t move… at all
3. Sign Held: With Motion—where one of us played the role of the sign spinner.

For each test, we showed each sign to 100 oncoming cars, in a moderately trafficked metropolitan area, just outside of Utah’s Capitol, Salt Lake City. To make sure drivers only had enough time to read the sign while driving rather than stopped at a traffic light, we conducted the experiments a quarter mile from the oncoming stoplight and 200 ft away from the stop light behind us.

It would only take about seven minutes for each round of 100 cars to pass us. To make sure we were only counting completed calls to action from those who saw the sign, we ignored honks and waves from cars driving in the opposite direction who honked or waved without actually being able to read the signage. Keep that point handy: the people on the other side of the street offered an interesting insight!

It’s important to note that because it was an especially windy day, we could not put up the small sign by itself because it kept blowing away.

Results

And now, for the good part. We’ll look at the data in a couple of different ways and walk you through the most salient takeaways. Keep in mind that this isn’t a perfect study, but what we found does give us a glimpse of what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to small business advertising signs.  

Before we dive deeper, looking at the chart above, the “Sign Standing Alone” test received the least amount of engagement compared to either of the other two tests. Whether moving or not, having a person present with the sign increases responses by over 150%.

So if you’re wondering whether sign spinners are worth the extra money, the answer is yes! Without a doubt introducing a human element dramatically increased the response rate of the signage. We didn’t perfectly imitate sign spinners during our test—during the second round of testing we simply stood behind the signs, and for the third test, we waved the sign back and forth a little. Even still our presence with the sign made a dramatic difference in engagement. Assuming customers would act on a sign with a human element to it inside your store then we believe it is safe to say that the extra cost is worth it.

Adding motion to the sign, however, only increases responses by about 6% over no motion. So adding a sign spinner really does work! But don’t stress if your sign spinner doesn’t have great dance skills. Let’s take a look at the total responses across all tests for each sign.

Far and away our most completed actions came from waves (sign 6) compared to honks. On the other hand, responses to sign 10 was very low (95% fewer responses than the basic black text on white background). Some other things things that really stand out when looking at the results this way is that small text and small signs aren’t as effective as larger text and larger signage.

Digging Deeper

Using high contrast in text and color on your signs can boost responses by as much as 23%.

Short, concise messages are over 90% more effective at driving engagement.

Using a person in with your sign can increase engagement as much as 60%.

A few others to consider:

• Compared to its larger counterpart, the small sign received 30 fewer completions than the control. That’s a 75% decrease in response.
• By far the worst performing sign was the block text sign, which received only 2 total completions across all the tests.
• Switching to the CTA of waves instead of honks increased responses by 70% from the control.
• While adding an image to your design won’t hurt your response rate, having a complicated image proved to be too distracting. There were only 26 total responses for the complicated image compared to the 44 responses with the normal image.

So what does all of this data mean? Let’s take a look at the practical applications for small businesses and sign advertisers.

What This Means for You

One of the more obvious takeaways is that people notice signs while driving! Whether they pay attention or not relies heavily on design, copy, and size. As long as the text was legible, the design didn’t make a major difference, as long as it didn’t get too crazy (See the results for the sign with the “Complex” purple, orange and yellow design. )

Plenty of people saw our signs but for whatever reason, didn’t complete the CTAs. Maybe they were just reluctant to honk or wave; maybe they absent-mindedly read the sign. What was interesting is the place at which most drivers would complete the call to action. Let’s look at the graphic below:

About 20% of drivers would read the sign as they approached the green zone,
but wouldn’t react to the message (honk or wave) until approaching the red zone.
While in the yellow zone, it appears drivers are processing your sign’s message.

There is a clear delay in how information is processed when attention is divided. So it’s important to keep your messages short and legible. Additionally, you’ll want to place your sign spinner far enough ahead of the entrance to your business to give drivers time to connect the dots and turn into the parking lot.

And while our CTAs aren’t anything you would use in the real-world – comparing waves to honks – it seems people are more likely to react when there is less of a cost to doing so:

Waving is an easier response than honking as it is less likely to be noticed by other participants around them. So it’s important that your CTA when trying to reach drivers is low-involvement. Keep that in mind for your objectives, especially since this type of advertising is usually at the top of the sales and marketing funnel.

Final Thoughts

Another key takeaway is that people are drawn to other people. More specifically, they’re drawn to faces.  When people see someone holding a sign on the side of the road, they will see the person holding the sign, then they will read the sign. If you want to boost the visibility and the reactions for your sign, the best way to do that is have a person holding your sign. That’s all the more reason to keep your messages brief, as passerby will read the sign only after looking at the face behind it. But sign spinners do work!

One of our biggest surprises though: remember how we said we ignored the honks and waves from people coming the opposite direction of our sign? There were a lot of them. Part of this could be what’s thought to be the monkey-see-monkey-do phenomenon (apparent because some of the honking from the opposite direction was excessive). But some even stopped in the middle of the road to turn their heads to get a look a look at what they were missing.

So FOMO plays just as much a role on the road as it does online. Don’t know what FOMO means? You’re experiencing it right now: it stands for “Fear of Missing Out” and it’s a powerful insight that marketers can use to drive traffic and sales. Take advantage of it!

Conclusion

Are you interested in increasing your business traffic with signage? Signs.com has you covered! We have over 75 types of signs to choose from with free design services and quick turnaround times. Check out the selection and get your business seen with high-quality signs.

Fair Use Statement

Feel free to use this data for your own research. We encourage sharing for non-commercial purposes. If you do use our content on your own site or social channels, simply attribute us with a link back to this page.

How To Drive Engagement With Outdoor Signs

It’s a tough landscape out there for small business owners. They’ve got a whole host of challenges to overcome and some many tasks to do that it might seem as if they’ll never get the opportunity for a full night’s sleep again. It’s not all bad news, though.

When it comes to money, small business owners have some struggles, but they also have tools to help them figure out the finances. It’s difficult to manage cash flow where your clients aren’t paying their invoices promptly. On the other hand, keeping tabs on the bank account is much easier with online banking—a tool that more than 70 percent of small business owners use.

Entrepreneurs have lots of options when it comes to financial advice. While most seek the advice of an accountant or financial advisor, many network with other small business owners for help. The Internet provides a fast way to get a lot of information, too—42 percent of small business owners get online for financial advice.

Small businesses are looking forward to hiring—31 percent stated they’d be interviewing candidates during the next 12 months. Finding good people is a challenge, though. The number one concern of small business owners is finding employees who have the skills they need to do the job.

Training new people is not cheap. Costs average over $1,000 and it takes at least 40 hours to properly train an employee. And not all those employees are stellar. Some report stealing, cheating, and using or selling drugs.

When it comes to marketing, small business owners are ready to ramp it up—a full 47 percent will increase their marketing budget over the next 12 months. How should they spend their money? Studies suggest that they should add more signage, such as custom banners and yard signs—64 percent of customers reported that they couldn’t find a business due to its unclear or small signage.

While there are plenty of pitfalls and challenges on the small business landscape, owners will also find plenty of opportunity.

Infographic Transcription

The Small Business Landscape: Pitfalls, Plans, & Perspectives

Small businesses make up 80% of the total number of businesses in the U.S. today. And for their owners, today’s economic environment presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities to build their business. Here we explore some of the pitfalls, plans and perspectives of current business owners to get an idea of how they succeed.

Finances

When asked their biggest challenge in managing cash flow, small business owners cited: 26% low profits and lack of business, 45% not getting paid on time by clients and customers, 9% not getting out invoices in a timely fashion.

Getting Paid: 72% of small business owners use online banking to help keep them organized. 40% make direct payments to help manage cash flow.

Where do you go for Financial Advice? 74% An accountant/bookkeeper, 68% A financial advisor, 65% Other small business owners, 58% Family/friends, 49% A banker, 42% Online, 42% A lawyer, 29% Nationally-recognized expert, and 26% Local non-profit or government organization such as the SBA.

Getting financial advice: 73% of small business owners say they need occasional financial advice or support.

Getting and Using Credit: 78% of small business owners who applied for a business loan during the last two years were approved. If you applied for a business loan within the last two or more years, were you approved? 78% Yes, 18% No, and 4% Don’t know.

72% of small business owners look to their bankers for advice about the benefits of an SBA loan or how to manage payroll.

Which of the above best describes how you use/manage your line of credit? 50% I have it, but I only use it in an emergency, 23% I am trying to pay down my balance so I have a portion available to use, 19% It is the primary source of cash flow for my business, 7% It is maxed out, and 1% Don’t know.

Choosing a Bank – Most Important Factors:

– 20% Convenient Location

– 18% Relationship Rewards

– 17% Access to Local Expertise

Human Resources

Hiring: 31% of small businesses plan to hire new employees within the next 12 months.

Training: Average training expenditures per learner $1,041, Average hours of training per employee 40.1 hours.

What is the number one challenge you face as you look to retain top talent?

22% Finding employees with the skills required for your business, 19% providing competition salaries, 19% finding employees with a good work ethic, 18% providing competitive health care and retirement benefits, and 12% providing the extra pers of larger companies, such as a bonus, flexible hours, and child care.

Benefits: 56% of small business owners polled offer a financial benefits package. 31% offer a 401(K) plan.

Risky Employees – A 2011 survey conducted by Hayes International showed that:

I have frequently associated with fellow employees who admitted they were stealing merchandise from the company. High Risk 18.4%/Low Risk 5.4%

I am not an honest person and might steal or cheat. High Risk 9.3%/Low Risk 1.7%

I could be tempted to steal from my employer. High Risk 26.7%/Low Risk 7.8%

I might help friends steal from my company. High Risk 14.6%/Low Risk 1.3%

I have stolen money within the past 3 years. High Risk 17.5%/Low Risk 5.2%

I have stolen merchandise within the past 3 years. High Risk 15.9%/Low Risk 4.5%

I would possibly use marijuana/illegal drugs in the future. High Risk 23.1%/Low Risk 6.5%

I have previously sold marijuana or other illegal drugs. High Risk 4.3%/Low Risk 0.9%

Marketing

47% of business owners surveyed reported that they plan to amp up their marketing efforts over the next 12 months.

Effective Marketing Techniques – How effective do you find these techniques in marketing your business? Word of mouth and customer referrals 84%, Networking with other small business owners 55%, Direct mail or e-mail 46%, Advertising – print, broadcast, radio, etc. 43%, and Social media 42%.

Website and Traffic – Consumers find local businesses through: search engines 38%, specialty websites 17%, and social media 3%.  Social Media: 75% of small businesses report that they plan to increase social media marketing over the next 12 months.

Signage: 64% of customers report that they have failed to find a store due to small or unclear signage. % of women who have driven by or failed to find a business due to small or unclear signage:

Ages 18-24: 55%, Ages 25-34: 52%, Ages 35-49: 42%, Ages 50-64: 46%, Age 65+: 50%

Sources:

http://thesignagefoundation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=5slQpadZY5o%3d&tabid=59&mid=485

http://hayesinternational.com/news/annual-retail-theft-survey/

http://mediaroom.bankofamerica.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=234503&p=mediaMention&id=467320

100,000 Shoppers Can’t Be Wrong: Signage Communication Evidence from The Brand Spark/Better Homes and Gardens American Shopper Survey. James Kellaris, Ph.D. University of Cincinnati. The National Signage Research & Education Conference 2001.

The Small Business Landscape [Infographic]

This research about the effectiveness of signage will show you the impact of sidewalk signs for small business through examples that we personally tested. We’ll explain why small outdoor advertising is impactful despite the fact that online shopping continues to grow at a record pace and fewer people visit physical stores. even in the foreshadow of the ever-growing percentage of online sales. If you run a small business or know someone who operates a physical business then you need to know and share this information.

TL;DR — A-frame Sign Research

In a nutshell, using an A-frame sign for small businesses can be very effective. Here are the top indicators that we pulled from our research to show that sidewalk signs help drive foot traffic and increase revenue. 

• A-frames can be effective in low density / low traffic areas.
• Use A-frame signs for pedestrian and roadside traffic.
• A-frame signs increase foot traffic by at least 8.3%.
• On on average the businesses we worked with saw: 

A-frame signs Background

There are several studies on the effectiveness of signage including well-circulated research conducted by the University of San Diego stating that on average, having one additional on-premise sign increases annual revenue by 4.75%. While structural roadside signage or building signs are certainly important, one of the most affordable ways to advertise a physical business be it a restaurant, a specialty store, or what have you, is by using a custom A-frame sign.

A-frames, sometimes known as sandwich board signs or sidewalk signs, are versatile and easy to use graphics for advertising or branding. They enable the sign owner to change messaging and sign location quickly for promotions, events, directions or information by simply writing on them if they are chalkboard or dry erase, or by switching out the printed sign that attaches to the frame. A-frames can be used in almost any weather condition and can attract attention both indoors and outdoors. 

Effectiveness of A-Frame Signs

Are A-frame signs effective at driving sales and improving business? In essence, do sidewalk signs help bring customers into a store? (see illustration):

A-frame signs have been used by businesses for many years to advertise and invite visitors in. 

But just how effective are A-frame signs? Working with three businesses gave us evidence to show that A-frame signs are an investment you don’t want to miss out on. From the businesses we worked with, each one saw at least an 8.3% increase in foot traffic when they set out a branded A-frame sign. 

When sustained, that increase will presumably translate to increased sales—no matter the industry. Not only that but sandwich boards and A-frames when designed well, complement a business’ permanent signage and can add character to the location around the business as well. A-frames and sidewalk signs when used correctly can also help guide drivers and pedestrians alike by providing wayfinding signage for businesses that may be more difficult to locate.   

A Closer Look A-frame Signs Research

We believe that our study, conducted over a month with three different businesses and unique locations, helps answer the question of whether sidewalk signs are effective. Let’s dive into the research. 

At the start of the project, we did some outreach to small businesses in the local greater Salt Lake City area. To ensure our data wasn’t skewed by working with companies all from one industry or location, we worked with a variety of companies: Bluebird Candy Co., a local candy store, in Logan, Ut; Cafe Sabor, a Mexican restaurant, in Layton, Ut; and Beauty Mavens Collective, a lashes and hair salon, in Salt Lake City. The first step was to establish a baseline. In other words, figure out what foot traffic in and out of the store looked like on a normal business week. To do this we set up a sensor by the entrance to each business that counted how many times people moved in front of it. We recorded the number of people going in and out each day and let it run for a whole week. 

The next step was to introduce the sidewalk sign and see if the number of people going in and out increased, decreased or stayed the same. We worked with each business on a customized design, specific to each business, for their custom a-frame. Our team of professional designers helped each business through our Free Design Services to get designs that met the business’ needs as well as the needs of the study. The goal of each A-frame sign was to invite passersby to “come in” either through a promotion or a simple message. We tested a few different designs for 2 weeks, setting out the A-frame sign in front of the businesses every day while continuing to monitor the foot traffic in and out of each business with the sensor.

Results From The Study

What we found is that A-frame signs did increase foot traffic in these stores. Let’s look at the numbers:

The chart shows the average weekly percentage increase in foot traffic when the A-frame sign was introduced. In the case of Bluebird Candy Co., the percentage increase is dramatic. Bluebird Candy Co. has perhaps the best location for passersby of the three businesses as it is located close to downtown Main Street of a large town. One of the promotions for Bluebird Candy Co also incentivized high school students who are within walking distance from the school to the store. Nonetheless, for the other businesses where natural sidewalk foot traffic wasn’t as prominent, the A-frame signs were noticed and heeded.   

While the percentages varied quite a bit, we’re certain any small business would take an average increase of 43.8% foot traffic. There is little doubt that such an increase would translate to a significant amount of in-store revenue.

We also looked at weekly revenue for each of the three stores during this time period to see if there was a correlation to the increase in foot traffic. Both the restaurant and the candy shop saw a revenue increase in the same period by as much as 14.1% compared to an operating week without the sign.

The Salon actually saw a decrease in revenue during the two weeks where the A-frame sign was used, but this doesn’t include the sales from stylists who were renting out booths—we were unable to attain individual stylists revenues which may have increased the overall revenue of the salon. One factor about the Salon to consider as well is that work there is done prominently by appointment. So while the salon did see an increase in foot traffic during the two weeks the A-frames were out and tracked, the increase in paying customers may not have been realized until weeks after the time of this study.  

Considerations and Study Limitations

We ran this study in January when outdoor foot traffic is low compared to warmer months in the state of Utah. The potential for increased foot traffic increases as the weather warms up and more people are out and about. Thus, it could be said that the positive impacts of using sidewalk signage are understated in our results. 

The physical location of the three businesses varied between downtown Main Street of a large town, to right next to a public transportation stop, to a metropolitan side street. While placing a sidewalk sign out in a low traffic neighborhood may also have an impact, businesses that use A-frame signs near urban centers or more dense areas are likely to see a more dramatic increase of foot traffic by using A-frame signs. 

For businesses in locations where passersby are less frequent, we recommend using A-frame signs as economical wayfinding tools that guide potential customers in from more heavily trafficked areas of town while a different type of signage or marketing tactic is used to generate brand awareness. This can be done, but be sure to check with your city ordinances on the use of signage on public sidewalks and roadsides.

A-frame Sign Study Summary

A-frames and sandwich board signs have a significant effect in locations where foot traffic is common such as city centers, boardwalks, shopping centers, strip malls, shopping malls, etc. In addition to foot traffic, A-frame signs can be seen by people driving by. The most common size of A-frame signs (36”x24”) is large enough to get noticed by road traffic if the messaging is kept simple so that the font is big enough to be legible. Take a look at our previous study on how outdoor signs drive engagement for passing vehicles. 

A-frame signs and other forms of sidewalk signs have been used for decades and are still relevant today. Even as online shopping has begun to take the place of bricks and mortar locations, interactive and interpersonal shopping, dining and service experiences can still be viable when advertised properly.

You can better inform passersby of what your small business has to offer when you employ an A-frame to convey your messages. As we’ve shown through this research, if you have a brick and mortar location—be it for food, retail, services, or whatever—putting out an A-frame sign will likely increase the foot traffic and help you increase your revenue.

Advertising with A-Frame Signs

This article shares the details behind pop up tents—what they are, where they came from, and how they can be an effective marketing tool at your next event. The infographic below shows the highlights of our findings. If you’re interested in just the survey results you can jump here.

What is a Pop up Tent?

Pop up tents have many shapes, sizes, and uses. This research is based around the standard 10’ X 10’ pop up canopy tent. The construction of these tents is fairly straight forward. They consist of the frame, a canvas or fabric canopy, carrying case, and stakes with rope for tying the canopy tent down. The frame is designed to collapse and expand easily so that the canopy can be draped over the top. The four legs are telescopic in nature, which allows the tent to be raised and lowered quickly. Most frames are made of aluminum while most canopies are polyester—a fabric that is both durable and waterproof.

Pop up tents have been used for centuries in one form or another to provide shelter in open outdoor markets. One account from Henry Benjamin Latrobe describing an open market in New Orleans from the early 19th century stated that vendors were lined up in two rows as far as the eye could see with stalls or tables with a tilt or awning of canvas. With time, outdoor markets created a demand for what we now know as the pop up tent.  

Where are They Used?

Pop up tents make sense from a vendor’s standpoint because they are highly portable, easy to use and create a sense of “store” or “market” that entices people to step in and see what the booth has to offer. In the old days, tents were heavy affairs using timber as the structural supports with a canvas or hemp canopy. 

As technology improved over time, so did the tents. Today pop up canopy tents are commonplace. We see them used in a variety of locations and for a myriad of purposes including but not limited to:

• Farmers Markets
• Conventions & Expos
• Festivals
• Fairs (Including Job Fairs) 
• Trade Shows
• Tailgate Parties
• Events – Races, Neighborhood Barbeques, etc.
• Beaches

Generic canopy tents are commonplace at these venues, but you may also see custom or branded tents. Individuals who use pop up canopy tents for personal use generally use a single color, generic canopy. These canopies are cheap and can be inferior in quality and durability.  A custom-designed canopy, on the other hand, will look great and last longer with proper care.

Why Custom Pop up Tents?

There are 8,600 Farmers Markets registered throughout the US, some of them bringing in as many as 60,000 visitors per day during the peak season. On top of that, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research cataloged roughly 9,400 B2B exhibitions in 2018 that have at least 10 or more exhibiting companies each year. The number of attendees at these and the other types of vendor markets mentioned above gross in the millions. There is a lot of potential for business in these markets and events. Which begs the question, how do businesses and vendors stand out in a sea of canopy tents? 

There are several aspects to making a vendor booth stand out. Attracting as many visitors as possible is a priority for vendors who are aiming not just to cover costs of exhibiting but to make a profit and build a customer base! One of the best ways to attract attention is to customize the booth itself with custom pop up tents. Not all venues are suited for pop up tents but when they are, our survey results show that having a custom pop up tent really helps draw the crowds.

Survey Results

In our survey on peoples’ perspectives about pop up tents, we wanted to better understand the experience both from the attendees’ point of view as well as from the vendors. People who are familiar with pop up tents generally agree that a branded tent is more effective at attracting visitors to vendor booths than generic pop up tents. In fact, people who attend events are 60.2% more likely to engage with vendors who use a custom, branded pop up tent

Another question we wanted to research was around the idea of how memorable a vendor is. We’ve done previous studies around the difficulty of creating a memorable logo yet know it’s critical for business success.

Think about it this way, when you visit a farmer’s market, event, or something similar, there are several, and sometimes even hundreds of different vendors and booths set up. By the time you’ve meandered through the area are you going to remember the first or second booth you came across? You might, but it is more likely you will remember the booth if they have something that sets them apart.

Our survey found that 65.6% of event attendees are likely to remember a vendor booth that is branded and colorful versus a cheap generic tent that we alluded to earlier. (This doesn’t account for how good or bad the product or service is at the booth, which of course could tip the scales on being memorable for the attendee).

In addition to the fact that custom tents typically provide way more advertising real estate on them, there are other ways to attract attention to vendor booths as well. One of the easiest ways to do this is to stretch a vinyl banner between the back legs of a 10’X10’ booth, which is in signage jargon is called a back wall.

In fact, of the 500+ people who responded to our survey about custom popup tents, 61.8% of them said that feather flags, side-wall graphics, and back-wall graphics increase the professionalism of a vendor booth. It’s safe to assume that more visitors are likely to stop by a vendor who has a professional and well put together tent than the generic ones on either side of it! As such, here is a list of the banners and other products you might consider using to add to your custom tent:

• Vinyl Banner – can be made to any size with any custom design, banners are highly versatile for display signage. These are most commonly used as side and back walls.  
• Table Throw & Stretch Table Cover – quickly turn your product display space into advertising space. Keep in mind that table throws and table covers are best suited for indoor use or mild weather conditions.
• Feather Flag – Large and bold, feather flags are sure to draw eyes and feet. 
• Retractable Banner – Although mainly used indoors, during good weather retractable banners make it fast and easy to display product or service information.

No matter how large or small your operation, if you plan on using a pop up tent to promote or sell you should think about the benefits of using a custom canopy. People look for a level of professionalism with the vendors they interact with. Creating a good first impression with your booth by simply displaying your brand boldly on your tent goes a long way. 90.8% of survey respondents said that a custom branded pop up tent gives a professional perception of the vendor.

92% of businesses who use custom pop up tents agree that the branded tents are effective at getting event attendees to interact with them. Even so, many vendors and small businesses still opt for using plain, generic pop up tents because of the cost savings. In reality, the increase in visitors to a vendor booth from a branded tent quickly pays for itself!

If you are ready to see the success that will come when you employ a custom pop up tent, we encourage you to get started by talking with one of our professional graphic designers. They can help you design a perfect canopy that will literally help shout your brand from the rooftops (in this case tent tops)!

Using Pop Up Tents as Effective Marketing Tools

Most small businesses and local stores will close their doors at some point this holiday. The most common days that stores are closed are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day. These templates are for you if you have not had time to create or order a sign to post on your door that says “We Are Closed.” Even if you are only changing your schedule, but won’t be closed, we have templates for that as well. Our professional designers helped us create 25 new Christmas sign templates that have a holiday flare to notify your customers of your schedule during the Holiday season.

If you would like to use one of our free sign templates for the Holidays, here are some easy instructions on how to do it. Head to this page and click on the image of the sign you would like to print. If you fill out the form with your email address, we will send you an email within the hour containing a  PDF file of the sign, which you can print directly from the email. The email will not only send you the downloadable PDF sign that you can print on your own, but will also include a 10% off discount code that is good for 2 weeks and can be used on any of the signage products on our website. When you submit your email address to download the sign, you will also be invited to opt in to our deals email list. We send subscribers to the Signs.com email list exclusive deals and discounts periodically.

What about if you are looking for a more permanent sign that you can use year-over-year for many holidays to come? All of the template designs that we have provided to print on your own are also available for purchase and print on any of our high-quality and long-lasting products on Signs.com. Check out our home page and choose any product that you would like to print one of the “Closed for the Holidays” sign templates on and we will print it for you. If you are not sure where to start with this, we recommend using a plastic sign or an opaque window decal for store front signs. The 10% discount code we are sending with the template is a great way to save on a long-term sign as a Christmas gift to you and your business this year.

Thank you for checking out Signs.com for all of your signage needs. Happy Holidays to you and all those that are close to you this year. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a successful new year with your business!

Free Closed for Christmas Sign Templates for Small Business Owners

What is a Vinyl Overlay?

A vinyl overlay is a vinyl sheet with either a printed design or solid color, adhered to a rigid material.  These overlays offer a cheaper alternative to smaller sign shops who often can’t afford large, flatbed printers.

Vinyl Overlay Advantages

Vinyl overlays work best for temporary signs. The ease of removing and replacing the overlay makes them ideal in scenarios where information constantly changes. For example, an exterior aluminum sign outlining store hours or parking regulations benefits from the advantage of simply printing a new vinyl overlay and replacing the old one.

Removing and replacing vinyl overlays requires a razor blade, cleaner, non-abrasive brush, etc. After removing residue from the rigid portion of the sign, update the sign for only the cost of printing new vinyl overlay. That makes vinyl overlays a versatile, semi-permanent solution for a variety of uses and situations.

Vinyl Overlay Disadvantages

Installation and Removal

The overlay’s versatility also creates some disadvantages. Anyone who has installed a sticker or decal of any type knows it’s easy to run into issues during application. That could mean tearing the material when removing its backing or unwanted bubbles and lines during application. There’s also the risk of damaging corners or edges from handling, which leads to peeling and weakens the adhesive. Considering all of this, working with vinyl overlay can mean a lot of headaches.

That said, carefully following installation instructions can help prevent air bubbles or pockets. Doing so will require some sweat equity and a knowledge of appropriate tools and cleaners to use. Keep in mind, some of the rigid materials used for displaying the vinyl overlay may not be strong enough to withstand the vigorous scrubbing needed for removing residue, and may scuff or scratch when replacing new vinyl overlays.

Peeling Possibility

An exterior sign using a vinyl overlay may not hold up against weather and the elements. Over time, the adhesive will weaken and the overlay will begin to peel off, significantly diminishing the quality of your sign. Another scenario is intentional damage or removal of the vinyl overlay by passersby that deface the sign. Much like any externally placed sticker or decal, this risk will always be present. A person or group of people determined to deface, damage or destroy signage only need to peel up a corner and remove the vinyl all together. While this disadvantage pertains to vinyl overlay, where someone intends intentional damage, any sign faces the risk of vandalism.

What is Direct Printing?

Direct printing means that the sign manufacturer prints your design or logo directly onto the surface of the sign. This print method is standard when printing on non-rigid materials such as vinyl banners, and is considered a superior method over vinyl overlay for creating rigid signs. At Signs.com direct print comes standard on all of our products, with the exception of our vinyl lettering and wall graphics, and our aluminum signs. Though we do not offer signage that incorporates vinyl overlays, we do offer clear vinyl signage that can be placed on a variety of substrates. Clear window decals can give the effect of a vinyl overlay, as well as our backlit decals  and vinyl lettering.

Direct Printing Advantages

Direct printing offers a number of advantages over vinyl overlay. Primarily, with no layer in between the substrate and the design, direct printing offers vivid, crisp reproduction of text and images. While vinyl overlays can reproduce high resolution image (assuming the original file is a high resolution or vector image)  it won’t be as sharp or vibrant as direct printing.

Another advantage is the durability of the ink and the sign. Signs.com prints with UV inks that provide a durable, fade and scratch resistant finish to your sign. These inks are rated for outdoor use and can last for years with proper sign care and maintenance. That means more protection against loss of adhesion or peeling since this method cures the ink directly onto the surface. However, even direct surface printing is susceptible to scratching and other damage caused by sharp objects or intentional abuse.

Direct Printing Disadvantages

Permanence of Design

Unlike with vinyl overlay, direct printing will be permanent. As mentioned above, vinyl overlays enable  reuse of the rigid material when updating sign information. Direct printing, unfortunately, doesn’t offer that benefit. Having said this, we’ve found that rigid materials such as aluminum, brushed aluminum and rigid plastic signs are best when intended for long-term use.

These are signs that are placed outdoors and expected to last for a long time. So, the inability to change the messaging of the sign usually isn’t necessary. Even other rigid signs that are used for shorter durations (foamboard and corrugated yard signs) result in more affordable signage by printing directly to the surface of the material rather than adding in the cost of the vinyl overlay and the installation labor on top of the material cost.

So there you have it; those are the differences of directly printing onto a material versus using a vinyl overlay. If you’re still trying to conceptualize everything, the charts below will help show the pros and cons of each process. If you have any other questions about your signage, feel free to give us a call at 888-222-4929, or shoot us an email at support@signs.com!

Watch this video about our aluminum signs to see the advantage of direct printing using digital UV ink:

Signage 101: Direct Printing versus Vinyl Overlay

Matte

A Matte finish is smooth, won’t show fingerprints and has is non-glare. This finish looks quite professional and is great for portraiture and framing. Photos printed with a Matte finish look classic and beautiful with a black and white picture and gives a more luxurious feel to your project.

Glossy

Glossy finishes are shiny and highly reflective, this finish will show lots of bold colors. Images printed with a Glossy finish tend to show fingerprints and scratches and are likely to stick to the glass when framed, so it’s a good finish choice for everyday snapshots and vibrant photos.

Metallic

A Metallic finish has a slightly glossy with a stunning metallic look that sets it apart from other finishes. This finish is extremely durable, with a polished, pearl-like appearance producing sharp images and bold colors. Metallic can be an excellent option for an image you want to appear sharp and clean, but also really want it to stand out. We recommend framing these photos without glass to let the colors pop.

Lustre

A beautiful marriage of matte and glossy, lustre finish brings the best of both worlds. Lustre has a semi-gloss finish and offers better color saturation than matte but is more protected from fingerprints and other damage than a  glossy finish.

These four finishes each have their perfect uses, and knowing which one is best for your project is a key factor in your success. If you’re just not sure, the team at Signs.com will help you choose the ideal finish for your photo. Contact us today to get started.

WITH DIFFERENT PHOTO FINISHES AVAILABLE, WHAT IS YOUR BEST OPTION?

Fall is also the time for warm, rich colors, clearly seen with all the leaves changing. From cinnamon red to chocolatey brown, here are the autumn hues and their associated emotions that retailers need to know.

Red

[Source: etsy.com]

Red is an emotionally intense color. It evokes feelings of passion and desire and stimulates people to make quick decisions, which is why it’s the perfect color for retail sale signs.

Reddish-brown is the shade most often associated with the fall season.

Orange

[Source: birdsnestbites.com]

A bright and warm color, orange represents positive emotions, such as joy and happiness, as it combines the stimulation of red and the cheerfulness of yellow.

A dark, rich shade of orange is considered the color of fall and harvest (which we can probably thank pumpkins for).

Yellow

[Source: pinterest.com]

Yellow is most often associated with happiness. The color of the sun is used to evoke pleasant, cheerful and optimistic feelings.

Royal yellow, as it’s a rich shade, and golden yellow, a warm and bright shade, are the most fitting shades of yellow to use during autumn.

Brown

[Source: pinterest.com]

Brown is a natural, bring-you-down-to-earth kind of color. It’s also one that gives people a strong sense of comfort and calmness. In color psychology, brown is known as an honest, sincere and healthy color, so when used in retail it can give off those same vibes.

All shades of brown, from light to dark, are associated with this time of year.

Black

[Source: Hannah Troupe on Unsplash]

The boldest and strongest of all colors, black adds a tone of elegance and sophistication when used in design. But, more often it’s associated with negative emotions, like fear, unhappiness, sadness and anger.

Black is also linked to death, which is why the darkest of all colors is so popularly used during Halloween.

Color is one of the few mediums that affects human emotion and mood as well as consumer thinking and rational. When used with your window displays and in-store signage, the right fall color scheme has the power to make your customers feel just as warm and cozy as their favorite sweater and trigger a purchase. To learn more about the different colors and their associated emotions as well as their connection to certain holidays and which colors are the best for specific industries to use, check out our color guide post.

Fall Colors & Their Associated Emotions