We've been having something of a debate here about whether or not to put our name somewhere on the signs we produce.
On the really nice stuff (carved, sandblasted), I want to put a small exterior grade brass tag on the signs somewhere inconspicuous. On stuff like mags and coro, just a small name and phone number in a lower corner.
I've never really liked doing this kind of stuff but since things are becoming more competitive, I feel like its become a necessity for marketing purposes.
What are your thoughts?
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
I still do not "tag" my signs. I find it tacky. People pay me to put their name on things, so I find it tacky to just put my own on it.
When you hire a contractor to redo your kitchen, does he "brand" his name into the cabinets? lol
Just my own perspective. Posted by Sandy Baird (Member # 4773) on :
Glenn,
When I see a greats sign done by another sign artist, I will always look closely to see who did it. I am sometimes disappointed when it is not signed, and I am left without a name. I put my logo on my cnc signs, but I make it small and try to place it where it can be seen, but not overly obvious. I will grab one of the colours of the sign to make it fit in as well.
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Way back about a dozen years ago, I asked the same question. Monte Jumper provided a reply that reflected his humour and common sense. " I never tag those signs that I don't permit, or install" was his sage reply....or words close to that effect.
Why make it any easier for the permit inspectors to give you grief, if the customer opts to handle their own installations ?
Posted by Brian Diver (Member # 1552) on :
When you purchase a new truck does the company sign it? Does the dealer sign it? I remember someone on the board say that years ago and decided to start doing it. On the inexpensive or lousy cousin layout I don't do it but if I get something fun, exiting and original I sure do.
Sandy looks like he does a nice job of putting it on without being tacky too!
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Ok now don't get your panties in a wad now, I did state it is just my perspective not LAW. I did't mean to offend ANYONE who does sign their work
If you decide to sign your work then so be it, I don't. I have seen many a great signs, signed and not signed.
Hey Joey open a window and clear the smoke
[ January 27, 2011, 02:48 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I usually don't sign my stuff... because I know most of the people who I do work for, and they'll refer me if they get the chance.... but I have thought about it on occasion for the onlooker that happens to see something he/she likes in passing. I'm not sure it will generate 'more' jobs...??
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Here is an example of a coroplast sign that was just recently ordered....
I put the name and number in the lower right corner.
I do a lot of this type of work (very profitably I might add) and I think its time to start marking our work whenever possible but discretely.
One of the things that got me thinking about this was something I saw at a jobsite not long ago. The foreman had ordered some magnetic signs from another company. About 50 sets. On every one of them was the manufacturer's name, very small, in the corner. This company had been ordering them from us at one time. But the person who had been ordering them from us was no longer there. This foreman just looked around placed the order with the first company he found. He liked the idea of the name and number of the company imprinted on the mags so he wouldn't have to try to remember who did them for the next order.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Honestly, I thought this was a no brainer, Sign your Work! I've had people ask me to put my name on there, No Kidding! Even if it's on the back side, you never know who will see it. Ants or Uncles.lol
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Actually Glenn - I think how you've included it is perfect - out of the way, doesn't affect the design, yet it's there for quick reference if someone needs additional work, but doesn't have your card or name handy.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
I've tagged several of my sandblasted/dimensional signs with little brass plates. Wish I had done all of them. It shows that you take pride in your workmanship.
[ January 27, 2011, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
Posted by Tim Barrow (Member # 576) on :
Only the walls I paint,....
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
I do most of the time. It's amazing how many calls I've gotten down through the years from people saying they got my number off an old sign. Now I just put my web address on it to attract customers to go the
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Wayne, that is exactly my thoughts. I need to find a source for them. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
I used a local trophy shop. You could probably find them online somewhere.
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Yes, if I'd like enquirers to know that I did it-unless it's an honour board or something that a public 'signature' would be less appropriate on.
On corro work, it has brought repeat business from others, eg "I was out jogging/cycling/walking and I saw your name on a sign you'd done and I'd like one like that..."
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
No tagging here either....I know when I buy a vehicle, that little Dealer logo is the first thing I take off...lol!
Joey! Volcano, Vap Bros or Silver Surfer?
[ January 27, 2011, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: KARYN BUSH ]
Posted by Patrick Whatley (Member # 2008) on :
quote:Originally posted by KARYN BUSH: No tagging here either....I know when I buy a vehicle, that little Dealer logo is the first thing I take off...lol!
Sure....but do you rip off the Dodge/Ford/Chevrolet logos? Doubtful. Look at your desk....everything there is branded with a manufacturers info and you think nothing of it. You're the manufacturer of the products you're selling, you should proudly let them know.
Posted by Brad Ferguson (Member # 33) on :
When I was in business in Arkansas, I put my bug on almost all my work, though sometimes it was tiny. It has advertising value. I never thought of it as tacky, though there were specific jobs where I thought it was inappropriate. I know that it generated business because I had people tell me they got my name off of a sign. I also had people tell me they thought I did all the signs in my area, even the ones with no names. They didn't know there were other sign makers. I think I was the only one that signed work consistently. On sandblasted work I actually blasted my logo very, very small. On lighted signs I usually put the name very discreetly right on the faces.
I think some customers are even proud of who they buy their sign work from — almost as if it were a status symbol. Back in Peoria, I remember a customer saying, "We only buy shocards from Smith Signs because he does the best work." I'll bet the customer was proud of the tiny, tiny "Smith" at the bottom of the shocard.
I never achieved the level of expertise at shocard work that Bob Smith was known for, but I have had a few customers ask why I left my name off their sign on the few times when I didn't sign my work. On the other hand, once, after completing a number of sandblasted redwood signs for a Chicago real estate developer, I was told I had to remove my logo, which was in a 3/4-inch oval at the bottom of each sign, blasted into the flat border. They relented when I explained the difficulty involved, but said, "from now on, only OUR logo is to appear on our signs."
Posted by Frank Smith (Member # 146) on :
I'm proud to sign my work and my clientelle is proud to have it signed.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Marketing rule number 7
Make it easy for any one including the cleint to contact you. Every thing is tagged with all contact information.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
"The only thing I like to sign is the back of the check" But,I sometimes sign things, but very small. You really have to look for it. On bigger stuff, on the backside where no one can see, I'll put on a sticker. Because when the next guy needs a new sign, he'll see my name on the back of the sign and hopefully give me a call.
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
John Singer Sargent, Rubens, Van Dyke, all signed their portraits of kings and queens, financiers and industrial giants like J;P, Morgan. But the Chicago real estate developer doent want anybody's name on it but his? Give me a break.
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
If I used computers for all of my work I would never sign it. Well maybe a phone number on the back. But I think that anybody with enough creative talent and skill to actually paint signs would be in error NOT to sign them.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
I don't think there is anything wrong with signing your work - even the computer generated stuff - there is certainly no lack of talent in the digital world! Just do it discreetly so it is available for those who look for it. I have digital stickers...GASP!!! ...that I put on the lower edge or back side depending on what type of sign it is. My murals and hand painted signs I sign by hand.
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
When I started my career back in 50's every sign shop tagged everything that went out the door. Truck letterers also signed the vehicles. I have continued doing just that including all screen printed political and job signs.
Millbury's sign code mandates that all electric signage be tagged.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
What wrong With Computers? I've seen pulenty of Hand painted Crap that should never be signed, same with Computer Generated Crap, There's Crap everywhere, There's a Lot of People with Talent using Computers, Now there using them to Paint Masterpieces, so I guess there no good as well.
Now Back to our regular Programing...There that felt Good. lol Programing? One M or 2? Programming? Oh yes there's Spell Check.....
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
If I'm busy, no. If I'm not.........only if I really like it.
So far I think I have signed 3. It's funny how the customers seem to find you though.
Posted by Rodger MacMunn (Member # 4316) on :
I put a little carved or raised (on sandblasted) stylized "M" on all my dimensional stuff & flat stuff that's not mundane. No phone #, no address ...... just my "M". About 1 complaint in every 500 signs. I used to put contact info on a wee plate, but all that got me was a bunch of aklmost heart failures when they heard the price. This way, they need to ask the owner of the sign where he got it & along with that information comes a testimonial.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Roger makes a great point that I left out. And another reason why I don't. If someone likes the sign enough, they will ask the owner, and then if I did my job right, a testimonial. People are more likely to buy based on a personal recommendation than just from print. There is no right or wrong on this point. And from a marketing stand point it makes logical sense to tag your signs.
Posted by Keith Jenicek (Member # 11121) on :
There are a lot of variables here, however the marketing frame of mind should be your first priority:
Testimonials and Word of Mouth are the most valuable marketing for you. Next is name recognition, branding. Where there is no opportunity for a testimonial such as a subdivision, TAG IT. All else, let your customers work for you.
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Glenn...what you showed looks good to me...I've never signed my stuff before...but after reading this post I'm going to start.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
This is knda Funny really, Here we are, all about educating Business's on the Value of creating "Brand" for themselves, a look, whatever, and some have a problem in promoting themselves....That's not meant as an insult, just an observation... which I have been guilty myself on occasion.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
No. Never.
I have always had the mindset that the customer is asking/paying me to put THEIR name on it and every inch should be dedicated to that. They always refer me to anyone who asks who did it and that kind of word of mouth has been the cornerstone of my business.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
I did't mean to offend ANYONE who does sign their work ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
...that I put on the lower edge or back side depending on what type of sign it is. My murals and hand painted signs I sign by hand.