For most businesses, awnings and window signage go hand-in-hand. But who has time for double the shopping? It would be nice to find awning companies that can also produce window signage for your business. Fortunately, you can. Many awning companies offer an expanded product line or services, although exactly what they offer varies from one company to another.
Window signage is an important companion to awnings. Your awning provides great visibility from a distance, but once people are in front of your place of business they can’t see your awning because they’re underneath it. Awning companies know that putting key information right in front of prospective customers, at eye level, draws extra attention to your store or restaurant, and it ensures no one inadvertently passes you by.
Signs and banners dress up your windows. You can use them to advertise in general what you have to offer, or highlight specific products or services. You can create a visual “frame” to emphasize window displays where you showcase merchandise. Window signage reinforces your branding and magnifies your marketing when the colors, font styles and graphic elements match those on your awning. Awning companies with state-of-the-art production equipment can ensure you get a precise match.
You don’t have to purchase everything all at once.
You can design and install that all-important awning right away, then add window signage later on, as needed. Professional awning companies can do that quickly and efficiently, because they’ll already have your colors and graphics on file.
Window graphics.
You can display your name and logo without interfering with window shopping or the view from inside your business. Awning companies can produce larger graphics that partially screen the view from the street for privacy, at the same time delivering a marketing message to passersby. Your windows remain unobstructed above eye level, to let in plenty of natural daylight.
You can duplicate the graphics on your awning, or go with a different message.
Roll-down screens.
Some awning companies offer these wonderful products that work like a traditional roller shade. Roll-down screens are made of a special fabric that doesn’t entirely block the light – rather like a one-way mirror, your staff and customers can see out from inside but people can’t see in from the sidewalk or parking area.
You can achieve privacy for staff whose offices face the street, and you can reduce direct sunlight and glare, increasing indoor comfort and saving on energy and AC costs. Plus you get great marketing value, because the screen looks much like a banner from the outside. Awning companies can produce roll-down screens for use as a permanent fixture or a temporary display.
That means you can use them to show basic business information or promote special products or services. Roll them down to show timely reminders such as “now taking appointments” or “order your Thanksgiving turkey now,” then furl them when you don’t want to display that message.
Street banners.
Some awning companies can make matching street banners, too. These are popular with shopping centers or even local business districts looking to create a unified look among multiple stores.
Not all fabrics are created equal.
It’s important to note that the fabrics used in manufacturing commercial awnings are not the same as fabrics used to print signs and banners.
Your awning has to withstand any number of potentially inhospitable conditions, from wind, snow and hot sun to urban grime or beachside gritty sand. And it has to do that day in and day out, over many years. It takes a tough fabric to take that kind of environmental abuse and keep looking fresh and attractive.
Banners, on the other hand, can be made of much lighter materials, because they’re used in less demanding circumstances, often just temporarily. Awning companies that also fabricate signs and banners are expert when it comes to knowing which fabrics are best for each application.
Photo Credit : Wickerfurniture via Flickr