When shopping for the perfect indoor or outdoor signs for a company, understanding the state of the industry allows a company to make a well-informed decision. We can’t all be experts on sign installation and custom outdoor signs and even for those of us involved in the industry, keeping up-to-date with the state of the industry is paramount.
With this in mind, Vital Signs USA has taken the time to find some insightful and useful resources that Chicagoland businesses can use to make a decision when it comes to trying to find the perfect lobby sign. Follow these movers and shakers, front-runners, thinkers and curators whether you’re an established sign business looking to dig deeper into the industry or a small business ready to take your company to the next level. Follow the images to check out their great content!
Sixteen:Nine
Sixteen-Nine, founded by Dave Haynes, is a definite first-stop on your search for understanding the sign industry. Dave takes the sign world and brings it to a manageable level with frequent podcasts featuring top industry figures. Sixteen:Nine provides an accessible route into the sometimes confusing landscape of signage.
Sign Builder Illustrated
Sign Builder Illustrated, on top of being a monthly printed publication, serves as a veritable encyclopedia of the signage trade. Sign Builder Illustrated showcases the wide variety of sign-related products and services, and includes help with business management and industry connections. Are you looking for info about LED retrofit? Or looking for info about partnering with a wholesale marketer? Sign Builder Illustrated is for you.
Digital Signage Today
Digital Signage Today is a one-stop shop for digital signage resources. Touting a massive directory of signage businesses, a slew of white papers and case studies to dig into, and easily digestible and fact-filled videos and webinars, Digital Signage Today will help you screen through the market to find what you’re looking for.
ASI Signage Blog
ASI Signage’s blog is for those looking to dig into a more insightful view into the signage market. Offering a critical and introspective edge to understanding and mitigating the pitfalls of this market, ASI gives sign shoppers and sellers some food for thought.
Signs of the Times
SignWeb is the online companion to Signs of the Times, the leading source of comprehensive sign-industry news, technical information and in-depth analysis since 1906. Sign Webs’ mission is to educate and inspire signage and graphics professionals worldwide through award-winning editorial perspectives, technology updates, new product reviews, one-of-a-kind Electric and CAS/Commercial State of the Industry reports, graphics techniques and much more.
Digital Signage Connection
Digital Signage Connection (DSC) was launched in 2011 to provide an online link to the digital signage community for industry rookies and veterans alike. DSC creates a connection between end users, integrators and digital signage providers through a combination of real-life examples, industry news, webinars and featured blog posts.
The Sign Expert
Are you interested in making signs? Do you want to start your own sign shop? Maybe you already own a sign business or you already work in one? These are all questions Tim Evans answers on this blog. On top of all the great blog articles he writes, The Sign Expert website also features sign industry tools, resources, sign pricing calculators, and more.
General Resources & News
For our readers, we would also like to give out some general news and resources about signage and sign companies that have been featured in larger magazines or websites. The following resources range from recent signage news in Chicago to broader national trends:
- Chicago Tribune (May 31, 2017) “Through nostalgia or necessity, hand-painted signs have persisted in Chicago”
- Fit Small Business, from David Waring (December 2, 2016) “Storefront Signs – How To Choose The Right Sign for Your Business”
- Entrepreneur, “Tips for Buying Business Signs: Get your name out there with the perfect signage for your business”
- Inc.com (Drew Hendricks), “A Small-Business Guide to Designing Compelling Signage”
Sign Blogs
In addition to the thought leaders and the recent general resources and news, here are some other compelling sign blogs worthy of mentioning:
- Sign.com
- Signs.com (yes, these are two different sites)
- Next Level Signs Official Blog
- McNamara Signs Blog
Get a free quote on custom lobby signs that will speak to your company’s brand today, and visit vitalsignsusa.comto learn more about how Vital Signs USA can help your business’s branding succeed.