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  • Nothing Beats Aluminum for an Outdoor Sign That Will Stand Up To The Elements

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    You might be wondering what the best material is for your next sign. Well, there are plenty of options available to you, and aluminum seems like a popular one – so why not take advantage? Super Cheap Signs has everything from high-quality signs made with this sturdy metal down to affordable kits that let anyone create their own custom message without breaking into a sweat or spending too much money!

    How Long Do Aluminum Signs Last?

    The durability of aluminum is one reason it’s such an ideal material for signs. Signs constructed from this metal can withstand even the most extreme conditions with no problem!

    For example, if your outdoor sign has to stand up to harsh weather — like extreme heat, snow, or rain — then nothing survives and thrives like aluminum.  Make sure your signs look great for years by using durable .040 gauge sheet aluminum.

    How Expensive is an Aluminum Sign?

    Aluminum is the most cost-effective material for making signs and awnings. With proper care, it can easily outlive other materials like plastic or wood by being both lightweight and durable in nature! Signage made from this metal typically has an affordable price tag compared to its longevity which may surprise some people who expect them to be not only expensive but also disposable after just one use

    Does Printing a Sign on Metal Affect the Way it Looks?

    Just because aluminum is affordable does not mean it is cheap quality. In this regard, aluminum keeps costs down while conveying the utmost professionalism. That’s because people typically associate metal finishes with class and expertise. Metal lends an air of permanence to the sign and the company behind it.

    Aluminum Is Versatile

    It’s hard to find a material that can be used outdoors and inside the building. But aluminum is perfect for all sorts of applications, making it an excellent choice compared to other materials like wood or PVC!

    These three options might seem like they have similar properties – but there are some major drawbacks associated with each when compared to aluminum. For example: PVC will bend in high winds, and wood will eventually rot if exposed to rain and snow, but Aluminium retains structural integrity even after being subjected to wet and windy weather, which makes it invaluable for permanent, outdoor signage applications.

    Aluminum Can Be Customized

    Another reason aluminum is amazing is its ability to be customized to your specific needs. For example, it can be printed in a full array of colors, allowing your message to stand out the way you designed it. You can even cut the aluminum into a custom size, giving you plenty of room to impart a little personality to your signage.

    Why Create Your Own Custom Aluminum Signs?

    When you work with Super Cheap Signs to create your signage online, you will achieve a thorough understanding of how your sign and associated print will withstand the external environment, including excessive exposure to rain and sunlight. You can also get an idea of how your signs will look in shaded conditions, under direct sunlight, and in the context of divergent color palettes.

    When customizing your signage, it is important to remember that the result needs to be readable, so don’t get too carried away with the aesthetic side of things. The seasoned professionals at Super Cheap Signs are more than capable of helping you decide on a layout that will work better in terms of visibility and readability. Additionally, they will help you identify what size works best for your specific application and budgetary needs.

    To review, aluminum is one of the most popular materials in the sign industry for the following reasons:

    • Durability
    • Affordability
    • Versatility
    • Elegance
    • Ability to be customized
    • Professional look and feel

    Now that we have expounded on aluminum’s most desirable properties, let’s explore its appearance a little more in-depth.

    Standard Aluminum Signage

    Standard aluminum signs sport an iconic, professional look that renders them ideal for business solutions, construction sites, parking lots, and even homes. So if you are looking for something tried and true, this is the best path forward.  Regarding holding the print, standard aluminum supports high-quality UV inks, such as those offered by Super Cheap Signs.

    Our standard aluminum signage is printed in matte, giving you plenty of options regarding the overall look and feel. When printed, they are much more vivid than standard signs.

    It is a good idea to consider where your sign will be located. As noted, standard aluminum is ideal for indoor and outdoor use. So, if you need something that can function as a sign and decorum, a standard aluminum sign will suit you just fine.

    Standard aluminum is durable and does not require any extra coatings. That said, you can certainly anodize them if you please. Doing so will help prevent staining and guard against fingerprints.  

    Caring for Your Aluminum Signs

    Your sign will be exposed to daily elements like rain, mud, dust, and bird droppings.  You want your aluminum signage to last as long as possible; after all, that’s why you pick aluminum over other available types.  So how should you clean and care for your sign? Simply use a mixture of water and light soap, and your sign will be as bright as when it was first purchased.  Be sure not to use anything stronger, as some abrasive materials might scratch the metal or damage the print. Always dry the sign with a soft cotton towel after a good wash. Care for your investment by cleaning it regularly.  Your aluminum sign is there to work for you.

    Aluminum Signage Accessories

    When you purchase your signage, you will need something to support it. Fortunately, Super Cheap Signs has a vast array of sign accessories sure to meet your needs. Whether your application requires metal frames, plastic frames, or sign riders, Super Cheap Signs has all that and more.

    Plastic and steel sign frames are ideal for prolonged outdoor exposure since they are much more rigid and will protect your sign better, helping it to last longer. Their tapered ends facilitate expedient installation without needing digging, and their hole-per-inch design means you will not have to struggle to make any adjustments. The black steel yard sign frames are perfect for use with aluminum signs, providing two pre-drilled holes for adding a bottom rider sign.  If you need something more lightweight, plastic frames made of high-grade engineered polyethylene provide durability without the fear of rusting. These plastic frames hold an 18” H x 24” W sign and 6” H x 24” W rider sign, making them perfect for Real Estate signs and other uses.

    Our Promise to the Customer

    Super Cheap Signs products are manufactured in the United States and are shipped directly to you at an economical rate and quick delivery time.  Do you still have questions? Please contact Super Cheap Signs today at 512-833-9900 or online. Ready to purchase?  Use our Builder to start your custom order today!

  • The 10 Most Creative Ways to Advertise With Yard Signs

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    In addition to their affordability, yard signs are both lightweight and portable. With this in mind, it’s no wonder why they are so popular with both large and small businesses alike. That’s because no matter the size of the business, yard signs are an excellent means of capturing the attention of anyone who passes by.

    However, while yard signs do contain a ton of potential, there are other factors you need to consider to amplify their effectiveness. After all, a sign without a coherent strategy isn’t all that effective, is it? So before you spend so much as a dime, ensure that the text you are using is proportional to the overall size of the sign and the distance of visibility you hope to achieve. Additionally, make sure your color scheme is simplistic and straightforward to capture the maximum amount of attention.

    Needless to say, yard signs can be appropriated for various uses and applications. To help give you a better idea of potential uses, here is a list of 10 creative ways to use yard signs.

    Custom Yard Signs

    1. Yard Signs Are Ideal For Home Businesses

    Working from home comes with distinct advantages—unfortunately, crowds are not one of them. While most businesses attract a decent amount of foot traffic, working from home may mean you are tucked away from all the action. However, a cleverly placed yard sign will ensure that you can capture a sizable customer base by appealing to them as they drive by. It will also attract the attention of your neighbors and any visitors they may have.

    When placing a yard sign in front of your home, check local ordinances, as you may be able to carry out some tricks that will give you another leg up on the competition. For example, you may be able to place a few signs at the end of your block, cul-de-sac, or even at an intersection. Even better, yard signs are inherently mobile and can be moved wherever you desire.

    2. Raise Awareness For Nonprofit Organizations

    As far as your nonprofit organization is concerned, yard signs make it that much easier to make an impact. Whether you aim to point people towards a secure donation box or initiate a dialog with one of your representatives, yard signs work best when erected in high-traffic areas with ample visibility. To further inspire people, you could even include some of your talking points and desired results or explain more about how donations will be used. However, you should be cautious of cluttering your sign too much, as doing so could drive people away. What better way to raise awareness for a particular cause than with a yard sign? Placing a sign in your yard is a great way to compel your neighbors to do the same, which will only serve to further amplify awareness and rally even more people around the cause. Just be sure your sign contains a concise summary of the objective, as well as legible contact information so anyone wishing to obtain additional information can do so.

    QR Code Yard Signs

    3. Ever Thought Of Using A Yard Sign For A QR Code?

    This one is a little more esoteric but is becoming more imperative by the day. Yard signs are great for displaying QR codes. Simply use an online generator to create your code, print it to a sign, then place that sign in your yard. If programmed correctly, the QR code should link to a page that will enable you to provide potential clients with more information, as well as monitor the effectiveness of your yard sign.

    4. Give Your Political Campaign An Extra Edge

    When it comes to political campaigns, name recognition is essential. This is precisely why you see so many political campaign signs pop up as election day gets closer and closer. Indeed, these yard signs have become essential to running an effective political campaign. So if you are planning on using a yard sign to raise awareness about a campaign or cause, be sure they include the name of the candidate or cause, as well as all necessary information required to make an informed decision when it comes time to vote.

    Custom Fundraiser Signs

    5. Promote School Fundraisers Throughout Your School District

    Do you or your children have a school-related fundraiser coming up? This is the perfect time to place an attractive yard sign on every street. Regardless of whether your fundraiser is a one-off or recurring event, a few cleverly placed yard signs are sure to lure many prospective customers.

    6. Buy and Sell More Real Estate

    Yard signs are perfect for real estate companies looking to raise awareness about specific properties available for sale or lease. However, you may have noticed that they are quite overused. With this in mind, your sign must stand apart from the competition, at least if you want to capture a decent share of the market. Here is a short list of effective tips, followed by more comprehensive descriptions:

    • Conceive a creative color scheme
    • Make sure your yard sign has a distinctive shape
    • Use an effective tagline
    • Affix a brochure that customers can use to glean more information

    When it comes to color schemes, don’t be afraid to take the time to decide exactly what works best for you. Changes may be dictated by demographic preferences as well as natural surroundings. A good rule of thumb is to notice what colors are popular within your area, ascertain the reasons why then implement them into your own designs where applicable.

    As far as selecting a distinctive shape is concerned, make sure to choose something that the surrounding area does not see every day. A sign with abstract dimensions that simultaneously provides extra room for additional graphics, text, or negative space will help underscore your brand. However, be careful not to clutter your sign with too much information, as this will detract rather than attract. Additionally, try to focus on a single unifying message that will simultaneously entice buyers and push your brand.

    Yard signs and taglines go together like peanut butter and jelly. Just be sure to take the time to craft an effective tagline rather than rushing through it just to get your sign-up. Keeping your primary goal and focus at the forefront of your mind will help you assemble the perfect text.

    Finally, attaching a brochure box will enable prospective buyers to find more information about the property, as well as obtain an efficient means of contacting you.

    Custom Party Signs

    7. Personalized Yard Signs for Parties And Other Celebrations

    Make your next social gathering a smash with a personalized sign. No matter whether the event is a birthday party or that pool party you’ve been waiting for all summer, a prominent yard sign will ensure that your guests will know where the party is at. If your event is reasonably large or located in a hidden place, you may want to consider purchasing multiple signs with different instructions on how to navigate the area. Additionally, you could use signs to direct guests to key areas such as restrooms, trash receptacles, and food stations. Think back to your own childhood experiences on days like Easter. Wouldn’t an egg hunt have been much more fun with a couple of creative signs? In addition to informing people about the celebration in the first place, a few well-placed yard signs will result in even more fun. Just think about how you could confuse people or give understated hints about the location of specific eggs.

    8. Yard Signs to Help Recruit the Best Employees

    If you are a business owner looking for a way to accelerate your hiring process, look no further than a few yard signs. Placing a few of these puppies here and there will promote more visibility than other forms of signage and give you more control over how your message is displayed. Before printing your sign, consider what questions potential employees may ask, such as those pertaining to wages and hours, and be sure to include them in the text.

    9. Conventions, Conferences, and Other Large Events

    Even if the concert or convention you are promoting has been sold out for months, it never hurts to have a little more signage here and there. While signs can certainly raise awareness about an upcoming event, they can accomplish much more.

    For example, in the case of a sold-out event, a prominently placed sign is the perfect way to direct the crowd to essential stations, such as restrooms, food, designated exits, will-call, and ride-share pickup locations, and much more. You can even tell people where not to go using signs with messages such as “Keep Out” or “Restricted Access.” The possibilities are virtually endless.

    Random Uses

    10. Spread Your Own Personal Brand of Joy in a Troubled World

    What if you just want to place a sign in your yard because you feel like it? Nowadays, we are so bombarded with sales and related messaging (not to mention divisive political ads) that we forget life is supposed to be fun. Bring some much-needed cheer into your neighborhood with a random sign that conveys a funny or sentimental message that will brighten everyone’s day and bring us closer together.

    No matter the use, or whether you opted for I-frame or wire stakes frames, a tactfully placed yard sign is sure to get the point across. As with any public display, be sure to check with local authorities regarding specific rules governing signage. Doing so will help you avoid any unwanted confrontations.

    Depending on the intended use, you may want to consider one of the following: ordering multiple copies of a single design or ordering multiple copies of several unique designs. Multiple copies of a single sign are great for handing out to friends and neighbors, but they could cause people to overlook the message if too many are placed in the same vicinity. On the other hand, ordering several unique signs gives you the option of diversifying your message to yield a much higher return.

  • Winning Yard Signs: How to Make One

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    Making an effective yard sign is more tedious than one would probably think. First, you need a design or an image you want to put on a sign. Afterward, you will need to make a stencil for that image; that alone is a multi-step process. Furthermore, the stencil gets matched with a piece of corrugated plastic, so the design registers correctly with a blank sign. We’ll take some ink and transfer the image onto the corrugated plastic. Finally, you have to let the ink cure for a long-lasting, permanent finish that will stand up to any elements and conditions it may be up against. Now that you’ve done all the hard work, you’ll have a high-quality and durable plastic sign ready to start working for you.

    Making a Yard Sign Stencil

    Let’s back up and start from the beginning once you choose a design or image you want to use for your business advertisement or campaign sign, it’s time to make a transfer film. This film, in essence, is the negative image of your sign. With the film made, we take it to a dark room and transfer it to a silk screen that has already been coated with emulsion. The emulsion is a photo-sensitive material that comes in the form of a liquid. It’s extremely viscous and needs to have sensitizer added to it. This process makes the emulsion photo-sensitive. Take the mixed emulsion and add a very thin coat to the screen; wait for it to dry. The screen is now stencil-ready.

    We take the film from earlier, place it on an exposure table, and then cover it with the prepared screen. Go ahead and fire up that exposure table so it can begin to emit ultraviolet light. Some emulsion on the screen will come into contact with that UV light. As a reaction, those areas of emulsion get trapped on the screen. The film blocks out the rest of the light from touching the rest of the emulsion. For about 30 seconds, we wait for the UV light to do its thing.

    Time to rinse. Remove the screen from the exposure table for this next part. Hit the screen with water, and the unexposed emulsion should fall right out. This works best with pressurized water. Once you’ve gotten the image rinsed out, you’re left with the stencil that will be used for making the actual yard sign. Again, it needs to dry.

    Print-Ready Yard Sign Templates

    Now we’re ready for printing. From here, we put the stencil onto a printing press or printing table and firmly secure it. This will stop the screen from moving during the printing process. Now we have to register a blank sign under your stencil, then add some ink. This is usually UV ink, so it will last longer outdoors. Next, you will have a squeegee that swipes the ink through the entire image from top to bottom. If done correctly, you now have a freshly printed yard sign with wet ink. The final step is to leave your sign out to dry, or you can cure it quickly with direct exposure to sunlight.

    This is just one description of how the screen printing process can be done; however, there are multiple ways of accomplishing the same task. Here at Super Cheap Signs, we use automated presses to do the same thing and achieve a higher level of productivity. Hopefully, this helps give a better understanding of how an idea turns into something that can be showcased for all to appreciate.