Creating Small Biz DIY Shop Signs On A Budget
While in-store marketing is essential for your retail business, it doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. You can personalize your retail environment with laminated signs you make yourself.
Why Signs?
- 68% of customers believe that signage reflects the quality of a business and their product
- On average, one additional on-premise sign results in an increase in annual sales revenue of 4.75%
- 68% of American consumers have made a purchase because a sign caught their interest
- At-retail advertising drives additional sales 70% of the time
Advantages of DIY Signs for Small Business
- Laminated signs are easy to make: a computer, a printer, a laminator, and scissors is all you really need
- Save money- no costly sign shops or generic store-bought signs
- Go customizable and creative- create signs that are unique to your shop’s look and feel
What Kind of Signs You May Need
Directional
Directional signage leads customers through your store and guides them to key locations
Branded
Branding your unique product offerings with a distinctive sign sets your products apart. Also, use branded signs to promote well-known brands you offer in your store.
Informational
Along with knowledgeable salespeople, easy to read signs that help customers make purchasing decisions keeps patrons engaged.
Sales
Announcing sales with window signage brings customers in. Make sale signs clear and simple with specific dollar-off or percentage off statements.
New Items
New arrivals in the store need to be promoted. Words like “fresh”, “just in” and “new” get the attention of customers.
Themes
Keeping your store environment in sync with seasons and annual events harmonizes your product offering with customer expectations. Holiday store signs remind customers of gift purchases they need to make and seasonal signs for spring and summer sales put customers in the right mood for buying.
Five Steps To Making Your Own Signs
Design
Word processing software or art software on your computer allows you create any customized sign to fit your promotional purposes. Think creatively and put yourself in the shoes of your customer when writing and designing the sign.
Print the sign on your computer printer. You don’t need to use heavy stock paper, as laminating the sign will make it durable.
Laminate
Laminate the sign so it lasts. If you have frequent or seasonal sales that are similar, laminating keeps your most heavily used signs in good condition, so you don’t have to create new ones. Also, laminating is ideal for creating weather-resistant signs displayed outdoors.
Use a laminator with at least a 9″ wide entry for laminating larger documents
Cut
Trim the edges of the sign after laminating so you have a clean, crisp edge.
Display
Decide where and how you will display your sign. Dangle it from the ceiling, tape it up in your store window or display along with a grouping of products. For shelf displays, use card size laminating pouches and fasten to the edge of the shelf just beneath a special product offer.
Pouch Thickness To Use For Signs
3 mil laminating pouches are rigid and durable enough for signs. Any signs that may encounter frequent handling should be laminated with 5 mil pouches. If displayed outdoors, a more durable 10 mil pouch is best. Select from a variety of pouches.
Choosing a Laminator for Making Retail Signs
How many signs you make determines the laminator you need. Heavier usage laminators are more expensive but hold up under frequent use. For moderate laminating, the Saturn 3i 95 has received good reviews from business owners who make their own signs.
Great purchase for my business!
“Out of the box to first finished laminated sign in under 10 minutes! Easy instructions and very easy operation! I would recommend this product to anyone who needs a laminator for small-business use!”
Sources: Point of Purchase Advertising International
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