Signs of the Times

Times have changed in the world of signmaking. In Britain, certain
businesses have a particular type of sign that gives the connotation
that the business is what it is. For example, public house signs have
that indistinguishable look about them. So do professional signs such
has solicitors exterior signs. Certain signs are said to be
contemporary or modern in their look and feel whereas others have more
traditional.A clear distinction can be made between the terms
traditional and old-fashioned though. Though their meaning is often
based upon the specific context to which they are being used in, it is
fair to state that traditional usually depicts a particular style of
an era that has stood the test of time, is elegant and is still
relevant today. Whereas old-fashioned may even have been trendy in
it's day, it would look out of place in any of today's context and
it's very usage would be an unwise decision in any given context.So on
to the pros and cons and traditional vs contemporary sign creation.
Let's give a couple of examples of what is meant by traditional
signwriting and contemporary signs. Traditional may include hand
painted signs and gold leaf whereas contemporary signs might be neon
or made out of vinyl. Vinyl requires machinery and computer design
software whereas hand painted signs require a steady hand. Neither is
better than the other. It depends on what the jobs requires and if a
sign company can offer both types of signage then they are more likely
to be able to offer the best solution for the client. This is because
they can choose a solution based upon what the job requires rather
than any of their limitations as a company (in terms of skill
sets).Pros of traditional hand painted signs include their uniqueness
and individual look that cannot be produced using software and
machines. Imagine that traditional pub with the large wooden hand
painted sign or that old thatched cottage with the warm, welcoming
sign with the house name in hand painted lettering. Cons includes the
increased costs based upon the talent and skills involved in being
able to produce this type of sign and the time that it takes.Pros of
vinyl signs are that, with the correct equipment, they are quicker to
produce and easier to fit than traditional signs. Having said that the
sign maker still needs to have the prerequisite skills to discern the
correct type of sign for the job as well as the creativity to produce
a meaningful message for the business. Neon signs are great for
nightclubs, they provide a certain image. Neon signs are generally
more costly than vinyl but again it comes down to what it right for
the type of business.If you own a business but don't have a sign or
have a sign which is worn then remember that a business without a sign
is a sign of no business.