Author: signArtist

Name: Sign Artist Inc
Price range: $

July 13, 2020

Sign Artist Re-Brands Elmhurst College to University

Sign Artist helped Elmhurst College re-brand as a University! We transformed signs across campus, including the arch of the historic Gates of Knowledge shown here. This wrought-iron main entrance point to campus, is also a traditional site for graduation photos.

Sign Artist invited All Metal Group to collaborate and rejuvenate the Victorian-style arch, with its colorful cartouche at its pinnacle. The arch was dismantled, and years of battle against the elements sandblasted away. Wrought iron was newly painted, and custom metal letters were mounted.

For the arch reveal on July 1, 2020, Sign Artist contracted two Chicago theatrical companies to perform a kubuki curtain drop. Grand Stage Chicago built the truss work. Drape Kings provided the 300-square-foot royal blue curtain and automated drop system. A corps of social distancing college students gathered for the dramatic event.

Sign Artist also transformed:

Directional signs across Elmhurst University campus
Lettering on trucks and shuttle buses
Five monument signs (see below)
Wood plaque for Elmhurst University Athletic Hall of Fame
New dimensional letters in Faganel Hall

Now, how might we help brand your business? Visit us online! Signartistusa.com or write to us at contact@signartistusa.com

#signartist, #signartistusa, #signs, #universitysigns, #campussigns, #elmhurstuniversity

April 27, 2020

Sign Rocks WKQX

WKQX, James & Sons Diamonds Engage Sign Artist

James & Sons Fine Jewelers wanted to extend its new branding to the studio that they sponsor at radio station WKQX 101.1. The sign needs to be visible both in dim light and daylight to harmonize with the alternative vibe of this Cumulus Media station.

The LED light box features an aluminum frame, durable polycarbonate face and stunning translucent graphics. An innovative grid pattern allows LED light to traverse the background of the sign for bright, even illumination. What’s even better is that the image may be changed if needed and the same light box used again!

Tiny gridlines transmit light evenly throughout

A z-bar allows for easy and secure mounting

Sign Artist Rocks WKQX!

March 19, 2020

Images Make Your Place Inspiring

We’re influenced consciously and unconsciously by our environments. A room with dim lighting and muted color promotes concentration and quiet. A club filled with lasers and a pulsating beat gets us moving and socializing. Workplaces depend on a blend of places to concentrate and places to communicate.

The open office space movement of recent years failed, IMHO, because it only addressed interactivity. When people needed to think in these environments, they donned earbuds and retro headphones to block distractions. Quiet rooms, sleek phone booths and space capsules are added to offices to try to eliminate noise and promote concentration and creative thought.

An effective method of creating space for concentration, creativity and community utilizes inspiring visuals, color and light. Sign Artist is excited about helping others create environments that inspire! We understand the energy generated by images that remind you to think, create and serve. Walls, windows and signs are cost-conscious platforms for creating a greater Place. Talk to us about your design goals, we’ll help you to visualize the possible. Ed.bart@signartistusa.com Signartistusa.com

October 17, 2019

Privacy, Please! Frosted Glass is a Solution.

This week, the Sign Artist team customized the entrance to Grant Consulting Group’s Chicago office with precision cut lettering and 3M frosted privacy film. The graphics provide brand identity. Privacy film is a great choice for buildings with interior windows because it looks like etched glass. Different degrees of frosted glass are available. It’s a professional look for visitors, and provides privacy and light to employees.

September 25, 2019

Signs Have Great Value

Installing a Dimensional Letter Sign in the Reception Area

The University of Illinois at Chicago made the news this week. UIC ranks highly as a great value for quality education. The city location of the growing campus is an important draw and a contributor to the institution’s 5% annual growth. #Sign Artist welcomes the opportunity to participate in the university’s expansion. Dimensional wall #signs communicate the quality education for which the university is renowned. Let us promote your organization’s proud reputation! Reception area signage projects the confidence and excellence that makes your work stand out. Sign Artist will #communicate this to your important visitors! signartistusa.com

#signage #promotionalmarketing #corporatebranding

September 19, 2019

Great Northern Instore Rebrands

United Displaycraft is a subsidiary of parent company Great Northern Instore (GNI). GNI is an expert at designing and building custom retail displays. This includes everything from Gatorade to Bridgestone tires. Each item we see in a store has a carefully engineered display to provide maximum visibility and key information about the product. Great Northern subsidiaries include those specializing in metal fabrication, wood crafting and high resolution printing. When it was time to update the signage, Great Northern Instore engaged Sign Artist Inc. to transform their branding into a highly visible set of signs along the busy thoroughfare north of O’Hare International Airport. Carefully matched to the corporation’s color standard, the bright, highly weather resistant acrylic panels are mounted onto the building using metal studs tightly lodged into the facade with silicone adhesive. The sign will withstand the harsh northern winters and blazing summer heat.

September 2, 2019

Sign Artist Brightens Your Event

Custom signs from Sign Artist will bring an extra flare to your celebration! The mother of the groom wanted a bright Chicago sign under which photos of family could be memorialized. Chicago’s Bridgeport Art Center was the venue, a great industrial-chic space from the world-class city’s past. To achieve the right effect, designer Erin Bartholomew worked with the family to create a sign that harmonized with the historical and artistic nature of the Skyline Loft. The sign was built with an internal frame to allow it to hang safely. Bright LED lighting brings the translucent sign face to life. A dimmer allows the photographer to adjust the brightness for optimal photos. 3M film allowed us to block the light in the dark areas, while it shone freely through the jewel-like embellishments of the Chicago Theater-inspired design.

August 28, 2019

Sign Artist & ND Paper Create A Corporate Environment

ND Paper is a subsidiary of global paper product manufacturer Nine Dragons Paper, a large manufacturer in Asia. ND Paper is an environmentally-friendly company that produces high-quality packaging materials. The company operates mills in Maine, Wisconsin, and West Virginia that produce more than 1.2 million short tons of pulp & paper annually. Many of their products are created from recycled materials.

ND Paper is proud of their 1,400 dedicated employees. To celebrate the strong sense of community that inspires their corporation, ND Paper engaged Sign Artist to create and install a number of galleries in their Oak Brook Terrace, IL US headquarters.

These include 10 acrylic panels with corporate branding and messages. Featured among them is a world map with LED back-lighting to showcase the many global locations of the company. A space known as the “Bullpen” is both an area to stimulate conversation and to salute the history and environmental awareness of ND Paper. Over 20 photographs illustrate images of the people and places where forests grow, the products are made and newly-planted trees replenish natural resources.

Sign Artist has the resources to brainstorm, design, plan and deliver corporate environmental landscapes. We provide the images you need to inspire creativity and productivity in your business or organization. Our goal is to build a trusting relationship with our customers. Contact us, we’d really like to discuss your project with you!

ed.bart@signartistusa.com

630.594.4185

August 23, 2019

Chill Out with LED Channel Letters

Stuart always wanted his own business, and in summer 2019 the dream came to fruition. Dini’s Ice Cream in Roselle, IL opened in July serving the best-directly from Wisconsin cows. A keystone of his advertising strategy is an illuminated sign. It’s visible from several hundred feet while driving on Irving Park Road. It features his kitten, Dini and his new logo. Sign Artist is proud to promote this excellent local business with a new channel letter sign! Visit Dini’s at 346 East Irving Park Rd (IL-19) in Roselle.

LED lighting raises your visibility

August 22, 2019

Sign of Distinction

The law firm of Jonathan Merel wanted to enhance the atmosphere in their suite of offices in Chicago’s Prudential Plaza. An expanse of wall called for graphics in addition to artwork. Sign Artist installed this three-dimensional sign to satisfy the need. It has a brushed aluminum finish that contrasts nicely with the rich brown background. In addition, these finishes provide a sheen that reflects sophistication and professionalism. Do you have an empty feeling somewhere in your office? Add excitement with a dimensional wall sign. Contact Sign Artist and we’ll consult with you about the options. signartistusa.com

June 24, 2019

Etched Window Film for Style and Privacy

Frosted Crystal from 3M and Sign Artist Looks Like High-End Etching

University of Illinois at Chicago Student Accounts Receivable Office

When the UIC Student Accounts office needed customized etched window film, both they and Name On Anything promotional products contacted Sign Artist Inc. 3M frosted crystal film looks like a quality etched window at a fraction of the cost. The etched glass effect may cover an entire window, or it can be computer-cut for logos, patterns or lettering. Sign specialists will work with you to design your image and prepare for your project. We can perform an installation in a reasonable time period and with minimal lead time. Contact us to learn how these versatile films add a special touch or create a private space for situations such as medical consultations and other professional services. They are available in other patterns and colors!

March 19, 2019

University of Illinois at Chicago

Sign Artist Inc. recently installed two dimensional letter signs at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The wall signs had brushed aluminum surfaces on acrylic backing with sides painted to match the letter faces. Each sign was prepared to exact specifications to accurately reflect the university‘s branding. The signs are mounted on two different surfaces; one is wood with a high-gloss finish, the other is a painted concrete wall. Sign Artist Inc. is experienced with mounting letters on a variety of surfaces. Contact us for your next business or education sign and we’ll discuss the options that make your sign reflect the image that you desire. We’ll also advise you as to the optimal mounting so your sign will last for years and still look great.

February 28, 2019

Sign Artist Becomes BBB Accredited

SIGN ARTIST INC. EARNS BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ACCREDITATION

Chicago, IL – February 28, 2019 – Becoming an Accredited Business with the Better Business Bureau is an honor not accorded to all businesses; because not all businesses meet eligibility standards. Sign Artist Inc. is pleased to announce today that it has met all BBB standards and is now an Accredited Business.

“Accreditation in the BBB is by invitation only” says Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “And only those businesses that meet our high standards, and pass the review process are approved by our Board of Directors.”

As with all businesses that are Accredited by the BBB, Sign Artist Inc. has committed to the BBB Code of Business Practices. The Code is a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and best practices on how businesses treat consumers. These standards call for building trust, embodying integrity, advertising honestly and being truthful. Bernas adds “To maintain their Accreditation a business must be transparent, honor their promises, be responsive to their customers, and safeguard their privacy.”

“We are proud to be a BBB Accredited Business,” said Ed Bartholomew, president of Sign Artist Inc. “In today’s world it is imperative that our customers know how seriously we take our commitment to excellence and good customer service. Our achieving BBB Accreditation exemplifies that goal.”

Sign Artist Inc. offers consumers the best in business signage and promotion. “Our desire is to stay focused on what we do best; provide outstanding products and unsurpassed customer service,”

For more information contact: (Ed Bartholomew, 630-594-4185, ed.bart@signartistusa.com)

February 27, 2019

LED Signs Are An Investment That Pays Dividends

LED signs and electronic message centers (EMC) are an investment in your business that pays dividends. The Small Business Administration performed research on the effect of updating business signs and found that sales increased by a minimum of 15% after a new sign was installed.

An EMC requires a larger investment than a static sign, yet it is best to consider the impact on your business’ growth. If you have sales of $10,000/month and you install an electronic sign, that means your revenue could increase by a minimum of $1,500/month. If you lease an EMC for $500/month, you’re still increasing gross income by $1,000.

In addition to increasing sales, electronic message centers qualify for a tax deduction. This helps to reduce your tax burden at the same time that you improve sales.

Other benefits to installing EMCs include the lower cost of making thousands of advertising impressions on potential customers in a day than other types of ads. Many of the people that pass your sign see it every day, thereby increasing the probability that the next time they need your service, you will be on their list of who they talk to.

Not only can you reduce other costly advertising, you have the opportunity to display multiple messages during the time that one drives past the sign. You inform potential customers about special offers, business hours and new products. Drivers pay attention to your sign because it stands out among all of the other signs on the parkway. Passersby read your sign from a greater distance and that means they can receive more information about your services. They’ll have a greater chance of remembering your business!

February 7, 2019

Electronic LED Business Signs Offer Convenience

Electronic business signs are more convenient than static signage. In addition to the bright, eye-catching quality of LED signs, they offer another benefit. They can be updated by the business owner to rapidly display a timely message. For example, a recent inventory study shows that too many auto air fresheners were ordered. The items have a shelf life and may need to be disposed of pretty soon. A sale on air fresheners can be posted on the electronic message board on the same day of this realization.

Maybe you received notice that an employee is leaving their job. The opening can be on the electronic sign within the hour. In addition, you’re not trying to replace letters on a manual message board in the snow and blizzardy wind. Not only is that a challenge, there’s increased risk of an injury if an employee has to balance on a ladder to make the update.

A larger scale example of the benefit of electronic message centers is that networks of the devices may be managed remotely. Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, has dozens of electronic displays. Many of these are menu boards in the concession stands. Content management software combined with electronic displays allow for remote updates via the internet. Multiple sporting events take place in the stadium and branding on the menus as well as menu items and prices are scheduled to update for each event. This is accomplished by a person at their laptop in any location in which they have internet connectivity.

Convenience is just one advantage of electronic message displays. Visit the Sign Artist Inc. site soon for the next topic in our series on LED electronic signs.

February 3, 2019

Brighter Signs Mean More Business

The brightest sign on the roadway will always get the most attention. LED signs, also known as EMCs – Electronic Message Centers, usually win our attention in the field of signs we encounter in retail districts. They also inform us when we’re passing churches, government offices and schools. More organizations are realizing the effectiveness and return on investment that LED signs provide.

At one time, LED signs were limited to displaying the time and temperature on banks. Technology matured to produce electronic sign panels that are like computer monitors. Parkway monument signs now frequently incorporate both a standard sign panel and a single color LED sign to display timely information about an organization. More advanced EMCs display complex graphics as well as changing information displays in full color.

Sign Artist Inc. partners with leaders in the production of US-made LED, electronic signs. Brightly lit displays that adjust to changes in daylight are optimized for ease of viewing. Signs are built for both indoor and harsh outdoor conditions. Energy-saving LEDs reduce the cost of on-site advertising, while targeting your most likely customers. They also deliver detailed information about your business – specifics that competitors with static signs cannot do.

Visit our site again, soon, to learn more about these innovative business signs or organization signs. Sign Artist Inc. will continue to delve into the details about this technology that will position you to succeed!

January 22, 2019

Update Signs Easily With Magnetic Frames

Update business signs easily with magnetic frames. Sign Artist Inc. installs magnetic frames with your featured poster in the Chicago area. These hardwood frames securely display your business signs. Frames hold posters in place with strong magnets. They come in beautiful and long-lasting natural and painted hardwood.

The window poster at Credo natural skin products can be changed in under 10 minutes. You just separate the bottom and the top panels of the wooden frame. Staff can do it without tools. A new advertisement or window art can be installed in minutes.

Even large posters are securely positioned with this framing solution. Sign Artist Inc. will set up this system for your sale posters, both single or double-sided. It’s an affordable and flexible way to adapt your marketing strategy. Posters easily change through the seasons and with changes in products and fashion. Call Sign Artist Inc. and we’ll help you feature items and announce special events. We’ll help you to make a great impression!

January 13, 2019

Installing a Business Sign

Sign Artist Inc is installing a business sign in this video . Watch the process of lifting the Bella Nora Salon & Spa channel letter sign into position on the facade of the business. The brightly-lit sign features LED modules, providing excellent visibility and reducing power expense in comparison to fluorescent or neon lighting. The installation was performed early in the day and the crew was finished before the first customer arrived.

January 10, 2019

Shared Business Space Gets ADA Compliant Signs

Business signs should be ADA compliant. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) became law in 1990. I had just entered occupational therapy school at Rush University in Chicago. It seemed like a good idea at the time; provide reasonable accommodation to people with mobility, hearing, visual and any other type of disability. At the time, I didn’t know that many people who affected by a disability.

Certainly, as an occupational therapist, many of my patients benefited from this law. It provided motivation for cities to add ramps to sidewalks at intersections. Automatic doors became commonplace. Visual aids also became present in elevators, public buildings and corporate settings.

Sign Artist Inc. partnered with Summit Construction to install 90 ADA-compliant architectural signs at a building in downtown Chicago. The 620 N. LaSalle building was a sporting goods store when I moved to the city in 1983. For the last couple of years, it has been vacant. The building is being renovated and will house a number of companies that share workspaces such as conference rooms, technical and business services and other common areas such as kitchens and dining areas.

We were fascinated by the historical building and had the opportunity to tour it from the basement to the roof! Dave, the superintendent, was really helpful in guiding us to the appropriate locations where signs needed posting. He explained how the building originated from two buildings in the late 1800s. The two buildings were connected in the center by a structure that expanded it into a much larger one. You can see where the transitions between the original buildings exist, along with the original brick walls and wide-planked wooden floors. Built to Last!

ADA signs that we installed had raised text, international symbols for stairs and restrooms and included braille for the visually-impaired. Every stairway needed to be marked and to identify the building level to meet both ADA and fire department requirements. ADA-compliant signs must meet the requirements of the regulations and be positioned in accordance with federal guidelines.

January 7, 2019

Signs Earn Customer Trust

Metal Plaques Suggest Stability and Permanence.

There are many options to choose from when designing a sign. One thing to consider is what will the sign will say subconsciously to people?

Banners are a good example. These are best used for special events, sales or as temporary signs while a more permanent one is being manufactured. Banners are great for announcing events with limited duration, such as special pricing or upcoming events. They also work well for art fairs, car washes and other fundraisers. Anniversaries, graduations and sporting events are appropriate for banners because of their portability and wide range of sizes.

Permanent business establishments should display signs that reflect their nature and character. A beautiful routed wood or lighted channel letter sign says something to the viewer that banners and temporary signs do not. It suggests that the business is here to stay. A well-designed and constructed sign reflects the business owner’s commitment to the community and their customers. It portrays the organization as having history, quality and professionalism.

Three-dimensional signs are just one example of a noble permanent sign. Lighted channel letters and carved signs illustrate commitment and legitimacy. Government buildings, schools, libraries and banks may consider an even more robust emblem of organizational significance.

Bronze plaques and other metal signs convey a level of permanence and stability that establishes longevity. These signs indicate reliability and strength and individuals subconsciously respond to this. People are more likely to trust an organization that posts an identity that states that “We’re here for the long haul – you can safely put your trust in us.”

Sign Artist Inc. is well-acquainted with the breadth of available sign solutions. We will help you to identify the impact you need your sign to have on customers and patrons. After establishing this, we’ll help you to navigate through the various options and the level of investment that you’re comfortable with. Our desire is that you feel great about how your new sign represents you and your business.

January 5, 2019

Bella Nora Salon & Spa Updates Its Business Sign

A new business sign announces the Bella Nora nail salon and spa’s updated identity in Plainfield, IL. Owner Johnny Nguyen called Sign Artist Inc. last autumn to discuss ideas to update the branding for his business. An older sign with the previous owner’s name was on the building and he wanted to clarify the current name of the business while letting potential customers know that there was an updated variety of services.

Mr. Nguyen presented ideas to our designer, Erin, who worked with him to create renderings of options. In addition, Sign Artist’s owner, Ed performed a site survey to take measurements of the location where the new sign would be placed. During this visit, the existing sign mounting and electrical supply was reviewed. Ed met with Mr. Nguyen to discuss the findings and the customer decided to replace the existing sign with new LED-lit channel letters.

In case you’re not familiar with sign components, a channel letter sign is an illuminated sign made of custom-formed metal housings. Each letter or word contains an array of LED light modules and they transmit light either through the front, or, through the back, giving the sign a halo-like effect.

Bella Nora’s sign has white, acrylic front panels that diffuse light and illuminate for night viewing. During the day, the black edges provide a sharp contrast with the white face panels, making it easy to read the 22″ high letters from hundreds of feet in the distance. Visibility during both day and night was important to the owner because the business is adjacent to a supermarket and he wanted to attract shoppers’ attention as they walk to and from the massive parking lot.

The sign operates with a timer that is set to turn the sign on at dusk and to also automatically turn off. LED lighting costs a fraction of fluorescent or neon lights and it provides evenly distributed illumination. These signs are built to provide many years of service despite the extremes of weather that the Midwestern climate tees up.

The owner’s new sign professionally reflects the quality and vibrant character of the Bella Nora Salon and Spa’s services. He is pleased to say that now “The business feels like it’s mine.” The sign announces the business and represents the pride that the staff takes in delivering excellent service.

November 18, 2018

Signs Sell Luxurious Leather at The DUMP

Signs sell products for you! The Dump Luxe Furniture warehouse carries high-quality leather furniture. This furniture helps you relax while you entertain guests and family. Sign Artist‘s sign put the leather furniture description front and center to customers. They easily find the products that they need.

Deals on quality grades of leather are always available at The Dump. Leather samples in numerous colors hang below the text of the sign. Customers look at the samples and read tohe sign to better understand their options when they think about their new living room. Putting the information at the point of purchase effectively increases sales.

The precision-cut vinyl letters are created using our plotter. This high-quality digital plotter turns a digital image or text into cut vinyl letters. Sign Artist specialists apply the prepared vinyl letters to the wall for you. Both images and text may be applied to the wall, floor, windows or ceiling. Easy-to-read fonts, informative content, and precise placement result in a sign that attracts customers like a magnet and convinces them choose their next sofa and chairs!

November 18, 2018

A Face-Lift for Building Directories

Directory signs need updating. Your customers depend on these signs, especially when it’s their first visit. Property management firm Lee and Associates recently called upon Sign Artist to update a building directory in Wheeling, IL. The monument sign building name had faded and cracked – stains were caused by the nearby evergreens. We applied new precision-cut vinyl letters to give the sign a bright, easy to read title.