For those who have a love of signage, a visit to the American Sign Museum is worth the trip. It is the largest museum dedicated to signs in America and covers the history of American signs from pre-e
lectric wood and metal signs, through light bulb era electric signs and modern plastic face signs.
The design of an indoor sign can be a powerful marketing tool that sets you apart from your competitors. Using logos, graphics, and other visual elements, it can communicate the message you want to send to potential customers. It can also help create a cohesive look within your company, including brand consistency throughout your interior signage.
The right interior signage can make your business easy to navigate, helping your customers find what they need without having to ask for help. It can also encourage shoppers to discover new products and services by constantly prodding them with calls to action.
Research has shown that the size, color, and placement of your signs can influence whether or not they grab a passerby’s attention. Depending on the surrounding visual clutter and the level of distraction, even identical signs can capture different levels of interest. This is why it’s so important to get the design of your indoor signs right.
The museum’s collection is housed at Neonworks, a sign shop that’s the only neon fabrication and repair operation within 100 miles. Owner Tom Wartman and his niece Ashley work on the signs in the collection, demonstrating a form of tube bending that looks much easier than it actually is.
The shop also assembles signs for new clients, including Buddy Roger’s Music and Kroner’s Towing, and repairs broken neon in the museum’s collection. Neonworks is the only place where you can see a neon sign-making process in action, and the museum encourages visitors to stop by for a tour.
Monument signs can have a modern look when dressed up with custom color, illumination and well-devised text. They can be permanent like this one for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, or temporary and economical as with this project for a construction company. This type of sign can be easily updated or repositioned as the business grows.
Signs are a crucial part of our daily information network and help us get where we want to go. They’re found in all sorts of shapes and sizes: from large, lit signs lining the interstate to convenient directional signage in your favorite lunch spot.
A site survey is important to the installation process to ensure that your sign will be placed in a location where it is visible, safe, and legally compliant. A sign expert will visit your business and survey the area, including any potential hazards or restrictions that could affect your sign’s placement and functionality.
The most popular form of internally illuminated business signs is channel lettering. These are typically made from industrial aluminum with acrylic panels or a combination of vinyl inscriptions and digital printing. They can be front-illuminated or halo-lit and are usually mounted on raceways to minimize the amount of damage they cause to building facades. They can also be direct-mounted to the wall for a clean, eye-catching look.
A sign that is dirty or scuffed up can give an unprofessional impression. It can also reflect poorly on the company that owns it. It is important to have a regular maintenance plan in place.
Some signs can be washed with soap and water, while others may require more professional cleaning methods. Steel wool and abrasive scrubbers should be avoided as they can damage the surface of a sign. Signs with electronic components should be cleaned by a certified electrician or a sign tech.
If you are a fan of signs, we recommend visiting the American Sign Museum in Camp Washington. This museum is one of Cincinnati’s hidden gems. It is the largest public museum dedicated to signage. You can find all kinds of signs here, from pre-electric, gold leaf signs to modern plastic and neon. You can also learn more about the history of these signs from the informational signage that accompanies them. It’s an experience that will surely be fun and educational for the entire family!