Did you know that one of the easiest ways for your business to stand out is hiding in plain sight? Eye-catching and unique Open signs are an incredibly effective way to set your business apart from the competition. However, with the most effective Open signs proven to increase sales, how can you make sure that yours fits the bill?
We’re here to help, with over 20 years of experience in the lighting and signage industry. Below, we share our top tips for choosing a unique Open sign that will ensure your business attracts more customers.
The most effective strategy for ensuring your new sign drives sales is making sure it’s different from those at nearby businesses. The vast majority of open signs only say “Open,” and customers generally take little notice of them beyond subconsciously noting whether or not the business is open.
However, because so many of these signs look exactly the same, having an open sign that is even slightly different can bring massive sales opportunity for your business. Experimenting with a creative or unique open sign message is the most effective way to ensure that customers remember and are interested in your business.
Using your brand identity to stand out can be one valuable way to approach Open signs. This route can be taken in many different directions depending on what you’re looking for. If your brand marketing strategy depends on a lot of puns, exploring that can be particularly profitable, as with SpellBrite’s seasonal HO HO HOPEN sign. If you have a more sarcastic and edgy brand voice (like many tattoo parlors, bars, or smoke shops), perhaps an eye-catching sign like F%@! YEAH WE’RE OPEN would prompt customers to be intrigued, and thus remember your business. For softer-spoken brands, like a cute bakery, a COME ON IN! or WELCOME sign will get your message across while being different enough from a stereotypical Open sign for potential customers to take notice.
Why use a simple open sign when you can take advantage of a valuable marketing opportunity? Think through what sets your business apart, and incorporate that into your signage. Do you want potential customers’ mouths to water at the thought of your tacos? Want to attract the late-night crowd to your bar that’s open later than your neighbors’? Trying to draw remote workers into your café with the promise of free wi-fi? No matter what it is that makes your business special, incorporating that into your open signage is a great way to ensure that customers remember you. Creating a custom open sign is a great way to accomplish this. With a custom sign message, you can hyper-target your sign message to your business needs to attract new customers.
While print signs are typically the most affordable, investing in an illuminated sign yields significantly higher return on investment because it is much more visible. Among illuminated signs, there are 3 main sign types to choose from, each with its own pros and cons.
The first type of sign is a dot LED sign, which uses individual dot LEDs to spell out a message. These signs tend to be extremely affordable, but they’re difficult for customers to read (especially at a distance) and often burn out quickly. Additionally, while they can shine bright, the brightest versions of dot LED signs use supercharged LED lights. These supercharged LEDs burn out quickly, meaning your sign will likely only last a few months.
The second main type of sign is a neon sign. These signs use electricity to illuminate a gas trapped in a glass tube. These are typically bright and aesthetically pleasing, and no two will be exactly the same given the fact that neon is traditionally handmade. Many people appreciate neon for the art form that it is.
However, when it comes to using these signs in your business, there are quite a few drawbacks. These signs can be noisy and dangerous to have around customers, with easily breakable glass and a high voltage. They are also typically in cursive or feature connected letters, making them incredibly difficult to read. While neon signs can last for years with regular maintenance, they are also easy to break, difficult to repair, and the most expensive type of sign to purchase. A quality neon sign can easily cost upwards of $1,000 per sign, depending on the size desired.
The third main type of illuminated sign is known as a “neon-LED” sign or a “neon flex” sign. These signs look like neon signs, but use an LED light source. This blends the best parts of the other sign types, mimicking the look of neon at a more affordable price. However, there is a wide range in quality across this sign type. You can find neon LED signs for under $50, but these Open signs are typically not very bright or visible. While they make for very cheap LED signs, they likely won’t last very long or be effective at attracting customers.
With higher-quality sign solutions, which typically range from around $200-$400 on average, these “neon-LED” signs can be a great asset to your business. They have the brightness of neon with fewer drawbacks (though you’ll want to make sure that the sign solution you choose is UL listed and from a reputable sign company).
The color you choose for your sign can have a massive impact on its visibility. For Open signs, the best sign color to choose is red. You can learn more about the impact of sign color, but the reason why red signs make the best open signs boils down to the fact that red light appears the brightest to the human eye. Since it’s incredibly important that customers know you’re open, it’s important to make sure your Open sign is highly visible.
While it is tempting to think a “fun” color scheme will attract more attention, this is not the case. Multi-color rainbow signs or signs that can change colors will not be as bright as a red sign. Thus, choosing one of these sign types will hinder your sign’s visibility, causing it to blend in.
No matter what your sign needs are, SpellBrite can help. You can browse our collection of eye-catching Open signs, or create your own custom sign message.
Want advice from our signage experts on how to get the most out of your signs? Take advantage of our free, no-obligation sign consultations! Just give us a call at (312)575-9620 or email us at [email protected].
Choosing a color for your illuminated sign, whether neon or LED, can seem like a no-brainer. When considering what business sign to purchase, buyers typically spend a lot of time deciding on certain aspects of their new sign (such as what the sign will say) and much less on others (like the sign’s color). However, the color of your sign is just as important as what it says, if not more so. This is because the color significantly impacts the visibility of your sign and how many potential customers you’ll be able to reach. Visibility is the most important piece to consider. If nobody can read your sign, it doesn’t matter whether or not your sign message is the most effective ever.
When it comes to choosing a color for your illuminated sign, there’s a lot more to take into account than your favorite colors, or even your brand colors. Below, you’ll find some of our best advice for selecting a sign color.
When talking about illuminated signs, certain colors of light are visible than others. For example, a red light is more visible than white or green. These are in turn more visible than blue, especially in direct sunlight. (The caveat here is that a high-quality, premium LED sign from a reputable company will generally be more visible than a low-quality, cheap sign that cuts corners, regardless of what color is chosen).
You can see this for yourself by looking at red and blue “Open” signs in business windows. Be careful of nearby cars, and slowly walk away from the sign. You’ll notice that the blue orbit disappears long before you can’t read the words “OPEN.” This is why so many Open signs are red…and in turn, why red Open signs tend to be more effective than any other color.
For this reason, if you’re looking for a bright, highly visible sign, red is the best color to choose, followed closely by green and white. This is especially true when using your sign during the daytime, when other colors, like shades of blue, can have trouble competing with the brightness of the sun.
Why are red signs brighter? Why are blue science dimmer? Science. The longer a color’s wavelength is, the further it can travel before being diffused by small particles in the atmosphere. Since red light has the longest wavelength of any color, it can travel the furthest. Therefore, a red light will visible from further away than any other color.
In turn, the shorter a color’s wavelength is, the closer you must be in order to see it. Blue light has the shortest wavelength of any color, meaning it is visible from the shortest distance. In addition to this, blue light is particularly difficult for the human eye to see, and for the brain to process. This makes it a good choice for signs that should be dim, like illuminated interior restroom signs, but a less effective choice for storefront signs trying to attract new customers.
It can be tempting to select a sign color based on your company branding. However, this is not the best approach when it comes to illuminated signs. Though it can be nice to have your brand colors and logo match your sign, it is much more important that your sign can be seen by potential customers.
If your brand colors include a bright illuminated color, like red, green, or white, you’re in luck. These colors of light are incredibly bright, and if you’d like to select the color that matches your brand identity, that’s an easy choice. If, however, your brand colors feature shades of less visible colors like yellows, blues, pinks, or purples, then you’ll want to choose a different color.
If you’re looking to purchase a sign that uses an LED light source (dot LED, strip LED, neon-LED), you can ignore this section. For these signs, the level of safety is determined by the company and the quality of the signage itself, not by the color of the LED lights.
For illuminated neon signs, however, the color you choose can have an impact on the safety of your sign. While some of the safety concerns about neon are consistent across sign colors (like breakable glass and high voltage), certain colors are more dangerous than others. This is because different gases are used inside the glass tubing in order to create different colors. Only red neon signs actually use neon gas (which is non-toxic). Blue signs, for example, use mercury, which can be dangerous if the sign breaks.
Are you intending to take pictures of your eye-catching illuminated sign to boost online reach? Or are you considering placing your sign on an internal wall to create a photo booth for customers? The color of your sign can also have a huge impact on how pictures of the sign turn out. On the whole, signs that are in warm colors (red, orange, pink) will generally photograph better than cool colored signs (blue or green).
There are additional considerations to keep in mind when looking for a sign that photographs well. For example, you may want to look for a sign with a dimmer or dimming settings. Regardless of the sign color chosen, brighter signs can blow out the image, ruining the photograph for you or your customers.
If you are taking photographs for social media, the time of day can also have an impact on the quality of the image. The best time of day to take photos of illuminated signs is right after dawn or right before dusk.
Interested in purchasing an LED sign for your business? Browse SpellBrite’s range of ultra-bright LED signs by industry, or create your own custom sign message. You can also reach out to us via email at [email protected] or by phone at (312)575-9620. Alternatively, you can also find reviews from previous satisfied customers here. We are here to help you decide what sign color might be best or to answer any questions or concerns.
Neon signs are an incredibly popular choice both for business advertising and for home décor. They can add personality and style to any space. However, they can be expensive and difficult to create, with the traditional process of shaping glass tubes making it difficult for beginners to DIY neon signs. With recent developments in LED technology, however, it’s now possible for anyone to create their own sign without requiring complicated soldering or glass-blowing techniques. In this blog post, we’ll list a few different ways to DIY neon signs using LED lighting and pre-made sign kits, starting with the more intense methods and ending with the simplest.
Since their invention in the early 1900s, neon signs have traditionally been crafted by artisans through a highly manual, multi-step process. First, these artisans must create the glass tubing, which often uses a soft lead glass tubing for easy bendability. The diameter of the tubing is typically between .3 and 1 inch, with the length of the tube varying from between 4 and 5 feet.
Then, the glass tubing is heated to soften the glass. The skilled craftsman carefully shapes and bends the glass into the desired shape. The inside of the glass is coated with a phosphorescent material (which helps enhance the brightness and color of the neon light), and then the tube is filled with gas. The type of gas is dependent upon the desired color of the sign. Only red signs use actual neon gas, while other colored neon signs use other gases like argon, mercury, and helium.
In order for the sign to illuminate, two electrodes are placed at each end of the glass tubing. These electrodes are typically made of iron and surrounded by a glass jacket. Then, the gas will be electrified and emit light, creating the characteristic neon glow.
This process is not only complex but also dangerous. It requires significant expertise to safely create a neon sign. Luckily, there are other ways to DIY neon signs, enabling you to create your very own “neon” sign using kits and pre-made LED light strips instead of glassblowing and hazardous gases. All three of the following methods use an LED light source designed to look like neon. This makes the process of sign creation much safer while still replicating the aesthetic of the end product.
If you have prior experience with soldering and electrical wiring, this could be the right choice for you. If not, we’d recommend choosing another option, since handling wiring and soldering tools as a beginner can be dangerous. Unlike traditional neon signs, this DIY neon sign uses LED neon flex lights for a safer experience.
To build your own neon sign, you’ll first want to create a design. In this step, you’ll want to determine the shape, style, and size of neon sign you’re looking for. Then, once you have an idea of what you’re trying to create, use the tube cutters to cut the LED neon flex lights to the desired length. You’ll want to err on the side of caution, and be careful not to cut off too much.
At this point, solder the wiring to the lights to create a secure connection. While this can be a complex process, it will help make your DIY neon sign more durable and less likely to fall apart or break quickly.
After soldering, use the hot glue gun to attach the LED neon flex lights to the backing material or surface. You’ll want to properly align and secure the lights so that they don’t move. This step ensures that your sign remains together and allows for easy hanging.
Then, connect the wires from the LED neon flex lights to a power source. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper wiring and electrical connections, and exercise significant caution when handling wires. Once everything is connected, you will be able to test the sign to ensure that all the lights are working properly, making any adjustments or repairs as needed.
The second way to create your own neon sign involves no soldering. This route is a more accessible entry point for individuals without prior experience in electrical wiring. However, this accessibility does come at a cost. These signs look less professional and may be better suited to a sign for your home or restaurant décor than as a neon sign for your business.
Much like the first method for DIY LED neon signs, start by creating your design and determining the dimensions. Use the shaping wire to create the intended design.
Then, instead of soldering, use the zip ties to attach the LED neon flex lights to the shaping wire. You’ll want to fasten them at the peaks and bottoms of each letter to ensure the sign doesn’t lose its form. Once this is complete, you’ll be able to use the hot glue gun to attach the lights to the backing material of your choice to allow for easy hanging.
After constructing the neon LED sign, attach the plastic wire clips to the end of the power source and the end of the LED lighting, then connect the two wire clips together. Again, you’ll want to exercise significant caution when dealing with electrical components. You’ll also want to ensure that you have the right kind of plastic wire clip; if you purchase DIY neon sign kit, it should have the correct type. If not, and you are trying to build a sign using loose components, you’ll want to be sure to do your research to ensure that you have the correct materials.
Once the wire clips are in place and connecting the power source to your shaped neon LED sign, you’ll be able to test the sign to ensure the flex lighting is working correctly.
The third method for creating your own neon-like sign is extremely safe and easy, requiring no previous experience. This involves using SpellBrite’s LED letters, numbers, and special characters to quickly and easily build neon-like LED signs that you can change any time. Unlike the other methods for creating a sign as listed above, SpellBrite’s DIY signs require only a screwdriver (which comes with your sign purchase) to create. Our signs easily click together, much like building bricks for children. With this, you won’t be stuck with a single sign. To advertise different products and services or change your prices, you can simply and easily change your sign.
There are a few different ways you can DIY neon signs for your business using SpellBrite signs or sign kits:
Unlike the DIY solutions above, SpellBrite signs come with a 30-day risk-free trial and 1-year warranty. Our signs are also completely safe for use in your home or business, with both UL and CE certifications. There are no exposed wires or complicated electrical components to consider when you’re creating your own neon sign using SpellBrite. This makes SpellBrite sign kits a much safer (and easier) way to create neon-like signage than either of the above options.
Have any questions or want more information about SpellBrite’s range of DIY neon LED signs? Contact us at [email protected] or give us a call at (312)575-9620; we are happy to help. You can also learn more here about what previous customers have thought about our product.
One of the most important aspects of running a business is marketing. You can have a high-quality product or service and a positive customer experience, but if you lack good marketing, it will be difficult to grow your business. While digital marketing is hot right now (and can be quite effective in certain circumstances), illuminated signs remain one of the strongest ways to drive local traffic to your storefront. High quality illuminated neon or LED signs can be a pricey investment. However, a high-quality commercial sign can pay for itself in increased sales within weeks. With a lifespan of up to 10 years on many of these signs, this means that you’ll be able to benefit from your sign long after you break even without having to invest additional capital to create more ad campaigns or target new audiences.
However, once you decide it’s time to invest in a sign, you must figure out to answer to that all-important question: where should I buy my sign? Is it better to purchase signs from a signage company near me, or find an e-commerce solution?
The answer to this question isn’t as simple as it may seem. All businesses are unique and therefore require unique signage targeted to their individual needs. However, with 20+ years of experience in the signage industry, we’ll help you determine what sign is best for you. In this blog article, we’ll help you work through the pros and cons of shopping local versus buying online. While all sign companies are different, these generalizations will help you decide what type of sign company could be best for your needs.
If you are looking for a highly customized sign, e-commerce sign companies often have a much quicker turnaround time from purchase to shipping due to their streamlined processes and automated production systems. In a few quick steps, you can browse their catalog, order your signs, and have them shipped to you. (For example, all SpellBrite signs ship out next business day). For custom signs, however, local sign companies will often include in-person consultations, design revisions, and more. This usually leads to a longer time before delivery of your finished sign product.
However, for a more basic and less customized sign, like one that reads “OPEN” or “PIZZA,” you may be able to have the sign in hand much quicker by purchasing your sign from a local signage company. If the company near you keeps basic signs like these in stock, you’ll be able to take the sign home that same day as opposed to waiting for an e-commerce company to process and ship your order.
While the level of service varies from one company to another, local sign companies can be easier to work with. These companies have a physical location that you can go to in order to speak with a representative. With these companies, if you experience difficulties with your sign, you can be sure you can have your concerns addressed.
Many online sign companies also have excellent customer service via email or phone that you can reach from the comfort of your home. However, the level of direct interaction and personalized service you’ll receive may vary. Some e-commerce companies may outsource their customer service or have very limited reachability. This is especially true in the case of companies selling low-quality, cheap custom signs, who depend on their low cost rather than their customer service to increase revenue. It is also true for foreign e-commerce companies, as you’ll be dealing with differences in language and time zones.
While there will always be outliers, e-commerce businesses can usually offer similar-quality signs at a lower cost. Because they do not need to rent, own, or staff a storefront, their overhead costs are generally lower, making it easier to price their signs competitively. Remember to include the cost of shipping in your budget if there is not a free shipping option. Local sign companies’ higher overhead costs, and the more personalized level of service they are able to provide, will usually come with a higher price tag.
Online e-commerce sign companies are available to purchase from 24/7. You can browse their selections, easily compare options and prices between one company and another, and research reviews and ratings from the comfort of your home. While their customer service team may have scheduled hours, their online presence makes it easier to determine if they are a good fit. With local sign companies, you may need to coordinate visits to their physical location during their business hours. This can be time-consuming and require additional planning, making it a less convenient option.
Getting a custom sign entails some risk that what you receive is different than what you expected. In most cases, whether purchasing in person or online, you will not be able to return a custom sign. In fact, in many cases, you will need to put down a non-refundable deposit at the time you approve drawings. SpellBrite is unique in this regard. As more fully explained below, if you’re not satisfied with your SpellBrite, you can return it for a full refund.
When purchasing a sign, it’s important to consider your options in case your sign breaks. This is especially important for neon signs, which can be more prone to sign and transformer performance issues. Purchasing from a local sign company can be safer in that regard. They often offer comprehensive maintenance services, including repairs, installation, upkeep, and more. (However, keep in mind that this higher level of service comes at a cost and will be factored into the price of your sign.) On the other hand, most online sign companies do not offer maintenance. You may be required to either find a local service provider or handle it independently. Is your sign already broken? Not sure if you’ll be able to repair it? Learn more about your options for neon sign repair, as well as the dangers of trying to handle it independently.
One of the main differences between shopping at a commercial signage shop near you and online at an e-commerce business is the presence of salespeople. While working directly with salespeople can be helpful in terms of taking advantage of their expertise, it can also be a drawback. These salespeople are well-versed on their offerings, but they may work much harder to influence your decision-making process. They’ll likely attempt to convince you their sign is a good fit, even when it may not be.
Additionally, since these companies offer more customization options, their quotes can often be artificially inflated, relying on upsells and using other tactics to increase the cost of your sign. Meanwhile, online e-commerce sign companies must rely on their website’s information and product descriptions. They also must offer more standardized and transparent pricing, giving you the opportunity to quickly and easily compare prices. This both ensures you are receiving the best price without haggling and allows for a more independent decision-making process. With online sign companies, you can focus more on the product’s specifications and suitability rather than the purchasing process.
A neon or LED sign can be extremely impactful on your company’s sales, making it imperative that you choose a high-quality business sign. Both local and e-commerce sign companies will usually have customer reviews and ratings available for reference. However, online e-commerce companies typically have a larger pool of reviews due to their wider customer base. Their customers come from all over the United States rather than a single localized market, leading to a wider demographic. Using trusted websites like Sitejabber or Trustpilot can help you here. Checking third party marketplaces like Amazon or Walmart for the company’s ratings and reviews is also a good idea. Reading these user reviews will give you insight into the quality, reliability, and overall service for a particular company.
When it comes to purchasing commercial signs, the decision to buy from a signage company near you or an online retailer can be difficult. If you require a highly customized sign or desire significant in-person service beyond the point of purchase, the answer to “Should I buy commercial signs from a signage company near me?” is probably yes. If you’re looking for a lower-cost sign solution with a faster turnaround time, however, e-commerce may the right answer. In either case, it is extremely important to check customer reviews and ratings. These will help you to gain insight into the company you’re buying from.
An illuminated sign is an investment in the future of your business, and we take them seriously. Learn more about SpellBrite’s click-together custom sign solutions you can change any time, or create a custom sign of your own today! All our signs ship on the next business day to help you see results fast. Best of all, SpellBrite signs come with a 30-day risk-free trial and a 1-year warranty so that you can feel secure in your purchase. Reach out to our customer service team today at [email protected] or give us a call at (312)575-9620 for more information. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Events occur every day, at every kind of business. From small-scale networking events to massive corporate conferences to festivals, comic conventions, or bar trivia, hosting events is a great way to increase revenue, foster community engagement, inspire workers, and more. Companies across many industries understand the importance of these events and use them strategically. However, in order to ensure these events are successful, it’s necessary to market them to make sure people attend. Marketing helps create awareness, generate excitement, and communicate the values and benefits of attending. While there are many ways to market events, one of the most effective ways to spread the news is using changeable event signage to display compelling information about your event in a sign or signs.
Without proper advertising, even the most well-planned and exciting event may go unnoticed. This makes it even more crucial for businesses to invest time and resources into promoting these events to ensure their success. Below, you can learn more about what to consider when purchasing event signage.
Event signs, and particularly illuminated event signage, is a great way to make your event stand out and run smoothly. Before the event, use signage to spread information about what’s happening in order to grow your attendee base and get people excited about what’s to come. During the event, signs are a great way to guide attendees around and prevent confusion. And after it’s over, your event can be promoted again with social media posts featuring your signs in the background, bringing additional organic visibility to your business or organization.
When choosing what kind of event signage to put up before your event, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind:
These signs can often be a much more effective strategy for spreading the word about your event than digital marketing strategies because they stand out and can be seen by the exact local traffic you’re trying to reach. Plus, attracting these local individuals to your event will give you a better chance of turning them into regular customers. Whether the event you’re hosting is big or small, one-time or weekly, by keeping these considerations in mind, you’ll be able to leverage your event signs to make sure that they are both memorable and effective.
Signage can also be useful during your event, especially at larger-scale events. Combat confusion before it begins by adding directional signs or labeling different areas. Setting up signs that point to where check in can be found or where the restrooms are located are useful in guiding guests through your space. You can even label tables, alert attendees to any allergens (or lack of) in your food, and more.
You’ll also want to take the cost of your signs into consideration. Since the signs that will be most effective before your event will be different than the signs required at the event, having event signage you can change will keep costs down. However, most changeable signage is not illuminated. This means that you’ll have to compromise on visibility in exchange for an event sign you can reuse. However, that’s not the case with SpellBrite’s changeable LED signs, which we designed to have the brilliant aesthetic of a neon event sign along with the many benefits of an LED light source.
SpellBrite event signs are a great signage solution, no matter whether your events are one-time or recurring. Our signs use click-together technology so that you can easily change your sign any time you like. Our sign systems are extremely affordable, costing a fraction of what other custom signage solutions cost. They also use ultra-bright, long-lasting LED lights that will bring additional visibility to your event sign.
With SpellBrite, you can easily disconnect and reconnect individual sign components to create thousands of different messages. Change your listed time or price, showcase your business name or social media, or completely transform your sign to direct attendees around your event or trade show.
Whether you own a business that regularly puts on events or work in an events space or as an event or wedding planner, our changeable event signage could be the perfect tool for you. Create a custom sign today, or check out our sign kits for maximum flexibility in your event signage.
Plus, SpellBrite signs come with both a 1-year warranty and a 30-day risk-free trial. If you aren’t completely satisfied with your sign, just send it back for a full refund.
Want to learn more about how SpellBrite’s LED signs could benefit your event? Our customer service agents are available anytime Monday through Friday, 8am through 5pm. You can reach us via email at [email protected] or by phone at (312)575-9620, or you can learn more about our signs by checking out previous customers’ reviews.
Smoke shops are an extremely competitive industry to operate in. Plus, with the many restrictions placed on digital advertising in the industry, it can be especially difficult to stand out from the crowd. One effective marketing strategy for your smoke shop or CBD dispensary is to use smoke shop signs to capture attention. Whether you want to advertise your cannabis-based products with a CBD sign or a Weed sign, draw attention to trending products with a Kratom sign or a Delta 8 sign, or advertise a classic smoke shop product with a Cigar sign or Tobacco sign, using LED signage is a great way to showcase your products and expand your customer base. Below, we’ll explore the best strategies for improving your smoke shop marketing to increase your sales easily and effectively.
Unlike many other businesses, smoke shops often face extremely strict digital advertising restrictions. This is primarily due to the nature of products sold, which often include age-restricted substances like tobacco and cannabis. Major digital advertising platforms like Google, Facebook, and Amazon have stringent policies preventing advertising for these products. These restrictions can pose a serious challenge for smoke shop owners trying to market their business.
As a result, these smoke shop owners have to explore more creative advertising tactics. Organic social media engagement, partnerships with relevant websites, and local marketing tactics like smoke shop signs are some examples of these. In particular, utilizing smoke shop signs can be a great way to showcase your business’s products and reach new potential customers in your local community.
As you consider what type of sign would be best for your smoke shop – whether that is a neon sign, an LED sign, a sandwich board sign, or a feather banner sign – there are a few important things to consider.
Visibility is arguably the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to advertising your smoke shop. Even if your sign has the most compelling message possible, if nobody can see it, nobody will be drawn to shop at your business. This can sometimes dictate the type of sign that is best for your business. In particular, illuminated signs are often a better choice because they stand out both day and night, are readable from further away, and are more likely to catch the eyes of nearby traffic than their print counterparts.
When considering the visibility of a sign, you’ll want to think about the angle at which it is visible. (SpellBrite signs are easily legible at 180 degrees, but many signs are not.) It’s also important to factor in both size and font. While some signs feature crisp and clean edges, many use stylized fonts or dot LEDs that can blur the message. This can make it so that while customers can see your sign, they can’t read your sign, rendering the sign significantly less effective.
Safety is an extremely important aspect of a sign to consider, though it can often fall by the wayside in favor of a lower price. You’ll want to ensure a safe shopping experience for your customers both to encourage previous customers to return and to avoid any potential liability issues. This is particularly important in the case of illuminated signs.
While neon signs are known to be potentially hazardous (with dangerously high amounts of voltage and easily breakable glass), cheap LED signs can also be dangerous. Many LED sign companies will cut corners to keep costs down, which can not only lead to a lower-quality product but also to electrical issues with your sign. When selecting a sign, you’ll want to make sure that the sign has some sort of safety certification. In particular, you’ll want to check to see if the sign is UL or CE certified. Both ratings show that the sign you’ve chosen has been tested and is safe for use in your business.
There are two aspects to a sign’s longevity that you’ll want to consider. The first is obvious. If you’re investing your hard-earned dollars into a sign, you want to ensure that the sign will last. In most cases, longer-lasting signs will be slightly more expensive. However, they will last much longer, and are oftentimes considerably brighter and thus more visible than cheaper alternatives. This can help boost sales, meaning that the higher-quality sign can pay for itself within weeks (or possibly within days, as some previous SpellBrite customers have reported).
The second element to a sign’s longevity is harder to predict, and it involves selecting a sign message. Trends in the smoke shop industry constantly change. For example, while tobacco products like cigarettes and cigars remain popular, they have experienced declining sales over time as health concerns and changing attitudes toward smoking have influenced consumer preferences. Conversely, there has also been a significant rise in sales of alternative smoking products like vaporizers and e-cigarettes. Similarly, CBD-based products, like topical creams, seltzers, and edibles derived from hemp or cannabis plants, have seen a dramatic rise in popularity as more states have legalized them.
Consequently, it can be difficult to select sign messages that will be equally as effective for years to come. For example, signs like a Weed sign, a Delta 8 sign, a Kratom sign, or a CBD sign would best represent current bestselling products, but this would have been difficult to predict ten years ago. This is even harder in this digital age; all it takes is a single TikTok trend, and a previously unknown product could suddenly be leaping off the shelf. This is also why we designed the SpellBrite signage system: to grant business owners maximum flexibility in their LED signs.
Staying ahead of the curve is essential for smoke shop owners. As trends change and customer preference evolves, having highly visible illuminated signage that can be customized to account for changes in the smoke shop industry is a game-changer in growing sales. That’s where SpellBrite’s LED smoke shop signs come in. Our signs offer an array of benefits that are perfectly suited to the fast-paced nature of the industry.
The smoke shop industry is known for its rapidly changing trends and customer demands. SpellBrite lets you change your signage any time with our click-together LED letters, numbers, and special characters. Simply disconnect and reconnect individual sign components to build thousands of different messages to fit your exact business needs. With SpellBrite’s click-together smoke shop signs, you have the flexibility to update your messaging and promoted products any time you like.
Whether you want to showcase the latest CBD products, highlight the newest vape flavors, or promote limited-time offers, SpellBrite signs allow you to easily change your messages to hyper-target your advertising and maximize sales growth. This will make it easier for your advertising to stay relevant and adapt to emerging trends. Taking advantage of this will give you a competitive edge in attracting customers and driving sales. Our signs are also built to last your business for years. With high-quality materials and innovative LED technology, SpellBrite is a great investment into the future of your business.
When it comes to smoke shop marketing, visibility is key. SpellBrite’s LED signs shine ultra-bright, capturing the attention of nearby passersby and drawing them inside your store. A SpellBrite smoke shop sign will stand out even on a crowded city street or when placed behind tinted glass. Plus, with 8 different animations and 6 brightness settings, you can maximize your sign’s visibility to attract even more customers. We also guarantee that our signs will increase your sales. Not satisfied with your purchase for any reason? Simply return your sign within 30 days for a full refund. We’ll even pay the cost of return shipping!
You can directly purchase some of our bestselling signs by clicking on the respective link. Some popular choices by other smoke shop owners include our CBD sign, Kratom sign, Delta 8 sign, THC sign, Weed sign, and Cigars sign. You can also browse our full collection of smoke shop signage. Alternatively, you can create your very own custom sign, or use one of SpellBrite’s multi-character kits for maximum flexibility. All of our signs click together, so you can easily transform any SpellBrite sign into a new sign message. As your business needs change, your sign can too!
We also offer free sign consultations. Simply reach out to us by email at [email protected] or by phone at (312)575-9620. Let us know a bit more about what you’re trying to accomplish with your smoke shop sign. We’ll put our 20+ years of experience in the lighting and signage industries to good use, giving you some of our best recommendations on what signs could be most effective at increasing your sales.
Create your custom smoke shop sign today!
As a business owner, you know just how important it is to effectively advertise your business. Especially in highly competitive industries and locations, you need to not only grab the attention of potential customers but also communicate persuasive information about your business in a way that’s memorable, engaging, and instantaneous. Custom signage solutions are a great way to accomplish this. Plus, with SpellBrite’s click-together LED sign system, it’s now easier than ever to create eye-catching effective signs you can change and customize anytime. Our changeable signs give you the ability to have any sign message you want, anytime you need it.
Custom signage solutions include a wide range of different sign types that are customized to fit the specific needs of an individual business or organization. These signs are typically unique to the business or organization designing and purchasing the sign.
Some common examples of these custom solutions include LED, metal, vinyl, aluminum, and digital signs, vehicle wraps, and trade show displays. The sign’s appearance, size, and message displayed will differ depending on the individual business needs. Custom sign solutions can also serve a variety of uses. These include promoting products or services, enhancing a business’s visibility, providing directional guidance to help customers navigate your business, reaching potential new hires, and more.
While all custom sign solutions can help your business reach a larger audience and increase its visibility, illuminated LED signage stands above the rest. These signs offer a range of benefits over other traditional business signage solutions. First and foremost, they’re highly visible and effective at attracting attention. Passersby can spot high-quality LED signs from far away (SpellBrite signs are visible at over 500 feet away). Because they are illuminated, these LED signs are also visible to nearby traffic during both the daytime and evening hours.
LED signs are also much more flexible than other types of custom business signs, like outdoor aluminum signs. Unlike these fixed and usually permanent signs, LED signs are typically lightweight and easily portable. This makes them ideal to use across a wide range of businesses.
Neon signs are also a very traditional illuminated sign option, with businesses relying on them for over a century. However, recent technological developments have given custom LED signs a wide range of benefits not found in their neon counterparts. LED signs are much more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than neon. This enables businesses to save on their energy bill while not compromising on visibility. Neon signs can also be dangerous to hang in heavily populated areas of your business. They include hazardous materials such as mercury, operate on potentially fatal voltage, and use easily shatterproof glass. While you still need to be careful that you’re investing in a high quality LED sign to ensure a long life span, this more energy-efficient light source can provide more effective advertising at a lower cost.
Custom signage solutions are a great way to provide visibility to your business while utilizing other digital marketing strategies. However, this can prove difficult because a business’s specific needs are constantly changing. While the custom sign you create may be great for a month or even a year, there is always a chance it could become obsolete.
Whether these changes are coming in the form of seasonal hiring, rotating daily or weekly specials, sales, or one-time events, it is important to be able to effectively communicate them to potential customers. You never know what message or product might convert a passerby into a return customer. Having the flexibility to experiment gives you a leg up against the competition.
Because of these changing business needs, selecting sign systems you can change alongside those needs is extremely valuable. This gives you the power to take advantage of seasonal marketing, easily advertise trending products or services (even as those trends change), and test out different words and phrases to see what performs best. Changeable custom signs also come with the added benefit of being able to change the purpose of your sign. You can easily switch between advertising your products, announcing that you’re hiring, or introducing a new value add in a snap.
Best of all, the simple act of change can draw additional attention to your sign and your business. After a potential customer walks past your storefront a few times, they have likely processed and grown used to it. Whether this local traffic actively recognizes that your sign has changed or not, the fact of making the sign will help your business stay top of mind for these customers.
At SpellBrite, we know how quickly things can change in business. That’s why we designed a sign solution that can continue to change and grow to constantly meet your business needs. Our custom sign solutions are composed of click-together LED letters, numbers, and select special characters that can be connected, disconnected, and reconnected in any order.
You can customize these signage systems any time, even after purchase. SpellBrite gives businesses the visibility of illuminated LED lights along with the flexibility to change their sign message. Perhaps adding a “GOURMET” in front of your “COFFEE” sign will make it more effective and provide an exponential increase to your sales. However, you can’t be sure until you try. With our LED signs, you can feel secure in your investment. Not only can you change your sign any time, but we also offer a 30 day risk-free trial. If your sign doesn’t work for your business, just return it for a full refund.
With SpellBrite, the possibilities are endless. Test new adjectives, additional modifiers, clever sign puns, advertising prices, and more, all while saving money. Plus, SpellBrite signs often pay for themselves in increased sales within weeks. Many of our previous customers have reported seeing sales growth of 20% or more, and you could too. You can read their testimonials here, or see for yourself and build your own custom sign message. For maximum changeability, you can also check out our sign kits. Each kit includes a set of SpellBrite characters so that you can create a wide variety of sign messages.
Custom signage solutions are becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all shapes and sizes. These solutions provide opportunities to create unique, eye-catching signs tailored to a particular business model in order to bring heightened visibility to the products and services offered. These signs can serve a wide variety of purposes, hyper-targeted to an individual business’s specific needs. With the right custom signage solution, businesses can ensure their message is seen by potential customers and build awareness.
Whether you’re looking to advertise products or increase your visibility, our custom LED signs can help you achieve your goals. Email us at [email protected] or call us at (312)575-9620 to learn more about how SpellBrite’s custom signage solutions will help you take your advertising to the next level.
Seasonal marketing occurs when marketing strategies change based on the time of year or holiday season. It can provide fantastic opportunities to increase sales for many businesses. However, it can be difficult to come up with seasonal marketing ideas, and just as difficult to create new promotional products to follow the seasonal marketing trends you are able to identify. When considering how best to approach seasonal marketing in your sales, it’s important to determine which kind of seasonal marketing is the most applicable. There are three main types of seasonal marketing:
The first type of seasonal marketing occurs when a business is built entirely on a specific season or time period. These businesses only sell their products during this time period, so this window has to have enough sales to support the business annually. Spirit Halloween and Christmas tree farms are two examples of this type of seasonally supported business. While marketing efforts may run year-round, they are particularly active during the time frame aligning with sales.
The second type of seasonal marketing occurs when a business sells their products throughout the year, but sees the majority of sales during a particular season or window of time. For many businesses, particularly toy retailers, this selling season occurs between Black Friday and Christmas. For other businesses, like flower shops, the primary selling season is different. These businesses will generally market year-round, but ramp it up or run additional marketing campaigns during this primary selling season.
The third and final type of seasonal marketing is rotational. This occurs when businesses rotate products seasonally to reflect changing trends and seasonal needs. Clothing retailers provide a great example of this, with sweaters and winter coats shifting to swimsuits. The majority of businesses that utilize seasonal marketing follow this strategy, as it helps them stay relevant and appealing to customers year-round. One valuable but often overlooked benefit of this final type of marketing is that change draws attention and additional sales. Rotating products seasonally and then marketing them accordingly gives your business excellent opportunities to keep your business top of mind among your target audience.
Seasonal marketing and themed products are extremely effective strategies for staying relevant and bringing in new customers. From pumpkin carving tools to cookie cutters, rotating through different seasonal promotions and holiday specials is a great way to attract customers. When done right, seasonal marketing can be a massive boon to your business. However, because these seasonal specials are exactly that – seasonal – it can be difficult to figure out the best ways to take advantage of seasonal marketing opportunities.
This is especially true during Q1. At the beginning of the year, holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and St. Patrick’s Day occur in quick succession. While these holidays have much faster turnaround times than those at the end of the year, like Halloween and Christmas, they continue to have a widespread consumer appeal and can provide great selling opportunities for your business. Whether you’re selling bouquets of roses or chocolate bunnies, keeping your business and branding up-to-date will help attract new customers and turn previous customers into regulars.
Want to increase your sales and keep your customers engaged year-round? Try the following strategies:
Coffee shops provide a great example of this rotating seasonal marketing strategy. Just think of pumpkin spice lattes turning to peppermint hot chocolates and flavored iced coffee. However, even bigger purchases like mattresses or appliances can utilize seasonally targeted advertising and sales. Simply rebranding a service to fit the time of year can also be an effective strategy. Changing your messaging from “Couples’ Massages” to “Mother’s Day Massages” is one example, yielding results but requiring little effort.
Although print signage can be less expensive, illuminated signage is much more effective at advertising your business. This is because lighted signs are much more visible to potential customers than print for more hours of the day. If you have a physical storefront, consider investing in an illuminated sign system you can change, as the simple fact of making changes draws even more attention. Whether this is a video display board (which can run $20,000+) or a SpellBrite click-together sign (which typically runs about $200 for a 7 character sign to $525 for a 20 character sign), illuminated signage is an excellent tool to ensure that existing customers and local traffic can see your promotions and messages. Especially when you’re targeting seasonal or viral trends, utilizing changeable lighted signage can provide an added boost to your bottom line by drawing new curious customers inside.
It’s important to identify which platforms your intended audience use most and to target your messages to them. When posting, you’ll also want to show off your brand identity and post often enough to keep your name top of mind. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with different ideas or ways of framing your products within these limitations. You never know what message will stand out to a potential customer, and social media provides a way to spread news about your business and any seasonal specials. Jump onto holiday hashtags and trends, or tailor your posts to a specific time frame or holiday to increase your visibility even more, whether organically or through advertising.
Make sure all of your information is up to date online. This includes your website, Google My Business, and other third party sites like Yelp (if applicable). While this is especially important if your hours are changing for particular holidays, even rotating through updated menu photos and responding to customer inquiries and reviews will both help boost your SEO scores and build trust in your local customer base.
For businesses that operate locally out of a physical brick and mortar storefront, it can be easy to grow organically and engage with the locals by building loyalty programs and by participating in community events. Does your city host an annual Restaurant Week (our home town of Chicago hosts theirs in late January) or an industry-specific convention? Take advantage of these local monthly or annual events to help spread the news about your business.
Digital marketing has become extremely important in this age of technology. However, while it is no longer as heavily discussed, running direct mail campaign remains an effective seasonal marketing strategy. Although this strategy works better for some businesses than others, it is particularly effective when catering toward an immediate need. For example, advertising flowers in a campaign that arrives the week before Valentine’s Day could work extremely well. Consider including a seasonal offer or limited use coupon code to achieve even better results.
TikTok and Instagram Reels are powerful tools for turning formerly obscure products and services into trends people want to try. Being at the forefront of these trends (which are often short-lived) can positively impact your bottom line. While not all products will fit into your industry or business model, keeping an eye out for viral products like the negroni sbagliato with prosecco, butter boards, large hair claws, or popular “beautytok” products will help you be ahead of the curve and take advantage of sales trends and an online audience.
Do you sell a product that is difficult to change out seasonally? One easy way to take advantage of seasonal or holiday trends in your marketing is by offering a gift wrap option or add-on that you can easily change. Use pink hearts for Valentine’s Day, black and orange cats for Halloween, and snowflakes through the winter, or rotate through different themed gift bags, bows, or certificates. This is both a way to increase your revenue and to allow your brand identity to shine through.
Themed events are a great way to engage with potential customers and attract new ones into your business. These events are a particularly good seasonal marketing strategy for bars, restaurants, cafes, diners, and more. They can bring new customers into your business and turn them into regulars. However, it is important to consider ways of advertising these special one-time or weekly events. A variety of methods, including word of mouth, social media, changeable signs, and placing flyers throughout your business can help bring visibility to these events. Using multiple strategies in conjunction with each other can be even more effective.
Our customers have been very pleased with the sales growth SpellBrite has helped them achieve. When looking for a new sign that will increase sales, however, it can be daunting to choose the right message. We can help you with that.
After years of working with businesses across various industries, we’re experts in choosing sign messages tailored to your needs. We are happy to assist you, and we guarantee results. If your SpellBrite sign doesn’t immediately increase your sales or if you don’t love it for any reason, simply return it within 30 days for a full and prompt refund. We’ll even pay the cost of return shipping.
For assistance with your sign message or any other questions, or call (312-575-9620) or email ([email protected]) us. We’d be happy to help.
A bright, safe, high quality custom neon or LED sign can be a great investment in your business’s future. The right custom sign can provide an impactful and professional way to advertise products, showcase your business’s personality and brand identity, and add a pop of color to your storefront or interior décor.
However, not all LED and neon signs are built the same. There is a wide range in quality and cost across different sign companies.
While the sticker price on a high-quality sign can be intimidating, it is also a valuable investment. For example, many of our customers tell us their SpellBrite sign paid for itself in a few days or weeks. Furthermore, a high-quality sign that can stand out to customers 24 hours a day every day for ten years will have a greater positive impact on your business than a cheaper sign that either doesn’t work, breaks and needs replacing too soon, or has a cheap appearance that reflects poorly on your business. Nobody wants to shell out hundreds of dollars for a business sign that’s not up to the job.
With tens of thousands of different sign companies and retailers claiming their signs are the best, it can be overwhelming to know how to tell which companies are actually selling high-quality products that last, which are scams, and which fall somewhere in between. Many signs available for purchase are not certified or tested for quality, leaving you at risk of wasting money on a low-quality sign. This is especially true when dealing with sellers on third party sites like Amazon and Etsy. Since signs run on electricity, this becomes more than just an issue of how long signs will last: it can be a safety issue for you and your customers as well.
Knowing what to keep an eye out for when you’re purchasing a new custom LED or neon sign can help. Below, you can find a comprehensive overview of how to research and investigate the quality of a sign to help you get the most for your money. From safety and quality ratings to waterproofing to the best practices in sleuthing out a scam, these tips and tricks will help guide you toward a long-lasting sign that will attract new customers and increase your sales.
If brightness is an important criteria for you, like it is for many business owners, you will want to avoid edge lit signs. Edge lit signs are just what the name suggests: a piece of glass or clear acrylic etched with a message or image. A light source, often LEDs, are on the edge of the glass or acrylic and light up the etching. This sort of sign can be aesthetically beautiful and relatively inexpensive, and they are useful for certain applications, particularly in low-light, interior applications. However, that aesthetic value comes at a cost: even a high-quality edge lit sign doesn’t project much light. Edge lit signs are not designed to be in a window shouting out a message to potential customers. If you are looking for a bright sign, you will likely be disappointed with an edge lit sign.
Technical design, the components used, and the manufacturing process determine the quality of a neon or LED sign. Taking shortcuts in any of these will lead to a poor quality neon sign that disappoints immediately or over time. As an example, a manufacturer can use lower quality LEDs to cut costs, but “overdrive” them electronically to make them extremely bright initially. However, overdriving LEDs significantly shortens their life. The sign may look great when you first turn it on, but soon the LEDs will dim, and your sign will not be bright enough to attract anyone’s attention.
Companies that manufacture long-lasting, high-quality signs will make the investment to have them certified (generally under the UL certification in the United States, and the CE certification in Europe). For a well-made product, obtaining UL and other certifications is not incredibly time consuming or expensive. While UL ratings are not a guarantee of high quality in a neon sign, the lack of a rating is a red flag.
Beyond showing a sign’s quality, these certifications also attest to its safety. Because neon and LED signs run on electricity, safety ratings help regulate what signs are in the market. Generally, if a sign company has successfully met or exceeded the requirements for these certifications, they will publish that information somewhere on their website. If you don’t explicitly see these ratings, you can always reach out directly to the seller to inquire – if they are legitimate, they should know and be able to respond.
Notice a tiny “UL” enclosed in a circle on your sign?
This means that UL, or the Underwriters Laboratories (non-profit testing laboratories dedicated to accurately and consistently testing product quality) have evaluated the product and found it to meet or exceed their requirements for fire and electrical safety. The UL rating is applicable in the United States. This mark is another sign of a legitimate product that has passed a series of safety and function testing performed by a reputable source.
It’s important to note that UL is an individual company and, outside of granting a UL certification, UL has no say on whether or not production of a product should be approved or rejected. Only governmental agencies like the FDA are able to legally prevent production based on their own research, though even these agencies may incorporate UL’s testing into their own assessments.
There are dozens of individual certifications under the “UL” umbrella. When checking for safety regulations on your sign, the most important factor is whether it is UL listed. Products that are UL listed will have a UL label (see above). To earn a UL label, the Underwriter’s Laboratory tests the standalone product to confirm that it is made of a high enough quality to meet or exceed nationally recognized safety and sustainability standards. Beyond these, a UL listing also confirms that UL has found the sign to be free from a “reasonably foreseeable” risk of fire.
If you don’t see a UL rating, that doesn’t necessarily mean the sign in question is unsafe. Some companies may use different certifications to achieve the same end goal, like the CE certification discussed below. Although UL certifications are the most common for lighting fixtures, including LED and neon signs and lighting fixtures, an ETL label (Electrical Testing Labs) is also a nationally recognized mark of safety and quality. CSA (Canadian Standards Association) is another, also recognized in the US and beyond.
A UL label doesn’t mean the sign is 100% safe. Sometimes, companies will manipulate what part of their sign is UL listed. Most signs will have multiple electrical components, and each one must go through the UL certification process independently in order for the entire signage system to be listed.
In some cases, companies will vaguely state “UL rated” when only the power supply, not the actual sign, is UL listed. You should always check to see if the sign itself has a UL listing and not just its power cord or adapter. For example, for our products, both the sign itself (left) and the power cord (right) are UL certified, so both bear the UL label.
If you’re not sure if a sign is UL rated, you can quickly and easily search the company name in the UL database, found here. This database features every single manufactured product that is UL certified, giving you the power to fact-check sign companies’ claims and ensure that your sign is safe. Additionally, the UL database indicates which items produced by the company are UL certified. If only the power supply is listed and not the sign itself, that means that only the power supply is listed.
If you look carefully, you might see a “CE” label on your neon or LED sign. There are two different meanings for this, and it’s good to be aware of which one applies to the product before you buy.
How can you tell the two “CE” marks apart? Look at the distance between the C and the E, as shown above.
The “CE” rating on the left stands for “Conformitè Europëenne,” or “European Conformity.” It is roughly the European equivalent of a UL rating. If you spot this, congratulations! The product complies with all the health, safety, and environmental protection requirements of the European Union (EU). Certain products sold in the European Economic Area require this certification. The CE rating doesn’t automatically signify a high quality sign or other product, but it does show that the product you’re looking at has been tested and confirmed to be safe for use by a reputable source.
However, there is a second type of “CE” mark that looks extremely similar but is not a standard of quality. This “CE” stands for “China Export,” and manufacturers in China use it arbitrarily to show the item’s country of origin, much like “MADE IN THE U.S.A.” labels on clothing brands. The two “CE” logos look extremely similar, as shown above, and it is easy to confuse one for the other.
While many signs and other products with the “China Export” CE label can be high quality and pass other regulatory certifications, the “China Export” label itself requires no quality check or health and safety testing, meaning that this label alone cannot be seen as a signifier of a quality product.
Not sure if a company is CE certified? Ask them! If companies have the “Conformitè Europëenne” CE certification, they can provide evidence through a Certificate of Compliance.
Whether or not it’s true, the majority of sign companies will claim that their signs are safe. This is obviously an important selling point – businesses are looking for a safe sign even more than a visible one – so it makes sense to include.
However, the UL and similar groups are the ones who ultimately determine sign safety and demonstrate it through certifications. Just because a sign company tells you that their sign is safe doesn’t mean that it actually is, especially if they don’t list or can’t prove any specific certifications.
You should never trust that a sign is safe until you see the proof of its safety, as designated by safety ratings like those above.
While placing signage outside can be useful in driving traffic to your business and attracting new customers, finding LED or neon signs that are waterproof and can work effectively in all kinds of weather can be problematic. If you’re looking for a sign to use outdoors, you should keep your eye out for Ingress Protection (IP) ratings. IP ratings certify the waterproof capabilities of electronic products, including lights.
IP numbers show how good a product is at preventing other things from getting inside of it. These quality ratings are distributed based on testing done by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and are made up of two single-digit numbers. The first digit indicates protection against solids, like dust or pollen, and goes up to a maximum of 6; the second digit indicates protection against liquids and goes up to a maximum of 8.
IP65: Signs with this rating have been tested using a water jet, like a hose. They have waterproofing protection for 3 minutes.
IP66: Signs with this rating have demonstrated an ability to repel water from a powerful jet stream for 3 minutes.
IP67: Signs with this rating can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
IP68: Signs with this rating have the highest level of protection on the IP scale. These products are fully protected against solid particles, and they can be submerged in water beyond 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. For example, Apple claims that their IP-68 rated iPhone 13 can survive depths of up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.
Sometimes, you may also see multiple IP ratings on a product. This simply means that the sign protects against particles in multiple ways. For example, a product with both an IP 65 and an IP 68 rating will be able to withstand both submersion and a water jet.
When it comes to signage, even a waterproof sign may not necessarily be completely weatherproof. Hot and humid Florida weather or freezing Minnesota snowstorms can impact the performance of signs depending on their construction. If you are selecting a neon or LED sign to use outside, you should always confirm with the sign company that their products are safe for outdoor use first.
Everyone loves to save a few bucks. When it comes to lighting and signage solutions though, low prices are a warning sign. Seeing an extremely low price doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t buy that particular sign. However, it is usually a reliable indicator that you should proceed with caution if you’re looking for a high quality neon sign.
Generally, the average cost of a high quality LED sign will start at around $150-200 and go up to $1000 or more depending on the size and type of the sign. For a quality neon sign, that up-front cost for a custom sign will start slightly higher (closer to $300-400 for a stock sign) and can again go up to $4000 or more for a custom sign. Sometimes sign companies will offer sales on certain high-quality items or can provide stock items for a slightly cheaper price. This is especially true when trying to blow out inventory.
Some sign companies can also be misleading about their pricing, particularly on third-party services like Etsy. If you search for “custom neon sign,” you’ll see a wide variety of sellers touting their high quality custom neon or LED-neon signs at $20 apiece. However, if you look closer, you’ll see that these inexpensive signs are only 10cm long! Sometimes, these low costs also hide upcharges or additional costs, which is why it’s important to read the fine print. Some sellers use low costs as “down payments” for more expensive signs or add hidden fees at checkout.
While a low-cost 10cm sign may be exactly what you need, it likely won’t be effective for most business uses.
Keeping that in mind, if you stumble upon “high-quality” signs at a fraction of this cost ($50 or below), you’re right to be suspicious. Many of these solutions don’t have safety certifications, won’t be very bright, and/or won’t last a long time.
One indicator of a company that makes quality signs is their return policy. If you purchase a sign and find it doesn’t meet your needs, can you get a full refund? This is particularly important as the first time a customer sees their sign is often after they purchase it.
Some companies allow returns. Many will accept returns on stock signs, but not custom signs. Other companies refuse all returns and will only repair or replace signage damaged in shipping. There are some companies that do not even specify what their return policy is. If the company in question is legitimate, you should be able to find their return policy (or lack of) easily. For example, you can find our 30-day return policy clearly laid out on our website here.
The company’s website should clearly articulate the warranty on their signs, if applicable. Many manufacturers make no mention of their warranty. Others might offer a one year warranty whose coverage depends on what particular issue the sign has. Some have longer warranties that sound great…until you read the fine print. Be sure to investigate how the long the warranty is and what exactly it covers before making a purchase. (Again, you can find SpellBrite’s policies – an automatic one-year warranty, with a free three-year extended warranty available with product registration – quickly and easily here).
When trying to determine whether that LED or neon sign company is going to give you a long-lasting, high quality product or a cheap but dim alternative, using the best practices for judging scams in general can be helpful. Here, we’ll outline what to watch for when buying custom signs from a seller whose reputation you’re unsure of.
How long has the company been in business? If a company has been in business for decades, like us, there should be plenty of information about them online. Conversely, many brand new companies won’t clearly state how long they have been in business. This makes it harder to tell if their signs are high-quality or how long they will last.
Is the company an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)? Not all legitimate companies register with the BBB, but the BBB will often keep a record of problematic dealings associated with the business. This may help you to confirm the business’s authenticity.
Does the company have a website? Generally, the website a company has can help you determine if it is legitimate or a scam. While not all legitimate companies have websites, a website can help put your mind at ease.
Does the company have social media? A digital presence is becoming increasingly more important for businesses of all kinds, from physical storefronts and restaurants to sign companies. It can be hard to tell if a business is legitimate or high-quality based solely on their social media. However, social media does provide great insight into a business’s values.
If the sign company doesn’t have any social media, especially if they also have no website, that’s a red flag. The exception to this would be if the business is small, like a shop selling crocheted stuffed animals on Etsy. If the business in question is larger or seemingly well-established, you should expect to see a website and social media.
Does the company have social media? If so, you can easily scroll through their posts and often learn something about them. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for any negative feedback. Has the company responded to it in a helpful way? Does the company seem responsive to the concerns of potential customers on their social media? If you are suspicious that the company is not legitimate, do not click on the link directly in their bio. Instead, open a new tab and Google the company name to see what pops up.
While e-commerce platforms do work to ensure that products are fairly rated, and that companies aren’t paying for positive reviews, many reviews and companies fall between the cracks. In particular, we are going to take a closer look at e-commerce giant Amazon.
One thing to note is that the majority of sellers on Amazon are now selling directly from Chinese sellers. This makes safety ratings and certifications harder to obtain or confirm. One way in which these sellers are protecting their interests in the United States is by creating official “brands.” They create these brands by combining a string of numbers to create a unique “brand name” for the company. If you see a brand name like JHTKLWOII on Amazon, it’s likely that the company is based in China. This means that the product is not held to the same safety standards or government requirements as products created and sold from the United States. You can confirm where a company is based by looking for their website or social media. You could also try reaching out to their customer service line.
Additionally, looking at reviews on Amazon can be extremely telling. While Amazon has cracked down on purchasing reviews, there are still many companies who purchase both positive reviews for themselves. Some companies will even purchase negative reviews for other companies, compromising the legitimacy of many negative reviews as well. Do the reviews of these “high-quality” signs seem to be legitimate? Do they come with pictures? Are they all extremely positive or extremely negative?
Oftentimes, the 3 and 4 star reviews will be the most helpful. They are also the ones that are most likely to be true, accurate reviews given by paying customers. If a seller has 500+ reviews and a 4.98 rating, it is unlikely that all their reviews are legitimate. Customers with mid-range ratings often have more level-headed feedback, giving you a better sense of the company’s shortcomings. Do they have a great product but terrible customer service? False advertising on shipping times? These 3-4 star reviews will let you know.
Other third-party reviews can be extremely helpful to investigate when determining whether a company is legitimate or not. Although both the company in question and their competitors can manipulate these, common sense helps you read between the lines.
First, you can look up “[company name] scam” or “is [company] legit.” If it actually is a suspected scam, top results will link to their rating on sites like ScamRisk.
If they don’t show up there, look at sites like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, Google Reviews, Yelp, or Facebook Reviews. While these reviews may be short and sweet, there are often at least a few that go into more detail. Hearing from previous customers can give you insight into the company and whether the product will work for you. In particular, spotting returning customers who have left multiple reviews is always a good sign.
Having a bright sign can increase your business’ sales. Having a quality bright sign can increase those sales for years to come and give you peace of mind. We hope you found our suggestions valuable. Unfortunately, none of the above strategies are 100% accurate in proving that a sign is bright, long-lasting or high-quality. However, using all of them together – looking for certifications of safety and quality on the product, checking for a return and warranty policy, evaluating content on a company’s social media and website, and investigating third-party review platforms – can help you determine if the sign you’re looking at is the right one for you.
Of course, we’d (www.SpellBrite.com) be delighted to provide you with a high-quality sign. We have decades of experience in the lighting and signage industries, and would be happy to schedule a free consultation. Contact us at [email protected] or (312)575-9620 and we’ll work with you to determine what solution is best for you.
Neon signs are bright and beautiful. They can showcase products to generate awareness and sales for businesses, create an artistic focal point for a photo op, or add a cozy aesthetic to your home. But when your neon sign breaks, figuring out how to repair it can be a headache. Because classic neon signs are often handcrafted, with no two exactly alike, it can be particularly difficult to determine where to start.
We’re here to help. Read on to learn what to expect, how to handle your broken neon sign, and the next steps you can take to repair your sign.
Before doing anything else, make sure you take the proper safety precautions around your neon sign. Neon signs, and especially older neon signs, can be extremely dangerous if handled incorrectly.
Neon signs expose gas encased in glass tubing to a high voltage in order to shine. This creates the bright glow we associate with vintage neon signs, but it also makes these signs more dangerous.
Always use extreme caution when handling your neon sign. While LED signs are typically low voltage (12 to 24 volts), neon signs require a very high voltage in order to light up. Failing to turn off and unplug your sign before handling could result in a severe electric shock. With the average neon sign running on 9,000 to 20,000 volts of electricity, handling a broken neon sign while it’s plugged in can be a fatal mistake.
Additionally, older neon signs were often made with lead glass, and some neon signs contain mercury as well. (Fun fact: red and pink neon signs will usually use actual neon gas. Other colors typically contain other elements besides neon. While most of these are harmless, blue neon signs can contain small amounts of mercury.)
The amounts of lead and mercury in these neon signs are generally small enough to be non-toxic. However, you will still want to be careful if you suspect a break or leak in your neon sign. Wear protective gear including gloves and a mask, and beware of any broken glass!
For the most part, the state of disrepair your sign is in will determine how expensive the repair will be. Most neon signs can be fixed, though the cost of repairing them varies depending on the quality of the sign and the extent of the break.
If you have an older neon sign, you should never try to repair the sign yourself. Take your older sign directly to a professional. They will be able to diagnose the problem and determine how expensive it will be to fix. In some cases, especially if your neon sign is dimmer than usual, your neon sign may simply be getting old. Neon signs typically have a lifespan of 10-12 years on average.
If your sign is newer (and intact), you can find some DIY walkthrough solutions for fixing your sign online. However, we still recommend that you seek out a professional opinion. These DIY fixes for broken neon signs are generally only applicable for issues like a broken transformer or wires that have shorted. Plus, if done incorrectly, making these adjustments to fix your sign can be dangerous to you.
If your sign is brand new, it is also worth checking the return policies and warranties for the company you purchased the sign from. Although most signage companies don’t offer money-back refunds, particularly for customized neon signs, many do offer warranties for specific issues or design flaws.
It depends. How did the sign break? What’s the extent of the break? Was the sign made out of quality materials, or did the manufacturer cut corners? With handcrafted neon signs, no two signs will be identical. Unfortunately, this means that there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to neon sign repair.
Fixing a broken or low-quality transformer will be different than fixing broken neon glass. If your sign has shattered, even if only partially, that fix will be even more intensive.
In the best case scenario, which would be a loose wire, you should anticipate spending a minimum of $50-60 for the fix. Repair costs will likely edge closer to $300-400 for small breaks in the glass or transformer issues. For more serious problems, or for larger signs with greater complexity and customization, repairing your broken neon could potentially cost upwards of $1000.
The quality of neon sign repair you choose also impacts the price. More experienced professionals will be better able to diagnose and fix your sign, but they will also be more expensive to hire.
On the flipside, if you are confident, DIY solutions for fixing signs can cut costs slightly. However, this will also be a more complicated (and dangerous) alternative to turning to the professionals.
Running regular maintenance on your neon sign can help prevent dimming and burnout. While this cannot prevent breaks in the glass, it can minimize the need for professional repair services.
The first rule of thumb in preventing future problems is leaving your neon sign on 24/7 when not handling. Although energy-efficiency is important, both in terms of helping the planet and saving you money, neon lights tend to work better when left on, unlike most other lighting solutions.
Regularly cleaning your neon sign can also prevent future damage and help keep your sign shining brightly for years to come. Once again, always turn off and unplug your neon sign before touching it. After turning off and unplugging your sign, you’ll be able to clean it gently. A soft cloth or clean paintbrush is effective for removing dust, dirt, cobwebs, and other buildup.
Be extremely careful when handling the neon sign. Tempering the glass to create neon tubing weakens the glass, making it fragile and much more prone to breakage than other types of glass.
If your neon sign is outside, you may also want to consider investing in a bug trap near the sign. Your bright neon sign will be a beacon to bugs, which can partially block the light and require you to clean the sign more often.
Broken neon signs are no fun. For many neon sign breaks, the cost of repair can be even higher than the initial cost of the sign. This can be problematic to businesses trying to maintain visibility without spending a fortune. We understand your frustrations, and that’s exactly why we designed an LED sign alternative to neon signs. Our signs are easy to repair, durable enough to be driven over by a car, and best of all, come with a one-year warranty.
SpellBrite doesn’t offer repair services for broken neon signs, but with over 20 years of experience creating illuminated signs that look like neon, we can help you figure out where to start and what your next steps should be in finding a new signage solution.
Call us at (312)575-9620 or email [email protected] for more information. You can also browse our website to explore some of our most effective business signs by industry, including open signs, restaurant signs, smoke shop signs, and more, or you can receive an immediate online quote for a new custom sign.
When a bright sign saying “LABOR DAY HOURS 8AM-2PM” caught Scott Martin’s attention, he knew right away he was seeing something very unique. (more…)
Jay Clarida had been running a successful barbershop in Elmhurst, Illinois when a patron and friend suggested Jay try a SpellBrite sign to promote his business. Initially reluctant to make the investment, Jay finally decided to give it a try. He was shocked by the results.
“Business was good so I didn’t think a SpellBrite sign would do much, but I gave it a try and got a sign that says JMCBARBERSHOP.COM. Am I glad I did! Customer traffic and sales increased almost immediately.” said Jay. In fact, a few months after adding the ultra-bright LED SpellBrite sign, Jay added a third barber to take advantage of the increased traffic. “The value of the sign really hit home when a new customer, who was drawn in by the sign, asked if we had just opened. We’ve been here for 7 years and he never noticed us! Now, my business is up over 40%.”
To continually attract attention, Jay has been alternating the animations of the neon-like sign from flashing to pulsing to static, but then he decided to step things up. With SpellBrite’s click-together design, Jay was able to change his one row sign of JMCBARBERSHOP.COM to a three row sign that says JMC (new row) BARBER (new row) SHOP. Now he pulses or flashes just the row BARBER. Immediately customers began asking Jay if he got a new sign, and new folks have been drawn in. Jay plans to use this configuration of the SpellBrite sign for a month or two and then change it again.
“I certainly didn’t expect it, but SpellBrite has been great for business. And every time I change the sign, everybody notices.” says Jay.
JMC Barbershop: www.jmcbarbershop.com
Customers who use SpellBrite signs to announce price promotions and value deals tell us these messages are very effective at increasing traffic and sales.
As you know, a SpellBrite sign with a compelling message pulls in customers and increases sales. SpellBrite grabs the customer’s attention, and then you find out how compelling the message is. Do customers come in and make a purchase? Since price is an important factor to most customers, price promotions often do bring in more customers and sales.
It’s no surprise that business owners may not think to use a bright, illuminated window sign to highlight their promotions. For decades, the only option for an illuminated window sign was neon. Unlike SpellBrite, neon signs are very expensive and not changeable. You are stuck with the neon sign as it was made until someone accidentally breaks it.
SpellBrite’s click-together design has created a tremendous opportunity. Now you can test messages and promotions to find out which pull in the most customers and sales.
Using a restaurant as an example, Shawn Kanchwala from Taylor Street Pizza in Carpentersville, IL used the SpellBrite sign “ANY 2 SLICES $5.50” to increase his combo meal sales by more than 20%. Read more here.
Large chains (McDonald’s, Subway, Walgreens, H&R Block, etc.) spend hundreds of millions of dollars advertising their promotions. With a SpellBrite sign you can get broad awareness among your target customers with even just one location. Most importantly, unlike most other marketing tools (TV, local newspapers, Facebook, Google, coupon books, mailers, etc.), many customers will see your SpellBrite message at a time when they can immediately make a purchase.
So advertise your price promotions, include your phone number in your front window, and highlight your percent off sale. Continually test promotions to find those that bring in the most customers and sales!
All the best,
Sean Callahan
See what SpellBrite customers said about their SpellBrite signs at the International Pizza Expo 2017 in our recap video below.
What SpellBrite sign messages should you use? Go with the messages that generate the largest increase in sales. Based on customer feedback the most effective messages fall into one of the below categories. Fortunately, with SpellBrite’s click-together design, you can test messages to find the most profitable for your business.
List your products and services with a SpellBrite sign and leave it on 24/7. By constantly reminding prospective customers as they pass by, you’ll be at the top of their mind.
(e.g. ACCOUNTING SERVICES; ALTERATIONS; BAKERY & CAFE; CATERING 312-575-9620; DENTIST; CHINESE CUISINE; PHYSICAL THERAPY; PEDICURE; TATTOO; BRAKES; MUFFLERS; WE CUT KEYS; SCREEN REPAIR; TAX PREP; BIKE RENTALS; WE DELIVER; etc.)
Every customer loves a good deal and a price promotion is one of the quickest ways to draw in folks. Big chains spend millions advertising their promotions. With SpellBrite you can get broad awareness among your target customers with even just one location. Most importantly, unlike promotions on TV, in the local newspaper or in coupon books and mailers, customers often will see your SpellBrite message when they can immediately make a purchase.
(e.g. $5 BURGER COMBO; HAIRCUT $15; FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION; NO FEE ATM; FIRST MONTH FREE; 25% OFF ALL JEANS; FALL SALE; $99 TEETH WHITENING; $9.99 ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET; etc.)
Every business has something that makes them unique. Shout it to the world so prospective customers know and remember.
(e.g. GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS; SAME DAY SERVICE; HANDMADE JEWELRY; 50 BEERS ON TAP; 100% HAND CAR WASH; OUTDOOR PATIO; FREE WIFI; AWARD WINNING COFFEE; PLAY SLOTS HERE; TAILOR ON PREMISES; 24-7 LOCKSMITH 212-744-3915; etc.)
In multiple studies we have done with SpellBrite users, highlighting a specific item increased the sales of that item. By rotating your promotions you can increase your sales, because (a) you sell to more customers – they often have different wants and (b) you sell more to the same customers – those that like several of your promotions. With their daily specials, restaurants are unusually well positioned to increase their sales with this strategy.
(e.g. DAILY SPECIAL PASTA ALFREDO; SPECIAL – CHICKEN TERIYAKI; SPECIAL – TUNA; $25 OIL CHANGE; FREE TIRE ROTATION; $25 MANICURES, $35 HAIR COLOR; $20 EYEBROW THREADING; etc.)
Minimize customer confusion, speed up the line, and bring in customers that didn’t realize you had more parking in back. (Every SpellBrite sign row can be dimmed so signs like RESTROOM in a restaurant don’t overpower the lighting.)
(e.g. MORE PARKING IN BACK; OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION; DROP OFF HERE; ORDER HERE; PICK-UP; RESTROOM; DRIVE THRU OPEN; EMPLOYEES ONLY; COAT CHECK; BAR OPEN; etc.)
Many products and services are season specific. Promote items that are right for that time of year.
(e.g. BACK TO SCHOOL SALE; HOT CHOCOLATE; ICE COFFEE; CHILI; SMOOTHIES; ROAD SALT; GARDEN CENTER; SNOWBLOWERS; DOZEN ROSES $24.95; DOWN JACKETS; BEACH SHORTS; etc.)
Few people like to wait for service. A sign announcing immediate availability can get customers to stop and come in. This is particularly helpful for (a) operations that often have waits and (b) shops that draw from customer traffic to nearby businesses.
(e.g. IMMEDIATE SEATING; NO WAIT; WALK-INS WELCOME; 24 HR SERVICE; etc.)
Incremental sales are often very profitable. Highlight add-on items with SpellBrite.
(e.g. 2ND DINNER 50% OFF; TRY OUR GUAC; $5 CAR WASH WITH GAS PURCHASE; BUY 2 GET 1 FREE; ASK ABOUT HIGH MILEAGE OIL; ADD HIGHLIGHTS FOR $15; etc.)
Several business owners have used SpellBrite to announce available positions. Martin, an owner of a pizzeria, saw a 5x increase in delivery driver candidates, allowing him to be much more selective.
(e.g. NOW HIRING DRIVERS; COOK NEEDED; POSITIONS AVAILABLE; JOIN OUR TEAM; HELP WANTED, etc.)
Most establishments use an illuminated OPEN sign to tell the world they are open. With the invention of SpellBrite, you can be much more creative. Choose a sign with personality and stand out from the crowd.
(e.g. COME ON IN!; OPEN CRAZY LATE; COME & GET IT; ALWAYS OPEN; WE NEVER CLOSE; THE GRILL IS HOT; 3AM BAR; WE GOT IT OPEN; OPEN ‘TIL 2AM; etc.)
If you’re not sure what a good message is, test different messages. SpellBrite’s click-together design gives you an inexpensive way to find out which messages drive the most sales.
If you are having trouble thinking of sign ideas, call 312-575-9620 and ask for help from our trained staff.
Located in Oceanside, NY, The Wine Cellar Oceanside is a liquor store with emphasis on wine. Owner Hasan Balkas had printed window signs to promote items on sale, but they didn’t seem very effective.
As an alternative to a neon sign, he found SpellBrite LED signs online at www.spellbrite.com, He says he is 100 percent happy with his purchase, since he could create a bright, custom sign to say exactly what he wanted. The click-together letters read: “FINE WINE & SPIRITS.”
“I think it is the greatest idea,” he says. “It’s very easy to put together and if, down the road, you want to change it, you can.”
The new SpellBrite sign stays on 24 hours a day, and Balkas says it has increased sales. “We are in a shopping center with 13 businesses all connected,” he says. “People are always driving by, so having a bright sign in the window helped our business get noticed from Day One. I definitely recommend it. I am really happy with my investment, and I believe it has helped big time. “
Paul Siegel is a film enthusiast, with an appreciation for all great cinema. He undertook a do-it-yourself project to create a home theater in his basement and found that a SpellBrite LED sign provided just the right touch Paul needed to complete his home theater.
Along with leather seating, a massive screen, and his collection of vintage movie projectors and posters, Siegel added a snack counter, behind which hangs his SpellBrite sign that says “CINE SNAX.”
He originally had searched for a neon sign. He even bought one, but found the light was too harsh. So he began searching for a neon alternative. An online search led him to www.spellbrite.com, where Siegel, an industrial designer, was immediately impressed by SpellBrite’s design and utility. After deciding exactly what he wanted his sign to say, he placed his order.
He was thrilled when it arrived, quickly assembled and mounted it in the nook where guests can get popcorn, candy and refreshments. Siegel was delighted that, although the SpellBrite sign was brighter than his neon sign, the SpellBrite sign has a dimmer that allows him to set the light output at an appropriate level for his home theater.
“It’s great! I like the fact that you can adjust the intensity. It really makes the snack area pop.”
When he hosts gatherings of two movie groups each month, the sign always draws comments. “Everyone who has seen it loves it,” he says.
Steve Scaglione owns a restaurant and banquet facility called “Voce,” which means “voice” in Italian.
Business had been slow, and Scaglione began looking at his signage, thinking about how he could stand
out more.
“Our corner, where we are located, was kind of dark,” he says. “My landlord would not let me get neon signs.”
So Scaglione began shopping around. He found SpellBrite custom LED signs at the National Restaurant Association trade show and bought his first sign at the show. After getting the first two “MAURIZIO’S PIZZA & SPORTS BAR” signs last year, he could see the value the signs brought to his business and soon bought several more. Some say “OPEN,” and he customized one to display a phone number.
“Once we put the first SpellBrite s
ign up, the exposure just went off the charts. Within a week, it literally
paid for itself. I started getting two to three calls a day about the banquet facility. Now I get up to 40 calls a week,” he says.
He has nine SpellBrite signs up now. “I am thinking about buying a few more,” he says. “People can see them, and I get a lot of comments. They are very visible even a 100 feet away. They really just put us on the map as far as exposure.”
Scaglione also appreciates that the signs are energy-efficient, thanks to LED technology. “Our SpellBrite signs are so much brighter than neon, but you are not using much electricity at all. We just keep them on 24 hours a day.”
Another plus, he says, is that “if you break a letter you can just take the old one out and click a new one in. With neon, if you break a letter, the sign is done.”
Scaglione considers his SpellBrite signs a smart investment. “They paid for themselves in 30 days as far as additional traffic and exposure – just from the visibility of the sign. And, I will have them for a very long time.”
He would definitely recommend SpellBrite signage for any small business. “I can’t tell you how much
they’ve done to give us visibly in the street. I just got off the phone with somebody who called me from the sign,” he laughs. “It is an eye catcher.”
Metal Supermarkets’ customer traffic increased significantly after adding a SpellBrite sign.
“With SpellBrite’s Neon-LED letters, I could create the message I wanted”
Gary Ainsworth owns and operates a Metal Supermarkets® franchise that he opened in the Boston metropolitan area in 2014. A metals distributor that caters to small quantity buyers, Metal Supermarkets serves a wide and diverse range of industries.
Ainsworth had a healthy first year in business, due in part to two SpellBrite LED signs he customized specifically to draw shoppers into his shop. The window signs both display “OPEN TO THE PUBLIC” — one for each direction of traffic in the light industrial area where his shop is located.
Choosing SpellBrite Neon-LED Signs
The challenge for Ainsworth was that his franchise was the first in the area.
“We’ve enjoyed bringing the metal micro distributor experience to the Boston market,” he says. “But since we were a new brand and a new experience, my general manager suggested we get some window signs to convey we’re open to the public. We needed a cost-effective solution to let potential customers know they could drop by our warehouse space and help themselves.”
Ainsworth researched a number of options, including custom neon signs, before deciding on SpellBrite.
“We love our SpellBrite LED signs,” he says. “The first sign probably paid for itself immediately.”
SpellBrite’s Many Advantages Over Neon Signs
The SpellBrite LED signage system is a more flexible, safer alternative to the traditional neon sign. Easy to create and customize, SpellBrite offers the brightness of neon signs at half the cost, with all the benefits that an LED sign can offer: longer life, low energy costs, and higher durability
“With SpellBrite’s Neon-LED letters, I could create the message I wanted using the sign builder feature on the web site — www.SpellBrite.com,” he says. Plus, ordering was easy. “You don’t have to be technical.”
Once his SpellBrite signs arrived, Ainsworth was surprised at how easy the sign letters were to assemble and install, as well as how much light they emit. “They’re very effective and bright. Compared to neon or DOT LEDs, these look much more refined and professional.”
“The signs’ contrast and brightness catch people’s attention. Many folks said they noticed us only after the signs were installed.”
Energy efficiency is another plus. Compared to a neon sign, a SpellBrite custom sign uses up to 70 percent less energy, while still being highly visible both night and day.
SpellBrite Custom LED Signs: The Result
It turns out that “OPEN TO THE PUBLIC” was the missing piece Ainsworth needed to get customers in the door — 1,200 came through that first year.
“The signs’ contrast and brightness catch people’s attention,” he says. “Many folks said they noticed us only after the signs were installed. We look forward to many more customer successes in the years to come.”
How many ways can you use SpellBrite Neon-LED sign to promote your business? Create your own custom sign today!
Chicago, IL – December 3, 2015: Optiva Technologies today announced that Ace Hardware, one of America’s oldest and most respected retailers, has approved the use of SpellBrite’s revolutionary “click-together” signage system for its 4,600 + locations worldwide. Corporate approval means that SpellBrite signage can now be used by individual franchise owners and dealers to market/advertise their stores to the general public. To receive this approval, SpellBrite needed to pass a stiff evaluation based on a series of criteria, including the following: Quality, Effectiveness, Ease of Use, Safety, and Cost.
“The SpellBrite LED Signage System is the perfect marketing tool for businesses like Ace Hardware,” said Sean Callahan, CEO of Optiva Technologies. “The bright, striking light draws the attention of the prospective customers, and the click-together feature allows business owners to change their sign message any time – they can rotate specials, test promotions, have seasonal messages, and announce unique offerings.”
SpellBrite’s system allows entrepreneurs from all types of industries to create unlimited messages to market their products. The innovative system contains an environmentally-friendly “click-together” set of LED characters that have the striking, bright look of neon without the cost or the dangers/risks inherent with glass neon construction. SpellBrite’s 44 letters, numbers and characters are interchangeable, allowing anyone to create an ultra-bright message that can be changed at any time.
Franchise owners across many different industries have witnessed increased sales after using SpellBrite’s signage. Some such franchises are State Farm, Pizza Hut, Dunkin Donuts, and Liberty Tax. Testimonials to SpellBrite’s effectiveness are received daily by Optiva Technologies. For example:
Gary Ainsworth of Metals Supermarkets in Woburn, MA: “We’re in a light industrial area, with everything from construction to industrial repair companies. There is a lot of traffic from folks in high tech and other industries, the trades, and contractors of all types. The sign’s contrast and brightness catch people’s attention and many folks said after driving by a number of times, they noticed us only after the signs were installed. The first sign probably paid for itself immediately. “
SpellBrite was born from the technology developed by iLight, a pioneer and leader in innovative LED illumination solutions. Founded in 1999, the company’s award-winning legacy of exceptional lighting products are known for high brightness and smooth even glow. The company currently holds more than 100 patents in the U.S. and international markets. SpellBrite was introduced in 2012. Retailers and restaurant owners quickly grasped the benefits of the signage system; SpellBrite was named a Retailer Top Pick at the 2012 NACS trade show and Best New Product at the 2012 ISA International Sign Expo. In 2013 iLight received the Chicago Innovation Award for SpellBrite.
Contact: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpellBrite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpellBrite
Instagram: https://instagram.com/SpellBrite
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/spellbrite
PDF Download: Ace Hardware Endorses SpellBrite
With all the focus on social media and digital customer engagement, it is easy to overlook a marketing strategy that, for over a century, has proven to drive sales – illuminated signs. Neon has traditionally been used as the illuminations source, but over the past decade LED products have taken a significant share of the signage market. One LED technology, SpellBrite, enables restaurants, retailers, and other businesses to create illuminated signs that are as bright and striking as traditional neon signs, but which can be changed at any time.
With the SpellBrite signage system, one can make any sign and change it any time.
Neon & LED Based Signs
Neon signs have been used for over a hundred years to successfully drive traffic and sales. There is no greater proof of the effectiveness of illuminated signs, and neon in particular, than Las Vegas. Casinos there have used neon to the extreme to draw in customers and their money. However, neon is declining in popularity, even in Las Vegas, due to safety concerns, maintenance hassles, environmental issues, and aesthetic challenges and many municipalities are banning neon.
LED-based signs have none of the drawbacks of neon signs and derive significant benefits from LEDs: long life, durable, low energy usage, light weight, etc. LEDs are points of light and this creates aesthetic challenges if viewers are able to see the pixelation. Several technologies have successfully addressed the pixel problem: large billboards and display screens which can cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Viewers are typically far enough from the display that the individual LEDs are not distinct, but actually form a composite image.
Another LED technology without pixelation is SpellBrite, a click together LED signage system that looks like neon. The light from the individual LEDs are diffused into a smooth, bright line. Since SpellBrite characters are modular and interchangeable, a user can create any message and change it any time. Business owners can inexpensively test multiple messages, promotions, and price specials to find the most compelling to prospective customers; change signs for seasonal or timely opportunities; or modify general messaging to keep their storefront fresh. This radically increases the value of the signage system.
The Value of a Changeable Signage System
Because of the flexibility available in creating custom sign messages, business owners in multiple industries have used SpellBrite in different ways to increase sales and strengthen their market position.
Announce Unique Offerings:
After hanging his first sign, Steve Scaglione, owner of Maurizio’s Pizza & Sports Bar in St. Louis, was all in. He immediately invested $4,000 more in SpellBrite signs. Steve said, “Within weeks of putting up the sign “BANQUET ROOM AVAILABLE” with our phone number, we went from getting almost no calls on the banquet room to 20 to 25 calls per week. SpellBrite has been wonderful for my business.”
Promote Specials:
Sam of Big Sammy’s Hot Dogs in Elgin, IL uses SpellBrite to promote the combo at his three shops. When food costs increased, Sam changed the price on “2 HOT DOGS FRIES & DRINK $5.00” to $5.50 and later to $6.25 just by buying a few more numbers. “Large chains spend millions of dollars to promote their value meals. SpellBrite puts my value meal on equal footing and for much less money,” says Sam. “And you can’t miss the signs. They bring the customers in.”
Attract Employees:
A multi-unit owner of a national pizza chain found using a “NOW HIRING DRIVERS” sign led to a fivefold increase in driver candidates. The owner is pleased, “Drivers constantly turnover. I’ve gone from hoping for a warm body, to selecting candidates that will represent our brand well.”
Differentiate Your Business:
An agent for a national insurance company uses the sign “SWITCH AND SAVE UP TO 40%” to help reinforce that they are not only an established, trusted brand, but are a good value as well. The agent has been so pleased that he has purchased a kit of letters to periodically change messages.
Highlight Urgency:
A franchisee of a large tax chain started with the sign “10 DAYS TO FILE” and counted down to April 15. “The sign more than paid for itself and I continue to do business with many of these customers.”
Announce Immediate Availability:
Jim Horn, owner of Hairsmith in Carpentersville, IL increased his revenue and chair utilization with a “NO WAIT” sign. “We are in a strip center and the various stores draw a fair amount of traffic. When we have an open chair we turn on our ‘NO WAIT’ sign with a remote and it quickly pulls customers in. The SpellBrite sign has helped sales increase over 15%, with no increase in man-hours at the barber shop.”
Business owners have multiple good options for signage product. Many have chosen SpellBrite because it combines the striking impact of neon with the flexibility of print. Using SpellBrite to test and communicate compelling messages has increased sales for many businesses across multiple industries.
(Above photos are of SpellBrite red letters. The intense brightness of the red letters can make them look white or orange in photos.)
Use SpellBrite to keep your storefront fresh and relevant with messages that attract more customers. Tell the world about your new promotion, sale, service—anything that makes your business stand out. This is your chance to grab the attention of your local customer base and draw them in. Use your SpellBrite “click-together” signage system to test, measure and repeat your way to success!
You’re only limited by your imagination.
It’s easy. Type in the box below to see a scale model!
You can buy just the SpellBrite sign message you want. Or, to get the maximum
value, you can buy a multi-character kit and change your
message anytime:
• test multiple messages, promotions, and price specials to find the most compelling to prospective customers;
• change signs for seasonal or timely opportunities;
• modify general messaging to keep your storefront fresh; or
• simply rotate the products and services you highlight with SpellBrite.
When you change messages, current and prospective customers will have a much greater understanding of the breadth of products and services you offer and the value you provide. And this often leads to more new customers, increased visits per customer, and a higher average transaction amount.
Our customers have reported sales increases of up to 40% by using SpellBrite to promote their unique message to the customers in their immediate market area.
“My Goodness, they pay for themselves within the first week and a half. ”
Patrick Cunningham, Owner, Pizza Bella – Dallas, PA
“Once we put up the first SpellBrite sign, the exposure just went off the charts. Within a week, it literally paid for itself.”
Steve Scaglione, Owner, Maurizio’s Pizza & Sports Bar, St. Louis, MO
“Promoting the ‘cash in a flash program’ with my SpellBrite sign helped me achieve a 53% fee increase over the prior year.”
Ralph Guisti, Franchisee, Liberty Tax, Belchertown, MA
SpellBrite is the ultra-bright signage system that successful businesses use to attract more customers.
SpellBrite is changeable, inexpensive, safer, cleaner and easy to hang. The human eye is drawn to light 5 to 6 times the ambient level. Like neon, SpellBrite’s intensity cuts through the clutter and delivers your message. And unlike neon — which has no flexibility and is plagued with safety hazards, maintenance hassles and aesthetic challenges — SpellBrite is flexible, inexpensive, safe, environmentally sensitive, and easy to put together.
SpellBrite makes your messaging much more impactful, and has been proved to attract more customers and increase sales.
Create Your Sign ›You'll Receive:
See how easy it is to get started with SpellBrite in this quick video.
