SIMPLE
This simple layout is quite readable
and is typical of most amateur signs.
It really fails as an effective ad tool and makes the business appear they are trying to get by too cheaply. This type of sign usually only attracts the type customers that are looking for 'something-for-nothing' car deals.
If you want your business to make a
statement of professionalism and want to attract clients with a larger budget, this sign doesn't even come close.

INTERMEDIATE
This one offers a better use of ad space and would be an appropriate sign for a start-up company with a tight budget. The more creative design with the panel reversed and outlined letters on the main title gives the impression of a more established business that is willing to invest in their advertising campaign. Cost difference to upgrade to this type sign is only a few dollars in the extra design and production time and is well worth the difference in price.
 

CUSTOM
This is for the client that wants to reach
a better class of customers.  The use of the pictorial enhances the appeal of this layout and the color combinations make this an advertising piece anyone would be proud to have representing their business.  The same amount of materials are used in all three examples but the difference in appearance and advertising
values are worth the small increase in
the cost of this version of the sign.

Advertising doesn't cost,,, It PAYS!  It pays by increasing your sales potential and higher profits.

If advertising wasn't worth the time and efforts, why do companies spend millions of dollars for a 30 second
spot during the Super Bowl or World Series.  A typical 4' by 8' sign in the 'Intermediate' class costs around $350 not including installation charges and will last an average of 7 years, that amounts to $50 a year, $4.16 a month or 14 cents per day over the life of the sign!  Yet there are business owners that will attempt to make their own sign to save a few cents a day and then spend hundreds of dollars on other forms of advertising like, $100 or more per month on Yellow Page ads that are not seen until someone looks it up in the phone book.   Radio spot ads have their place and can help when an established business is having a sale but the initial costs are quite high and they are forgotten soon after the next song plays.  Newspaper ads are great for immediate notice ads but unless you can afford to place a prominent ad weekly they are soon forgotten and are thrown out with the trash, while a sign is out there 24-7 seen by thousands of people daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and all this advertisement can be had for only a few pennies per day.

Click Here for a full insight on the cost breakdowns over the life of different priced signs.

If you're guilty of this type attitude towards your business promotions it is time to get off your advertising dollar
and put it to work with a proper sign. And no one knows signs more than Elliott Design.