People are always surprised by the diversity of projects that FASTSIGNS® centers are capable of—you never know what surface we will have a sign or graphic on next. Rob Jaggers and his Hamilton, Ontario, FASTSIGNS center in Canada recently did a project that is a perfect example, proving that the sky truly is the limit.
Yes, you are seeing graphics being applied to the wings of a vintage airplane! Rob was called upon to create the graphics and have them applied them temporarily to the historic plane for a local radio contest.
“It was a little awkward, basically like applying graphics to a 10 foot high ceiling,” Rob explained. After the contest, the graphics were easily removed without harming the aircraft.
With this blog we enjoy highlighting the various projects that our FASTSIGNS® centers participate in or help benefit, especially those that are outside of the typical sign and graphics realm. A perfect example is the FASTSIGNS center in Sheffield, England, which recently sent a group of children to the Whirlow Farm Trust for two days of hands-on farm life experience.
This is not the first time the center has helped send local children to the farm—FASTSIGNS of Sheffield is a member of the ‘480 Club’ which coordinates donations from local businesses with visits for local schools. The Club especially targets schools that are in special needs groups, or where more than 25% of children receive free school meals.
In October, 12 children from Woodhouse West Primary School spent two nights at the farm, courtesy of FASTSIGNS of Sheffield. While there the students learned about animal care and carried out regular farm jobs such as feeding goats, collecting eggs and grooming the horses.
“We’re especially pleased that Woodhouse West Primary has benefited because we know that ecology, food and green issues are hot topics for the staff and pupils there,” explained Paul Allison, owner of FASTSIGNS of Sheffield.
“This is the second group of children from our school to benefit thanks to FASTSIGNS’ support. The children love staying at the farm.” said John Bennett, Head Teacher at Woodhouse West Primary. “We don’t have the resources for special trips like this so everyone’s thrilled that we’ve had this opportunity.”
Bernie and Kay Doyle have owned and operated their Downtown Cleveland FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics center for a decade. They put together a great video that takes you through a virutal tour of their center and provides an up close look at the diverse projects a FASTSIGNS center can do. From making bumper stickers and laying vinyl, to running a router and even creating a ’stand-in’ for Bernie — check it out!
“What do your signs say about you?” That is a question that we at FASTSIGNS® often ask. Too many times a business’s signs say the wrong thing, or don’t say enough, about the products or services offered.
Recently, FASTSIGNS® provided sign and graphic makeovers to several small businesses. In the case of a California floor retailer that received one of these sign makeovers from FASTSIGNS of Culver City, their current signs simply weren’t working hard enough.
Prior to their new signs and graphics, the staff at Carpets Direct were used to hearing patrons say, “I didn’t even know you were here—have you been at this location long?” Now, according to owner Max Doheny, they are noticing more customers coming in and clients are more informed about what Carpets Direct offers.
The sign makeover consisted of vivid, attention-getting window graphics applied to the store-front windows. Not only do the new graphics more accurately portray the modern, fresh image of the retailer, but they outline the different flooring services offered. Now when passersby look at the windows of Carpets Direct, it is crystal clear what services and products are offered.
Carpets Direct Before
Carpets Direct After
Stay tuned for future posts that will feature other businesses that received sign makeovers from FASTSIGNS®.
Jessica Ennis, the 23-year-old heptathlete from Sheffield, recently won Britain’s first-ever World Championship heptathlon gold medal at the 12th IAAF World Championships Athletics, held in Berlin.
The entire city of Sheffield proudly welcomed her home with celebration. Joining in, FASTSIGNS of Sheffield made sure to hang special banners in Jessica’s honor. From a local highway bridge, to the outside of the Sheffield sign and graphic center, the colorful banners sport a photo of Jessica in victory, and congratulating her success.
“Jessica’s achievements mean a lot to the people of Sheffield,” explained Paul Allison, owner of the FASTSIGNS in Sheffield. “We wanted to give her a warm welcome home on behalf of the whole community.”
As many of you probably know, Conan O’Brien moved to California to take over for Jay Leno as the new host of the Tonight Show. As the ‘new kid on the block’ at Universal Studios, Conan and the Tonight Show crew decided to hit the streets and meet their neighbors. It just so happens that FASTSIGNS of Studio City was on their route so Conan dropped in and ordered a funny banner!
P.S. That is our very own Bryan Eshelbrenner, owner of the Studio City FASTSIGNS, in the plaid shirt, standing next to Conan. Way to go Bryan!
In an effort to help Michigan businesses with their online marketing efforts, Michigan-based Oneupweb decided to hit the road for 5 days. In their “One for the Road” tour, Oneupweb traveled to businesses throughout the state and provided free consultation and advice.
Their means of transportation, as well as where they laid their heads during the 5 day tour, was a 1970’s motor home.
Enter FASTSIGNS® of Traverse City and this vintage motor home was transformed into a rolling billboard for the “One for the Road” tour. How? The team at the FASTSIGNS center wrapped the exterior of the motor home with some attention-getting graphics. According to Interstate Advertising Corp, advertising on a vehicle can generate over 600 visual impressions for every mile driven!
Great job Oneupweb for reaching out and supporting local businesses and great job to FASTSIGNS of Traverse City for helping make the trip a little more impactful.
According to Wikipedia, a Band-Aid is “a genericized trade mark for any adhesive bandage among consuming public in the United States, India, Canada and Brazil.”
Apparently at FASTSIGNS® a Band-Aid is a quirky vehicle graphic that can be used to cover up the dent on a car door!
A woman came in to a Dallas FASTSIGNS center with a unique request: a 3′ by 5′ Band-Aid sticker for her car door, which was dented in an accident. Seriously! You can read about it in her own words.
What can we say? It’s requests like these that make providing custom sign and graphic solutions lots of fun!
In the face of foreclosures and businesses going bankrupt, it seems as though we no longer hear about those who are still trying to make a difference…
John and Peggy Ray are a husband and wife team who own a FASTSIGNS® in Broomfield, Colorado. Peggy lives with arthritis and the Ray family have volunteered with the Arthritis Foundation for several years. Since opening their FASTSIGNS in 2007, they have tried to figure out a way they could use their new, small business to benefit this cause that is close to their hearts.
Then they came up with the idea that they put into reality June 17. They committed a day of business operation to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation by donating to them 30% of all sales completed that day. Thanks to the prior months they spent organizing and marketing, and then working to sell as many signs as possible on June 17, the Ray’s will be able to donate almost $1500.
After seeing the success of their event, they hope to make it an annual fundraising event for their business and family.
The Arthritis Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organization that supports the more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. The Foundation helps people take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis. The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation serves Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. To learn more visit www.rockymountainarthritis.org.
