FASTSIGNS^® Notes That Bigger Is Better! Large eye-catching banners yield high-profit results

For sheer impact and cost-effectiveness, no other form of advertising can be the time-tested banner. When well-designed and properly displayed, a banner can deliver clear an powerful advertising impressions each day for virtually any kind of business.

According to Debbie Hanson, manager of the FASTSIGNS store in North Dallas, "Bigger is sometimes better. One of our customers who is located off of a major freeway with constant traffic wanted a large banner produced to announce their close-out specials during a holiday weekend. The most important feature they stressed was size. The banner was the largest we've done - 18-foot by 60-foot - and the production itself was indeed a project because we had to utilize a local gymnasium to lay it out. Once the banner was installed, it could be seen from very far away. It was impactful and visually eye catching."

"To think about how many cars drive by this location each day, especially during rush hour traffic, is incredible. Utilizing a banner with this kind of size is sure to make any sale, promotion, or event a great success. Increasing size, will hopefully increase traffic."

Debbie and her staff will soon embark on an even larger task which will involve the creation and production of a 40-foot by 30-foot banner. That equates to over 1,200 square feet!

Today's technology allows infinite color combinations, distinctive typestyles and full color digital photographic images. Although the traditional horizontal storefront banner is still used, high-quality banner material can now be cut or stitched into virtually any size, shape or design. Banners are seen, read and acted upon by consumers millions of times each and every business day.

According to Tom Lease, FASTSIGNS owner in Northglenn, CO, "Our banner orders are getting bigger and more technical each day. This is a new trend as times are changing. Recently, a satellite imaging company placed an order for a 26-foot by 92-foot banner. Once the design was laid out, we blocked off a portion of our store parking lot to produce it. When the banner was ready, the customer took a photo of it using their satellite as they passed over. The end result was used for a trade show display. It's amazing what technology can do these days!"

By following a few simple guidelines, and by adding your own creative flair to a banner, this age-old advertising technique can generate new sales and higher profits.

Susan Hodges of Houston would agree. Her FASTSIGNS store recently produced a 10-foot by 20-foot banner to be used for a local concert series. The banner was large enough for all concert-goers to see from far away and the eye-catching colorful graphics depicted the familiar concert logo that the audience would recognize.

Signage experts know that to get the maximum results from displaying a banner, the display must be large enough for viewing for a limited time. In addition, by rotating among several designs, you can keep your message fresh and your customers attentive. Marketing studies have shown that people learn to ignore the familiar - but respond actively when new elements are introduced into an otherwise well-known scene.

According to Gary Salomon, president and CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the most effective banners incorporate colors and make their messages memorable. "Viewers typically have only a few seconds to view your banner when driving or passing by," said Salomon. "That's why the presentation should be dramatic enough to grab their attention with a message that is brief and to the point."

When used properly, the banner can still by YOUR single most cost-effective advertising tool.

About FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

FASTSIGNS International is the franchisor of FASTSIGNS stores and offers a full range of custom signs and graphics products including banners, window-vehicle-floor graphics, safety and identification signage, trade show displays and graphics, and exterior signage. FASTSIGNS International is headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, and has more than 430 Franchise locations worldwide.