However, no matter what kind of sign you get, there will always be enemies outside—sunlight, wind, dirt, and many other external forces that can affect your sign.

That’s why we’ve put together a guide on how to properly care for your outdoor signage, whether it’s brass, aluminum, plastic, or even yard signs!

UV Laminate or UV Spray

A UV laminate or spray can be applied to the majority of our custom signs. For brass signs, a UV spray is used to seal the engraved or printed brass with a protective barrier that will ensure that the sign does not rust and is not altered by UV rays when used outdoors.

For aluminum signs and yard signs, a UV laminate is applied to the vinyl overlay. The laminate ensures that the vinyl will stay vibrant even in harsh sunlight. It also adds an extra protective barrier against scratches and other damage.

Placement

Where you place your sign is just as important! The first step to ensuring that your sign is sure to last outside is picking the right place to display it.

A flat surface with well-secured mounting is a great place to start. Placing a sign on curved surfaces makes it more likely to bend or fall off when placed outside. So make sure you select the right mounting and placement for your outdoor sign!

We suggest mounting options such as pre-drilled holes or a strong adhesive tape that is meant to last outside.

Routine care

Checking up on your signs and performing routine care is a great habit to get into if you plan on having a sign outdoors for quite some time.

Sign care is quite simple, so this is one of your easiest steps. All signs are easily cleaned with a non-abrasive washcloth and some warm soapy water. Keeping your sign clean will keep it looking new and will avoid any buildup or staining from outdoor conditions.

Best Sign Types for Outdoors

Now that you know how to care for your outdoor sign, it’s time to think about which outdoor sign will work for you! Thankfully, the majority of our signs at Custom Signs are suited for outdoor use.

Plastic Signs: For plastic signs, your best option will be an engraved plastic sign due to its durability and long-lasting design. When engraving signs, even though they will not be as vibrant and colorful as full-color plastic, they are less likely to fade due to sun exposure.

Aluminum Signs: Any of our aluminum signs will be a great option for outdoor use! The signs are made from rust-proof aluminum and durable vinyl. However, we do advise a UV laminate for extended outdoor use.

Brass Signs: Brass is similar to plastic in that engraved brass is going to be your best bet. Additionally, having your text oxidized and then given a UV spray will further aid in your sign’s longevity. The oxidization will prevent further rusting, and a UV spray will protect it from sunlight damage.

Yard Signs: All of our yard signs are ideal for outdoor use, and, just like the aluminum signs, they will benefit from a UV laminate. This is for when you intend on having your yard sign outdoors for quite some time to really get your message across!

Be sure you know that you’re getting the right outdoor sign for you or your business! With so many sign options and designs, it can be tough to choose, but here at Custom Signs, we can help you decide!

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The post Displaying Your Sign Outdoors – A Guide first appeared on Signage Compliance, Design Tips & News - CustomSigns.com Blog.

A standard engraved brass plate has a shiny, reflective finish that is quite stylish and sleek. However, from a distance, the engraving can be harder to read. This is where oxidation comes in handy.

So how does oxidizing your custom brass plate help you?

Oxidizing engraved brass plates gives your sign a unique and elegant look while also preventing your engraving from further oxidization. This allows your sign to last longer without corrosion or signs of tarnishing.

Here’s how it works:

Every brass plate is engraved using a diamond-tip rotary with whatever custom text you choose.

After being engraved, a solution is carefully brushed over the brass plate.

After the solution is applied, the brass quickly oxidizes, only taking about 30 seconds to react to the solution, giving it a matte black finish.

Although the solution is applied all over the plate, it only oxidizes the engraved letters due to a protective film that is carved away during the engraving process.

The excess solution is then washed away.

Leaving a perfectly oxidized brass plate, ready to dry off and get shipped out!

These brass plates make for beautiful appreciation or memorial plaques. They are also often used as signage in restaurants or offices, like the one shown above. The classic color gives a more elegant feel to many custom signs, leading businesses to choose brass for more official signage needs.

Get everything you need to create the perfect custom signs for your business at Custom Signs! Our wide selection of metal signs, including custom brass and aluminum, will help you create any signage you need, whether you run a business, restaurant, or simply looking for some home decorations.

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The post How It Works: Oxidizing Engraved Brass Plates first appeared on Signage Compliance, Design Tips & News - CustomSigns.com Blog.

As graduation season approaches, you may be wondering how to celebrate the scholar’s achievement. Custom yard signs continue to be a popular choice among family and friends looking to show off just how proud they are of their 2023 graduate. With custom graduation signs, you can display your student’s accomplishment and welcome them to the next stage of their life.

Choosing a Graduation Sign

Our collection of graduation signs, flags, and banners are designed to give recognition to your hard-working student. Made for outdoor use, our graduation yard signs are meant to last. With complete control over the customization, the grad is guaranteed to love a sign created just for them. Check out some of our different styles so you can select the one that best suits your favorite grad:

Star & Script Graduation Sign

Celebrate the graduate with a motivational message and high-quality photo. This classic design can make any yard look fun and festive. Add the grad’s name to make this sign one-of-a-kind. Made with sturdy materials, this keepsake can be cherished for a lifetime.

Clap, Honk, Wave Yard Sign

This graduation yard sign is the best way to celebrate without leaving the comfort of your home. If you have any loved ones who cannot attend the ceremony, our personalized grad sign will ensure they are still a part of the fun. Get your friends and family together and drive by with enthusiasm.

Personalized Vinyl Banner

If you are looking for a big and bold way to congratulate the grad, our vinyl graduation banners are the best option for you. These will certainly get the attention of anyone who passes by your home. Our custom banners also come with hems and grommets for easy and hassle-free displaying.

Graduation Garden Flag

For a unique yet affordable grad gift, opt for a custom garden flag. These outdoor flags are ideal for making your landscape pop and adding some fun splashes of color to your yard. Not only will they accentuate your flowers and plants, but they will also commemorate the grad.

2023 Graduate Yard Sign

For a simpler look, our 2023 graduation sign is the perfect addition to your celebration. These are ideal for cheering on the grad without the extra step of uploading an image. With an accent color and elegant font, this sign will get your home party-ready in no time.

Graduation Bundles

Having a grand graduation party and wanting to keep ordering simple with a bundle? Our new graduation bundles are great for getting everything you need to celebrate all in one go. With three different choices—Proud Parent Bundle, Family Bundle, and Graduation Party Bundle—we’ve got you covered for making this graduation celebration last well past graduation day!

Advantages of Graduation Yard Signs

Unlike other graduation gifts, yard signs are visible to all your neighbors, relatives, and passersby. This is the perfect way to make an announcement, or decorate your home for a graduation party. Graduation signs for the yard are also personalized for the grad, so you can make them feel extra special. Some other benefits of custom graduation signs include:

• Can be kept as mementos
• Are made of durable materials
• Show how proud you are
• Fit students of all ages
• Come in many different designs

The post Top Graduation Signs For 2023 first appeared on Signage Compliance, Design Tips & News - CustomSigns.com Blog.

Custom Car Tags vs Vanity License Plates

If you’ve been considering adding a personalized touch to your vehicle, you may be questioning the difference between vanity plates and standard license plates.

Vanity plates and custom car tags are unlike your usual license plate, since they are able to be personalized.

So, what are vanity plates? How about custom car tags? Is there a difference between them? Well, the answers to these questions are somewhat unclear and there isn’t a black-and-white difference between them.

What is a Vanity Plate?

There isn’t a clear-cut way to define vanity plates. Cyber Drive Illinois is one of the few places that provides a definition and contrasts vanity plates with other personalized license plates:¹

“Vanity plates contain up to 3 numbers or 1 to 7 letters only”
“Personalized plates contain both letters and numbers”

However, outside of this specific difference, the terms “personalized license plates”, “custom car tags”, and “vanity plates” are mostly interchangeable.

Vanity plates may apply to purely decorative license plates more frequently, but the term still applies to official tags you would get from the DMV.

Typically, these terms refer to personalizing required license plates to read specific phrases or names. An important distinction comes into play when considering which states require front license plates.

What States Require Front License Plates?

While many motorists seem to want novelty or unofficial front license plates, there are only a handful of states that allow them. 21 states require the rear license plate only. This means the other 29 states require both front and back license plates that have been issued by your state. See the following list for which states do not require front license plates:²

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• West Virginia

So What if My State Doesn’t Require a Front License Plate?

If you are living in one of the 21 states that does not require a state-issued front license plate, feel free to create your own personalized license plate. You can use this opportunity to:

• • advertise your business
  • show off your favorite sports team
  • display a design that suits you and your car

These front license plates do not need to show any array of numbers and are not regulated by your state government so feel free to get as creative as you would like.

Additionally, advertising with a custom car tag is an easy way to get your company’s name in front of potential customers or clients. Some organizations utilize business license plates as an additional means of marketing their products or services.

However, this does not mean that drivers within these 21 states have complete freedom. There may be restrictions on what phrases or designs are allowed. For example, plates that could be mistaken as official tags for police or government officials could potentially pose public security and safety risks.

Should I Get a Custom Front License Plate or Vanity Plate?

Your two main concerns are:

• 1. Are you living in a state that requires a front license plate that has been issued by your state?
  2. Do you want a personalized car tag that is state-issued or simply a custom design front license plate?
     • If yes, you will have to ask about getting an official personalized license plate at your local motor vehicle service center.
     • If no, you have the option to design your own front license plate.

With these things in mind, you can now decide whether you’re looking for a state-issued vanity plate or a custom front license plate. If you are currently living in one of the 21 states that allow personalized front license plates, looking for front license plate ideas is a fun way to find inspiration.

CustomSigns.com is your one-stop-shop for all of your signage needs including decorative car tags and political license plates. Whatever your signage needs, CustomSigns.com’s wide variety of signs, banners, and decals are sure to satisfy.

Other posts you may like:

• • No Smoking, No Vaping Laws Expand Across US
  • Share Your One-of-a-Kind Style with a Custom Front Car Tag

References:

• 1. Cyber Drive Illinois
  2. Autolist

The post What is the Difference Between Custom License Plates & Vanity Plates? first appeared on Signage Compliance, Design Tips & News - CustomSigns.com Blog.

Here are some of our top wedding sign tips and ideas to help ensure that your big day is picture-perfect:

What Signs Do I Need At My Wedding?

Having the proper signage can help make your wedding easy-to-navigate and stress-free. From aesthetic welcome signs to directional parking signs, here’s our list of custom signs that are wedding day essentials:

• Welcome Signs to welcome all of your guests and set the tone of your wedding with a friendly first impression.
• Seating Charts & Signs to show guests where to sit at your reception.
• Gift Signs to show guests where to place their cards and gifts.
• Table & Number Signs to help guests find their reception seats.
• Directional Signs to provide helpful directions to designated parking areas, the ceremony, the bar and the reception.
• Menu & Food Signs to label food and drink options.
• Decorative Signs to create a cohesive wedding atmosphere.
• Just Married & Other Car Signs to help you exit your wedding in style.

Top 5 Wedding Sign Ideas:

Need some wedding sign inspiration? Here’s our countdown of the top 5 creative wedding sign ideas to help make your big day special:

Chalkboard Wedding Signs

Chalkboard wedding signs are a perfect match for rustic wedding themes! You can start from scratch to create your own chalkboard design and get creative with your signage.

Chalkboard is also a great signage solution for including your guests in your wedding. Create a custom chalkboard design and provide guests with chalk or chalkboard markers to leave a message for the happy couple!

DYO Wedding Banners

Wedding banners are the perfect custom addition to your décor! Vinyl banners are a great option for outdoor weddings and large weddings in spacious venues. Here are some of the top creative ways you can use custom banners at your wedding:

• Hang a custom “Mr. & Mrs.” Banner from your head reception table
• Decorate your exit car with a “Just Married” banner, customized with the date or your names
• Create a personalized wedding welcome banner to make a big statement with your signage

Custom Wedding Yard Signs

Yard signs are an easy and cost-effective way to post signage at your wedding. With completely customizable options, you can create your own custom wedding yard sign to perfectly match your theme.

Here are some of our favorite ways you can use yard signs at your wedding:

• Clearly mark guest parking areas
• Give guests helpful directions to the ceremony and reception areas
• Easily display signage at outdoor venues

Acrylic Wedding Signs

Acrylic wedding signs are a great way to incorporate stylish signs in your décor. Here are some of our favorite acrylic wedding sign trends to give your some ideas and inspiration:

• Custom acrylic table number signs
• Small “unplugged” wedding signs to let guests know your ceremony cellphone policies
• Acrylic guest books signs to bring attention to your guest book and remind people to sign or leave a message
• Small acrylic placard signs with guest names and seating arrangements

Check out these custom acrylic signs in wooden block holders as a customizable acrylic sign that’s perfect for any wedding aesthetic.

Wedding Menus & Bar Signs

It’s important to clearly label all of your beverages and food items at any large event. To make sure your wedding is accommodating to all of your guests, create custom menu and bar signs!

Menu and bar items can be clearly labeled with paper signs, DIY acrylic signs or custom plastic signs.

Creative Wedding Tip: Personalize your menu and signs by featuring “His & Hers” custom drinks and favorite food options!

Design Your Own Wedding Signs

Designing your own wedding signs gives you the ability to match your wedding color palette, favorite font styles and overall theme.

At CustomSigns.com we specialize in creating made-to-order signs that are personalized to your exact specifications. To get started with building your own custom wedding signs, visit our Design Your Own Sign Page:

CustomSigns.com is proud to be your one-stop-shop for custom and personalized signs. From business signage to property signs and custom banners, we have thousands of pre-designed and custom sign options. Start from scratch to design your own sign or check out our sign templates to get started.

The post Creative Wedding Sign Ideas & Tips first appeared on Signage Compliance, Design Tips & News - CustomSigns.com Blog.

This holiday season, and all year, there are things you can do to ease some of the pain points of package delivery. Here are some of our top tips to receiving your gifts and food deliveries safely:

Security Tips:

Post home security system signs and decals. Homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized.¹ If you can’t afford an upscale home monitoring system with surveillance cameras, the mere presence of home security signs can greatly decrease the chance of your home being broken into, or packages being taken from your doorstep.

Post signs such as:

• Home surveillance camera signs
• Home security system signs

Convenience and Privacy Tips:

Let your delivery drivers know where to place packages and make it harder to view deliveries from the street. You can create blockades with planters, benches, hedges and more that will keep your deliveries hidden from view.

Delivery drivers are often glad to help keep your packages discrete. You can even post a small sign (that is not visible from the street) that let’s them know where to leave your packages, food deliveries and more. With the increased popularity of food deliveries as well, small signs can help drivers know where to place your items to protect them from theft, insects and weather.

Packaging and Delivery Tips:

If the tips listed above do not ease your concerns, there are other things you can do to protect your gifts and deliveries, such as:

• Have packages shipped to your workplace instead
• Require a signature for receiving a package
• Have your gift(s) shipped to a nearby store (this option is also often free of charge)
• When possible, ask for discrete packaging that disguises what’s inside the parcel

Other Tips for Receiving Packages:

Food delivery apps and grocery apps are very convenient and can save you a lot of time, however these services also enlist the help of new or inexperienced employees. Most customers have experienced the frustration of having food delivered to the wrong address. There are things you can do to help delivery workers find you!

• Make sure your house number is easy to read, both on your mailbox and your front door. Freshen up the paint on your house number, or update numbers that have rusted or faded on your mail box
• Keep your entryway well lit
• Keep plants and shrubs trimmed back to avoid blocking your address
• Post signs that make it clear where to leave your items
• Post signs that show gratitude to busy delivery workers!

Do your part to increase safety and convenience for yourself and for postal workers and delivery workers. Find small signs and other ways to communicate effectively!

Sources:
1. Not on my Porch: How to Avoid Package Theft

The post Package Delivery Tips for Your Home first appeared on Signage Compliance, Design Tips & News - CustomSigns.com Blog.