I'm always looking for something to blog about that will help me add links to my directory. This blog is an answer to a question by someone at ActiveRain who asked about sign companies online. The question was "I am looking for a sign company (Internet based) that also supplies the posts/holder. Does anyone have a recommendation for me, obviously, I need to keep the cost down as much as possible."
When looking at signs, keep in mind that signs, riders & frames are usually priced separately. You will have to purchase your sign & your frame separately. Some companies will offer discounts if you buy both together.
When placing an order online for signs there are 3 pieces of information you may need: your logo, your company colors and the font you want used. If you don't need to match any particular colors or fonts to those your company uses - the sign company will be able to help you choose what works best for you.

ARTWORK - If you work for a national chain like ReMax or Century 21 or any other - most of the sign companies probably already have your colors and designs. But if you are an independent agent, or company with just a few offices- getting your artwork correct will be the biggest challenge. Getting your artwork to a sign manufacturer is not as easy as just giving them an image from the Internet. Photos on the web are typically not in high enough resolution to be used for signs. Most sign companies will prefer to have artwork in an Adobe Illustrator file. These types of files are "Vector" files - which means they can be sized larger or smaller and not lose resolution. Whoever handles marketing for your company should be able to get you the file you need. If your company had someone create the logo - the logo designer will have the file you need.

COLORS - Colors are also important. Internet images use web based colors (also referred to as RGB)- while sign manufacturers will want CMYK or PANTONE . RGB stands for Red-Green-Blue and is the standard for images we see on our computer screens. CMYK stands for Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Key(Black) and has been the standard in the pritning industry for many years. PANTONE is a proprietary color system that goes beyond CMYK. Don't let all this intimidate you - the sign company will help you figure all this out.

FONT - when you use Microsoft Word or WordPerfect you're probably used to seeing that drop down list of different fonts. How do you want the text to appear on your sign? Do you want to match the font on your website? Your company letterhead? Your business card? Again, if someone else created these items for you - they will have the name of the font they used. Most fonts are universal and can be recreated by the sign manufacturer.

Don't be scared off by all the above industry mumbo jumbo. All the sign companies will have all ink on their website called Artwork Specifications or Submit Artwork that will explain what they need from you. If you don't have exactly what they sign company is looking for - don't worry. The sign companies will do the best they can to work with what you have. Here are a few Real Estate sign companies to check out:

• DeeSignCompany.com -they have warehouses in Ohio & California. Site is pretty well organized and you can submit your artwork online, via email or snail mail. I have used them in the past and was very happy with them.
• RealEstateSigns.com - all their signs are made out of REPROCOR, a high quality plastic that has the colors molded in and is supposed to resist weathering. I have not tried this type of sign yet - I use all steel signs.
• LowenSign.com - promises to ship in 8 business days or less.
• OakleySign.com - offices in Florida and Chicago. Very user friendly and well organized site. They have a great page showing samples of Pantone colors and a color chart.
• BuildASign.com - seems more geared towards the independent. Does all kinds of signs, not just real estate. This link goes to the real estate sign section.
• RealtySignXpress.com - in business since 1965. Also offers bilingual riders.
• PPISign.com - this is who our company uses now. Always professional and fast service.
• SignSelect.com - website says they will beat any price! Worth a shot!
• SMSProducts.com - contributed by the RealtyBulter at Active Rain who says they are the cheapest and the best!
• LightASign.com - not a sign company, but they have a solar powered sign light that lights your sign up at night. Pretty cool!

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All the resource related links in this post are available at the Blue60.com Directory of Resources for Real Estate Professionals.  Blue60.com is a human edited diretory of links for real estate agents, loan officers & appraisers.  If you're looking for anything related to the business of Real Estate - you'll find it at Blue60.com