Special offer

Biz Op For Sign Vendor

By
Industry Observer

Regular readers of Bloodhound Blog will know that every now and then Greg Swann talks about creating custom signs for each of his listings.

A unique sign is made for each individual listing.  The sign is printed with  full color images of the particular property, and with ad copy describing the particular property, along with the usual real estate company logo and info.

I love this idea.  Recently, in a comment thread about the signs, Greg remarked about how this could be a business opportunity for a sign vendor. 

The sign vendor could offer a selection of pre-designed semi-custom sign templates.  The customer would place an order via a web input form, inputting the descriptive text for the particular sign, and uploading the photos.  The customer would tweak it around until it looked just right, then submit the order.

Yes, I know the image files would need to be very large for for best quality on the sign panel.  OK.  A downside for the vendor would be small quantities.  I can't see needing more than two or three signs for each property address.  Most times one only would do the job.

Corrugated plastic (coroplast) would be just fine.  After all, each sign panel does not need to last a lifetime, it only needs to last until the property is sold.  And coroplast would certainly be more affordable.

In a comment, I asked for any sign vendor who could offer this to contact me.  I'm a ready, willing, and able customer.

So far, I haven't heard from any sign vendor.  :-)

Anyone here on Active Rain know of a sign vendor who can do this?  Or a print shop?

 

Posted by

 

Cheryl Johnson

 



 

 

Comments (9)

Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!
I think that would be a good opportunity. Have you tried your local quick sign store?
Mar 21, 2008 11:06 PM
Debra Gambill
Weichert Realtor's Southern Coast - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Realtor, N.C. / S.C
Sounds like a good idea--there are sign shops around here called "fast signs"- maybe they have them in your area too
Mar 21, 2008 11:59 PM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA

I hadn't heard of Fast Signs. so I googled them  http://www.fastsigns.com/

Looks like the closest shop is about 10 miles away from my part of L.A.  Might be worth a phone call.  Thanks.

Mar 22, 2008 12:16 AM
Jerry LaRose - Orlando Fl Real Estate Expert
Orlando Realty Partners, Orlando Short Sale Specialists - Orlando, FL
Orlando Fl Real Estate Expert, Short Sale Expert

Great Post, Thanks for the information. Keep up the great blogs. Very interesting. I enjoyed reading your blog.

Mar 22, 2008 12:34 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Cheryl, here is a place called 1-800-THE-SIGN that makes the type of signs you are looking for. I use them all the time and they have a 24 hour turn around. Hope this helps.

Good Post!

Mar 22, 2008 01:18 AM
Cheryl Johnson
Highland Park, CA
Well, look at that.  One of the Google ads showing up in sidebar looks pretty interesting, too.   A Google AdSense publisher (like me) is not permitted to click their own ad, so I'll have to type in the URL ... but the ad is this one:  www.photosignriders.com  ...
Mar 22, 2008 02:50 AM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS
Cheryl - Great idea, I am going to look around here.  Thanks!
Mar 23, 2008 07:29 AM
Ken Montville
RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD
The MD Suburbs of DC

Sounds like a heck of an idea and it would certainly set you apart.

I wonder, though, do people stop and get out of the car and read the sign?  I guess they would to get a brochure out of a brochure box.

The other thing is cost.  I remember getting a single sign with just the typical stuff on it and it was expensive as all get out.  If you get some prices for what you want....please share! 

Mar 25, 2008 04:59 AM
Goomzee Corporation
Goomzee Corporation - Missoula, MT
www.goomzee.com
I bet the "template" thing would be a great idea.  Then, everytime you had a new listing, you would just send them information to "fill in" the template.  Since we sell text for more information codes (no I'm not trying to sell you here, just explaining our process! ;), new codes are generated for each order.  We send them to the sign shop, and they print up the template signs with the new codes.  Of course if you are doing photos, the cost might be expensive, using multiple colors on the sign.
Mar 25, 2008 06:08 AM