AUTOGRAPHS

Free Printable Signs – Printing & Display Tips

There are many resources for free printable signs on the internet but what are some of the best ways to print and display them.  In this article I will share some tips for printing and displaying your signs that I have used in the past.

PRINTING TIPS

BUY GOOD QUALITY PAPER

Standard copy paper usually has a weight of 80gsm. I would recommend buying paper no less than 120gsm. Anything less than this prints colour poorly as the paper is not thick enough to absorb the ink properly.

WHAT TYPE OF PRINTER SHOULD I USE?

These are some general tips for buying a Printer but the technology is changing all the time.  Remember just because the Printer is cheap doesn’t mean it won’t cost you a fortune in toner cartridges.

INKJET PRINTERS

Ink jet Printers are usually cheaper to buy but the consumables, i.e. Printer Toners / Fusers tend to be more expensive. The general rule of thumb is the cheaper the Printer, the more expensive the Toner. Ink jet Printers also tend to be slower than Laser Printers. Ink jet Printers are for high quality photographic prints as they are set up for this.

LASER PRINTERS

Laser Printers are quieter, faster and usually provide you with less hassle with fewer printer errors. Laser Printer ink cartridges are usually cheaper than Ink jet cartridges. Laser Printers are best for text documents and Posters with a lot of solid colour.

TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON PRINTING COSTS

Buy a new printer.  If you’re using an older Printer you’re probably buying expensive toner cartridges. The newer models are a lot cheaper and their consumables can be quite a bit cheaper. You might find that the savings on the new consumables are enough to offset the cost of buying a new printer within a few months.

Recycle printer cartridges. Many office supply stores will give you discounted toner cartridges if you return your empty toner cartridges to them. And it’s good for the environment too.

Consider refilling toner cartridges rather than returning them. You can buy a kit for refilling ink jet cartridges that can save you a money over time.

Buy re-manufactured toner cartridges from stores which specialize in recycling printer cartridges and reselling them.

Buy Toners in bulk – You can find some great deals online for buying Ink Cartridges in bulk for a lot cheaper.

Use Draft mode – If your Printer settings have a draft mode, use this to use less ink when printing your draft signs.

DISPLAY TIPS

Always change your posters on a regular basis. Sun-damaged or rough edged posters look very unprofessional and can damage the look of your store.

Use some of the following solutions to keep your printables looking clean and professional.

LAMINATING

Buy a Laminator. This doesn’t have to be an expensive option.  You can get an A3 laminator for approximately £20-£30.

5 tips for great Lamination:

1) Check that the indicator light is glowing to insure proper temperature has been reached.

2) Turn machine off when project is completed as too much heat can damage the printable.

3) Leave ample room for the completed printable to exit the machine. Remove printable from machine once finished. Allow printable to lay flat for cooling.

4) A test sheet is always recommended before beginning your laminating project to guarantee picture-perfect lamination.

5) Trim excess lamination only after printable has cooled.

Avery® have a range of self-laminating adhesives available. These Signs are quick and easy to use and can be removed easily without leaving any sticky residue.

ACRYLIC TABLE TOP SIGN HOLDERS

Perfect for highlighting certain sale products in a display area.  These can be purchased in a number of sizes from A5-A3 and also double sided. Use them to display price cards or special offers.

CHANGEABLE POSTER FRAMES

Attach these securely to a wall and change them regularly by easily sliding in your printables. Available in various formats from plastic to aluminium.

FLOOR STANDING SIGN HOLDERS

Buy floor standing sign holders and display your printables as either A4 / A3, portrait or landscape. As well as standard paper some of these can be used with laminated paper. Your sale items can be stacked around the stand to improve stand out. As well as being easy to use these floor stands can be used repeatedly.

HANGING SIGNS

These are available in various formats. The most professional looking, in my opinion are the Aluminium Hanging Poster clamps designed to grip the top and bottom edge of your signs. They make ideal reusable sign hanging rails. Supplied as a pair, the weight of the bottom rail serves to keep the sign tensioned.

LIGHT BOXES

If your feeling flush you could splash out on some Light boxes.  These are similar to the poster frames buts have LED lights that back-light your printable, illuminating your sign, making it stand out. Light boxes are usually available in A3 – A0 formats.

About the Author

Craig Balbirnie

www.myshopsigns.com

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