Churches and congregations come in all shapes and denominations. Regardless of its size, a church campus relies on good signage to direct its patrons and keep them informed about upcoming events.  

Church administrators for both new churches looking to find effective methods of informing a growing congregation and older, established churches looking to maintain the facilities should consider signs and graphics to help meet their communication needs. As an advertising and communication medium, signs and graphics are considered one of the most powerful, yet most affordable, ways to promote a church's programs and services.  

For example, consider an attention-getting, permanent sign that costs $2,000 to build and install is placed outside the church on a street where 5,000 cars pass every day. If there are 21 working days in the average month, the sign can create 105,000 impressions each month or 1.26 million impressions a year. A $2,000 investment that potentially creates 1.26 million impressions a year is hard to beat, and it is more cost-effective than many other methods of communication.

Because of their relatively low cost, long life and 24-hour-a-day exposure, signs and graphics can carry the marketing message of any size church to more people per dollar invested than many other forms of advertising. A well-designed, well-placed sign can generate thousands of impressions each year, while helping build awareness of the church throughout the community.

Possible Needs
Regardless if they are interior or exterior, signs have three general purposes: to direct, to inform and to promote.

When trying to get to the right place at the right time, it is easy for church visitors to feel a bit stressed. Whether looking for the sanctuary, the nursery or the Sunday school classrooms, providing churchgoers with clear, informative signs can help point them in the desired direction quickly.   

For example, if the church has an in-house bookstore that sells CD copies of the weekly sermons or books of guest speakers, then directional signage is necessary to lead people to the right location. Both inside and outside the bookstore, point-of-purchase materials and promotional banners will draw attention to new products for sale.

Perhaps the church hosts monthly events that frequently bring in new visitors. A $200 sign or banner displayed outside the church where 10,000 cars pass by every day will be seen more than 3.5 million times in one year—a cost of about $5 for every 1,000 impressions made. That initial investment of $200 established presence within the surrounding community and
heightened awareness at a minimal cost. By placing large, full-color banners inside and outside the building, interested patrons will remain informed about the upcoming event and are more likely to remember to attend.

Banner stands are also ideal for churches to utilize in their signage program. They can display key messages and information in an aesthetically appealing manner that is consistent with the church's image. Full-color banners and posters can be created and easily changed out on the banner stand during different times of the year to coincide with the changing seasons and church events. Portable and lightweight, they can be easily moved throughout the building, depending on the need. Banner stands are great due to their flexible nature, which leaves room for last minute changes. 

Although signs and graphics are typically utilized onsite, you should also consider the role of vehicle graphics. Placing attractive graphics on the church's vehicles can be an innovative way to promote the church and increase name recognition. Whether using a van to pick up elderly members for Sunday morning service or a bus to take the youth ministry to a service project, by placing the church's message on its vehicles, administrators can generate up to 600 impressions for each mile driven. 

Signs do not have to be a commercial for the church facility; they can be informative, while still keeping with the church décor and image. Advances in technology make it possible for church administrators to take almost any surface—such as a wall, window or vehicle—and turn it into a fresh, tasteful graphic that blends well with existing signage. Even the floor can become a canvas for signs and graphics. For example, brightly colored footprints applied to the floor can be a fun, creative way to help guide parents and their young children to the Sunday school or play area.

Where to Begin
If a church's current signs are not providing the information that members need, do not convey the desired image, or are out of date, the church's administrator should consider getting an objective evaluation of the facility's sign and graphics.

Whether the main concern is budget, finding a way to work with existing signs in place, or taking on a complete facility signage makeover, administrators should seek the help of a reputable sign company. By collaborating with someone who is knowledgeable about signs and graphics, administrators and planners will be provided with guidance in selecting the best sign types, colors, typestyles and graphics possible for the message and setting.

The sign buying process can be a little intimidating, even when trying to select the simplest sign or graphic. When thinking through the different options, it helps to take into account the following questions:

* What will the sign or graphic be used for?
* How long will it be used?
* What message is the sign trying to convey?
* What is the target audience?
* What is the viewing distance for the sign and the length of time it will take for viewers to
    read it? 
* Where will the sign be placed and how will it be installed?
* What is the budget for the sign project?
* What other signs or graphics does the church need?
* When is the sign needed?

From a large, urban area church to a small, neighborhood church, the facility administrators and business planners will find that a well-planned signage program can reap many benefits. Proper use of signs and graphics can improve communication, both internally as well as externally, help visitors more easily find their destinations, aid the facility in operating more safely and efficiently, and provide greater visibility within the community.

Drue Townsend is the senior vice president of marketing for FASTSIGNS International, Inc., www.fastsigns.com, the worldwide franchisor for FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centers.

Product Roundup

Signs Plus
Exterior church signs provide a great outreach ministry. Signs Plus church signs help churches:
* Keep the congregation updated about new events
* Extend a welcome to visitors
* Invite the community to church services and events
Signs Plus church signs make it easy to reach out to everyone who passes by a church each day. The company offers a diverse line of signage, ranging from traditional outdoor manual lawn signs to state-of-the-art LED moving message signs for maximum impact.
www.signsplussigns.com

Stewart Church Signs
Since 1968, Stewart Church Signs has been providing quality outdoor signs to America's churches. The company's line of LED electronic message centers is especially popular. The high-quality signs offer:
* Endless text, graphics and video messaging capabilities
* An onboard computer for scheduling messages and months in advance so the sign is never out of date 
* Ability to program remotely from a computer with easy-to-use software
Stewart signs are available in a variety of styles, from traditional to contemporary.
www.stewartsigns.com

INNERFACE Architectural Signage
INNERFACE Architectural Signage, Inc. continues to innovate using its Accent Sign System. It features an almost endless number of available:
* Colors
* Textures
* Materials
Almost any look can be achieved using a combination of flat and/or dimensional accents. The Accent Series signs are easily maintained through the use of changeable inserts and can be made ADA compliant with the integration of raised characters and Braille.
www.innerfacesign.com

American Contour Signs
American Time and Signal Co. has announced the introduction of American Contour Signs, a refreshing option to the traditional square or rectangle signs. American Contour Signs are a convenient way to comply with ADA requirements while adding a stylish new look to your facility. The entire Interior Signage product line has been updated with:
* New colors
* New product choices
* Simplified ordering process
Unique custom designer signs are also available.
www.atsclock.com

SIGN-A-RAMA Messenger Sign
SIGN-A-RAMA's Messenger sign is designed so that pranksters cannot tamper with it. The two-part system has a removable letter cartridge and a fixed sign track.
* Insert each individual letter into the removable letter cartridge to form your message.
* Slide the cartridge into the sign track.
* Lock it.
This lightweight, all-aluminum system allows the user to bring the letter cartridge indoors, encouraging frequent and effective message changes even in adverse weather conditions.
www.signarama.com

Church-Signage.com
Signs are supposed to be noticed – even indoor signs. Church-Signage.com provides colorful and creative indoor signage at prices churches can afford. Church-Signage.com specializes in your indoor signage needs with:
* Banners
* Hanging signs
* Directionals
* Removable adhesive wall-clings
They personally interact with customers to ensure you get exactly what you want whether you select one of their templates or if you need a custom design. 
www.Church-Signage.com

SignOptix
SignOptix specializes in the custom design and manufacture of high-quality outdoor illuminated changeable copy and electronic message center church marquees. The all-inclusive Smartronics message center marquee packages (available in numerous sizes and models) feature a user-friendly handheld wireless controller, which makes changing your messages quick and trouble-free. Smartronics features:
* Numerous presentation styles
* Multiple font styles
* Maximum legibility
* Spectacular viewing distance
www.signoptix.com

EZSignsOnline.com    
EZSignsOnline.com offers beautiful, affordable, low-maintenance church signs. Their unique Web site is designed for fast, easy, step-by-step online ordering.
* Browse many options and see prices online
* Choose, size, shape, color, font, etc.
* Complete line of mounting options available
The company also makes vinyl banners.
www.EZSignsOnline.com/church