This Sign Was Born From a Customer's Request

Every so often at Atlas Signs and Plaques we are challenged to bring a truly wild idea to life. Our brand new Bunny Address Plaque is an example of us meeting that challenge.

On every page of our e-commerce site there is a link to another page that says, “We design your ideas”. This section allows you to submit, in words, your custom sign idea. We read those words and convert them into graphic art, which is used for the signs layout. We always do our best to meet your exact specifications. Sometimes that promise is challenging to keep. For instance, the Bunny Address Sign that you see atop this post was born from a custom request of only 7 words. “A rabbit in a field of grass.” Ok, go. Turning that idea into a sign takes a lot of vision and skill. Fortunately, our design team (of one) embraces a good challenge.

Do you have an idea for a sign but don’t have the time or patience to develop your own graphics? Let us help you! We never fail to arrive at a great design for our customers. Take the story of the Bunny Address sign as evidence: you can say something very vague like “eagle flying sunset house numbers” and we will  bring your idea to life—soaring beyond your expectations and satisfying even the harshest of critics…ourselves.

The Stock Version of "Keep the Peace"

“Custom” is the first word in the URL for this blog. It is also the first word for this blog’s sister site: www.customasap.com. See the trend? Custom. Here at Atlas Sign and Plaques we customize signage for people every day. Most of the custom orders are easily handled; but some requests tend to lean on the ridiculous side of sanity. Here’s a brief snapshot of what’s good customization and what’s impossible. We’ll start with dessert first.

About a month ago we received an order from a customer who loved the design of our “Keep the Peace” plaque. He did not, however, love the words on it because the word “peace” on a peace sign is indeed, tacky. Instead, he requested “Go Easy, Man” in place of “Keep the Peace.”

Done. A crisp, logical replacement of very appropriate and similarly sized words. Well done. Thank you kind sir, we loved making your sign and hope that you enjoy it for a long time.

The Custom Version

As You Can See, There's Only Room for 2 Digits

Here’s what we cannot customize. Today I received a call from a customer who wanted to put four digits on our custom Stickley 2 digit address and street name plaque. I told that customer: “It can’t be done”. There is no way that we can cram that many numbers into that small of a space and have the print be legible. It simply cannot be done.

Instead of finding ways to cram an infeasible amount of text into a tiny area, I led the customer to our overwhelmingly popular American Craftsman Address Plaque. It offers the same features of the Stickley 2 digit address plaque (street name and number), is styled similarly, and costs about the same (even less). The customer then happily provided the address, street name, and we were on our merry way.

Here’s my point. We have an enormous selection of sign templates to choose from. If a certain sign does not look like it will fit your request then keep shopping. We have hundreds of options to choose from. If you don’t find anything then give us a call and we will happily work with you.

A Very Fine Alternative to the Stickley

Remember, if a sign only has 2 numbers on it, then that’s how many numbers we are able to put on it—the same goes for text. We can customize our signs to say anything you want, or have any numbers you want—just please, for everyone’s well being, keep it reasonable.

All of our signs are made in the U.S.A. with American made parts and American labor.

Looking Great on a Budget

Whether it is labeled as a “headwind” or a full-blown recession, the past couple of years have been financially tough on most all denominations and faiths

Historical Chapel Plaque

Some have seen revenues at the collection plate fall by over 40%. Once unheard of, bankruptcies filings are becoming normal. In January The Wall Street Journal stated “Over the past two years, 200 religious facilities have been foreclosed, up from 8 the previous two years”.

The answer to improving church finances is to borrow less. The way to borrow less, is to spend less.

Here is where Atlas Signs and Plaques enters the picture with religious plaques at an affordable price. By using modern, long-lasting materials, Atlas Signs and Plaques can provide religious and church plaques at about 1/3 the price as from a foundry. That’s right, beautiful church signage at a price that stretches scarce resources!

The photos in this post are of St. Mary’s Cemetery in Burlington WI. They were  kindly sent to us by Bob Straus who wrote:

Janey;
Enclosed are photos of our cemetery chapel. You may may use them on your web site if you care to…. Thanks again for all your help in designing the plaque.
Bob Straus

Thanks for the photos of your beautiful chapel.

See the plaques flanking the President

President Obama was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony for The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London CT on May 18th 2011. In a way, Atlas Signs and Plaques was in attendance as well. Sort of in attendance.

Presdent Obama sneaks a quick peek at Coast Guard Plaque

A few days before the commencement (a very few days), Atlas received a call from the Academy requesting two bronze coated Coast Guard Plaques to be used during the ceremony. Since the President of the United States was going to be speaking at the event, we took on the project knowing that it would be a “push” to get them done and shipped in time.

This is not the first time Atlas Signs and Plaques worked with the Coast Guard Academy. A few years ago, Atlas created a five-foot diameter copper finished Coast Guard Plaque and shipped it to New London. The repeat business from such a prestigious institution is both appreciated and gratifying.

President looking good behind the Atlas Military Plaque

We think you will agree that the plaques are beautiful, but you probably didn’t know that they are also very economical. Atlas is always looking for opportunities to save money for our fellow taxpayers, and although a “thanks Atlas” from you would be appreciated, remember that we are taxpayers as well, and would like to see this fiscal responsibility continued and expanded. So, no thanks are required.

And…Every custom plaque from Atlas Signs and Plaques is Made in the USA, using American materials and American labor.

Note: All photos on this page are from the CT Post

Get Rid of the Sales Persons, Keep the Scouts

It is an age-old question. You desire to keep solicitors at bay, but allow Girl Scouts and other children to knock at your door and be welcome to sell their cookies and other goodies.

See the dilemma? Let’s say that you desire a plaque that says “No Solicitors, Except Girl Scouts”. Most know what you mean, but read it through suspicious eyes. All you really want to do is have some privacy and, at the same time, allow a select group to knock on your door. See? A dilemma.

Atlas Signs and Plaques has faced this issue before. Someone wants to let Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, School Organizations, and other youngsters sell their goodies to raise money for the trip to Washington D.C. or New York. The easy solution has evaded us until recently. In the past, Atlas has discouraged such No Soliciting Signs because of our paranoia about our clients sending the wrong message to the neighborhood thought police. Our society is so screwed up at times, that good and pure deeds get taken to the trash along with the real garbage. What a sad situation it is to be forced to edit a simple sign with a distrustful mind.

One solution is to hang a No Soliciting Sign, but pull it in during fund raising season. Another solution is to just say it and let the neighbors think that your home is full of perverts. The first choice has tricky timing issues, the second is just creepy.

Ok, here is the solution that has evaded the civilized world for eons.

It is simple. It is elegant. It is cute. It is clever. It is all about using an unexpected typeface and wording that sends a subtle message that is non-offensive. Alright, this is not a secret since the design is pictured at the top of the page. But here is why it works. Take a font that is traditionally Arts and Crafts or Craftsman style. combine it with a message that has a term that has been associated with Girl Scout cookies forever, change the word order around, and the message has been sent. The No Soliciting Unless You Sell Thin Mints message has been sent loud and clear, but without sounding weird.