QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) have quickly become a fabulous addition to the marketing “tool box”. Their use is limited only by your imagination and creativity!

User friendly, the customer simply scans your QR Code using a smart phone, tablet, or desktop camera. There are free “scan” apps easily found and downloaded for this use.

Here at denSign we can set you up with your very own QR Code but we do so much more than that! We can turn your QR Code into a decal, puzzle, wall sign, dimension sign (interior or exterior), counter top display, POP sign, vehicle vinyl, floor art and more.

Here are two QR Code examples that denSign created. Go ahead, scan one!

See how easy that was! Our two examples will take the customer either to our website or an information     sheet we created on one of our products, Accessibility Signage.

Give denSign a call or an email and allow us to assist you in determining the size, materials, colours and quantities that best suit your QR Code design and need.

We’ve included a few photos here to show you QR Codes in action. Check them out!

The following list will give you a few ideas for QR Code uses:

• Link to a blog post
• Link to a website
• Link to specific product information
• Postcard mailer
• Instructions for assembly or application
• Link to a map
• Memory book (photo album)
• For contest information
• In the form of a puzzle
• Decals on packaging
• Decals on walls
• Decals on vehicles
• Decals on floors
• Decals on sample products
• Update an already created QR Code and stretch your marketing campaign (the same QR Code can evolve over time)
• Link to a voice mail message
• Counter top displays
• POP display information
• On t-shirts
• On business cards and letter head
• On storefront signs
• On building walls (inside or out)
• On Real Estate signs
• For new product promotion
• For contact information
• As magnets
• As handouts during conventions and trade shows

The list is endless. Use your imagination and let us help you produce your QR Code as a “sign” for your marketing needs!

The term accessibility signage refers to signs that are designed to reduce barriers for people with physical and visual impairments, as well as those who cannot read English. They are used for wayfinding, information and for fire and safety signage. In the United States the American Disability Act (ADA) has mandated tactile and Braille signage in public buildings for decades now. Accessibility signage will be increasingly required by code or legislation in Canada (the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is coming in Ontario for example). Plus, it makes sense in today’s society to include accessibility in any sign program.

How does this sign accomplish its purpose? It is important to recognize that, just as mobility issues range from difficulty in walking, through using a cane, to being in a wheelchair, visual impairment ranges from poor eyesight to being blind. So our sample sign uses key elements:

• Contrast: Good contrast between graphics and background colours (at least 60%) is essential for readability at all levels of eyesight.
• Tactile pictograms: Universal symbols are instantly recognizable and, being tactile, can be “read” by feel by the visually impaired. In this case they clearly identify the types of washrooms, without words.
• Tactile support text: At 3/4″ high it is large enough for those with poor eyesight.
• Braille: For the blind (in this case Grade 1 Braille).

At denSign we specialize in accessibility signage. The complete sign, including the tactile and Braille components, is custom manufactured in house to your specification. Or, you could use our denSert sign system.

We are familiar with most codes and requirements and will be pleased to assist in the design and specification of your wayfinding and accessibility signage needs.

Author: Robert denBoer

denSign manufactured this dimensional sign for Sign A Rama Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is our eighth location! We love this type of work as dimensional sign making is what we do best.

This particular sign is made from 1/2″ and 1/4″ PVC with Brushed Octolux on the faces and includes spacers. It is approximately 80″ wide. It is unique in that the PVC layers are interlocked to achieve one plane on the back surface. It looks beautiful mounted to the colour textured wall behind.

With care, we interview, decide to hire, train, and compensate our employee. We expect and hope for that employee to stay with us for a long time but life dictates that he does eventually move on.

At the interview stage, here at denSign, we promote a strong desire for our new employee to enjoy his or her time with us.

When hiring, we are looking for signs of loyalty, dedication, quality care, creativity and productivity in a potential employee. Just as important to us is for a new employee to join denSign with their own desire to bring and maintain these attributes. A welcome and pleasant working atmosphere, along with good training, plays a significant role in achieving this end.

A well trained employee is able to learn his or her task with accuracy and efficiency – and understands how he or she fits into production as a whole. In this way, each employee is able to learn and hone their skill with enjoyment and pride – recognizing their importance to the overall process.

So, how do we at denSign feel when a good employee leaves? Funny enough, although we feel the loss and have a hole to fill (heavy sigh), we also feel very proud.

Sign making is a worldwide industry so we feel proud that we have given  useful skills to a great employee. Whether it be in painting, sanding, router management, computerized dimensional sign design, assembly, job set up, trouble shooting, problem solving, people management, packaging, vinyl prep & application, installation, wayfinding skills or material knowledge – each learned skill can be used all over this planet. How cool is that?

So, we say goodbye with a proud satisfaction that is great enough to lighten the weight when looking for a replacement person.

In the end, we can get on with the business of sign manufacturing with a positive and forward thinking attitude.

We now have a new Octolux product called brushed #16.

I’ve attached a photo of Bru15 and the new Bru16. The difference is in the grain; continuous for #15 (like Blend S finish) and short random strokes for #16 (like #4 brushed stainless steel). So now we have two choices when choosing an Octolux stainless steel finish for the faces of our letters and shapes.

There is nothing stopping us from using both products together. The combination could add an interesting look. So, there you go folks – more to stir the creative juices!

You should also know that brass orange brushed (Bru 4) is discontinued.

Here in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada we are so very fortunate to have our very own Haliburton Sculpture Forest where nature and the beauty of art come together. At denSign, we cut different materials into various shapes each and every day. We refer to ourselves as shape makers! We were thrilled to provide some cut shapes for one of the sculptures in this park (Redwing Frond by Darlene Bolahood).

The Fronds were cut using 1/4″ polycarbonate and denSign participated in the engineering of the attachment system.

We are a sign manufacturing company but signs are interesting objects and they are indeed, in some cases, works of art!

Although we, at denSign, are immensely proud of our small but satisfying participation in this piece, it is important to be clear that we provided parts – the artist of this piece takes all of the credit for her delightful work of art.

Check out this and other wonderful works of art at www.haliburtonsculptureforest.ca

We have only good things to say about Kevin Humphrey who spent many creative and task filled hours along side me while designing this website. You can find Kevin at www.kevinhumphrey.ca. Our spell and grammar check was graciously done by Jack Bush who has a lovely site of his own at jackbush.my-expressions.com.

So, cheers to all of you who are in the process of creating your own website works of art. Have fun and enjoy the end product!