SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Signage in schools and colleges remains important, even in post-pandemic times, but they have specific requirements. Flexibility is key for dealers if they are to boost sales

D

uring the pandemic signage gained an unprecedented importance in both schools and workplaces. As the need for social distancing, and taking specific routes through school premises, became the norm, signs were used to reinforce the messages.

Now restrictions have been lifted, but signage is still important in schools and dealers who supply products to schools and colleges can add this to their conversations with customers and generate additional revenue.

As Steph Gentle, marketing director at Beaverswood, notes, human beings – children and adults alike – respond very well to visual cues. “By its very nature, visual communication (viscomm) plays an important role in the school setting, as well as the general workplace. Signage is a great viscomm aid and plays a key role in the viscomm mix,” she says.

Colour is a very powerful and effective

visual cue – and this is as true in a school as it is in a workplace setting. “Using coloured document frames and boards enables you to communicate important messages – messages that need more than just a standardised sign to get the key points across,” Steph explains, going on to recommend that using colourful self-adhesive and magnetic frames to house different signs makes them super-flexible, with many potential uses.

“It gives you messaging versatility, as it’s easy to insert new and current information into the frames, for example, the ’Topic of the month’.”

Signage has long been used to effectively communicate safety messages, Steph points out. In an industrial setting this could involve clearly marking out pedestrian zones and signalling fire exits and, in a school setting, floor markings can help to signal walkways, provide directions to different areas of the building and, again, mark the fire exits.

LABELLING

Steph is also a fan of labelling, and says that magnetic and easy wipe tapes are very popular with schools, universities and colleges. “For lockers you can buy rolls of colourful magnetic strip and cut it to size. You can have these pre-printed or use wet wipe pens so that changes can be made with a damp cloth.

“Self-adhesive versions of colourful, easy-wipe tape provide an excellent option for labelling trays and drawers.”

Another top seller for schools are magnetic numbers and letters. Used with magnetic boards – for the desk or larger, wall-mounted, boards – they can help children with spelling as well as creating messages.

There are also ranges available that can be stuck to windows and, crucially, these leave no residue when they eventually need to be taken off.

This is important for customers, says Rosie Brown, marketing assistant at Durable UK. There are now a wide range of products available that are designed to attach to smooth indoor surfaces – such as doors, cabinets, glass panes and walls – and be removed without leaving a residue.

This is important, as there is an increasing need in schools for flexibility so that information be updated and display materials easily re-purposed.

“Since the pandemic started signage has had to be versatile, and adaptable, due to important information changing so frequently,” says Rosie. “Signage that requires no drilling, and can be easily attached in seconds in any environment, is very popular now.”

Another important signage consideration is that it can be always seen, whatever the conditions. “Products with anti-glare screens can be important for ensuring that signs do not get obscured when the sun shines on them.”

MORE THAN JUST INFORMATION

Peter Clayton of Spectrum believes that while the main purpose of signage is to communicate simple messages it can do much more – more creatively – if you let it. “Signage such as custom-designed wall graphics is popular currently as this provides an easy and simple way to freshen up classrooms, canteens and more,” he says.

Another trend, and something that has become a more important part of range conversations and new signage product development in recent years, is sustainability.

“At Spectrum we manufacture safety signage that is often produced from plastics, so we face a balancing act between having a product which matches the customer’s expectations for longevity that also has green credentials,” he explains. “In many cases a fire exit sign, for example, will be in situ for 10 years plus – very different to a single use plastic bottle! The product lifespan is important.

“We are gradually shifting product to a material we have sourced which offers a similar quality to RPVC, but is recyclable and, crucially, shouldn’t cost the customer more.”

EASY WIN

These varied examples demonstrate that selling a range of signage options can be an easy win for dealers that are already supplying schools with other types of office supplies – dealers can just introduce the possibilities into existing conversations they are already having with contacts.

The demand for colourful, attractive signage that can be easily put up and – just as importantly – easily taken down and re-used seems likely to be here to stay, given the frequency with which messages need to be changed these days.

There is plenty of scope for dealers to make consistent sales in this area – all the signs are pointing in that direction.

Signage such as custom-designed wall graphics is popular currently