When is a sign a crime? When it’s an “aisle violator…”
Joking aside, the term “aisle violator” is used to describe signage that extends into the store aisle. Aisle violators come in various shapes and sizes. They slide into pricing channels to waggle and dangle. They are clipped onto shelf dividers or secured to fixtures with hardware.
The purpose of this type of sign is to capture a customer’s attention and increase sales in the absence of store personnel. The challenge for a designer is to make it work without being too intrusive on this critical space.
It is important to have an accurate knowledge of the physical environment in which the signs will be used. Planning the graphics with consideration of space is essential. Once this is known, the sign size and style, the installation method and material selection can be determined.
The common materials used are opaque flexible vinyl and rigid styrene. Double sided printing on these substrates is typical and makes for best use of this valuable real estate. Graphic content can be image or text based and is normally tied to product promotions featured on other campaign materials. Printing method, bright inks or foils and contour cutting are techniques employed to produce optimum effects.
The use of less commonly chosen materials in an aisle sign application is starting to appear. Frosted clear plastics can be printed and secured to create a “free floating” affect. The eye catching illusion appears less intrusive yet effective. The trend is clear…
When is a sign not a crime? When it’s just appears…
Published 5/1/2012 – by Gerald Hazlett
