All too often important announcements or vital bits of information are lost or go unnoticed. A Noticeboard can help to improve communication and can become a central focus, or even a meeting place for employees or communities.

Top Uses for Noticeboards

  • To post public messages for people
  • Help build company brand
  • As a Bulletin Board for company updates
  • Advertise upcoming events
  • Promote communication between administration and other staff
  • Announce company results – which can enhance productivity and build staff motivation
  • Create unity and a common purpose between staff members and help team building

Where Should You locate Your Noticeboards?

  • Chose a central and prominent position
  • Having dual or multiple locations work well
  • Create a hierarchy of notice boards i.e. general company info, departmental down to social events and news – this could form part of a well structured internal communications project
  • Look for places where people naturally gather, the photocopier & coffee machine are popular choices

Choosing Your Noticeboards

  • Where is your noticeboard to be displayed? We can provide noticeboards and display cases that are sympathetic to your environment. We can also offer advice on the levels of weather or vandal protection your external notice boards may require.
  • What information are you going to display? Is the information permanent or will it require updating regularly? We offer notice boards with fabric covered pin boards which are also Velcro friendly, magnetic or for fixed permanent display. Locking notice boards give flexibility and security. These can also be simple tamper proof snap frames / clip poster frames that allow very quick access to update your display.
  • When will the information be viewed? Illumination can be incorporated, extending optimum viewing conditions. Lighting increases the functionality of your sign or noticeboard, not only making viewing easier, but also adding to the aesthetics of your display.
  • Consider LED signs – LED displays communicate high impact messages which can be easily updated.

How To Be Creative with your Noticeboards

  • Try theming your noticeboards, tie in with seasonal celebrations like Christmas, Halloween or even a company anniversary
  • Run regular competitions through your noticeboards and publish the winners on the boards too
  • Be creative with the display – use colourful borders,  and cut-out letters to add impact. Why not add texture with other objects to create a collage effect? A school supplies company will be able to provide you with a huge range of colourful materials to create a truly unique and creative noticeboard

By spending some time planning your noticeboards you can turn them into a valuable resource. Experiment with the types of information displayed and the way it is presented. Ask for feedback from staff, by asking them what they would like posted on the boards they are more likely to take notice and absorb other company information that you publish.

The environment plays a large part in the impact that a sign will have. The longevity of a sign is affected by many factors. These include:

  • The amount of exposure to the sun
  • The range of temperatures where the sign will be located
  • The surface colour of the sign, red fades the most.
  • The environment where the sign will be installed, an exposed location will reduce the life of your sign, or an area with high levels of traffic will be affected by pollutants.
  • The chemical composition of the films
  • The thickness of the ink coating
  • The amount of UV radiation that the sign will have, i.e. a shaded location will prolong the life of your sign.

Although each of these factors influence how long your sign will last and so the effectiveness of the message, there is little doubt that the most significant factor in sign longevity is UV radiation. A protective overlay film (POF) can be over-laminated on to any aluminium or rigid plastic sign to give a greater degree of protection to the sign face. It allows:

  • Easier removal of Graffiti
  • Resistance to scuffs
  • UV protection – anti fade
  • Easier to clean
  • Prolongs life of sign

All signage material manufacturers use a worldwide standard rating system to determine the life of material based on application being 90 degrees vertical and facing north. However, one of the most important pieces of advice in positioning your sign is to get it absolutely right. If mount your sign with a slight tilt i.e tilting the sign backwards by as little as 5 degrees and you will reduce the life of the sign by approximately 50 percent.

Whilst UV light is the most important, other environmental factors that affect the life of the sign, which could damage your signs, are dirt, salt, acid rain, general pollution and more. All of these factors can reduce the life span of your signage, and need to be taken in to consideration. Our Safety Signs – How to clean your safety signs guide offer advice on general maintenance and up keep of your signs.  The type of fixing you choose can also effect the life of your sign, our article on Tips for the Care and Installation of Vitreous Enamel Signs  highlights the need for correct fixing methods Vitreous enamel signs. Other guides regarding the installation of general signage are as follows:

How to Install Your Signs – Part 1- Self Adhesive Vinyl Signs

How to install your signs – Part 2 – Choosing the right sign post height

How to install your signs – Part 3 – Installation of standard safety signs and general signage

  • Choose the right material for your sign, based on the conditions that it will be placed in. Our Sales Team would be happy to advise you on the best sign materials for your needs.
  • Make sure that your sign substrate or vinyl is free of any contaminants by washing with a mild detergent first and when dried wiping with a solvent saturated cloth.
  • Position your sign to reduce the affect that the environment will have on it.

There are several elements of school signage schemes that can be used to build school identity. These can range from clear branded welcome boards, navigation signs, information signs, down to standard health and safety signs. They all have their part to play in building school identity.

Why do schools need signage?

1. Improves safety inside schools

Keeping students safe inside a school’s premises is the top priority and signage can help support that. This means making sure that health and safety signs are in the appropriate places.

Schools have to make sure that fire alarms, fire exits and other safety signs are clearly displayed, and every classroom and corridor has a sign which directs students to the nearest fire exit and alarms in case of an emergency.

2. Increases punctuality and attendance

Punctuality and attendance is always a concern for school’s because it reduces learning time when students are not in the classroom. Sometimes, the reason for this is because in larger schools, it can take students more time to navigate themselves to the classroom because they either get lost, or are not aware of the quickest routes. A good way to help students get to classrooms quicker is by installing arrow signs to remind students which directions to take.

3. Helps promote core values and the brand

It’s common for schools to promote their core values and brand identity using signage. These are often displayed in the main entrance, in classrooms or on the walls. When promoting core value, the schools have a real opportunity to communicate to potential students and parents, which might reflect their decision to join your school or another. 

What types of signage should be used in schools?

The information for this header is already in the blog. I think this H2 should be at the top, following the list of signs (school welcome signs, navigational, information signs, safety signs etc). Some imagery of these types of signs should be included with internal linking to the products. 

How to improve school safety using signage?

To ensure maximum safety within a schools premises, you need to make sure signs are placed in all the necessary locations where hazards and risks could arise. This includes cleaning signs in toilets, fire hazard signs in kitchens and warning signs in classrooms with chemicals. Here you can find all the school signs you may need. If you’re unsure about the types of signs required, check out ‘Most Common Workplace Safety Signs in the UK’ 

Once you’ve got the signage. You need to make sure that their positioned at the correct height so they’re visible to children and workers. The positioning of the signs must comply with Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996. 

School Welcome Signs

The main school entrance signs and welcome boards are your first signage points of contact with staff, children, parents and visitors and are your primary identity builders. If you start with strong images and messages on these boards, these design elements can then be carried throughout the school and grounds on all the remaining signage.

Navigational and Wayfinding School Signs

Your wayfinding signs should carry the same branding elements e.g. school colours and logos etc as your “Welcome” School signs. Directories and wayfinding sign systems aim to make navigation around unfamiliar grounds and buildings as simple as possible. These signs are often the second point of contact after the “Welcome Boards” that people have with your school and first impressions count. As well as the functionality of the sign, design and aesthetics should be considered. School names and logos should be recognised at a glance and directional instructions should be instantly understood. An efficient way finding system will help new students orientate themselves quickly and alleviate some of the anxiety felt by new pupils. If they can find their way round easily from the start they will have a much more comfortable and relaxed start to their time at your school. All these small elements help to build a positive feel to the identity of the school.

Information School Signs

Children’s information signs help to create boundaries and guidelines to keep children safe. By publishing some of the guidelines you advertise your commitment to safety and to children’s personal and social development. Our article on using school and playground signs as teaching aids illustrates how they can be used to promote people skills and relationship building as well as traditional learning. For general information signs and notices use your school colours and keep the font used the same throughout. Even the simplest of information signs benefits from adding your school logo – adding authority to your messages. Use bright 3D Pictorial signs in your premises, these not only soften harsh building environments and add colour but work as teaching aids and can help students with learning difficulties. Use banners not only to advertsise school events in the community but also to celebrate success.

They can be used to display fundraising targets, results or just good news.

School Safety Signs

Safety signs have an obvious purpose – they are used to protect and guide pupils, staff and visitors. There is a legislative obligation to have the correct signage in place. However if you have to have them you may as well get them to work harder and promote your school identity. Add you school logo or name to help create uniformity throughout the school. Use braille sign versions of safety signs to aid your commitment to DDA regulations and children with special needs. Many signage companies will carry our signs site surveys to make sure you are complying with the latest safety sign legislation giving peace of mind to staff and parents.

By careful planning your signs can do so much more, whether replacing worn-out signs or going through a refurbishment make sure every sign you purchase works hard in terms of functionality but also helps reflect your school identity.

You don’t need to be a Marketing Guru to know that advertising helps promote a business and is vital to success. There are many ways to advertise and signs are one way of the most cost-effective and visual ways to do so. There are many forms of signs each with their own roles to play within a business. Signs can be divided into four main groups: corporate signage, way finding, information signs and safety signs. Part 1 of this guide will concentrate on how to get the best from your Corporate Signage. (more…)

Here are some factors to think about when choosing your external customised notice boards.

Tips on choosing the right noticeboard for you.

  • Where is your noticeboard to be displayed? We can provide noticeboards and lockable display cases that are sympathetic to your environment, or offer advice on the levels of weather or vandal protection your bespoke signs may require.
  • What information are you going to display? Is the information permanent or require updating regularly. We offer notice boards with fabric covered pin boards which are also velcro friendly, magnetic or fixed permanent display. Locking notice boards give flexibility and security. These can also be simple tamper proof snap frames / clip poster frames that allow very quick access to update your display.
  • When will the information be viewed? Illumination can be incorporated extending optimum viewing conditions. Lighting increases the functionality of your sign or noticeboard, not only making viewing easier, but adding to the aesthetics of your display.

wooden noticeboard, display casesStocksigns the signage manufacturer