As an owner of a successful Seattle sign company that has been in business for over 20 years, I can attribute much of my business success to... Banners!
In the beginning, way back in 1995, we were known as "McNamara Banner and Sign". Banners came first. In fact, my first "blog" (a newsletter printed on color paper) was called "The Banner", which we sent out in envelopes, hand stuffed and with licked stamps. We were determined to strive and succeed in the Northwest and we worked at it – still do. The amount of business in our area - from banks, to start ups, to restaurants and retail shops small and large (like Amazon which started about a year before us) - created an explosion of creative message placement opportunities in the early days that got us rolling. Quality banners kept us growing and saw us through two economic downturns.
Even though now our business’ name is McNamara Signs, we haven’t forgotten banners. Banner signs have always been, and continue to be, an important part of what we do here at McNamara Signs. Our quality work and commitment to service will keep us growing as we look to the future. Craftsmanship and service are ideals that have been with us since the beginning and have served us well.
Vinyl banners are especially easy compared to the other stuff I make here in our shop. (I just made my first weld the other day, still learning after 20 years!) But banners are FUN. People like banners. They are an easy and inexpensive way to get a message out. And, when done right they put a smile on the customers face. Banners are cost effective, fast to produce and get the job done. They commemorate, inform, inspire, direct, educate, enhance, and WORK. During tough economic times like the dot com bust of 2000, and the housing bubble burst of 2007, McNamara Signs used banners to advertise. We also made a lot of banners for local businesses during that time. At times the messages were bleak - “Closing”, “Going Out of Business”, “Sale”. Banner signs even then proved their worth - they were so effective businesses spent their last dollars putting them to work.
Today’s banner projects include “Go Hawks!” rally packages and other signage for our 12th to show their love and support for the Seahawks! I have made bets with sign companies in other cities, the loser has to make and send a photo of the opposing teams banner hanging in their shop. Most of the shops pay up, although usually begrudgingly.
Over the past 20 years we have seen this great advertising explode. "Banners" are sold at office supply stores, online print shops, and a lot of other business that set up a printer. The big producers out there have printers that can print 1000's of feet per hour. Some speciality printers work magic with fabric and structures. Buildings get wrapped, stadiums rebranded overnight. More materials and inks than ever create a palate of options not available back in 1995, or even 2005.
And while such ease and availability may move the banner towards commodity, our work is not a commodity. There is attention to detail, care for use, love of endeavor, and the experience to maximize our clients ability to communicate. We know that the 18oz blackout with full color printing and reinforced hems and wind slits probably isn't for grandpa's surprise party, but you sure better make it that way if you are stringing it across a street. When we made our first banners, clients could chose from red, yellow, blue, white, black and green- and there were about 70 standard colors to cut on a plotter and apply. If you just need to say something, the old tried-and-true banners are still the most cost effective and durable way to go. (I have see some of my banners that have been up for 10 years!) Today, we still make cut vinyl banners, but offer our consumers more printing options. We’ll continue to work with our customers to provide the best, highest quality sign for your business.