People will always need signage for their homes, businesses and special events. Recently, we’ve been witnessing an increase in the use of digital signage, and the reason behind that is clear to all. We’re living in a digitized world. Digital signage provides advantages in its sleek look and versatility.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s enough room for both to coexist. Just because digital signage is useful in some situations doesn’t mean it’s always the best option. Traditional signage still reigns supreme in a multitude of ways. Here are a few reasons that’ll have you lean towards the tried-and-tested traditional option over newer digital choices.
Cost
This is an easy one. Obviously, aluminum signs, mesh and paper poster printing are going to cost less to manufacture than a digital LED screen. So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, go traditional rather than digital.
A common counterpoint is that digital means cost less over time because of their versatility and longevity. That may be true in some instances but with proper care, a traditional medium can last upwards of five years. You should also bear in mind that when your illustrations are static, versatility is a non-issue. Plus, in case of damage, traditional products will cost a fraction of the cost to replace compared to brand new digital hardware.
So if you know what it is that you want, you can save a lot of money by opting for the traditional choice.
Shapes
Sure, we can talk about digital media being versatile, but when was the last time you saw a digital illustration that wasn’t displayed on a rectangular screen? You can’t cut your digital design into the shape of a state or have it outlined in the shape of your company’s logo for that matter. It’s always going to be a simple rectangle.
With traditional products, you have more options for eye-catching customization when it comes to the actual form of the item. Many of our products, including our high-quality foam board printing and gator board signs can be cut into any shape you want. This will produce a stunning effect which you just can’t get from digital mediums.
Portability
Digital tech can be difficult to move from place to place. They don’t fold or compress and they’re heavy and fragile. Even after you get them to their destination, setting them up can take upwards of an hour and there’s no telling what tech problems will come up.
If you know you need a sign that needs to be moved frequently and set up quickly, there are traditional products designed specifically for that. These include X-stand banners, sandwich boards and retractable banners to name but a few. These products are built to be set up and taken down in seconds and they don’t need any kind of special accommodation when you do. They even come with a carrying bag which allows you to transport them easily.
Versatility
Sure, you can use digital advertising anywhere… as long as it has a power supply, isn’t exposed to the elements, is nowhere near water and has a sturdy surface on which you can mount it. That’s a long list of requirements. It’s not going to be easy if you need to set up a screen in the middle of a local park.
Traditional illustrations can be set up anywhere at all. You can get weather-resistant mesh banners that allow the wind to pass through or free-standing corrugated plastic signs that can be set up anywhere on solid ground. You don’t need any special utilities to use them and you don’t have to worry about them being damaged.
Maintenance
Obviously, both digital and traditional means require their fair share of maintenance. But traditional mediums require only simple, light maintenance in the form of cleaning and material care. Those are things you can do easily and largely free of charge.
When it comes time to do maintenance on digital media, it’s a much bigger ordeal. They need to be cleaned as well but maintenance usually includes paying for a specialist and going several days without having access to your product. Maintenance on a digital medium is a much more serious – and expensive – affair. These are just a few of the advantages of traditional media when compared to modern digital tech.
There are certainly advantages to both, so don’t be tempted to go fully digital. As you can see, there are still a number of advantages to traditional products and we’re here to help put those advantages to work for you.