Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes in Large Format Signage

Amber Hollier • July 15, 2025

Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes in Large Format Signage

Large format signage is one of the best tools businesses use to grab the attention of their prospects and build brand awareness. This is done through a variety of means, like banners outside your storefront, a trade show backdrop, or a billboard on a busy highway. These displays often serve as the first introduction to any business. However, many companies unknowingly sabotage their signage by making preventable mistakes that hurt readability and impact. These are five of the most common pitfalls we've seen and how to avoid them when planning your next large format print project. If you’re working with a Houston printer, you’ll also have local expertise to help you make the most of your signage investment.


1. Low-Resolution Images

One of the most frequent issues is using images that look crisp on a computer screen but turn blurry and pixelated when enlarged. Large format prints require very high-resolution files to maintain clarity. Always provide original images at the highest resolution possible and avoid pulling graphics from the web. A professional printer can guide you on the ideal DPI (dots per inch) needed for your specific project size.


2. Poor Contrast and Color Choices

Even the most beautiful design will fail if people can’t read it easily. Low-contrast color combinations, such as light gray text on a white background, can disappear from a distance. Consider how your signage will look in different lighting conditions—daylight, shade, or artificial light—and use high-contrast colors that stand out. Test your design at scale to make sure it is easily readable.


3. Ignoring Viewing Distance

Following up on number two, when designing signage, think carefully about where it will be placed and how far away viewers will be. Text that’s legible from five feet away may be unreadable across a parking lot. Use large, bold fonts for headlines and keep copy minimal. As a rule of thumb, the farther away your audience, the simpler your design should be.


4. Overcrowded Design

Trying to include every detail—logo, tagline, phone number, website, and a list of services—can quickly clutter your layout. Visual overload reduces comprehension and impact. Focus on one clear message or call to action. Clean, uncluttered designs are more professional and more likely to be remembered.


5. Skipping Proofing Steps

Finally, never underestimate the importance of thorough proofing. Typos, misaligned elements, or incorrect colors are not only embarrassing but could be costly to fix after printing. Always review your proofs carefully and have at least one other person check them before final approval.


Avoiding these common mistakes when working on your next large format print will help you clearly communicate your message and reflect the quality of your brand. Of course, we highly recommend partnering with an experienced Houston printer who can guide you through each step of the process and create your project the way you have envisioned for it to be.

Why You’re Not Getting Google Reviews (and How to Fix It)

By Amber Hollier • June 17, 2025
Online reviews are as good as gold for any business. Google Reviews add to your credibility and directly impact how easily potential customers find you online. But here’s the hard truth: many companies struggle to collect reviews, even when they have plenty of happy customers. If your business isn’t getting the reviews you deserve, here’s why...and, more importantly, how to turn that around. 1. You’re Not Asking — Or Not Asking The Right Way It might sound obvious, but a huge reason companies don’t get Google Reviews is simply because they don’t ask. Many satisfied customers assume you don’t need their feedback unless you tell them otherwise. Even worse, if you only ask once and in an inconvenient way, customers are likely to forget. How to Fix It: Make asking for reviews a consistent, simple part of your customer communication. Train your staff to ask after a purchase or successful service. Include a polite, clear request in follow-up emails or invoices. A direct line like, “Your feedback means the world to us — would you mind leaving a quick review?” goes a long way. 2. It’s Too Hard to Leave a Review If your customers have to hunt for your business on Google, find the right link, and log in, you’re asking too much. The more steps involved, the fewer reviews you’ll get. How to Fix It: Create a direct link and/or generate a QR code that goes straight to your Google Review page. Google provides a special URL that takes customers directly to the review box. Add this link to your website, email signature, thank-you pages, front desk, and receipts. The easier you make it, the more likely people are to follow through. 3. You Don’t Follow Up People are busy. Even happy customers forget to leave reviews when life gets in the way. Many businesses ask once and never remind customers again. How to Fix It: Automate a gentle follow-up. Send a reminder a few days after your first request. Use simple, friendly language that expresses genuine appreciation for their time. Tools like email marketing platforms or CRMs can help you schedule this automatically. 4. You’re Not Showcasing Reviews Believe it or not, customers are more likely to leave reviews when they see others doing it. This is a lot like how customers are more likely to leave tips when they see a few dollars already in the tip jar. If your Google profile looks empty, people may feel their effort won’t make a difference. How to Fix It: Highlight existing positive reviews on your website, social media, and in-store signage. This builds trust with potential customers and encourages others to join in. 5. You Don’t Have a Company Culture That Values Reviews Sometimes the problem starts within the business. If your team doesn’t see reviews as a priority, they won’t remember to ask customers consistently. How to Fix It: Make reviews part of your company culture. Celebrate great feedback in team meetings and share positive reviews with your staff. Recognize employees who help generate the most reviews...a little internal competition never hurts! Start Growing! More Google Reviews means more trust, more clicks, and ultimately more business. By making it easy, asking consistently, and showing appreciation, your company can increase their online visibility and credibility. Need printed thank-you cards with a QR code that links straight to your Google Review page? We can help! Bring your happy customers into the heart of your marketing.

Where Print Belongs in the Funnel: Awareness, Nurture, and Conversion

By Amber Hollier • April 28, 2025
Print marketing is at times overlooked as our digital landscape continues to grow. However, it remains a powerful and measurable tool when used appropriately and with a plan. In many cases, it’s the catalyst that moves a customer to convert. Understanding when and where it can have the greatest impact is the best place to start. Top of Funnel: Building Awareness At the awareness stage, your goal is to put your brand on the map. Printed mediums grab the attention of your potential customers and are often times a customers’ first impression of your brand. Use Case: Door Hangers and EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) Targeting by geography, print offers something digital can’t— guaranteed visibility in the home. Door hangers, for example, are placed directly on the doorknob, requiring physical interaction. EDDM campaigns are highly effective for hyperlocal businesses looking to introduce themselves to a new neighborhood.  Use Case: Event Banners and Large Format Signage Trade shows, pop-up shops, and community festivals are all opportunities to increase your brand visibility. A well-designed retractable banner or table throw gives your business credibility and creates visual interest. Middle of Funnel: Nurture and Engagement Once a potential customer is aware of your brand, you want to keep them engaged. This stage is about providing value and reinforcing your brand's trustworthiness. Do not underestimate the power of high quality print materials contribution to this stage. Use Case: In-Store Brochures and Catalogs At the point of sale or customer service desk, brochures offer a way to deepen product understanding without requiring staff time. Printed catalogs let customers browse at home, keeping your brand in a customer’s field of vision for impressions to be made long after the initial interaction. Use Case: Educational Print Materials Industries like healthcare, financial services, and B2B consulting benefit from printed whitepapers, infographics, and educational mailers. These pieces show thought leadership while also functioning as high-value leave-behinds after meetings or seminars. Bottom of Funnel: Conversion and Retention Here’s where many businesses assume digital tools are their only option. But print can be the finishing touch that drives a decision—or re-engages a quiet lead. Use Case: Re-Engagement Direct Mail Campaigns For customers who haven’t responded to emails or clicked on ads, a direct mail piece with a compelling offer or personalized message can reignite interest. Include a QR code or personalized URL (PURL) to track response and measure impact. Use Case: Personalized Thank You Cards and Loyalty Mailers After a sale, a printed thank-you card or follow-up mailer with a discount code feels personal and thoughtful. It also increases the chance of repeat business—especially if it arrives a week or two after a purchase, when satisfaction is at its peak. Why It Matters Print may not offer instant metrics like email open rates, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be measured. By integrating QR codes, tracking phone numbers, or custom landing pages, print’s impact can be analyzed just like digital. Businesses that embrace this hybrid approach stand to gain a competitive edge. Creating print touchpoints with each stage in your marketing funnel makes for a more memorable and measurable customer journey.

The Psychology of Paper: How Texture and Weight Influence Buyer Behavior

By Amber Hollier • April 8, 2025
When you think about your printed marketing materials—whether it's a brochure, a direct mail piece, or product packaging—your mind likely goes straight to design, layout, and color. But there’s one element that silently shapes how your audience feels about your brand the moment they touch it: the paper. The texture and weight of your paper play a subtle yet powerful role in how people perceive your business. It's not just about how your materials look, but how they feel—and that feeling can shape trust, credibility, and brand loyalty. Why Touch Matters in Marketing Touch is one of the most immediate and emotional human senses. Studies have shown that physical contact with an object creates a stronger emotional response than visual input alone. When someone picks up a printed piece, their brain immediately begins forming opinions about its quality and purpose—often before they even read a word. This is where your paper choice becomes a quiet but influential part of your message. A heavy, textured card stock communicates something very different than a lightweight glossy flyer. The feel in the hand becomes a reflection of your brand’s quality. What Texture Says About Your Brand Let’s look at how different paper textures influence perception: Glossy finishes offer a sleek, polished feel—great for brands that want to appear modern and professional. They're commonly used in tech, real estate, and lifestyle catalogs. Matte finishes feel soft and understated. They’re often associated with minimalism, sophistication, and a high-end tone. Textured stocks like linen or felt suggest tradition, warmth, and trust. Perfect for law firms, universities, and nonprofits. Soft-touch coatings provide a luxurious, velvet-like feel that immediately lifts brochures, packaging, or invitations into something memorable. In short, texture communicates emotion. It helps bridge the gap between the message you’re sending and how your audience receives it. The Weight Behind the Words Weight matters too—literally. The thickness and sturdiness of your paper signal how much thought, value, and permanence you’ve invested in your message. Heavier stocks imply quality, substance, and care. A thick brochure or business card feels serious and dependable. Lighter paper is more cost-effective and may be appropriate for temporary or disposable materials, like event handouts or promotional inserts. The goal is to choose a paper weight that reflects your intent. A luxury brand’s printed catalog should feel premium, while a seasonal flyer for a weekend sale doesn’t need to feel like a hardcover book.  Smart Pairings: Paper That Matches Your Message Here’s how some brands can use paper psychology to their advantage: A nonprofit organization might print an impact report on textured, uncoated stock to convey authenticity and transparency. A health & wellness brand could choose soft-touch coating to evoke calmness and care. A high-tech startup may opt for sleek gloss paper that reinforces innovation and clarity. When the paper matches the message, your printed materials work harder for you—silently reinforcing your brand identity. Print That Feels as Good as It Looks At Triangle Printing and Marketing, we believe the most effective printed pieces are the ones that engage all the senses. We help businesses choose paper textures and weights that align with their audience, goals, and budgets. Thoughtful materials speak volumes. Whether you're printing brochures, mailers, packaging, or signage, don’t overlook how your paper feels. That feeling could be what earns a second look, a stronger impression, or even a loyal customer. Want to explore your paper options? Let’s talk about your next project. Contact us for a paper consultation.