I have had the biz name of Outside The Lines for several years... but have always thought it a little too 'vague'.... and am seriously thinking of changing it.
However, I don't just do 'signs'... and have ventured into screenprinting t-shirts, as well as a myriad of other 'graphic' related offerings...so am thinking the name needs to be somewhat universal, yet at least convey the general theme that I am a graphics business.
I am feeling a little more confident in going with "MainStreet Graphics."
Also thinking of a goofy secondary tagline of 'Get your kicks at'...... then the big logo 'MainStreet Graphics.'
Am mulling what that image might look like, but my initial thought was a stylized green 'street sign' with 'MainStreet' being the embossed name of the street...
Perhaps some stylized VERY SUBLTE graphic imagery behind the prominent street sign logo?
I have always loved the "Letterville" logo in that I thought the small town silhouette evoked a comfortable, small town feeling... kind of what I am after.
Is there any shame in having some subtle image *similar* to that general idea behind the street sign logo ?
Would like to hear your thoughts on all of this.
I am not worried at all about losing any recognition from past customers. My phone number will be the same, and I'll just simply issue new cards and an explanation when called for new work.
What say ye? Thanks for your opinions... I will seriously consider all of your comments.
Edited: Forgot to say "thanks"... where are my manners? :-)
[ May 03, 2012, 06:05 AM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
Main Street Sign and Graphics sounds better IMHO.
The 'Get your kicks' sounds like you are also offering a video arcade or some form of entertainment. Not a bad idea, if maybe you offered roulette wheel gaming whilst your client makes up his mind about a sign? Just kidding. Keep it simple. "I'll take that 4x8 real estate sign and parlay my #20."
The logo for Letterville has always pleased me, as I think it is a beautiful and expressive one. Something off of it could be interesting, for sure.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Wondered if the tagline might be 'Hokey'... appreciate your opinion, Preston. I will include this for consideration with everyone else's comments.
You've probably got a good idea on 'keeping it simple.'
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
The letterville logo is the work of one of my favorite letterheads...David Butler.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Ah... David did a spectacular job! Any input, Don?
Edited to add: Any input, Don?
[ May 03, 2012, 06:35 AM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
I DO ALL YOUR GRAPHIX SCHIT..........just ax me)))) hahahahahahahaha
Posted by Bill Wood (Member # 6543) on :
My thoughts is to keep it simple. Graphics...everybody doesn't know what this is all about.
Signs...everybody knows what this is all about.
Kinda like Bistro...every day people don't know what a BISTRO is.
Restaurant...everybody knows what a RESTAURANT is.
I SAY AGAIN... KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Posted by Jeff Spradling (Member # 1615) on :
Jeff - lol... I am a slow mover, aren't I? I'm reaching the height of my discontent - ready to make the change. Thanks guys.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
I mistakenly called my sign business GRAPHIC EXCURSIONS ... which leads to all kinds of mispellings on checks, plus no one remembers my business name after 20 years.
They just know me as the sign shop.
moral? OUTSIDE THE LINES, GRAPHIC EXCURSIONS ... YES THEY ARE VERY VAGUE
the name should reflect what we do ... as in THE FONTRY. It says I design fonts.
Graphic Excursions says I'm off on a possibly lewd journey into realms best left unimagined .... or so I've been told numerous times ....
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Wish I wasn't so busy right now, or I'd be able to add more, maybe this evening. A few things for now: I always wondered about the old name, but thought maybe it's just me. This is a major marketing decision-opportunity, so investigate that. Your tagline must be your VALUE PROPOSITION. I haven't worked on mine too much, but right now my web site says:"I will help you reach more people". In marketing, you pitch the BENEFITS, not the product. In this day and age, it is strongly recommended that the name of the business and the name of the web site be the same; such as MainStreetGraphics.com, and RIGHT NOW go reserve you domain name. The name change can actually be a bonus, because it gives you a chance to contact all your customer base. Since it's an event, see if it has publicity value; publicity is sort of like free advertising. You get a hold of the business section editor of the newspaper, see if they'll run a story about the name change and the business. Maybe print a Q-code on the back of the shirt? There's a lot to be said, I'll try to mull it over whilst I'm delivering the hand painted civil war era banner, and buying green vinyl today. Oh yeah, gotta finish painting that piano white.
Posted by Jeff Spradling (Member # 1615) on :
Todd, this is what I was looking for when I found the previous one.
I didn't want to type the same thing over again so here you go.
A successful customer of mine, who I must admit is a little different, says that when it comes to business names, 'shorter is better'. I changed my name about three years ago from "Webb Sign Studio" to "Webb Signworks" which is only two syllables shorter. That's the official name anyway. I just put "Signworks" on my advertising and my tagline is "signs work for your business". I wanted the name short all along but, my parents said they would like to have the "Webb" name in there so I did that. They don't own the business but, I guess it's a family pride thing.
[ May 03, 2012, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
I like that Idea Todd, There's nothing wrong with using a silhouette behind your name either... it's been done so many times over the years, but it still works.. "Main Street Graphics" it has a nice feel to it.. Especially the way you Describe it.... I too have been thinking about a Logo change, not a name change just a logo change......Good Luck!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Todd, in thinking about the name have you had any thoughts to the difficulty in getting the web address that you want?
For example, mainstreetgraphics.com is already taken however mainstreetgraphicsusa.com may be available.
Our own shop is currently going through a change which I hope to announce the details either in June or July. (I'm such a tease.) Getting the web addresses that I want played a factor in determining the direction of those changes.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Thanks Glenn - a few of you have now mentioned the importance of tying a web name to the company name (this thread and a similar one I started a while back).
I think this is good advice...
How does one check website name availability? And is this referred to as a 'domain name?'
Enjoying reading and absorbing all of your comments.
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Todd...this is one area where I think others will have better ideas than me...I'm not much of a marketing person...but it'll be fun to see what you come up with...I like simplicity myself..."Bradley Sign Studio"...and "signsbyrusty@yahoo.com"...work for me...but I always enjoy something creative and catchy...one of the best business names I've seen was at a watch and clock store in Killen, Al...it was named "Killen Time"
[ May 03, 2012, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I like the word 'creative'.... as Glenn uses it because, to me, it allows for a variety of uses.
I'm thinking 'creativegraphicsmi.com' LOL... Just kidding Glenn.
But... what do you think about Mainstreetcreativemi.com or MainstreetcreativeUSA.com??
Those are available.
Is it ill-advised to use 'Main Street Creative' for a logo, while using 'mainstreetcreativeusa.com' for the domain name?
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
you can go to just about any web domain site- I'll use GoDaddy.com as an example- put in what you are thinking and it will search to see if the name is available and then give you about a million other options-- I would recommend a simple .com name- I know you can get a million other extensions, but the average public don't have a clue what those stand for or remember much more than a .com extension- try to keep it easy to spell, or buy up other possible misspelled versions and redirect those to the main sight...
I have used "Clanton Graphics" for almost 15 years- my logo is really outdated and used some graphic design tool illustrations that very few people even recognize now--- I have recently started using "Clanton Graphics Studio" because I have added an actual art studio to do more hand drawn work...
I really struggled with my t-shirt shop name and decided to use a very vague name: "Blackberry One Nine Clothing Co." - my address is 1933 Blackberry, so it was a version of that-- it is funny because some people see the "Blackberry 1-9" and think that is must be some cool, hip meaning and just pretend that they are cool and "get it"- when really there isn't much to actually get...haha
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
My tag line was given to me by my dad back in 1957 " A Good Business Sign is a Sign of Good Business " I have used it ever since.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Main Street Creations? A .biz is also a good option
[ May 03, 2012, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
How about "Graphic Content".
Posted by Bob Sauls (Member # 11321) on :
That is gooood dennis.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
[ May 03, 2012, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
put the word......CONSULTANTS in your name and you can................. ASK AND GET EXORBITANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY))))))
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Good stuff guys - taking it all in and weighing my options.
OP... if you keep it up, I'm going to send Guiddo the-killer-pimp over with a cheeseburger. ))))))))
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
oooooooooooooooooooeeeeeeeee.......
Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
I think OP just vapor-locked!
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
quote:Originally posted by Don Coplen: The letterville logo is the work of one of my favorite letterheads...David Butler.
I believe that was Bob Darnell, anybody know for sure?
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
a tag line is supposed to be an audio logo. It is not supposed to be catchy, cute, quaint, or anything like silliness forplay. It is supposed to induce the listener to ask more questions. Ask more questions as to what your business does and how you are the only one who knows how to meet your clients needs...
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Thanks Curtis. I had some others who have privately told me the same thing... nix the catchy tagline. Appreciate your input.
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
I played on a tournament basketball team- and our name was great- I have been sitting on it for almost 20 years... one of these days I'm gonna use it for either a band name or if I ever get into racing...
"Piston Broke" pretty much defines me!.... haha "Piston Broke Band"... "Piston Broke Racing"....
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
todd,
I was gonna comment on not worrying about the tagline, but seems you've gotten the message. The name needs to be enough, for example: TODD'S SIGNS AND GRAPHICS ... no need for a catchphrase there ....
Posted by Gary Boros (Member # 8487) on :
Gill Graphics seems like an obvious good choice for a company name. Then you can have a second line that reads Signs & Graphic Products or Signs & Graphic Design. I'd be surprised if that wasn't available and it covers everything you are looking for. The only decision would be whether you want your name as part of the company name or not. I used to think it wasn't a good idea to use your name for a variety of reasons but now I think it's completely irrelavent. After all, people looking to buy a Ford Taurus don't insist on getting it directly from Henry now do they?
Posted by Gary Boros (Member # 8487) on :
Also, here are some links for you to search for availability:
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)