Lettering: You have several options in the area of lettering. You can use stencils to create letters from fabric, construction paper, oaktag, foam core, mat board, etc. Once finished, you can continually reuse these letters for different purposes. You can also spray paint stencil designs and letters onto your chosen surface, but remember they cannot be reused and your surface will be marked permanently. Stencils can be found in hardware stores, hobby or craft shops, and design stores.
Rub-off lettering can also be used. These letters appear on a large waxed sheet of paper and can be rubbed onto whatever surface you are using. This does not work effectively on fabric, but will work well on most other surfaces. You can find rub-off lettering in artist supply stores and craft shops.
Finally, there are vinyl letters. These are letters that have adhesive on the back. They become relatively permanent once affixed. You”ve probably seen them used to number mailboxes. They come in packages of all sizes and colors, and are available in simple versions and limited size selections at hardware stores. More extensive choices in colors, sizes and fonts are available at artist supply stores, craft shops and office supply stores.
Keeping it fresh
Rotate some of your signs every few days. Each time you move to a new location, it will be as if you put up an entirely different sign. If you have main spaces where information is always found, that is the area to decorate. Other flyers and posters which can be placed on easels, can be moved around for maximum effectiveness.
If your bulletin boards look like a collection of scrap paper in five or six colors, people are probably immune to reading anything. If print on your signs is too small, people will walk right by. The goal of your bulletin boards is to make people stop and ask questions. You cannot communicate everything on one sheet of paper. The ultimate test of your bulletin board is to walk by your board quickly.
Here is how I finally resolved my bulletin board dilemma: I covered a large board located in the lobby with teal fabric (our color scheme) and stenciled “CLUB PROGRAMS” in all caps onto black construction paper. The letters were each at least 10 inches high by 5 to 6 inches wide. I enlarged the club logo on the copy machine to about 300 percent of its original size, cut it out, and placed it in between “Club” and “Programs.” I then printed “cover sheets” on white paper from my laser printer. Each cover sheet was the title of an upcoming event or program. I backed them with a piece of construction paper. I then put an information sheet and registration list under that. When members wanted to know more about an event, they merely lifted the top sheet and took a look. If they liked what they saw, they could register right there. For programs requiring a fee, they would go to the front desk, which was located within 25 feet of the program board. It became a very effective tool for membership and it cleaned up the lobby, which was too “busy.” Most importantly, it increased program registrations.