Tag You're It! FASTSIGNS Offers QR Codes to Help Extend Messages Further

CARROLLTON, TX, September 23, 2010 (Press-News.org) FASTSIGNS , a sign and graphics franchisor that provides visual communications and marketing solutions is now helping businesses, organizations and events connect with people through Quick Response codes (QR codes). Many of the 530 worldwide FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centers have added two-dimensional barcodes, called QR codes, to their product offering.

"Signs and graphics work for you 24/7, even when you are not open or there. Effective signage tells people who you are and what you do. Now, with QR codes, that effort is taken a step further," said Drue Townsend, Senior Vice President of Marketing for FASTSIGNS International, Inc. "From posters to vehicle graphics, and real estate signs to banners, FASTSIGNS is helping customers make the most of their visual communications with the addition of this puzzle-looking graphic that provides even more information than is on the sign itself."

QR codes act as mobile information tags for signs and printed materials. Townsend explains that while popular in Japan for more than a decade, QR codes have been gradually finding their way into more mainstream uses in North America and naturally fit in with the services that FASTSIGNS provides.

Capturing a QR code is similar to taking a picture with a mobile phone; passersby simply use their Smartphone with a downloaded (free or purchased) QR code reader and scan the printed QR code. From there, the QR code directs them to online content such as a website, video or contact information.

Townsend offers a few practical examples of how QR codes can provide value:

- Put QR codes that link to special discounts and printable coupons on banners, posters and point-of-purchase materials. Not only are you encouraging sales, but you are also helping to build goodwill with customers who appreciate timely discounts.

- Use a QR code on your next vehicle graphic. When someone wants your contact information, they simply snap a photo of the vehicle and are provided with a quick link—no need to write anything down or hurriedly memorize a phone number or website address.

- Place a QR code on real estate or site signs. Potential buyers can then be linked to a virtual tour, leasing contact information or even a web site with floor plans.

- Use QR codes on business cards and show them off at your next networking event. When an attendee scans it, he or she can immediately be provided with your full contact information for their address book—all without ever having to write anything down.

"There are still many who don't fully understand, or have never even heard of QR codes, yet the interest to see what they are and to utilize them is there," said Townsend. "By educating people about them and providing this additional visual communication tool as part of the solution, FASTSIGNS is helping businesses, events and organizations generate more interest in, and information about, their service or product, while reaching more tech-savvy customers."

For more information about QR codes, please visit http://www.fastsigns.com/QRcode.

About FASTSIGNS
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 530 FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centers located in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE ). FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centers leverage sign and marketing knowledge, state-of-the-art technology and innovative thinking to solve customers' marketing and visual communications challenges—large and small. From the simple... to the simply impossible . Centers provide consulting, file transfer, design, production, delivery and installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic solutions. For more information, visit http://www.fastsigns.com.