FASTSIGNS breaks down the most common types of exterior signage and the factors business owners should weigh before choosing one

CARROLLTON, Texas, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — “What kind of sign should I get for my business is often the first question a new owner has, but with so many formats available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. That’s why FASTSIGNS®, the global leader in custom signs and visual solutions helps business owners evaluate their options and select exterior signage that fits their goals, their property, and their community.

“Exterior signage is one of the most important investments a business can make because it works around the clock to attract customers and reinforce brand identity,” said FASTSIGNS Vice President of Marketing Theron Andrews. “The right choice depends on so much more than aesthetics; it hinges on visibility, brand identity, the location, the consumer, budget, property type and local regulations. At FASTSIGNS, our job is to guide business owners through those decisions, so their signage works as hard as they do.”

Key Takeaways

Exterior signage comes in many formats, including channel letters, monument signs, pylon signs, window graphics, and wayfinding signage, each suited to different property types, visibility needs, and ADA compliance requirements.The optimal signage strategy carefully balances traffic patterns and property setbacks with brand visibility goals, budget, and local zoning laws.Understanding these variables is key to finding the perfect fit—whether that means utilizing channel letters for direct storefront visibility or deploying monument signs to capture traffic for properties set back from the road.FASTSIGNS operates as a full-service visual solutions consultant, solving unique visibility challenges by evaluating a business’s goals, property, and audience to deliver a comprehensive graphics and signage strategy.

Why It Matters

Exterior signage is often a customer’s first interaction with a brand, whether they’re driving by at 45 miles per hour or walking up to a storefront. Choosing the wrong format can mean reduced visibility, missed foot traffic or a sign that doesn’t comply with local regulations. Selecting the right exterior signage helps businesses maximize visibility, reinforce brand identity and ensure a strong first impression that drives customers through the door.

76% of consumers say they have entered a business they’ve never visited before based simply on its signs.68% of consumers believe a businesses” signage reflets the quality of it’s product and services.60% of consumers say the absence of clear signage deters them from entering a business at all.

Channel Letters: Built for Storefront Visibility

Channel letters are individually fabricated, three-dimensional letters mounted directly to a building facade, often illuminated from within. They are a popular choice for retail stores and restaurants because they create a bold, branded presence directly on the building itself.

Channel letters work especially well for businesses located in strip malls, shopping centers or standalone buildings with strong street-facing visibility, since the illumination and dimensional design make a storefront easy to spot day or night.

Monument Signs: A Strong First Impression from the Road

Monument signs are low, freestanding structures typically placed near a property’s entrance or along a roadway. They’re a common choice for office parks, medical centers, apartment communities and multi-tenant retail properties where a business is set back from the street or shares frontage with other tenants.

Because monument signs are visible from a distance and often illuminated, they help drivers identify a property before they arrive, making them especially valuable for businesses relying on vehicle traffic.

Pylon Signs: Maximum Visibility for High-Traffic Corridors

Pylon signs are tall, elevated signs mounted on one or more poles, designed to be seen from a distance along highways and major thoroughfares. They’re commonly used by gas stations, hotels and restaurants located near interstates or busy commercial corridors where visibility from a distance is critical to capturing drive-by traffic.

Window Graphics, Blade Signs and Wayfinding: Supporting the Full Exterior Experience

Beyond primary signage, businesses often rely on complementary exterior graphics to complete their brand presence:

Window graphics transform empty storefront glass into dynamic branding opportunities, communicating key information or promotions directly at eye level.Blade signs project perpendicularly from a building, making them ideal for pedestrian-heavy areas like downtown districts or shopping promenades.Wayfinding signage helps direct customers to entrances, parking and specific suites within larger properties, such as office parks, education or medical campuses.

How Businesses Should Choose the Right Exterior Signage

Selecting the best exterior signage format comes down to a few key considerations:

Traffic type and speed. Businesses that rely on vehicle traffic need larger, more visible signage from what pedestrian foot traffic downtown requires.Property setback and layout. Buildings close to the road may benefit from channel letters, while properties set back from the street often need a monument or pylon sign for visibility.Zoning and local regulations. Sign height, illumination, color and placement rules vary by municipality and can significantly influence which sign types are permitted.Brand identity goals. Some formats, like channel letters, offer more dimensional branding, while monument signs provide a clean, consistent look for multi-tenant properties.Budget and long-term maintenance. Illuminated and larger-format signs typically involve a higher upfront investment but can offer better visibility and a greater return over time.

How FASTSIGNS Helps

FASTSIGNS works with business owners from concept to installation, evaluating property layout, traffic patterns, brand goals and local sign regulations to recommend the most effective exterior signage solution. Local experts handle everything from design and fabrication to permitting and installation, ensuring the final sign is not only visually effective but fully compliant with municipal codes. To learn more, visit fastsigns.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a channel letter sign and a monument sign?
Channel letters are dimensional letters, sometimes illuminated, mounted directly to a building facade, best suited for storefront visibility. Monument signs are freestanding structures placed near a property entrance, ideal for businesses set back from the road or sharing frontage with other tenants.

How do I know which type of exterior sign is right for my business?
The right choice depends on factors like traffic type, property setback, local zoning rules, budget, and brand visibility goals. FASTSIGNS evaluates these factors to recommend the most effective sign format for a specific property.

Are monument signs better than pylon signs?
Neither is inherently better; they serve different purposes. Monument signs work well for properties with moderate visibility needs close to the road, while pylon signs are designed for maximum visibility from highways and major traffic corridors.

Can exterior signage be customized for multi-tenant properties?
Yes. Monument signs are commonly used for multi-tenant properties because they can list several businesses in one branded structure while providing consistent visibility for each tenant.

Do different exterior sign types require different permits?
Yes. Sign type, size, illumination and placement all affect permitting requirements, which vary by municipality. Businesses should confirm local regulations before selecting a sign format. A local FASTSIGNS location can also help provide guidance on local permitting requirements and regulations.

How does FASTSIGNS help businesses choose the right exterior signage?
FASTSIGNS assesses a property’s layout, traffic patterns, business and brand goals and local regulations, then recommends, designs and produces the visual solution best suited to those needs, managing design, fabrication and installation from start to finish.

Where can a business start exploring exterior signage options?
Businesses can connect with a local FASTSIGNS center to evaluate their property and signage needs. Find a location at fastsigns.com/locations.

About FASTSIGNS®:
FASTSIGNS® is the leader in the custom signs and visual solutions industry. With over 40 years of experience, FASTSIGNS helps customers bring their vision to life and achieve more than they ever thought possible. As the largest service-oriented business within the Propelled Brands® family, FASTSIGNS spans over 790 independently owned and operated centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman, Malta and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). FASTSIGNS is frequently recognized for franchisee satisfaction and for awards that include being ranked No. 1 in its category on ENTREPRENEUR’s highly competitive Franchise 500® List in 2026 for the tenth consecutive year, and continuous recognition from Franchise Business Review in categories such as Top Franchises for Culture, Women, Veterans and more. For more information or to learn about opportunities, visit fastsigns.com or contact Mark Jameson at mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com or call 214-346-5679.

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SOURCE FASTSIGNS

Premium interior wallcovering brand launches with exclusive designer Collaboration Series showcasing the creative potential of Dimense printing technology

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roland DG, the world’s leading provider of digital printing solutions, today officially launches Dimense Surface, a premium interior wallcovering brand created to bring texture, depth, and dimension into modern interior spaces.

Powered by Roland DG’s innovative Dimense printing technology, the collection pushes the boundaries of contemporary wallcovering design by combining striking visual aesthetics with tactile embossed surfaces. Designed for architects, interior designers and specifiers, Dimense Surface transforms walls into immersive features that engage both the eye and sense of touch.

Making its debut at the ongoing London Design Festival 2026 the brand launches with the Dimense Surface Collaboration Series, a collection of exclusive wallcoverings created in partnership with four internationally renowned design studios: Nice Projects (London), KEIJI ASHIZAWA DESIGN (Tokyo), LOVEISENOUGH (New York) and JAM (London). Each studio has developed bespoke designs that demonstrate the creative possibilities made possible through Dimense technology.

Made possible by the revolutionary Dimense DA-640 textured printing solution from Roland DG, the collection introduces a new category of wallcoverings that combine visual impact with physical texture. Through a unique printing process, designs are enhanced with embossed surface effects that can be seen and felt, creating rich, multidimensional environments.

The technology utilizes newly developed printheads to deliver vivid, high-resolution output, while proprietary structural ink precisely determines where texture appears. As the specialized media passes through the printer, heat activates the surface, expanding it by up to 0.079 inches (2 mm) to bring contours, patterns and intricate details to life. In addition to the Collaboration Series, Dimense Surface includes a broader collection of in-house wallcovering designs suitable for residential, hospitality and commercial environments. Dimense Surface projects are fulfilled through Roland DG’s network of authorized Dimense print providers, creating new opportunities for businesses that have invested in the technology.

“Dimense Surface represents an exciting new chapter for Dimense technology and Dimense print providers,” said Andrew Oransky, Chief Strategy Officer at Roland DG. “For years, we’ve been helping businesses push the boundaries of what’s possible through digital print innovation. With Dimense Surface, we’re bringing together world-class designers and groundbreaking technology, while creating exciting opportunities for our Dimense printer users, and enabling interior designers, architects and space owners to transform walls from passive surfaces into immersive textured experiences.”

Alongside its creative credentials, Dimense Surface has been developed with a more sustainable approach to interior design in mind. The collection is produced using on-demand digital manufacturing, enabling short production runs that help reduce excess inventory, overproduction and material waste associated with traditional wallpaper manufacturing.

The solution combines water-based inks with PVC-free, odorless wallpaper material and allows designers to create bespoke solutions for individual projects without minimum order requirements. By pairing responsible materials with on-demand production, Dimense Surface delivers greater design flexibility while helping reduce environmental impact across the interior design supply chain.

The Dimense Surface collection is now available to order from authorized Dimense print providers, through the Dimense Surface website.

About Roland DG

Roland DG empowers creators and businesses worldwide to Make Your Mark with more than four decades of delivering reliable, innovative digital imaging technology. The company provides advanced solutions that combine hardware, software, supplies, and service to help customers build successful businesses and produce work they are proud to stand behind. Roland DG’s inkjet printers, integrated printer/cutters, milling machines and other digital fabrication technologies enable applications ranging from signage and interior décor to personalized products and industrial customization. Serving print professionals, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and makers across industries, the company enables high-mix, on-demand production and enhances performance through connected, cloud-based solutions. Through innovation, craftsmanship and partnership, Roland DG pioneers new ways for customers to be successful with digital technology.

About Roland DG Americas

Roland DGA serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm of Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan empowers creators and businesses worldwide to “Make Your Mark” using innovative digital imaging solutions that turn ideas into positive impact. Combining hardware, software, services and supplies, Roland DG is a global leader in wide-format format inkjet printers for sign, textile, industrial, interior design, personalization, and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and milling machines for dental CAD/CAM, parts manufacturing and medical industries. Uniquely designed for high-mix, on-demand production, Roland DG solutions enable print professionals, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries to elevate their level of craftsmanship, productivity, and profitability.

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SOURCE Roland DGA

SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trip.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: TCOM; HKEX: 9961) (“Trip.com Group” or the “Company”), a leading global one-stop travel service provider of accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours, and corporate travel management, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2026.

Key Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2026

International business delivered robust growth across all segments in the second quarter of 2026
– Revenue on the Company’s international platform increased by over 50% year-over-year.
– Inbound travel revenue increased at a high double-digit rate year-over-year.

The Company delivered solid results in the second quarter of 2026
– Total net revenue for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB15.7 billion (US$2.3 billion), increased by 6% year-over-year.
– Diluted loss per ordinary share and per ADS was RMB3.89 (US$0.57) for the second quarter of 2026. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS was RMB7.27 (US$1.07) for the second quarter of 2026, up from RMB7.20 in the same period last year.

“Travel remains a fundamental consumer need, and we see significant long-term opportunities as travelers seek more personalized and rewarding experiences. Our strategic priorities remain clear: Globalization and Great Quality, or G2,” said James Liang, Executive Chairman. “Building on this foundation, we are advancing our proprietary AI capabilities across every stage of the travel journey to accelerate G2 and unlock new opportunities for growth. We are building a more differentiated and valuable global platform for travelers and partners, positioning us for the next phase of sustainable growth.”

“Trip.com Group delivered resilient performance in the second quarter, with inbound and world-to-world travel continuing to gain momentum as structural growth drivers,” said Jane Sun, Chief Executive Officer. “We see an opportunity to build a healthier ecosystem centered on value, experience, and service quality. We are expanding our offerings to include new travel and lifestyle experiences, while leveraging technology and international marketing to help partners differentiate and drive sustainable growth. We remain focused on disciplined execution and building the capabilities to capture these growth opportunities at scale.”

Second Quarter of 2026 Financial Results and Business Updates

For the second quarter of 2026, Trip.com Group reported total net revenues of RMB15.7 billion (US$2.3 billion), representing a 6% increase from the same period in 2025, primarily driven by resilient travel demand. Total net revenues for the second quarter of 2026 decreased by 3% from the previous quarter, primarily due to macro headwinds such as elevated energy prices and geopolitical volatility, alongside operational adjustments the Company implemented to align with evolving industry standards and compliance frameworks.

Accommodation reservation revenue for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB6.6 billion (US$969 million), representing a 6% increase from the same period in 2025, primarily driven by an increase in accommodation reservations, and partially offset by a contra-revenue imposed by the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People’s Republic of China (the “SAMR”). Accommodation reservation revenue for the second quarter of 2026 increased by 1% from the previous quarter.

Transportation ticketing revenue for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB5.4 billion (US$788 million), representing a 1% decrease from the same period in 2025 and a 12% decrease from the previous quarter, primarily due to macro headwinds such as elevated energy prices and geopolitical volatility.

Packaged-tour revenue for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB1.2 billion (US$171 million), representing an 8% increase from the same period in 2025, primarily driven by an increase in packaged-tour reservations. Packaged-tour revenue for the second quarter of 2026 increased by 3% from the previous quarter, primarily driven by resilient travel demand, particularly during the holiday periods.

Corporate travel revenue for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB771 million (US$114 million), representing an 11% increase from the same period in 2025 and a 12% increase from the previous quarter, primarily driven by an increase in corporate travel reservations.

Cost of revenue for the second quarter of 2026 increased by 12% to RMB3.2 billion (US$466 million) from the same period in 2025 and decreased by 5% from the previous quarter, which was generally in line with the fluctuations in total net revenues from the respective periods. Cost of revenue as a percentage of total net revenues was 20% for the second quarter of 2026.

Product development expenses for the second quarter of 2026 increased by 8% to RMB3.8 billion (US$559 million) from the same period in 2025 and decreased by 7% from the previous quarter, primarily due to the fluctuations in product development personnel related expenses. Product development expenses as a percentage of total net revenues were 24% for the second quarter of 2026.

Sales and marketing expenses for the second quarter of 2026 increased by 15% to RMB3.8 billion (US$566 million) from the same period in 2025 and increased by 3% from the previous quarter, primarily due to the increase in expenses relating to sales and marketing promotion activities. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total net revenues were 25% for the second quarter of 2026.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2026 increased by 477% to RMB6.3 billion (US$933 million) from the same period in 2025 and increased by 463% from the previous quarter, primarily due to the anti-monopoly penalty by the SAMR in the amount of RMB5.2 billion (US$763 million). Without the effect of the anti-monopoly penalty, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2026 would have increased by 5% to RMB1.2 billion (US$170 million) from the same period in 2025 and would have increased by 2% from the previous quarter. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total net revenues were 40% for the second quarter of 2026. Without the effect of the anti-monopoly penalty, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total net revenues would have been 7% for the second quarter of 2026.

Income tax expense for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB799 million (US$118 million), compared to RMB998 million for the same period in 2025 and RMB893 million for the previous quarter. The change in Trip.com Group’s effective tax rate was primarily due to the combined impacts of changes in respective profitability of its subsidiaries with different tax rates, changes in deferred tax liabilities relating to withholding tax, certain non-taxable income or loss resulting from the fair value changes in equity securities investments and exchangeable senior notes recorded in other income and anti-monopoly penalty in general and administrative expenses, and changes in valuation allowance provided for deferred tax assets.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB2.4 billion (US$361 million), compared to net income of RMB4.9 billion for the same period in 2025 and net income of RMB2.5 billion for the previous quarter, primarily due to the anti-monopoly penalty by the SAMR in the amount of RMB5.2 billion (US$763 million). Without the effect of the anti-monopoly penalty, net income for the second quarter of 2026 would have been RMB2.7 billion (US$402 million). Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB4.6 billion (US$673 million), compared to RMB4.9 billion for the same period in 2025 and RMB4.8 billion for the previous quarter.

Net loss attributable to Trip.com Group’s shareholders for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB2.5 billion (US$363 million), compared to net income attributable to Trip.com Group’s shareholders of RMB4.8 billion for the same period in 2025 and RMB2.5 billion for the previous quarter, primarily due to the anti-monopoly penalty by the SAMR in the amount of RMB5.2 billion (US$763 million). Without the effect of the anti-monopoly penalty, net income attributable to Trip.com Group’s shareholders for the second quarter of 2026 would have been RMB2.7 billion (US$400 million). Excluding share-based compensation charges, the anti-monopoly penalty by the SAMR, fair value changes of equity securities investments and exchangeable senior notes recorded in other income, and their tax effects, non-GAAP net income attributable to Trip.com Group’s shareholders for the second quarter of 2026 was RMB4.8 billion (US$706 million), compared to RMB5.0 billion for the same period in 2025 and RMB3.9 billion for the previous quarter.

Diluted loss per ordinary share and per ADS was RMB3.89 (US$0.57) for the second quarter of 2026. Excluding share-based compensation charges, the anti-monopoly penalty by the SAMR, fair value changes of equity securities investments and exchangeable senior notes recorded in other income, and their tax effects, non-GAAP diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS was RMB7.27 (US$1.07) for the second quarter of 2026. Each ADS currently represents one ordinary share of the Company.

As of June 30, 2026, the balance of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investment, and held to maturity time deposit and financial products was RMB100.5 billion (US$14.8 billion).

Conference Call

Trip.com Group’s management team will host a conference call at 8:00 PM on September 15, 2026, U.S. Eastern Time (or 8:00 AM on September 16, 2026, Hong Kong Time) following this announcement.

The conference call will be available live on Webcast and for replay at: https://investors.trip.com. The call will be archived for twelve months on our website.

All participants must pre-register to join this conference call using the Participant Registration link below: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI2674f539340943acacf4a39cf6d51444.

Upon registration, each participant will receive details for this conference call, including dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN. To join the conference, please dial the number provided, enter your PIN, and you will join the conference instantly.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “is/are likely to,” “confident,” or other similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this press release, as well as Trip.com Group’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, severe or prolonged downturn in the global or Chinese economy, general declines or disruptions in the travel industry, volatility in the trading price of Trip.com Group’s ADSs or shares, Trip.com Group’s reliance on its relationships and contractual arrangements with travel suppliers and strategic alliances, failure to compete against new and existing competitors, failure to successfully manage current growth and potential future growth, risks associated with any strategic investments or acquisitions, seasonality in the travel industry in the relevant jurisdictions where Trip.com Group operates, failure to successfully develop Trip.com Group’s existing or future business lines, damage to or failure of Trip.com Group’s infrastructure and technology, loss of services of Trip.com Group’s key executives, adverse changes in economic and business conditions in the relevant jurisdictions where Trip.com Group operates, any regulatory developments in laws, regulations, rules, policies or guidelines applicable to Trip.com Group, any investigation, enforcement or legal/administrative proceeding against Trip.com Group in connection with its business operation and other risks outlined in Trip.com Group’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the issuance, and Trip.com Group does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Trip.com Group’s consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), Trip.com Group uses non-GAAP financial information related to adjusted net income attributable to Trip.com Group Limited, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, and adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share and per ADS, each of which is adjusted from the most comparable GAAP result to exclude the share-based compensation charges that are not tax deductible, fair value changes of equity securities investments and exchangeable senior notes recorded in other income, net of tax, and other applicable items. Trip.com Group’s management believes the non-GAAP financial measures facilitate better understanding of operating results from quarter to quarter and provide management with a better capability to plan and forecast future periods.

Non-GAAP information is not prepared in accordance with GAAP, does not have a standardized meaning under GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered a substitute for GAAP results. A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures is that non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation charges, fair value changes of equity securities investments and exchangeable senior notes recorded in other income, and their tax effects that have been and will continue to be significant recurring expenses in Trip.com Group’s business for the foreseeable future.

Reconciliations of Trip.com Group’s non-GAAP financial data to the most comparable GAAP data included in the consolidated statement of operations are included at the end of this press release.

About Trip.com Group Limited

Trip.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: TCOM; HKEX: 9961) is a leading global one-stop travel platform, integrating a comprehensive suite of travel products and services and differentiated travel content. It is the go-to destination for many travelers in Asia, and increasingly for travelers around the world, to explore travel, get inspired, make informed and cost-effective travel bookings, enjoy hassle-free on-the-go support, and share travel experience. Founded in 1999 and listed on Nasdaq in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, the Company currently operates under a portfolio of brands, including Ctrip, Qunar, Trip.com, and Skyscanner, with the mission “to pursue the perfect trip for a better world.”

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations
Trip.com Group Limited
Email: iremail@trip.com

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SOURCE Trip.com Group Limited