Knowing how to avoid costly mistakes when ordering custom commercial signs is essential for businesses to save money and time. Material selection is one of the most important parts of ensuring high-quality, effective signage.
Beyond these considerations, getting the size right truly maximizes your return on investment. Inadequate design decisions, inaccurate measurements, or miscommunication regarding local sign codes can result in setbacks or additional costs.
Learn what happens during the ordering process and what to expect. With this knowledge you’ll be able to make smart choices that best fit your company’s branding and budget.
Be it a storefront sign, wayfinding signage, or temporary promotional displays, taking the time to plan will result in the outcome your organization deserves. This guide will provide you with smart and efficient ways to steer clear of these costly mistakes.
Follow these steps to keep from making expensive mistakes and get the finest results possible!
Key Takeaways
- Beautifully crafted, compelling outdoor signs draw attention to your business, inviting customers in and promoting your brand above the competition. Get the most out of your brand by designing custom signs that truly represent who you are.
- Save time, money and frustration by avoiding common signage mistakes such as cluttered messaging, inconsistent branding and poor readability. Avoid clutter with the use of clear, concise text and make sure that your message aligns with your overall marketing strategy.
- Select Colors Carefully – Make sure the colors you choose align with your branding and have enough contrast to maintain visibility. Always test color combinations inside and outside to ensure that they still work well in all conditions.
- Invest in durable materials and high-quality graphics to ensure your signs withstand outdoor conditions and maintain a professional appearance over time.
- Ensure adherence to local signage regulations by checking laws, acquiring necessary permits, and preventing potential fines. Make sure to periodically check for new versions to stay up to date and maintain compliance.
- Don’t only go with the lowest bid. Compare vendors head-to-head by asking for comprehensive quotes, examining references, and judging their knowledge. Installation, maintenance, and other hidden costs should all be considered to prevent budget surprises down the line.
Common Costly Signage Mistakes
Ordering custom commercial signs can be fraught with misunderstandings and mistakes. Not paying attention to critical information leads to costly errors that drain your budget and poison your brand. By recognizing these potential pitfalls ahead of time, you can help make sure your signage project is successful and working toward your goals.
Choose Colors Wisely
The colors you use have a proven effect on how your sign communicates your business’s identity and appeals to people on an emotional level. Using a unifying palette with high contrast light/dark color pairs will aid in readability while helping to communicate brand identity.
For example, a red and yellow combination can evoke energy for a fast-food restaurant, while muted blues may suit a spa. Testing contrast and colors under all possible conditions—including in direct daylight with glare and at night—will ensure that no visibility issues arise.
Choose colors wisely. Mismatched or clashing colors can dilute brand recognition or confuse viewers with contrasted colors.
Space Elements Appropriately
Adding too much text or imagery will confuse viewers and distract them from important messages. When used effectively, white space can help achieve a balanced, attractive layout.
This strategy helps market your most essential features, such as your business identity and tagline. Consider a roadside sign that has nothing but tiny print on it—you give that the chance of attracting passing drivers.
Rather, less cluttered messaging with plenty of white space allows for rapid understanding and a professional design appearance.
3. Ensure Readability
Legibility is non-negotiable. Clear fonts, appropriate text sizes, and contrast between text color and background color are all crucial.
Steer clear of fancy fonts such as Papyrus or Comic Sans that can come off as immature or difficult to read. Make sure to test your sign’s readability from a few different distances as well to guarantee its effectiveness.
Test its visibility from the sidewalk or the street from a moving vehicle.
Design Tips for Effective Signs
When planning out custom commercial signs, the design process is an important step. Strategic planning and design will maximize exposure and retention of your signage’s message, preventing damaging and expensive mistakes.
Maintain Brand Consistency
Consider taking time to develop and implement thoughtful signage designs that reflect your brand’s visual identity. Apply your logos, color schemes, and fonts that coordinate with your other marketing materials.
In addition to uniformity, messaging is just as important. Consistent messaging develops recognition, making your business more memorable to customers. Ensure that navy and gold are prominent in your sign design.
Stay away from presenting new, irrelevant colors that might muddle your brand’s image. Establishing a standard for regularly reviewing signage will help keep it in line with any changes you make to your branding.
Consider Viewing Distance
Designing for readability involves more than just how close viewers are to your sign. Larger fonts and simplified graphics tend to be more effective, especially for roadside signs that need to be legible from a distance. Testing your sign in real-world settings before finalizing can help ensure maximum visibility and effectiveness.
Use High Contrast
Increasing contrast between text and background colors increases readability. High contrast combinations, like white text on black backgrounds or yellow text on navy, make it easy to see them.
Don’t use colors that are too close together, like light gray text on a white background. Test your signs in different lighting scenarios and incorporate lighting for night visibility if needed.
Select Appropriate Fonts
Contrast, simplicity, and color Perkins says readable fonts are a must. Don’t use hard to read or overly decorative styles such as scripts or using symbols to replace letters.
Balanced spacing is important too. A solid rule of thumb is making sure the negative space above and below text is half its height. Choose colors wisely. Consider how you can best combine colors to improve visibility and understanding.
Material Selection and Longevity
Material selection is crucial to achieving the desired longevity from your custom commercial signs. The climate, exposure conditions, and type of use are important factors in deciding what the best choices are. Take great consideration into all these factors to prevent making an expensive error. This will greatly aid in keeping your permanent signage both functional and visually appealing for years to come.
Weather Resistance Matters
Since outdoor signs are subjected to the wrath of Mother Nature day after day, weather resistance should be a major consideration. Materials such as aluminum are naturally lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and perfect for floating in areas with a fair bit of rain and humidity.
Durability is another key aspect. Stainless steel is a great choice for durability, especially in locations that experience pollution or saltwater corrosion, as it will not rust or corrode.
Coatings like UV resistant laminates and other coatings may be further measures of protection to prevent signs from fading in intense sunlight. With regular inspections, you can identify signs that are wearing due to weather and prevent premature damage, keeping your signs healthy and safe.
Planning for seasonal threats, such as using sandbags to reinforce signs while winter storms pass through, protects their life expectancy even more.
Understand Material Lifespans
Different sign materials offer varying levels of durability. Some are designed for longevity, while others work best for short-term or indoor applications. Choosing the right material involves balancing cost-effectiveness with maintenance needs. With proper care and upkeep, signs can maintain their appearance and function for extended periods.
Explore Fabrication Options
Durability is influenced by the design process. Customization allows for unique, eye-catching signage that reflects your brand’s identity. Choosing the right materials and working with experienced fabricators can enhance both aesthetics and structural integrity. Expert craftsmanship ensures your signage meets your specific needs while maintaining a professional look.
Avoid Miscommunication with Manufacturers
We all know that even the littlest miscommunication while creating custom commercial signs can result in costly delays, mistakes, or surprises. With an emphasis on clarity and a consistent guiding vision, you will experience a more streamlined process and a greater final product.
Provide Clear Instructions
Detailed and clear instructions are necessary to prevent mistakes from reaching production. Begin by clearly listing your needs, such as sizes, colors, and materials. For example, if you wish to order one blue aluminum sign that’s 4’x6’, let us know upfront.
Just don’t forget to note that you’d like white text printed on it! Be sure to include any deadlines, as most large printing companies will need a few weeks to fulfill an order. Surfaces that use materials such as metal or polished brass often require the use of third-party manufacturers, which can further lengthen timelines.
At It’s a Good Sign, we emphasize proactive communication and attention to detail to keep your project on track. Conducting status meetings and maintaining clear communication with your sign provider ensures production stays on schedule, minimizing delays and unexpected challenges.
Review Proofs Carefully
Before moving forward with production, reviewing proofs is an important step. Checking the sample proof can help ensure the design, text, and colors align with expectations. If something appears off, adjustments can be requested. A polished brass sign, for example, might look different in person than in a proof. Spending extra time reviewing details can help prevent potential issues.
Confirm All Details in Writing
Having everything you agree to and all specs written down gives you a roadmap for your project. Contracts are key to specifying all parties’ roles and responsibilities and creating a concrete log of all communications.
This ensures alignment with goals and avoids missteps, whether you’re designing lobby signage or outdoor displays.
Understand Regulations and Permits
Knowing how to navigate through regulations and permits is an important step when ordering custom commercial signs. Planning ahead will help you build to the regulations, avoiding needlessly costly penalties, and allow your project to stay on the right schedule. Here’s what you need to know about them. Below, we dive into the basics of grasping these regulations.
Research Local Signage Laws
First, doing a little research into the signage regulations and permitting requirements in your jurisdiction can go a long way. Roughly 80% of cities have their own regulations governing external signs, regulating location, size, and even materials.
For example, signage in historic districts may insist on materials that are consistent with the community’s historic character. Public spaces need to meet other requirements, like adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to make sure that the space is accessible.
According to interface standards, many jurisdictions impose brightness limits on electronic displays to reduce nuisance lighting. To prevent costly oversights, work with local officials or draw on official resources to ensure your temporary sign complies with all applicable regulations.
Perhaps the most important factor in understanding these regulations and permits is simply staying informed—regulations are constantly changing.
Obtain Necessary Permits
Securing the right permits in advance can help streamline the process. Identifying the type of permit needed—whether general, electrical, or location-specific—is an important first step. For illuminated signs, certain permits may be required in commercial areas. Reviewing paperwork carefully and keeping copies on file can help with organization. Some projects might involve additional permit requirements, making regular communication with local officials beneficial.
Avoid Compliance Penalties
Failure to comply comes with the potential for steep fines and/or lawsuits. Check your signage periodically to make sure it still complies with the latest regulations.
For example, updating signs to meet new ADA guidelines or brightness limits can prevent penalties. Solve problems as soon as they arise, and maintain a dialogue with regulatory agencies to preempt misunderstandings.
Compare Quotes and Vendor Capabilities
When purchasing custom commercial signs, it’s often crucial to compare quotes and vendor capabilities to save yourself from making expensive missteps. These actions help get you the best signage available for your specific needs, and help you avoid going over budget.
Request Detailed Quotes
Begin by requiring vendors to provide itemized quotes that detail the cost of design, materials, fabrication, permitting, and installation. Transparency allows you to know exactly what your money is being spent on and protects you from surprise hidden fees.
For example, some advertising specialty vendors will have additional fees if you need something produced quickly or want to use a special material—ask questions to avoid unexpected costs. Compare vendor capabilities side by side.
Watch the pricing and timelines as the design through install typically takes at least 6–8 weeks. Make sure quotes include warranties. A one-year warranty on exterior signs is the norm.
Check Vendor References
This is why gathering references from past clients is so invaluable. Call references to get a sense of the vendor’s reliability, communication style, and whether they’ll deliver on their promises.
Send us high-quality examples of completed projects. I intend to judge quality of materials and craftsmanship, particularly for bespoke design that outshines the usual off-the-shelf fare.
Look at online customer reviews to identify any recurring themes, both good and bad, about how the vendor operates.
Evaluate Expertise and Experience
When it comes to custom signage, experience is crucial. Select vendors who not only have a strong portfolio, but have proven expertise in the specific type of signage you are looking for.
For example, exterior signs require specific knowledge, such as appropriate materials for weather conditions and ideal viewing distances like 1″ of letter height for every 25 feet of distance.
Vendors who have specialized skills and a proven track record of successful projects provide much more assurance that you’ll get the quality and value you need.
Uncover Hidden Costs
Here’s what to look out for when you order custom commercial signs, so costly hidden fees don’t throw off your budget. Design changes, for example, often incur extra costs, particularly if several rounds of edits are needed. As a best practice, always check with your vendor in advance to find out how these charges are set up.
Establishing ongoing maintenance is a key piece. Even if a sign is installed with great care and precision, consistent maintenance will be the key to keeping it in that pristine condition. Plan and budget for cleaning, repainting, or replacing elements to prevent surprise costs down the road.
Monitoring project expenses during the entire process allows for keeping projects on budget in order to avoid going over budget.
Factor in Installation Expenses
Installation costs can impact your budget significantly. Professional installation is often recommended, especially for complex signage. Fees can vary depending on different factors. Some installations may require specialized equipment, and additional requirements could apply based on location or sign type.
Plan for Maintenance
Regular maintenance is a great way to prolong the life of your signage. Routine inspections allow officials to detect wear and tear such as color fading or structural deterioration. Material selection has an enormous impact on long-term costs as well.
Those quality alternatives might come with a somewhat higher initial cost, but they have lower ongoing maintenance requirements, making them more cost-effective in the long run.
Consider Potential Repairs
Repair is something we’ll always have to do over time. Track the long-term history of maintenance and repair costs to better prepare and improve decision-making.
Frequent inspections allow agencies to know exactly where repairs are needed, addressing small issues before they become major headaches.
Ensure Alignment with Marketing Goals
By making sure your custom signage works hand in hand with your marketing goals, you’ll set your business on the path to success. Careful strategic planning makes your signs stand out and deliver measurable impact.
By defining clear objectives, integrating branding, and continuously evaluating performance, you can make signage an impactful part of your overall strategy.
Define Your Target Audience
Knowing your audience is the key to successful wayfinding. Begin by understanding target demographics, specific ages, income levels, preferences, and let these findings guide your design process.
Your new tech-savvy audience is going to appreciate minimal, sleek, modern aesthetics. A family-oriented service provider would benefit from friendly and welcoming imagery.
Even after design, testing with your audience will help you tweak messaging and placement. A well-placed directional sign near a busy intersection can guide foot traffic, while messaging tailored to local interests resonates more effectively.
Ongoing evaluations help you make sure your signs remain effective as your audience’s needs change.
Integrate Signage with Branding
If you choose to use signage as part of your branding, consistency is crucial. Your signs should reflect your values through familiar elements like logos, fonts, and colors.
For instance, if a brand has a reputation for sustainable practices, they may want to add eco-friendly materials or messaging. By collaborating with branding professionals, you’ll help ensure your signage is in sync with evolving branding strategies while maximizing visual impact.
Whether it’s updating outdoor signage with modern LED lighting or ensuring compliance with ADA standards, every detail reinforces your brand identity.
Measure Signage Effectiveness
Develop precise metrics to measure the effectiveness of your signage. Measure customer engagement, foot traffic, and sales to see what’s effective.
A local retail shop, for example, might want to track the effectiveness of in-store signage on their customers’ purchase decisions. Continue using this data to improve your strategy, and you’ll set yourself up for continued success.
Conclusion
Ordering custom commercial signs requires one to be methodical and detail-oriented. It’s all about a great design, quality, long-lasting materials, and transparent collaboration with your manufacturer. Verifying local regulations and required permits, as well as capabilities of the order vendor, helps to prevent costly mistakes later on. Getting apples-to-apples quotes and digging out hidden fees helps you stay within your budget. Get the sign in line with your marketing objectives and you can be confident it’s doing a lot of heavy lifting for your company.
Each choice you make further develops the end product and what effect it will have. With a little bit of knowledge and the right questions, you can avoid those costly mistakes and create a business sign that truly makes you stand out. A high-quality sign is more than a cost—it’s a long-term commitment to how you represent your brand.
Order your custom commercial signs today with confidence. Begin the process of designing your custom sign with these mistakes in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are custom commercial signs important for my business?
From attracting new customers to enhancing your brand identity, the right commercial custom signs can significantly improve your business presence. They keep you focused on creating designs that help you stand out and communicate key messages effectively. For attracting foot traffic and boosting sales, a well-designed, well-priced sign is your best investment.
What are the common mistakes when ordering custom signs?
What are the most common mistakes businesses make when ordering custom commercial signs? These mistakes can cost you thousands and are more common than you think. It pays to plan in order to avoid these potential pitfalls.
How can I ensure my sign design is effective?
Avoid overly ornate fonts, color schemes that are hard to read, or too much text. Another graphic design tip is your design needs to be legible from a far-off point, too. Add your company’s logo and color scheme to make sure your signs are in line with your brand and instantly recognizable.
What materials should I choose for my sign?
Consider factors such as durability, weather resistance, frequency of re-installation, and intended location. For exterior signs, aluminum and acrylic materials are highly sought after, standing the test of time for decades through extreme elements. Consider quality as a counterbalance to cost, saving money in the long run.
How do I avoid miscommunication with my sign manufacturer?
Avoid misunderstanding through clear communication with comprehensive design renderings, specifications, and production timelines. Check all proofs very thoroughly before going into production. Frequent check-ins and honest conversation can help you avoid expensive mistakes and make sure you get exactly what you’re hoping for.
Do I need permits for my commercial sign?
Are permits needed for commercial signage around my location? Check your local zoning laws and regulations to make sure you’ll be in compliance. Not getting the proper permits might result in fines or even removal of your sign.
How can I uncover hidden costs when ordering signs?
Inquire about installation, permits, maintenance, and delivery fees before you order. Some vendors leave these out of their quotes. Having a clear understanding of all costs upfront will prevent surprises in your budget later on.
Enhance Your Brand’s Visibility: Expert Custom Commercial Signs
Your business’s signage is often the first impression customers have of your brand. Well-designed, high-quality custom commercial signs can set your business apart, attracting attention and establishing credibility. Whether you need illuminated signs, dimensional lettering, monument signs, or storefront graphics, having the right signage is essential for maximizing your visibility and professionalism.
At It’s A Good Sign, we specialize in creating premium custom commercial signs tailored to your unique branding needs. With over 30 years of experience in signmaking and a nationwide network of professionals, we deliver eye-catching, durable, and high-performing signage solutions that perfectly align with your brand’s identity. From conceptual design to fabrication and installation, our expert team handles every step of the process with meticulous attention to detail.
Investing in high-quality custom commercial signs ensures your business stands out, day and night. A striking, well-crafted sign boosts credibility, increases foot traffic, and reinforces your brand’s presence in the marketplace.
Don’t settle for ordinary. Contact us today to discuss your vision and let us help you make a lasting impression with the perfect custom commercial sign!
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