5 Important Signage Tips

I've dealt with hundreds of customers when it comes to signage decisions, and unfortuately most of them are unaware of how important their signage decisions are.
For example; I'm currently working on a restaurant signage project - and I just received all the artwork and layouts from his graphic designer. There will be several menu boards, wall graphics, window graphics, and other signage elements - all having to be installed - with everything having to match.. Normally, not a problem, except in this instance (which happens often) - the restaurant is opening in two weeks.

Signage Tip no. 1
Never wait till the last minute to get your signs done. Most 'new' business's are in the planning, development, and implementation stages months prior to opening. Discussions with your signage expert should be taking place at least 1-2 months prior to opening. Hurrying your signage expert, and assuming they can turn around a signage project quickly will only bring you headaches, and cost you $.

Signage Tip no. 2
Check with your landlord, and all city ordinances prior to making a final decision on your 'exterior' signage. Never assume that what you want for your outdoor sign - meets your city, or landlords requirements. I have heard horror stories of business's installing signs - without checking with their landlord, or the city they reside in first. They can and will make you take it down.

Signage Tip no. 3
Keep your exterior signage simple and easy to read. Maybe include in your exterior signage - a brief description of what your business does. For Example: I did a exterior sign for a hair salon called: DINO'S. I told the owner that I strongly suggest putting beside the word DINO'S - "hair salon". He said "absolutely not, everyone knows DINO'S!" One month later - I was asked to put the words - 'hair salon" up. I think he got to many people thinking he was a pizza place.

Signage Tip no. 4
Interior signage should be seen only when people are looking for it. Another words; if you walk into a restaurant, business, or a church and immediately you notice signs everywhere - then your signage is overpowering everything else. The only predominate signage element should be the name of the business, restaurant or church.

Signage Tip no. 5
Have a professional design your signage logo's, and everything else that goes with it. Picking a font from Microsoft Word, and dropping in a clip-art image does not count as a professional design. Your signage expert will ask you to supply him or her with a vectored file of your logo and artwork. If you don't know what that is.. you need to contact a professional that can help you. There are plenty of inexpensive logo design firms on the internet that do great work, for little money. (your signage professional can help with the logo design as well sometimes.)

These are only 5 tips, out of the many that I have to offer. I will be commenting on other tips and
ways to help in the coming weeks ahead..

thanks for reading.

G