SCHOOL SIGNAGE: Signage Advice, Tips and Trends

2007-12-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

SCHOOL SIGNAGE: Signage Advice, Tips and Trends.

“Deciding the signage for our school was sometimes a daunting undertaking and involved more time and effort than everyone on our school building committee realized.”

Here are some simple Advice Tips and Trends to follow for most of your signage needs.

NEW BUILDING SIGNAGE:
If your in the process of building a new school – your signage for the building should be carefully planned out. For most new buildings, your architect has already specified your signage layouts, and needs in the building plans. The signage “specs” probably fit your buildings architectural feel and also meet the ADA requirements for new buildings. Your general contractor may already have a signage company lined up for the making and installation of the buildings signs. It is also possible that the general contractor might only meet the minimum signage requirements to complete the building (per your city codes) which would be; restroom signs, stairway signage, elevator and electrical rooms. In this case, all the other room signage would be left up to you to find a signage solution that meets your needs and works well with the building.

REMODELING A SCHOOL BUILDING
If you have hired an architect to handle the remodeling layout, it’s highly likely that he or she has also put some thought into your signage needs as well. For many architects, signage in the building is somewhat like the icing on the cake. They know that signage in the building is a vital necessity for everyone involved in the daily activity of that school.
The most common signage question asked on remodeling of a school building is; “do we need to have all the rooms ADA compatible?”. The simple answer to that is; “Yes.” State and Federal Guidelines are pretty explicit, but more importantly – it’s the right thing to do..

WHAT ARE ADA GUIDELINES:
The United States’ Government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1992, which set a series of guidelines for public and private businesses, schools and government buildings to follow in order to make their facilities accessible to people with physical handicaps. Theses laws were a necessary move forward in the representation of the rights of individuals with special needs. Prior to the passing of the ADA, a business or school could have little or no access for those with disabilities, making it virtually impossible for such individuals to utilize the commercial space. This put those with disabilities at a terrible disadvantage. As a concerned school administrator you should pay attention to these guidelines. In order to better serve your disabled customers, the government has specifically detailed the ways in which certain parts of your building should be used.
At: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/stdspdf.htm you will find the most current guidelines in which to follow. Most, if not all, signage professionals are fully aware of the ADA guidelines.

CITY SIGN ORDINANCES
Check all city sign ordinances prior to making a final decision on your 'exterior' signage. Never assume that what you want for your outdoor sign - meets your city requirements. “Exterior Signage” applies to lettering on the building, and to the size of your “new” school sign out in front of the building. A quick look on the city web site or calling and asking for the “exterior” sign ordinance requirements will layout all your signage options. You will probably also have to file a SIGN PERMIT for your exterior sign. The fee for a permit is generally based on the square footage of the sign area – the bigger the sign – the bigger the fee. (anywhere from $25 to $200 in most cases). The permit will only be granted if your signage layout meets your city’s guidelines. Never assume that getting a city permit is an easy process. You might be required to file your permit and appear before the city council for approval. This process could take as little as a day or over several months – it all depends on the city you reside in.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
Keep your exterior signage simple and easy to read. In most cases, the signage for the outside of a school, will be dictated by the amount of room the city will allow.
SIGNAGE SHOULD ONLY BE SEEN; WHEN YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IT.
The best type of signage, whether its for the inside of your school or for the exterior of you building – should only be seen when your looking for it. If your signage, becomes so noticeable that it becomes a distraction to the area it’s in – then someone failed in their signage duties. For the outside of your building, city codes will pretty much control the overall size and look of your sign or letters – but still try to keep the colors – neutral and complimentary to your building. Interior signage is where you can run into problems with over powering a space. Your signage that goes on the walls for room identification or directions, should compliment the color of the wall and a possible trim color. Keep it simple and clean.

SIGN LETTER TYPES

Metal Sign letters
There are a variety of metals available to choose from when looking at Metal Sign letters. Aluminum, is by far the most common metal letter choice. You can paint it, polish it, brush it, apply a clear coat and even dye the metal to look like others metals. Aluminum letters will not rust.. Bronze and Brass letters are very nice choices as well, but they can get expensive in a hurry. Copper letters look great when they are first put up, but they will fade to a green over time, and cost quite a bit in today’s metal markets. Steel letters are great for a rustic look on any building, but hence the word “rustic”, these letters will rust faster than you can put them up.

Cast Metal Sign Letters
These are a great option when considering metal letters. Why? Because cast metal letters are not solid, they have a hollow core. This is part of the process when they are made. They become a great value when wanting a thick letter in depth and dimension, but can’t afford a “solid” metal letter.

Flat Cut Acrylic letters
Acrylic letters are by far the most common letter types used in schools. They are inexpensive, come in a variety of standard colors, thickness’s and can be cut into almost any shape or size. You can also paint acrylic to match the look of metal letters – which we do often, and will cost considerably less than a metal letter.

Formed Plastic letters
These type of letters follow the same principal as cast metal letters, meaning; they save you money when your looking for a letter with some depth and dimension to them. They come in a variety of standard colors, and can be painted to any color you can imagine. They also come in different face types; round, flat, or bevel – depending upon the font you are choosing.

Foam Letters
These are great letters for strictly interior usage and wanting letters with some depth to them. The foam most commonly used is called “Gator Foam”, and is fairly rigid and holds paint real well. Foam sign letters also come with metal laminates for the faces, which can give the illusion of a solid thick metal letter at a fraction of the price.

Channel letters
These letters are most commonly used for exterior illumination purposes. You will see these letters on the sides of buildings, (retail, schools, offices, etc) in a variety of colors or sizes, illuminated using either neon or LED’s. They also come in “reverse channel” as well, meaning that they have a ‘reverse illumination” – and these are becoming more common and requested because of their “classy appearance”.

Interior & Exterior Signage Wayfinding Systems
More is not better! A very important rule of wayfinding.
When planning a wayfinding program, use signs and display information only as necessary. This will minimize visual "clutter" and create a more effective wayfinding solution. Simply adding more signs will do nothing more than overwhelm and confuse the person trying to “find their way”, and create a lasting negative impression of your school. There are a huge variety of wayfinding systems available, that can be customized to fit your budgetary needs.

Outdoor Changeable Copy School Signage
“Once we put in our school sign – it seemed to bring our community around us closer together.
Changeable copy signs allow you to effectively communicate with students, parents, teachers and the community. These signs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, illuminated and non-illuminated. These signs can be mounted directly on the outside walls of your building or can be installed on your property. They are constructed of a aluminum frame and most come with vandal resistant changeable copy faces. The changeable copy ranges in sizes from 3” to 6” in height and 2-6 lines.
VERY IMPORTANT: Check with your City Ordinances as to what size of sign your are allowed to put up on your building and/or if you can put a sign out by the street.

LED School Message Signage
This is the latest form of School signage for exterior use and each year the messaging technology that goes in LED’s is a little more advanced. These systems are costly to begin with, and should only be considered when budgets can truly afford it.
VERY IMPORTANT: Check with your City Ordinances as to what size of sign your are allowed to put up on your building and/or if you can put a sign out by the street.

Internet or Local sign Company?

Most sign companies today have a web site offering signage products or a portfolio of the work they are capable of doing.. You will probably find some companies that specialize in certain products and not in others, and very few companies can do all of what is mentioned above. Become as educated and familiar about all your different options that are available for your signage needs.
Select a sign company that is knowledgeable about their products, their installation requirements, and willing to answer your questions.

Installation of Letters and Signs
Your sign letter options can easily be installed, and should not require a signage professional. You will need a level, maybe a drill, clear silicone, and double sided tape. Your Wayfinding Sign Systems should come directly from the plant or sign company – ready for installation, which in most cases requires a drill, a couple of screws, and some double sided tape. Make sure you get “templates” or “layout patterns” for your all your signage installations. For your larger signs, like the “Changeable Copy Signs, or LED Message Signs”, these come pre-assembled and ready for mounting, and will in most cases require 2 people for installation. In some cases, you might need a hammer drill, and some basic knowledge on how to pour a cement footing.

2 Golden Rules of Signage
1. More is not better
2. Keep it simple

If you have any other questions about your school signage needs, please feel free to contact me directly at: gardner@lettersandsigns.com

5 Important Signage Tips

2007-11-09T21:16:00.000-08:00

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