Consider the number of business signs you see on a daily basis. Now think about how they catch your eye, draw you in, or simply strike your curiosity. This is the power of a great business sign – one that is direct, effective, and captivating. As a business owner, signage serves as a compelling tool to market your business as well as educate and engage existing and potential customers.
Your business sign is the first impression most people get from your brand and it serves as an essential touchpoint in attracting new customers too. In fact, many customers admit that they will enter a store they’ve never visited before solely based on the strength of their signage. Business signs are a 3D representation of your brand identity and their visual and tangible nature plays a vital role in bringing your brand to life.
If you’re a business owner in Los Angeles looking to create a sign with impact, keep reading. Our 3-step sign guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Keeping your brand identity in mind here, you will need to figure out the style of signage that works best for your company and storefront. At this step of the process, you will need to take your brand colors, font, and design into consideration. This will ensure that you’re perfectly capturing the overall ‘look and feel’ of the brand and keeping things consistent throughout all of your touchpoints.
The next thing you’ll want to hone in on is the purpose of your sign. This will help to determine what type of sign you’re going to get. Does your sign require lighting? Will it be vertical, diagonal, or horizontal? Do you want to include your brand logo in it? How large does it need to be? Where exactly will the sign be displayed? Is it going to be on the exterior or interior of the building? Questions like this will help you get clear on the function of your business sign before beginning the production phase. It’s also incredibly helpful to do your inspiration research beforehand. We recommend creating a mood board of various signs that you like so that you can narrow down the design direction you want to take and make the process more efficient.
Looking for some inspiration? Check out our latest work.
Another factor that might affect the type of business sign you decide on is the signage policy stated in your commercial lease. Most signage policies will outline a criteria for business sign approval, all of which should be compliant with any law or permit requirements in place.
Typically, these requirements can be found in a file called the “Master Sign Program'' and will detail any limitations around the size, colors, design, and positioning of the sign. For this reason, it’s necessary to speak with your landlord before making any final decisions. You definitely want to have a good understanding of these requirements before your sign is created and paid for, or even before you sign a commercial lease. However, depending on why those limitations are in place, you may be able to negotiate with your landlord and come to a happy medium.
The next step is to contact a suitable sign company. It’s important that you find a highly-recommended and fully licensed sign company in Los Angeles that has professional experience and the capacity to handle the scope of your project. Once you do that, you can begin sharing your sign designs and creative ideas and get their suggestions based on their expertise. A key piece of advice: trust the expertise of the sign company you’ve chosen. They might have some really great suggestions regarding colors, sizing, lighting, or materials, which can help to make your business sign even better than you anticipated. After all, they are the experts!
A sign company is able to support the creation of your business sign by working with you on several aspects including design, permitting, manufacturing, and installation.
They can provide a 3D rendering to help you visualize what your sign will look like once it’s complete. Having a sneak peek before the sign is created will give you the opportunity to note any changes or tweaks you would like to make before the manufacturing process begins.
If you are unsure of permitting requirements or unable to get that information from your landlord, some sign companies can give you a helping hand. This will allow you to ensure that you’re following all of the right rules and checking all of your boxes before deciding on a business sign.
If your sign is being made in-house, the sign company will oversee and manage all of the logistics associated with manufacturing and production. They will be able to ensure everything is running smoothly and can provide you with a clear timeline for your sign’s completion.
The sign company may also offer delivery and installation services. It’s important to ask whether or not this is a service they provide so you can determine if it’s the right company for you to work with. When installation is included, it limits any technical complications or delays – allowing you to display your new sign sooner.
A good sign company will always take a holistic approach when developing your sign. They’ll consider your brand identity, color palette, and brand persona to ensure they’re infusing those crucial factors into the overall design. Another important thing to note is that your business sign is a long-term investment that should last for a while – depending on the material(s) used in its construction. Unfortunately, circumstances arise and sometimes, maintenance or replacement of your sign is necessary. This is why it’s crucial to maintain a relationship with the sign company, as they can assist with the upkeep or replacement of your business sign over time.
There you have it! Now, you are ready to request a free quote and order your sign.
Have questions or want to learn more? Contact us today to speak with one of our team members. We’re happy to assist you in getting your business sign up and running.
Elevate your franchise's brand presence with our expertly crafted signage solutions that captivate, communicate, and compel customers to choose you.
