Indoor signs
The Process of Signage: 5 Steps to Making a Custom Sign
12/29/2022
Let's Get Creative
Whether you want custom signage for inside your business or outdoors, it takes planning, time and skill to create a great sign that meets all of your needs. Before you can get to the final installation stage, there are a few crucial steps that go into designing and making a custom sign.
Here is what you can expect to encounter throughout the process of signage.
Great Signs Start with a Consultation
The custom signage process usually begins with a consultation.
During this initial conversation, you will discuss your communication goals, branding considerations, design preferences and the intended location for your new signage.
During the consultation process, designers will also visit your location to assess sightlines, take measurements and, if necessary, determine power sources.
At this stage, our team’s knowledge of local ordinances can also help save you time and money. For example, there’s no sense in fully planning out and designing a 40-foot-tall LED sign if your city allows only smaller non-illuminated ones!
Here are some of the questions and details that are important to discuss during a sign consultation:
- What is your budget?
- Are there any time constraints?
- What is the purpose of your new custom sign?
- Will your sign be indoors or outdoors?
- Do you want a sign that is temporary or long-term?
Collaborating is Key to Sign Design
The sign design process combines all of your ideas with our team’s graphic design talents.
If you are a new business or seeking a brand refresh, logo creation may also be part of the signage design process. It is important to create a design that prioritizes functionality for your new sign and a cohesive brand identity for your business.
The custom sign process also factors in your budget, time frame and our own fabrication capabilities to ensure what’s possible design-wise is also practical production-wise.
This is also a great time to show us images and pieces of inspiration to help our team get a clear visual of the design you want.
Consider these ideas during the design process for your new custom signage:
- Which design elements do you like and dislike?
- What colors and font styles do you want on your sign?
- What type of sign material do you prefer?
- Are there any images you want included?
Creating Mockups For Your New Sign
After going through the sign design process and finalizing your custom sign, the next step in the signage process would be to provide mockups to help you visualize the new sign and see how it will look mounted in its planned location.
Mockups are often created with photo editing software so you can see how different signage concepts will look along the roadside, on a storefront, inside your office or elsewhere before anything is actually installed.
Acquiring Any Necessary Permits
Before giving you the go ahead to install some signs, your city or town may require you to submit a detailed plan to ensure your new sign meets all regulations regarding size, location, lighting and the presence of other signs on the property.
There is often a fee associated with this step, but once you’ve received your sign permit, you can confidently move ahead with the signage production.
Your local Signs Now team is well-versed in laws and ordinances regarding signage installation, so if you have any concerns about these details, let us know – we can help navigate you through this process!
Signage Installation Process
After your sign is designed and built, the final step will be installation.
Hiring a licensed and insured sign installation team is the key to this part of the signage process. In fact, many municipalities will make this contingent on their permit approval.
As you check off the final steps of the custom signage process, you’ll want to trust that you are working with a skilled, experienced sign installer that practices proper installation procedures.
Our team at Signs Now Stillwater accomplishes the job to local standards, adheres to your installation timeline, prioritizes safety and troubleshoots any obstacles along the way.
Ready To Start the Custom Signage Process?
Look to Signs Now Stillwater for expert help with every aspect of a sign project: including custom signage design, permitting and installation.
Signs Now provides the direction and state-of-the-art technology to ensure your business is displaying the right image—from updating the custom signage in your store, restaurant or office to outfitting a new location with your branding for a cohesive business appearance. To get started, contact us today!
