Custom signs make people take notice, which can be great in certain situations, like if you’re promoting your business at an event or special offer that only lasts a short period of time.
However, when designing custom signs, there are some important rules you should follow to ensure that your signs attract the attention you want and not the ire of the local authorities. Here are seven important rules to follow when designing custom signs.
Rule 1: Think of your business as an extension of yourself
When you think about your business, you should be thinking of it as an extension of who you are. This means that when you start designing the custom signs, you should think about what type of sign would reflect your business.
For example, if you own a bakery and want a custom sign for the front door, make sure that the sign is bright and colourful so people can see it on their way in.
You don't want people driving by without realising that there is a bakery there because your sign blends in with the natural surroundings.
The same thing goes for any type of business—they all have specific needs based on what they sell or do, so make sure to think about how your sign will represent who you are and what kind of business you're running.
Rule 2: Choose the right sign company
Choosing the right sign company can be a daunting process. You want to choose a company that is professional, knowledgeable, and experienced. Choosing the wrong sign company can lead to frustration and a bad experience. Here are some questions you should ask when looking for a sign company:
- Does your desired sign company have experience with making custom signs?
- What type of signage services does the sign company provide?
- What types of materials do they work with?
- Do they offer design assistance or advice on what type of custom signage would be best for your project?
- How quickly can you expect your custom signage order to be completed?
Rule 3: Do your research.
You don't want to spend money on something that's already been done a million times. This is one of the most important rules when it comes to design, but it also applies to everything else in life!
Make sure you take the time to do some research before making your final decision. Not only does this save you from wasting your hard-earned money, but it also ensures that you're designing something truly unique for your business or event.
Rule 4: Decide on your message
Before you can design a sign, you need to decide what the sign will say. The message is usually based on the purpose of the sign.
For example, a restaurant might want its signs to say WELCOME, MENU, and OUT OF ORDER. For an apartment building, a common message would be NO TRESPASSING or DO NOT DISTURB.
Once you have determined your message, it's time to think about fonts and colors. In general, large words are better than small words; simple lettering looks better than fancy lettering; and serif fonts work well for most messages.
Rule 5: Determine how long it will take to complete the project
One of the most important factors you should consider when designing a custom sign is how long it will take to complete the project. This will determine not only your materials but also your budget and timeline.
Many signs are designed on a per-square-foot rate, with an average time for completion of one square foot taking about two hours. Keep in mind that this does not include any setbacks that may occur, such as running out of supplies or inclement weather delaying your installation.
Rule 6: Get all costs in writing before you commit
You should always get a written quote before you commit to anything. This will help you avoid the situation where you are quoted one price but end up paying more in the end.
Your sign company may offer discounts for large orders, so make sure they specify this when giving quotes. Also, ask about any hidden costs that might not be advertised upfront.
For example, some companies charge an extra fee if they have to travel out of state or if they need to provide parking passes for their employees who are working on your sign project.
Rule 7: Commitment goes both ways. Follow up is on time, every time
If you are the one with the custom sign design, then you will be responsible for following up with your customer. This is a very important rule that goes both ways. If you don't follow up on time, your business may not get paid or may lose a client.
On the other hand, if your customer doesn't follow up on time, then their custom sign might not be created in time for their event.
It's best to set expectations from the beginning of how long it'll take for each person involved to complete their responsibilities, so there won't be any misunderstandings and time can be made up accordingly.
The most important thing when designing custom signs is commitment, so it's crucial that everyone involved follows through on what they say they'll do when they say they'll do it.
In conclusion, it's not easy to design a custom sign. With all the decisions that need to be made, it can feel overwhelming. That's why it's important to have some guidelines in place before you start working on your sign project.
The seven rules mentioned above will help you avoid costly mistakes and end up with a great custom sign!
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