Choosing the Right Sign 

Looking to install a sign for your business but not sure where to start? Well you came to the right place! When looking to install a sign for your business you may need to step out of your comfort zone and go for something bright and bold to grab the attention of your customers. You want your sign to not only be legible, but remarking. Think about a sign you can spot anywhere and you know exactly what the store is, for example Target; those big red letters and target logo are recognizable anywhere! But the manufacturing of that sign isn’t the only step that makes it stand out, it’s the final installation that gives it it’s final pop. Installing signs are a process, but here are some tips and advice to help make it a smooth one. 

Less Is More 

Think of time you came across a sign that displayed too much information, you may have found it too clustered and difficult to read. By keeping your message short, your sign is simpler to see and pursue initially. The message ought to be passed on in as few words as conceivable to your intended customers. Swarming your sign with excessive words or lines of content makes it harder to view from a distance. You might feel the need to "top off" the open space of a sign with however much information or words, however, when content is packed, it winds up more diligently to read. 

Legible Fonts 

Regardless if you’re doing a sign or just writing an article, you should always keep in mind to use a legible font. Most expert text styles have varying weights, going from standard to strong, bold to italic, and so forth. Picking two textual styles that supplement each other can make your message stick out. However, we don’t recommend using more than two different text styles as it will make the sign too disordered. 

Contrasting 

When designing your sign, it is best to use contrasting colors. For example, dark background works great with lighter letters and vice versa. The greater the contrast, the more legible the text is from a distance. Colors that are too similar won’t contrast well and will be difficult for your customers to read. 

Permit Process 

The most time-consuming part is the permit process. Every town has their own codes and requirements that must be followed when applying for a sign permit. Before your sign manufacturer begins to design and assemble your sign, it is best to familiarize yourself with your towns code of ordinance. It’s a very costy and time-wasting experience when you submit an application that doesn’t abide to their requirements and have to amend your plans and resubmit those documents. Most sign companies do offer to complete the permit process for you but we still recommend you stay educated and open minded. One of the benefits of working with signage professionals is that they know all the right people to talk to. Another important factor to know is that most towns require a licensed sign contractor to even pull a sign permit. So even if you decided to complete the permit process on your own, you may not be able to obtain a city permit as an unlicensed sign contractor.

Another tip to keep in mind is that unless you’re the owner of the building you wish to install the sign on, you must get approval by your landlord to go forward with the installation. When submitting your permit application, most cities require a notarized letter from your landlord authorizing you to make changes or add to the building. Without that authorization, your application will be dismissed and you will not be able to have the sign installed. 

Choosing the Right Sign Professionals 

If you’ve come to the conclusion that spending weeks learning codes and requirements isn’t for you, then the next step is finding the right sign professional that will give you their full-service and install a business sign you will be satisfied with. We recommend you do your research when looking for a sign company to create and install your sign. Your sign is a very important factor of your business, don't just settle for anything. Look for a company you’re comfortable with, a sign professional who will not only tell you they can create your desired sign, but one who will guide you through the process and communicate with you every step of the way.  

With these tips and advice, we hope you are ready to begin this process and get that beautiful sign started! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us by calling 973-350-0400 or email us at info@dcisigns.com.

Good luck!