3 Sign Challenges & How to Avoid Them

If you have a business, most likely you need a sign. If your business has multiple locations, most likely you have a headache. On the surface, adding signage to a building or property seems like an easy task on your long to-do list. You will quickly discover that there are many hurdles to contend with including: “What do you mean I can’t make that type of sign with my logo?”, “Wait, I have size restrictions AND I need a permit for it?”, and “How do we even make and install something that big?” In this post, we’ll discuss 3 challenges you may face when the time comes and how best to avoid them.

CHALLENGE # 1 – LOGO AND MANUFACTURING RESTRICTIONS

Illuminated channel letters are one of the most commonly used types of signs. These are individual dimensional letters often seen on storefronts that light up in the front, back, or both.

The Challenge

If your logo has thin strokes or contains a serif font (a font with “feet” like Times New Roman), the manufacturer may not be able to fit the LED inside of it. Typically, the smallest possible stroke width is 1-1/2”. With permitting and space restrictions, you may not be able to increase the size of your sign to accommodate that width.

How To Avoid It

Many companies have variations of their logos to use in different situations. Having a stacked or linear version can decrease its square footage allowing you a larger sign when it comes to permitting. Another variation is to have slightly thicker letters. We’ve had to “beef-up” our share of logos in order to manufacture them.

Another option is to use a different sign type altogether. An illuminated sign cabinet allows you to print or use vinyl to recreate your logo so thin lines are not an issue to produce.

CHALLENGE # 2 – PERMITTING

You think that permitting is just filling out some paperwork and paying some fees. We wish it was that simple.

The Challenge

Permitting can be as “simple” as code research, filling out forms and LOTS of waiting. However, it can also involve variances — please let me have a bigger sign — and providing signed and sealed engineering drawings — here’s proof that it won’t fall apart.

How To Avoid It

The easiest way to overcome this challenge is to hire someone else to do all the legwork aka Egan Sign! We will do the code research, develop layouts and renderings following the code, help represent you if you want something outside of the code, and provide any paperwork needed to complete the project. It is a service that saves invaluable time, lots of work and some tears.

CHALLENGE # 3 – LOGISTICS

You know what you want. You have the permits to get it. Now how do you get it made and installed at your location?

The Challenge

You need to find a manufacturer that can create the sign of your dreams, somehow get it transported on-site, and then have it installed safely. This entails research, scheduling, insurance, trucks, electrical work, and sometimes cranes.

How To Avoid It

There are 2 ways of avoiding this. 1) You can find a company that does everything in-house which can be limiting if you have various locations or a strict timeline. A single company can only handle so much work without sacrificing quality or time. Also, the company is confined to its radius due to physical distance and being licensed to install within those states. 2) Hire a sign management company to handle all the moving pieces. When you have dozens of manufacturers, over 2000 certified installers, and a team that focuses on quality and detail, the amount of work while staying on schedule throughout all your locations is not a problem.

THE CONCLUSION

When it comes down to it, like most things, signs are not as easy as you think they are. There are many components a normal person wouldn’t even think of. That’s where we come in. We are not normal people. We are sign people. Let us face these challenges so you can avoid them and focus on the rest of your to-do list.

 A GIFT TO HELP WITH YOUR NEXT SIGN PROJECT

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