As you begin the process of designing and selecting channel letter sign for your business, there are several items that you need in order to get the right design, size and style as well as an accurate pricing estimate.One early thing to consider is that the most advantageous time to negotiate the size and type of sign is prior to signing your lease. You have the most leverage if you are trying to get a sign that is outside of the standard for your property. You will still have to conform to city sign regulations, but you may be able to get the landlord to modify their sign restrictions during the lease negotiation phase.
Second, most commercial properties will have landlord restrictions that dictate the types of signs, sizes, etc that every tenant is required to conform to. Having this information will save you and your sign company a great deal of time and answer many of the questions concerning the design of your Channel Letter Sign. In addition, most landlords will require that they approve your design before you release it for production. Some landlords will only allow you to have your company name on a sign, other allow logos and tag lines.
Third, you will need to measure the length of the frontage of your business. This will be used to determine the size of your sign for city regulations and perhaps the landlord restrictions as well. In some cases, you will be required to keep your sign’s length within a certain percentage of your store frontage. In others, you will be restricted to a sign area that is less than the length of your frontage times the first 15 feet of building height times 20%.
Fourth, you will need the dimensions of the facia of the building area that the sign will be installed on. The facia is the front of the building where the architect allowed space for signs. Your landlord may be able to tell you, you may be able to measure it with a tape measure. Or, you can take a picture of the building and take a reference measurement of a door or window that will enable the graphic artist to figure out the dimensions.
Fifth, you should determine your budget. Channel letter signs are a significant investment but going cheap will either result in a sign that is too small to be effective or of such poor quality that it will fail before your first year is up.
Sixth, you should contact a sign company that has experience designing and installing channel letter signs, that can provide quality U/L approved signs with a warranty, a sign company that can pull the necessary city permits for your sign.
Channel letter signs, like many on-premise signs can have a significant impact on your business. They help your customers find you and they also convey an image of your brand. Taking the time and attending to the details of design will help you create a sign that will last you for many years and also help you to convey that positive message to your customers.
