Many aspects of your business can contribute to your customers' first impressions, and none is more important than how they feel the first time they step into your place of business. You want to be sure that impression is a good one, and having the right lobby sign is a key element. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="367"] PVC Letters With Metallic Paint[/caption] You don't need to spend a lot of money to have a sophisticated, beautiful lobby sign that appropriately represents your business, brand, and image. There are three key elements to consider when designing and constructing your lobby sign or other indoor signage: 1. DESIGN: most lobby signs consist of the business name and/or logo, but are not always represented in the colors that the company may use in other forms of advertising. Many companies will have style guidelines that specify precisely what size, color and even materials are to be used when constructing signage. If your company does not have strict guidelines, then you may also consider the aesthetics and design of your lobby when planning your signage. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="480"] Foam and Acrylic Sign[/caption] 2. MATERIALS:  there are so many materials to chose from to construct your lobby signage, from foams and plastics on the affordable end, to pricey metals such as aluminum and bronze. Once you have a design in mind, you will want to work with your sign company to talk about the different material options available to achieve your design goals. For example, a think, heavy bronze sign may be in your design plan, but not in your budget. Often, a very similar look and feel can be achieved using a combination of materials such as foam, laminates and paints at a fraction of the cost. A good sign company will always have options to achieve your design goals while also keeping your budget in mind. 3. LIGHTING: there are many ways to light your indoor lobby sign. For most businesses, the combination of your overhead lighting and natural lighting is enough. Spot lighting is also an effective way to go without breaking the bank. Of course, if you really want to go all out, lighting the sign itself internally can make a huge impact. You can chose to use LED, neon or a combination of both types of lighting. Signs can be lit so that the illumination comes out of the front of the sign, the back of the sign (also called halo lighting) or both. When planning your lobby signage, we always recommend speaking with a sign company that does both the design, manufacturing and installation - this way you will not encounter any hiccups as your project moves from one phase to another.