Custom Signs

Custom signs are everywhere, becoming almost as recognizable as the logos that are placed on them. Custom signs are essentially used as an identifier for a company. Custom signs typically contain the company’s logo to identify the company and their location. This allows for customers to find the location easier if they aren’t from the area, or can even be used as a landmark for locals. ShieldCo builds durable signs to serve every purpose, but there’s a lot to know when it comes to deciding on or building and designing a custom sign. 

How to Make a Custom Sign

There’s a lot of things that go into making a custom sign. You have to know what you want your sign to look like, what materials to use, what colors to use, and so much more. In order to create a custom sign, it’s easier if you have a company logo to add to your sign. Your company logo is the image, design, or words that your customers will associate with your company. Most companies have a theme, so your logo should match the themes that go along with your company and your business. 

This is the same with your custom sign. Remember, your custom sign is still a representation of your company and typically does include your logo. Therefore, your custom sign should be made with the same colors, text styles and fonts, designs, etc. as your logo. If you have particular company values that involve something such as going green, you may want to be a bit more picky about the materials used for your logo to put those company values in practice. 

Materials to Make Custom Signs 

There are lots of materials you can use to make your custom sign, but the materials you use to place your design on may effect the design itself and what materials can be used decoratively. Different materials are also used to serve different purposes, as some custom signs are made for buildings while others are made for shops inside of malls, etc. The material you use for your sign is going to be partially dependent upon where your sign is going to be placed. 

Some of the most traditional signs are made with wood or fabric, as these are some of the most basic materials you can use to make a sign. They also provide a more classic look to their environment. However, some other popular signs can also be made with aluminum or metal to allow for more durability and assist in maintaining their condition through various environmental challenges. Neon signs are also popularly used either on the tops of buildings or on the windows of buildings to show whether the business is open, closed, etc.

Aluminum tends to be the best material to use when making signs because it is a strong, lightweight material that offers durability. Aluminum can also be used for indoor signs or outdoor signs, making it a versatile material to use for your custom signs. Aluminum is known to be rustproof and waterproof, making it the best material to use outdoors, as it will stand through severe weather conditions with little wear and tear. ShieldCo uses aluminum to build its custom signs because of its durability and its versatility regarding both indoor and outdoor use. 

Painting Custom Signs

Depending on the sign you choose, you may need to paint or design your custom sign. Painting is most popular with wooden signs, but can also be done with metal signs and various other materials. However, the material originally used for the base of your sign may effect how vibrant the colors are that are painted on your sign as well as which paints may be best. When you are painting on metal, you typically want to use a water-based acrylic paint or an oil paint whereas if you’re painting on wood, you may want to use latex paint.

It is important to make sure you use the correct paints based on the material chosen for your sign because this can heavily effect the vibrancy and the shade of the colors used. This can also effect how long the paint will last on your sign without chipping away or showing various other signs of wear and tear. There are also certain coatings you can apply to your paints to keep them fresh and allow for more durability against severe conditions that may cause even more wear and tear.

ShieldCo uses durable, vibrant colors and has a wide color scheme to choose from. The custom signs are also dressed with a powder coating to ensure that the paint will last through severe conditions, especially if it is being used in an outdoor environment. 

Designing Custom Signs

There are lots of things that need to be decided when picking the design for your custom sign. If your custom sign includes words, you’re going to need to choose which font you would like your sign to use, as well as the letter spacing, if you’re going to include your logo, if the sign is going to have multiple layers, etc.

Custom signs are a full, quick representation of your company, so it’s important to take some time and think about what you want your sign to actually look like. When choosing to get a custom sign from ShieldCo Art, there are many options to choose from, but the templates provided make it easier to choose the best design for your company.

If you want something simple, perhaps just your company’s logo, you could get a single layer design to get your point across but not make people think too hard about what the sign represents. If you want something more complex to draw in more attention and get people thinking and curious, you can go for something as complex as a multi-layered sign with individual lettering. This allows you to provide your company logo, the name of your company, and various colors associated with the representation of your company all in one custom sign.

The way your sign is designed depends on how much you want to get across in your custom sign. It’s a good idea to take a minute and think about what you want customers and people passing by to gather from your sign. Do you want them to see the company name or do you just want them to see the logo? Do you want your sign to include colors that represent your company or do you just want them to see the name of your company? How do you want people to associate your sign with your company? What view do you want to provide your customers with and how do you want customers to think about your company?

Great Custom Signs

ShieldCo uses the most durable materials to provide customers with the most value for their money when designing them a custom sign. Aluminum is a strong, lightweight material that can be used indoors and outdoors. ShieldCo offers a variety of vibrant colors to suit everyone’s needs and make their signs stand out. ShieldCo also ensures that they use a powdered coating as to not ruin the paint but also make sure their signs are durable enough to withstand severe conditions since the signs can be used both indoors and outdoors.

There are plenty of custom designs to choose from and ShieldCo offers a variety of templates for your viewing pleasure to ensure you pick the right layout for your design and give your customers the right idea about what your company stands for. ShieldCo even offers LED signs with a remote control if you really want to get fancy.

ShieldCo allows the option to receive a mock-up to ensure the satisfaction of their customers. When the sign is ready to be shipped, it is shipped using custom packaging to ensure that it gets to the customer ready to install with no hassle and without any damaging. The signs are wrapped up in foam to ensure no damage can be done to the sign while it’s in shipping.

It takes a lot to make a great sign, but ShieldCo has it down, especially when it comes to customer satisfaction and the varieties they have to offer, whether it be the color schemes, the designs, or the way they work with their customers. ShieldCo is focused on the satisfaction of their customers and goes out of their way to ensure that each sign is made the way the customer wants it with the best materials out on the market because let’s be honest, creating a  custom sign, especaily to someone else’s image, is not easy. ShieldCo walks every customer through every step of the way to ensure that their sign is exactly the way they imagined it, or can even help customers come up with the sign they want if they need ideas.

Start Designing Your Custom Business Sign

These days, there’s so much competing for the attention of your customers.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Each store is trying everything to attract customers to their brick and mortar. Creative window displays, flashy sale signs, later hours, fancy architecture for corporate spaces… So on busy streets how are you standing out to attract customers to your brand?

Even if you get them right out in front of your store, there’s still plenty of distraction from their phones. So what’s a business to do?

Let’s think about one of the first things someone looks at when they see your brick and mortar location – your sign. What are the 3 things that can make you stand out on your street and attract your customers attention:

Size

Marion, IL

In this case bigger is usually better. Step outside and look at your facility from a customer’s point of view- do they need to see you from across the street and down the road a bit? Do they see the front of your building or are they usually coming up from the side where a standout sign would be more appropriate? Consider how people access your building while you’re deciding on the size and placement of your sign.

If you go through all the work of having a brick and mortar and only put up a tiny door sign then you haven’t done yourself justice. You’re letting countless potential customers go by without even noticing you’re there.

Color

Indianapolis, IN

Once you have the right scale for your sign, the next step is color. High contrast colors always go a long way. Whether your logo/design is very simplistic or full of details, the color combinations are going to play a big factor in catching the eye of your customer.

Aside from the design itself, you also want to factor in the surroundings. Will your sign be on a red brick building? A design with lots of matching red tones isn’t going to stand out. Are you surrounded by lots of trees? Maybe green shouldn’t be a dominant color to ensure it doesn’t blend in. Take a moment to again put yourself in your client’s shoes, are the colors going to draw their eye based on what’s around?

This doesn’t always mean lots of bright colors. A black and silver sign can stand out just as much as a bold blue and yellow combo. Just make sure your sign matches your brand and stands out against the building and immediate surroundings. Your sign works for you 24/7, let it be clearly seen!

Layers

Oahu, HI

One of our favorite elements here at ShieldCo, is to create a sign that commands a double take by making it 3D. This is the artistic part of sign making that sets us apart from other standard sign companies. We exist to turn your logo into a work of art and help you standout among the crowd!

You can have the first two steps of size and eye catching colors nailed, but if you get the third ingredient of building depth through layers then you create a piece that’s truly captivating to your audience. It’s the difference in a passing glance and a longer pause that leads to walking inside as a potential customer.

The flat sticker type signs will get your name on the door but dimensional signs are what give you the wow factor on your street.

Interested in custom business signs and want to read more? Here are some other posts about metal business signage:

• Why a Premium Sign Boosts Your Company’s Bottom Line
• The Importance of Signage
• How 3D Signage will Help your Business Stand out among the Crowd

The most common options for lighting interior signage is through LED and Neon lights.

Before we dive into the differences, let’s start with why you even need lighting?

When you’re walking or driving by, let’s face it, an illuminated sign is going to capture your attention way faster than an unlit sign. That means the difference in choosing your store or your competitors.

But why do I need lighting? I’m only open during the daytime.

Even during the day, lighting can make a big impact. If your lobby sign is illuminated, it’s going to make a much bigger and memorable first impression on your customers.

Also, just because you close at 5pm doesn’t mean potential customers aren’t walking/driving by after that. They’re  not choosing to work with you because they didn’t notice your office.

Let your signage work for you even when you’re not there!

So how do you know which type of lighting to pick?

Well, let’s start with the perks of our top choice, LED lights:

• Last Longer
• Don’t contain harmful gases
• Brighter
• Use less energy
• Don’t need to be replaced regularly
• Ability to change colors

Things to consider about Neon:

• Neon contains mercury which is harmful to the environment
• Made of glass and easily broken
• The one perk is the nostalgia of the old school look and warm light

LED lights can be utilized in several ways to create unique effects depending on which layers of the sign they are used on. Here’s some examples of how you can incorporate LED lighting into your custom sign to really make it stand out.

If you’re not sure how to best utilize lighting with your particular logo or design, simply give us a call and speak with one of our designers. Or go ahead and start the quoting process at the link below, and one of our designers will review your information and be ready with some options to discuss.

Interested in custom business signs and want to read more? Here are some other posts about metal business signage:

• The 3 things that can make your sign stand out over your competition
• Why a Premium Sign Boosts Your Company’s Bottom Line
• The Importance of Signage