Custom Signs

As we step into 2024, the landscape of business signage is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviors. On the frontline of business signage, we’ve identified the top 12 trends shaping the future of signage for 2024. Among these, the rise of three-dimensional metal signs stands out as a game-changer for businesses seeking to make a lasting impression.

1. Three-Dimensional Metal Signs

The era of flat signs is giving way to dynamic 3D signage. Expansive signs add dynamic life to your branding, making your logo pop and catch the eye of passersby. 3D design allows each element of your logo to interact with your interior design and stand as a keystone of personality.

2. LED Lighting Integration

LED lights are not just energy-efficient; they add a vibrant touch to signs and showrooms, especially at night. The incorporation of LEDs into signage creates a captivating visual appeal that’s visible from a distance and resounds in your client’s memories. Best of all, the colors are customizable to achieve exactly the hue and saturation you need from season to season.

3. Powder Coated Finishes

Durability meets aesthetics with powder-coated finishes. These finishes not only extend the life of the sign but also offer a sleek, modern look.

The best part of powder-coated finishes is the versatility of colors and effects, implementing sparkling highlights, textures, metallic finishes, and chromatic shifts from various viewing angles.

4. Interactive Digital Displays

Signage is becoming more interactive, with digital displays allowing for real-time updates and customer engagement through touchscreens and augmented reality.

5. Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainable practices are now a major consideration. Recycled materials and solar-powered signs are gaining popularity, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility.

6. Minimalist Design

Less is more in 2024. Minimalist designs with clean lines and simple color schemes are on the rise, emphasizing clarity and elegance. There’s a reason you see simple typeface versions of company names everywhere you look, from doctors offices to high fashion. Nothing say’s steadfast & dependable quite like the bold confidence of fully metal sign and lettering.

7. Bold Typography

Typography is the most subtle and psychologically impactful focal point of any design. With creative and bold fonts your business is able to make a statement, enhance brand recognition, and cement your identity.

Whether your searching for classical serifs, or dynamic san-serif fonts, nothing communicates your brand ideals better than artfully displayed typography of your name.

8. Dynamic Color Schemes

Businesses are experimenting with dynamic color schemes that change with the time of day or season, adding an element of surprise and freshness. Consider playing with color swatches and emphasizing high and low contrast pairings to stand out.

9. Integrated Landscaping

Signs are being designed to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding landscape, creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing environment.

10. Smart Technology

Incorporation of smart technology, like sensors and IoT connectivity, allows signs to interact with smartphones and provide personalized experiences. Subtle effects like animations and in app control are simple flairs that add considerable life to even the simplest of designs.

11. Cultural Elements

There’s no better way to celebrate the community that made your business what it is than to integrate key characteristics into the elements of your signage. Reflecting local culture and art in signage designs helps businesses connect more deeply with the community and stand out.

12. Vintage Inspirations

A nod to the past, vintage-inspired signs with modern twists are making a comeback, offering nostalgia with a contemporary edge. Celebrate your love of tradition by restoring traditions of the past, upgraded with rust proof aluminum and powder-coated finishes.

2024 is set to be a transformative year for business signage. The key lies in embracing these trends, especially the sophisticated allure of three-dimensional metal signs with LED lights and powder-coated finishes, to create signage that not only attracts attention but also tells a compelling story about your brand. As businesses adapt to these trends, they’ll find themselves at the forefront of an exciting new era in branding and customer engagement.

Office signs are a great way to communicate information about your company and provide a nice touch for visitors. They can help improve customer service, boost morale and even reduce turnover.

25 Of Our Favorite Office Sign Ideas

Here are some ideas to keep in mind when choosing the right signs for your office:

Idea #1: Meeting in Progress

We all know you shouldn’t interrupt a meeting that’s already in progress (whether or not it’s productive is another story). Still, if you catch someone wandering down the hall and looking like they’re headed toward an empty conference room, this sign should do the trick.

Idea #2: Don’t Disturb

This is a good one for employee work areas and public spaces, such as the break room. The last thing you want to do is interrupt someone’s workflow and cause them to lose focus — especially if they’re on a tight deadline or project — so clearly marking non-interruptible zones will help people respect those boundaries.

Idea #3: Conference Room Reserved

This sign should come in handy for anyone who has ever had to track down an absent coworker or hunt around for some reserved space. And since many businesses don’t have enough conference rooms for everyone, having active signs posted can make finding free space easier.

Idea #4: No Food Allowed

There are several reasons why you wouldn’t want to let your employees bring food into the work area, such as:

A cluttered desk can seem unprofessional when showing off your space.

Idea #5: No Food or Drink Allowed

Similar to the sign above, this one is great for keeping things clean and professional in break rooms.

Idea #6: No Loitering

There are two reasons why this would be a good idea for an office sign:

Necessary throughout the building main entrances, lobbies and hallways by providing direction.

Idea #7: No Soliciting Sign with Logo

This is especially helpful in front of your business during certain times of the day. It’s also important to clearly mark with your logo and/or name, so that people know it’s a legitimate sign and not just another sign maker company.

Idea #8: Reserved Parking Sign

This is one of the quickest ways to keep your lot from looking like a circus — we’ve all seen this; you’re running late for work and find every spot occupied by random cars. Putting in place reserved parking signs will help avoid confusion when someone needs to leave or come back quickly, such as picking up something from their car.

Idea #9: Safety First

Your safety signs don’t have to be limited to biohazard areas, electrical danger zones and no smoking areas. These simple reminders in prominent places will go a long way in keeping everyone safe at work.

Idea #10: Share the Space

As more people become familiar with co-working spaces, it could be that your office will start to feel a little cramped or crowded at times. But while you may not have the physical space for everyone, there are still ways you can spread out and make room by enlisting this smart solution.

Idea #11: Stop! Hammer Time

Reminding employees to use proper safety equipment is important in any job environment, especially when dealing with heavy equipment or machinery that uses dangerous fasteners or parts.

Idea #12: Working From Home Office Sign

This is great for small companies that communicate often over email and need to put up clear working from home signs so their employees know when they’re expected to be at work and available.

Idea #13: Working From Home Sign

This sign is similar to the one above, but it may be a better choice for companies that don’t expect their employees to stay in a specific area while working from home.

Idea #14: No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service

It’s essential to have signs that inform customers of your business’s rules or dress code — especially if you want them walking in with dirty clothes! Having these types of signs posted will add an extra element of professionalism. And if it catches on with other businesses too, so much the better!

Idea #15: We Are Open [Number] Hours Daily Sign

If you’re not open for as many hours as your employees work, it may be a good idea to post this sign —it will help them know when you don’t expect them to be available.

Idea #16: Please Be Quiet After 5 pm

After-hours noise can be distracting for coworkers who are trying to focus on their work. This simple sign can make sure everyone knows after 5 pm is hush-hush time.

Idea #17: If Found, Please Return to…

This is a great way to keep track of anything important that’s been lost or left behind at your business. This can include cell phones, keys, ID badges and more — it’ll save the day when you need to prove who you are.

Idea #18: No Running in Hallways!

It may seem like common sense, but people (especially kids) tend to forget how fast they can run when there’s something fun happening or something exciting to do. Having this sign will help them remember why running in hallways leads to hospital visits.

Idea #19: Keep Out/Closed Door Policy Sign

If the office door should be kept open or closed at all times, this sign is a helpful reminder. It’s also good to have in busy offices where people may not realize they have an open door policy and need to close the doors to avoid disturbing their coworkers.

Idea #20: Front Desk Area Only!

Having a sign that lets everyone know exactly where the front desk area is will help employees understand where they’re supposed to be during certain parts of their shift — and it’ll let customers know exactly where to go if they want someone from your business.

Idea #21: Clean-Up Your Mess!

Getting tired of having other people leave their dirty dishes on your desk? This is what you can do about it! A sign could be a good reminder, especially if you have many people sharing a kitchen area.

Idea #22: Keep the Front Desk Area Clear at All Times!

This sign can help remind employees of their responsibility to keep the front counter area clean and presentable for customers at all times. It’s also helpful in busy offices where someone may walk up to use the printer without realizing it’s not available because someone else is using it.

Idea #23: No Loitering or Standing Sign

Having this type of sign would be useful in any office space, especially those with a waiting room where people are left alone for periods while they wait for appointments. Sometimes it might be necessary to make sure there are no distractions for people while they wait.

Idea #24: Keep Phone Calls Off the Floor!

This sign is especially important in places where many employees are working on different shifts throughout the day. It can help remind them to keep their conversations down when other people need to use the phone too.

Idea #25: Employees Must Wash Hands Sign

Whether your business deals with food or not, it’s good sometimes to remind everyone that they should stop what they’re doing and wash their hands before continuing back to work again. These signs keep them healthy at work!

With all these sign ideas, you should be able to come up with a sign or two (or more) that will make your office space more functional and inviting.

Light Boxes are a great way to grab attention for your business, especially if you have a small or crowded window. They are also good when you want to display only text, as they can be used just like an electronic signboard to write out messages. Light boxes are incredibly versatile and easy to install. They come in different sizes and shapes and can be used in any business.

Light Boxes for Window Displays

There are two different types of light boxes: open face and closed face.

• Closed face boxes (also known as clamshells or pop-ups) sit on one side of the window, with a vinyl graphic covering the inside of the box. When the box is turned on, the graphic glows within the box. This type of box is perfect for messages that change frequently or have a lot of text in them.
• Open face boxes have a fabric graphic covering one side of the window and sit inside the window. It looks almost like someone cut out part of your window to place this sign inside. This type of box is perfect for pictures or graphic images that might be too big for the space of a flush-mount light box.

Light Box Displays for Restaurants

Because they are so versatile, there are many different windows where you can put an open face or closed face light box.

A restaurant could use this for its menu at dinnertime. A bar could use this for their drink specials. An office could use an open face box to advertise a new product or service, while closed face boxes work well for changing messages about sales.

Light Boxes For Billboards

Although light boxes are often used as window displays, there is nothing stopping you from using them for larger spaces. Light boxes can make your message bright and clear if you need to communicate a message to people on the street.

Display cases or countertops are popular places for these types of signs. Light boxes work particularly well when positioned under a piece of artwork in a gallery where you want to accentuate the artwork or if you want to draw attention to a sale sign.

Light Boxes For Backlit Signs

Backlit signs are illuminated from behind and can be used for both indoor and outdoor use. They’re commonly found in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The light emitted from these signs makes them stand out even more and gives your sign a 3D look.

Backlit signs can be powered by an electrical chord or battery and typically require no maintenance. If you choose to go with a battery-operated option, it’s important that your sign is easy to turn on and off so the batteries don’t die when your bar is empty (which will happen in about 15 minutes in NYC).

Light Boxes For Office Signs

Light boxes are not limited to signs for businesses. One way people are using them is in their office. They are perfect for displaying awards, certificates, or company information on the desk of your most trusted employees.

A light box would be beneficial in an office setting where you want to highlight specific areas of your business. For example, if you are an accounting firm that specializes in audits, you could put your latest awards on the light box that sits on the desk of your most trusted accountant.

Light Box Signs for Home Use

One area where light boxes are starting to pick up steam is home décor products. You can now buy bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen signs made of wood, plastic, or fabric.

These signs are perfect for hanging in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, front door entryway, or laundry room to leave your guests with a warm welcome. You can also put these on the wall of your study, living room, or media room as an accent piece of art.

Light Boxes For Trade Shows

Light boxes are not just for use as indoor signs. They also work well as portable signs that can be brought to trade shows and set up on a table.

The pop-up nature of these types of signs gives you the ability to have a quick, easy setup so you can spend more time at your booth networking with other business owners.

You can also get different style frames so your light box can collapse down into a smaller size. This is great for people who want to bring their sign with them, but don’t have so much space in their car or office where they will be displaying it.

Light Box Frames And Sizes

The type of frame you get for your light box will vary depending on how you plan to use it. For example, if you want the light box to be portable and used outside of your home or office, then a collapsible style is what you want.

If you’re using the sign indoors and don’t need it to collapse, then a simple frame with a locking mechanism would be the best choice. The type of frame you choose will also depend on how large your sign will be. When deciding between different size options, bigger is always better since it gives your message more impact and makes it stand out more to viewers.

Light Box Graphics

When choosing light box graphics, there are really no size limitations. The sky is the limit when it comes to what you put on a light box.

You can have a single-vision graphic that takes up the entire board, or you can get multiple graphics that transition from one to another. This gives your sign more versatility and allows you to have a different message for each month of the year, for example.

A great way to get started with light box signage is by putting your logo on the front of the sign and using a custom graphic for the rest of it. This will allow you to have a consistent branding message from one location to another while also giving you a chance to highlight specific parts of your business that not every customer needs to know about.

Can you believe it only takes 10 seconds for someone to form an opinion about your business’s logo?

This makes having a memorable sign a must for any business, large or small. And no material is better suited for making high-quality business and personal signs than metal.

Keep reading for all the reasons why custom metal signs are ideal for your next custom sign project.

Durable

Few materials are more suitable for continual outdoor use than metal. Plastic will often fade in the sun, break, and crumble within a few years. On the other hand, metal often lasts for decades, especially if it is powder-coated. 

Outdoor metal signs excel in durability and are able to withstand all types of weathering. This includes temperature extremes of both hot and cold. Because ShieldCo’s aluminum signs are powder-coated, they can even withstand the effects of water and snow.

Our powder coating process provides a seal thicker and stronger than paint. This makes our ShieldCo metal signs resistant to chipping, cracking, and fading.

When you choose custom metal signs for your business, you are assured of a quality article that is both sturdy and low maintenance. At most, you may choose to wipe off accumulated residue now and then, and you’re good to go.

If you’re in the market for custom metal business signs, ShieldCo’s high-quality craftsmanship will ensure that you get a sturdy, durable piece of art able to withstand the test of time.

Flexible

Metal business signs are not only ideal for outdoor use. They are also fantastic for indoor display. From dental lobbies to law offices, from vet clinics to churches, displaying your name and symbol on a metal sign provides an artistic and unique touch.

When displayed at close range it is important to have a visually interesting design. ShieldCo’s unique 3D crafting process can add layers of depth to your sign. We can create designs that feature over 20 layers!

Additionally, we offer the option of adding vibrant, multicolored LED lights to your metal sign. This provides an eye-catching glow of color and clarity. It also makes them valuable marketing tools, even at night!

Metal signs are also flexible in that they are perfect for everything from international companies down to small businesses and even yard signs. They’re perfect for your dream “Man Cave” renovation, or to decorate a truck.

We are extremely flexible in every step of the design process. Send us your rough sketches and general dimensions, and we can work together from there. 

We offer a range of metals from stainless steel to brass, copper, corten, or aluminum. These options offer flexibility on weight and price. Our goal is to make sure you receive custom metal business signs that fill you with joy.

In addition, if you send us a photo of the spot where your sign will go, we can help you with sizing decisions. We can even offer professional ideas on adapting the design to be most effective in the given space.

Customizable

Your logo is one of the most important elements of your business’s branding and marketing. A good logo should be instantly eye-catching and stick with people long after they’ve seen it.

A business logo metal sign never fails to create a memorable first impression. Metal can convey any theme from sleek to rustic, futuristic to elegant. Your brand’s tone can easily be conveyed through a thoughtful composition of metals and colors.

We offer powder coating for the most high-quality and beautiful finish to your aluminum sign. Powder-coated colors are vibrant and attention-grabbing. When you choose a powder-coated finish, you will also ensure that the colors won’t fade or become dulled by weathering and time.

ShieldCo’s precision laser cutting will be able to replicate your logo design in stunning detail. Our lasers cut with a width of .001 inches for maximum accuracy. No design is too simple or too complex for us to tackle.

You will be involved in every step of the design process, from first sketches to 3D mockups to the final product. Check out our gallery for inspiration to kick-start your project.

Cost-Effective

Don’t be fooled by cheaper alternatives, like wood or plastic. Although they may claim to cost less, they wear out faster than metal business signs. They also require more expensive maintenance.

This can include paying a service to clean and repair your cheaper sign. You will also need to replace a cheap sign sooner than a metal one. All of these hidden costs add up over the lifespan of the sign.

Custom metal business signs are an investment that pays off for decades to come. They require much less maintenance and repairs, and they don’t need to be replaced as often. This makes them the more cost-effective option. 

We would love to work with you to find a solution that’s within your budget. Check out our design page for more info on how to get started.

Design Custom Metal Signs Today

Metal signs are ideal for creating eye-catching, memorable signage. They are durable in both indoor and outdoor settings. Metal signs are also flexible in terms of design, weight, and price.

In addition, laser-cut metal signs offer precision and detail. Metal signs are easy to maintain, and pay off for years to come.

ShieldCo can work with you to create any custom metal sign you can imagine. From military signs to medical office signs to fine art, we are delighted to help.  

Contact ShieldCo today to discuss designing your custom metal sign and to get a free quote!

What’s the first thing a customer sees when they approach a business? 

Your sign! 

Signs are an essential component of a business’s marketing strategy. Commercial outdoor sign lighting draws attention to your place of business and shows what you do and who you are. 

One way to stand out further is by using illuminated signage. Day or night, inside or outside, illuminated signs can be easily read up close or from afar. They act as a 24/7 advertisement for your business. 

It sounds too good to be true, but we can assure you it’s not. Join the many businesses to convert to illuminated signs and reap the benefits. 

Check out these signage lighting options to help your business stand out. 

Backlit Displays

Backlit displays are popular for businesses looking for a more contemporary look. Each letter is lit, making your sign readable from a distance.

There are many more color options to choose from than an essential lightbox sign. Better yet, backlit displays are visible day and night. 

Frontlit Signs

Frontlit signs are another popular choice. They have a bold effect with all letters illuminated at the front. This ensures the colors pop and have endless design options.

They can be used for exterior and interior use. 

Neon Signs

Neon signs are reminiscent of those retro motel signs on the side of the highway. The excellent news is neon is still prevalent, although that may change. They can be used inside and outside and provide a bright, warm glow that feels very nostalgic. 

Led Sign Lighting 

There are many advantages to using LED lighting for signs. LED lighting has a long lifespan, provides energy efficiency, and can operate in cold conditions. It is the preferred option for outdoor signs and is beginning to replace the traditional neon. 

Lightbox Signs

Lightbox signs are an effective and popular way to advertise your business. They stand out, grab attention and draw customers in.

They can display any message you want, in full color and vivid detail. These signs are easy to read and work 24/7. 

Externally Lit Signs

Externally lit signs have light cast directly onto their surface from an external source. These are usually bulbs mounted on the base or lighting fixtures mounted above the sign.  

Low Voltage Sign Lighting

Low voltage lighting is the safest option to use for outdoor signs. The lower voltage reduces the risk of electric shock, and it won’t pose a risk when exposed to rain. It also requires less energy, is longer-lasting, and is more cost-effective than ever. 

Billboard Sign Lighting

Whether it’s on the side of the highway or in front of a shopping center, billboard sign lighting is an effective way to reach consumer attention, especially at night.

Because the brightness for billboard lighting is high, an external light source is required. However, some technology makes billboards illuminate by themselves. 

Benefits of Commercial Sign Lighting

We’ve touched on some of the benefits of commercial sign lighting, but there is much more to know. Here are four ways that illuminated signage can benefit your business: 

1. Stand Out

With more and more competition, it is getting hard to cut through the noise and stand out. Businesses are competing for attention, and it’s up to you to try and be unique.

An illuminated sign can make your shop pop and give you an edge over your competitors. 

2. Visible 24/7

Illuminated signs are visible 24/7, unlike traditional signage, which disappears at night. If your business opens later, an illuminated sign is ideal. Better yet, you can still see lighted signs if it’s raining, foggy, or snowing. 

This is particularly useful for businesses on the side of major highways, including hotels and motels. It not only makes you appear open, but people are more likely to stop because of it. 

A glowing sign in the dark can act as a beacon in the night to let customers know you exist. 

3. Clearer Communication

Signage is a powerful tool to remind customers of your presence. Colors, images, and lights tend to stick in people’s minds longer than words alone. Some of the best businesses are remembered dearly by their signage (think Coca-Cola).

Illuminated signs create a significant statement both indoors and outdoors. They are far easier to notice than non-illuminated ones: more impact, more reward.

4. Improve Your Credibility

Without trust, you might struggle to attract and retain your customers. For a business to succeed, customers need to know that you’re making every effort to entice them.

An illuminated sign shows potential customers that you take your marketing seriously. This can help improve your credibility. 

Commercial Sign Lighting Tips

Signage lights have been around for some time, but it doesn’t mean they’re always effective. If you want to get the most out of your sign, here are some great tips: 

• Light according to location
• Select the right lighting
• Create atmosphere with interior lighting fixtures
• Don’t skimp on materials
• Opt for a safe system

When illuminating your signage, you need to ensure it is secure and is compliant with safety regulations. Choosing a reputable signage company that provides instructions and includes the necessary hardware for the installation is vital. 

Signage Lighting Options to Help You Stand Out

There are endless signage lighting options to consider to help your business stand out. What you choose should reflect your taste and needs. 

Once in place, your interior or exterior signage lighting will help attract customers, raise brand awareness, and better advertise your location. 

Whether you’re after a neon sign, a lightbox sign, or a billboard sign, ShieldCo can help. 

At ShieldCo, we can have your sign fitted with LED light strips to transform your space. The best part is our illuminated signs don’t require any tricky installation. Plug your sign into an outlet, and you’re set to go! 

We also custom design and create signs for any business, with or without lighting. 

Ready for a free quote? Contact us today. Let’s help light up your business!