When it comes to business signs, it's important to buy a custom sign that displays a strong brand identity and is eye-catching. Brand personality is one of the most essential tools in a business's arsenal, which ensures people can associate the brand image with your company. ShieldCo ensures that your custom signs have personality and stand out, so you'll always be happy with ShieldCo's process.

If you're in the market for personalized business signs, you've come to the right place! However, as a business or company owner, there will always be a few things to consider before you start investing in custom business signage.

Having a vision in mind helps not only you but also helps us create something that aligns with your brand identity. Consider things like materials, target audience, and brand identity and personality. Are you showing off a logo, business name, your company's strengths, or company motto?

These questions just scratch the surface in the world of custom business signs. So, let's dive into the top 5 things to consider when buying custom business signage.

1. Set Your Target with a Custom Sign

Having a target goal that you want your custom sign to achieve helps with designing a sign. Consider things like which brand elements you want to be displayed and which effect they'll have. Do you:

Want to increase brand awareness and bring in new customers? This would involve incorporating big visible logos and vibrant colors or lights.
Want to direct people or customers? This would involve clear and easy-to-read signage and possibly consideration for materials for outdoor signs.

2. Custom Business Signage Location

Where your custom sign will go is more important than you think. You want to make sure your business name is viewable, but indoor signs or outdoor signs have different needs.

Indoor Signs

Indoor signs like those you might find in a professional office for a mature audience can utilize elements like spotlights, smaller sizing, or more elaborate fonts. They can also use different materials because you won't have to worry about the weather affecting the quality.

Outdoor Branding

For signs going outside, aspects like shape, style, and size are important when considering custom signs.

Materials: The weather may affect the sign over time. Thankfully, ShieldCo uses a powder coating technology that keeps colors vibrant over time and unlike paint, it is less likely to rust or chip. For outdoor custom signs, ShieldCo recommends aluminum as it is easy to customize, it is durable, and it is light enough to install.
Size: A sign that is going to go next to the road has different needs than signs that will be at your storefront. Signs where people will be driving by should be clear, easy to read, large enough to be read, and attention-grabbing at a distance.
Shape: Be sure to check out local zoning laws and regulations. Depending on where you are, some places may have laws or regulations regarding sign sizes, shape, and brightness or lighting. You certainly don't want to invest money into a custom sign that cannot be used.

3. Business Signs and the Message

Keeping your message clear and distinguishable is helpful for customers or potential customers so they can easily identify key takeaways. Brand identity also matters so creating signs that do all these things can be tricky.

For crafting an effective custom metal sign, consider aspects such as:

Brand identity: Company logos, slogans, and colors are prominent. These are quick elements that people associate with your brand.
Action words and verbs: Are you trying to direct someone to something or display information like a price, service, or selling something? Words like "buy," "available," "open," or the cost of something give people information quickly.

4. Custom Sign Maintenance

You might not consider it at first, but maintaining your custom metal sign is still part of brand management. When you think about where your sign will go, you should also think about how you will care for it. Depending on if it is an outdoor or indoor sign affects maintenance.

Outdoor signs will face the weather, such as dust, heat, snow, and rain. So, choosing a metal like stainless steel or corten can be low-maintenance and decently weather-resistant.

Indoor signs are easier to maintain and at most require some dusting and simple cleaning measures once in a while. Indoor signs with LED fixtures also need to be installed somewhere the sign can be plugged in. The downside to indoor signs is that your logo will be less visible to the general public and other businesses so it has a lower impact on advertising.

5. Cost and Budget

Before diving into the world of custom metal signs, it's helpful to set out a budget and have a rough idea of what you'd like. ShieldCo works with customers so that every sign we make will be one you love. Our team will work with you to come up with concepts and styles that will work within your budget.

The price of signs can vary depending on several factors.

Materials and Components: Naturally, different types of metals will have different price points. More elaborate signs with multiple layers and details will be more expensive. The inclusion of lights and other electrical components will also raise the final price.
Sign Size: While having a large and bright sign can be a good marketing tactic, they are also typically more expensive. The more elaborate the sign and the larger the size, the more it can cost.