What You Need to Know About Commercial Building Signs

A well-designed commercial building sign for your business is one of the most effective methods to advertise your business and attract more customers. Exterior building signs provide a way for people to identify your business location quickly. They can explain the services you offer, locations, contact information and business hours. The enticing outdoor building sign can incorporate business logos, color schemes, eye-catching graphics, and advertising to promote your brand. Since commercial signs are affordable and the return is extremely large and it is a smart investment for any business that is serious about succeeding.

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Choosing the right type of custom sign for your building is crucial. But what kind of commercial building sign do you need for your business?  Your business location may have &#;Sign Criteria&#; that has been approved by the Landlord and the City or County.  You will need to abide by the requirements of the Sign Criteria and the local government, and in most cases will require prior written approval by the Landlord.

What Does Effective Signage Involve?

The point of a sign is to inform potential customers about your business. You want to put up a sign for your company that includes its name because then customers would know the basics about your business. Similarly, you should incorporate a word or two that describes your business. A straightforward addition such as &#;nail salon&#;, &#;clothing store&#; or &#;restaurant&#; will tell potential customers what to expect when they step inside.

Legible fonts and colors along with tactile letters make your signs accessible. Choose contrasting colors and tones to make the wording pop. Without high contrast, it will be challenging to read your sign up close, let alone far away. A professional business sign designer will help you create effective signage for your business following these and other guidelines. They may also help you ensure that your sign can go up without violating regulations and building codes.

If you are not sure what that means exactly, some of the factors that come into play include the following:

• Clearly advertises your business and services provided
• Tells potential customers where to find your business
• Is easy to read for anyone

Commercial Sign Locations

 Exterior Commercial Signs

Displaying your commercial sign on the exterior of your building or business location is the first step in advertising your business and portraying yourself as a reputable company. Exterior commercial signs are one of the most effective ways to advertise and create a professional appearance.

Commercial business signs properly mounted to your business location work twenty-four hours, seven days a week for you and your business. Your business is continually being exposed to current and future clientele. All businesses, small and large, are in need of quality commercial signage and offer the best commercial signs on the widest selections of sign materials at the best prices.

Interior Commercial Signs

While signage on the outside of the business is essential, because you need to be seen by potential customers passing by your brick-and-mortar location, interior signage is important, too. Depending on your type of business, interior signage will help your customers navigate your business, decide on what to purchase, and may even present a safety net against legal issues.

Interior signs come with many shapes, sizes, and purposes.

The types of interior signage are:

• Directional/Navigational signs &#; these help customers and staff find their way around the business by pointing to various departments or sections of your physical location.
• Directory signs &#; not to be confused with navigational signs, these are used for buildings or developments with multiple tenants like a medical office or law firm.
• Point-of-purchase signs &#; a marketing tool specifically created to draw attention to specific products. It can also advertise services you offer as well as other special deals on offer at a given time.
• Mall signs &#; similar to directory signs, these are meant to be used within buildings to identify certain regions or stores. These signs have many advertising spaces available.
• Regulatory signs &#; meant to reinforce rules, regulations, and laws. Stop signs are regulatory signs. Although not every business type is required to install regulatory signs, you might want to put these up on toilets, places where chemicals and/or heavy and dangerous equipment is stored, or for marking off places like priority seating or handicapped spaces.

Any instructive signage inside your business is a huge plus. Arrows pointing to the bathroom, for instance, can save everyone from a world of confusion. Easy navigation that is concise and highly visible is going to increase customer satisfaction because they can find what they are looking for quickly and will entice them to come back in the future.

6 Common Types of Commercial Signs

While there are many different sizes, styles and uses for commercial signs, not all of them are relevant to property managers. Below are 6 types of commercial signs that are regularly used by commercial properties and facilities. Property managers can learn how each type of sign is constructed, including common materials, typical uses for each, and property types that regularly use each type of commercial sign.

1. Pylon Signs

Pylon signs, also known as pole or freestanding signs, are outdoor signage that is usually mounted on single or double poles. Pylon signs can be one-sided or double-sided, depending on the direction the sign will be facing. You may also see pylon signs that are illuminated or have other elements, like an LED message center.

A single business will often have pylon signs that feature a single lightbox with the company&#;s name and brand logo on display. Pylon signs that are found at shopping centers or malls will have several lightboxes built into the sign, and the base is often similar to the overall architecture of the plaza. These signs might have brick, stone, or metal elements.

 Where Are Pylon Signs Commonly Used?

Pylon signs are commonly used at properties to increase visibility. They are an extremely common type of commercial sign and often food along major roads and highways. Properties that regularly use pylon signs include:

• Retail strip centers
• Car dealerships
• Hotels and motels
• Shopping malls
• Restaurant chains

2. Monument Signs

A monument sign is a ground-level sign that a driver notices or a person passing by can easily see the business information. It is typically made from brick and mortar construction, stone, stainless steel, plastic, or other durable materials. Building monument signs are typically at the entrance to a parking lot or close to the main entrance. Apartment monument signs create an excellent first impression of the complex. Commercial monument signs can also have LED displays or lighting to capture attention.

Where Are Monument Signs Commonly Used?

Since monument signs come in all shapes and sizes, they can work for almost any property. In fact, they are one of the most common types of commercial signs at both multi-tenant and single tenant properties. Properties that regularly use monument signs include:

• Office buildings
• Apartment communities
• Condominium complexes
• Industrial parks
• Corporate campuses

3. Channel Letters

A channel letter sign is a three-dimensional graphic element with an individual structure and separate illumination. In simpler terms, a channel letter can be any letter, number, or other character that, when combined with other like characters, makes up a sign presentation. Each letter is made using aluminum sheeting, and acrylic. Channel letter signs are highly flexible, and can be made using a wide variety of fonts, colors, and sizes.

Where Are Channel Letters Commonly Used?

Channel letters are another extremely common type of commercial sign. They are used heavily in retail spaces and by corporate brands. Properties that regularly use channel letters include:

• Retail centers
• Freestanding retail stores
• Hotels and motels
• Shopping malls
• Office buildings
• Restaurant chains
• Corporate headquarters

4. Post and Panel Signs

Post and panel signs are considered monument signs and are always freestanding. Post and panel signs are defined by their two main components &#; the post and the panel. The panel is the face of the sign itself, and the posts are what houses it or holds it up. In most cases, these signs consist of two posts with a single flat panel in between them. Typically, they are very economically designed and use materials like wood, vinyl, aluminum, or metal.

Where Are Post and Panel Signs Commonly Used?

Post and panel signs are one of the most commonly used types of commercial signs. They are extremely versatile and can be found at almost any type of property or facility. Properties that regularly use post and panel signs include:

• Distribution centers
• Apartment communities
• Condominium complexes
• Industrial parks
• Corporate campuses

5. Blade Signs

A blade sign attached to a building&#;s facade is a great way to attract more customers. The blade sign projects from the building and is mounted perpendicular to the building&#;s wall. Because the signage is highly visible on a sidewalk, it can result in more foot traffic for your business.

Where Are Blade Signs Commonly Used?

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Blade signs are frequently used in urban areas and indoor shopping malls because they are an excellent way to attract attention and foot traffic to a property or business. Other properties that regularly use blade signs include:

• Retail centers
• Urban retail storefronts
• Hotels and motels
• Shopping malls
• Outlet malls
• Restaurant chains

6. Electronic Message Center Signs

An electronic message center (EMC) is a sign that displays words, symbols, figures, or images using LED lights that are electronically changed by remote or automatic means. They allow you to capture the attention of the audience passing by your location on a daily basis and dispense information with messages that are easily changed. These signs are well-known for being flexible, adaptable, dynamic, and most importantly, effective in advertising your business.

Where Are Electronic Message Center Signs Commonly Used?

Electronic message center signs are regularly used at properties that want to convey frequently changing information. This is because electronic message center signs can be regularly updated and changed, unlike signs using dimensional letters or graphics. Properties that regularly use electronic message center signs include:

• Shopping centers
• Schools, colleges and universities
• Conference centers
• Retail centers
• Freestanding retail stores
• Bank branches

Why Choose IPA Commercial Real Estate?

Before installing signs, you are responsible to be sure you are following local guidelines&#;applicable codes or rules for the area you are in. Your sign specialist may be able to help here. And we recommend selecting a company that is knowledgeable about local rules and regulations. That way, it could ease up some of your job.

Choosing the right commercial property management company can make real estate ownership a breeze. For people who own commercial and industrial properties, working with a respected property management company can be a great resource. With 30+ years of experience in the Inland Empire, the experience of the IPA Commercial Real Estate team provides a depth of knowledge regarding maintenance and project costs.

Just like management in any other business, a respected management company can monitor the care and financial requirements of any property. We can also help evaluate your rent structure. IPA Commercial Real Estate very focused on client properties and tenants and we have the skills and knowledge to make your ownership experience easy and pain-free.

We offer 24/7 Service from our team day or night! Call IPA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE at (951) 686- to discuss how we can help you. Let us show you how to add value to your property.

Imagine what it would be like to walk into your building for the first time. Would it be easy to find your way around, or would you end up lost and frustrated?

When you walk past them every day, it can be easy to overlook your building&#;s signs. But the signage in your lobby, halls, stairway, and elevator help your customers and other guests navigate your building, know where emergency exits are, and use the elevator to get where they need to go.

This is why it&#;s important to keep building signs clean, updated, and compliant with ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) requirements. Current, well-maintained, and compliant signs ensure that everyone who steps into your building feels welcome and able to find what they are looking for.

In addition, every one of your signs &#; even emergency, navigation, or elevator signs &#; are advertising tools. They are a visual representation of what your customers and visitors can expect from your business. Keeping them fresh, clean, and compliant ensures they work for you &#; not against you.

Here are a few more reasons why clean, updated, and compliant building signage is important.

1. Clean Signs Help Maintain a Professional Appearance

Taking care of your building signs helps maintain a positive image for your business. Clean, well-kept signs show that your business is reliable, honest, trustworthy, and serious about what you do. Neglected signs, on the other hand, tend to make you, your products, and your services appear less reliable.

2. Regular Cleaning Extends the Life of Your Signs

Keeping your signs clean helps prevent long-term damage such as corrosion, scratching of the paint or lettering, or the growth of rust or mildew. In addition, keeping nails, screws, or other hardware clean and in good condition helps ensure your signs stay in place (leaning, wonky signs are a bad look for any building). Remove dirt and grime regularly to keep your signs looking their best and extend the life of this investment.

3. Clean Signs Make It Easier for Customers and Visitors To Navigate Your Building

A dirty sign can often become illegible, making it more difficult for customers to find their way around your building. If your visitors can&#;t find where they need to go, they can become frustrated, leading to a bad experience with your company. Clean signage also keeps visitors up to date on important information, such as emergency instructions, building rules and regulations, or out-of-order equipment.

4. Updated Signs Ensure You&#;re Displaying Correct Information

Well-maintained indoor signs can last indefinitely&#;as long as they communicate the correct information. When things change in your building (such as rules, navigational routes, contact information, emergency procedures, and so on), it&#;s important to update your signs as quickly as possible.

Manually updating information on a sign (such as with a handwritten or typed note) makes that sign inaccessible to your patrons who are blind or have reduced vision. Doing so should only be a temporary solution until you can get your signs &#; and their braille &#; permanently updated.

5. New Signs Offer the Chance To Match Updated Building Aesthetics

The signage posted throughout your building is a reflection of your company. Signs with outdated designs make your company itself appear outdated&#;which can be a turnoff for potential clients.

Ideally, all of your signage &#; including directional, emergency, and elevator signage &#; should reflect a consistent aesthetic and match your overall building design. When you put in the money, time, and effort to make updates to your building&#;s interior design, don&#;t forget to update your signage as well.

6. Replacing Damaged Signs Keeps Them Looking Fresh

Your signage &#; especially signs in high-traffic areas &#; are bound to sustain damage at some point. Wear and tear can cause text to become unreadable, and damage to hardware can cause signage to fall or hang at an angle. Not only does this cause an inconvenience for guests in your building, broken or damaged signage reflects badly on your company&#;s quality standards. Repair or replace damaged signs promptly to maintain clear communication with building visitors and keep your building looking professional. 

7. Ensuring Your Signs Comply With ADA Rules Makes Your Building More Accessible and Welcoming to Everyone

If your building signage isn&#;t in compliance with ADA requirements, not only are you at risk of legal action, your building isn&#;t as accessible and welcoming as it should be. Posting signage that serves everyone who comes into your space will help ensure all of your guests feel welcome.

The ADA requires building and elevator signs to comply with rules that help make them easier to read for everyone. For instance, signs must:

• Have a non-glare finish. People who have impaired vision have difficulty reading signs that have a glare or reflection. 
• Have a high level of contrast between the text and background colors. When the text blends into the background, it is difficult for anyone to read&#;much less those with impaired vision.
• Use ADA-compliant fonts, such as sans serif fonts, which improve the readability of your signs. In addition, signs should avoid the use of italics, script, or highly decorative fonts. The ADA also specifies requirements for case, size, spacing, and stroke thickness of sign lettering.
• Have corresponding braille text. This allows visitors who are blind or have reduced vision to more easily navigate your building. The ADA specifies the size, shape, and other requirements of sign braille.

These are only a few of the requirements the ADA lays out for signage. For more information on ADA signage requirements, view the ADA Standards for Accessible Design here.

Keep Building Signs Clean, Updated, and Compliant With Help From SCS Elevator Products

At SCS Elevator, we offer a wide range of safety signage and the largest variety of elevator signage and braille in the industry. And rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to signage, we give you options. We offer resin, cast and stamped lines of cab and jamb braille in many sizes, shapes, and finishes to match your building&#;s aesthetic. 

When it&#;s time to update your safety or elevator signage, SCS has you covered. Browse our online shop or contact us here for help finding the right signage for your needs.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Types Of Building Signage. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.