Saving money on business signage sounds simple. You Google search, “Best sign company in Gilbert”, choose the cheapest-priced option and move on.
But a cheap sign can become expensive surprisingly fast.
Here’s what commercial business owners need to consider with a sign – no matter what it costs:
- Readability
- Durability
- Adaptability
If people cannot read your business sign from the road, it is not doing its job. If the message is overcrowded, the most important details disappear. If the materials fade under the Arizona sun or the sign cannot be updated as the property changes, the original savings may be lost to repairs and replacements.
Getting the most bang for your buck is not about spending as little as possible. It is about making sure every dollar has a purpose… especially in Gilbert, Arizona!
Let’s do a little Q&A:
Q: I’m a property manager. How do I use signs effectively for my locations?
A: Plan ahead for how the property will change
Things change over the life of a property.
Today, you might need a sign that says “land for sale” in the market.
Later, it may need to announce a development project, introduce the company moving onto the site, or direct contractors during construction.
Once the property becomes operational, the signage needs may change again.
A future facility could require permanent roadside identification, clearly marked entrances and exits, truck routing, shipping and receiving directions, parking signs, building labels, and safety information.
Those signs do not need to be installed all at once. But thinking about them early can help avoid paying for disconnected solutions later.
Suggestion:
A durable sign structure with replaceable panels may allow the message to change without replacing the entire installation. The first panel could advertise the property. A later panel could announce the development. Permanent business identification could follow once the property is occupied.
That flexibility can reduce waste.
It also helps the property look planned rather than pieced together over time.
Q: I’m a G.C. on a big build. How do I minimize temporary sign waste without nickel-and-diming my budget?
A: Choose materials based on how long the sign needs to last
Arizona conditions can be demanding.
Strong sunlight can fade printed graphics. Heat can affect certain materials and adhesives. Wind and dust can create additional wear and maintenance concerns.
That does not mean every temporary property sign needs the construction of a permanent monument sign. That would be ridiculous.
It means the material should match the timeline.
The best value comes from being honest about how long the sign will be needed and what it will face while it is installed.
Suggestion:
Hire your sign partner early in the process. Include them in site planning conversations. They will be able to offer insightful, budget-saving feedback. Perhaps discuss ordering extra temporary signs all at once; this way, they are on hand and ready to replace tired or damaged signs immediately.
A sign needed for several months may require a different approach than one expected to remain through years of planning, permitting, and development. Paying for years of durability on a fifteen-month message may waste money. Choosing a short-term material for a sign that then needs to be replaced more often may lead to recurring replacement costs.
Q: I’m a new franchise owner. How do I prioritize my sign spend?
A: Visibility is your first priority. Work your way from the outside in:
- Exterior building signs let your customers know where you are. These can be channel letter signs or window vinyl.
- Wayfinding signs help customers know where they’re going. Top priority will be given to required ADA-compliant signs (restrooms, break rooms, employee rooms, etc.).
- Interior lobby signs help employees and customers enjoy where they are. These signs create a branded presence and can double as wayfinding.
Suggestion:
Choose a sign partner early in your process. Your landlord or property manager may suggest a sign maker. Vet them and make sure they are a match for you. Then, create a strategy. Review your entire sign system, design all signs (be prepared to pay a design fee), and then choose the most impactful exterior signs to help you open your franchise doors. Building sign, maybe banners, window vinyl, and A-frame – all exterior signs.
These sign priorities can help you open your franchise doors without being held up by signs (unless otherwise regulated). You will need a strategy and intentionality, but you do not need all signs at once – especially if unforeseen surprises attack your budget.
Takeaway?
- Your sign budget will go farther when you think like this: signs make the property easier to see now and easier to use later.
- The role of signage is not to invent value.
- The role of signage is to make that value easier to notice.
At Collaborative Sign & Design, we believe getting the most bang for your buck starts with understanding what your business sign needs to accomplish today and how the property may change tomorrow.
As a sign concierge, we guide our clients toward affordable signs with a clear message, based upon a real timeline, and prepare for future needs. Let’s make a great sign!
