Store signs are generally considered to be the most recognizable signage type for commercial businesses operating in a public area. On a busy street, you will find a vast number of signs highlighting area businesses. You want your sign to stand out—it’s the first impression your company makes on potential clients.

When envisioning your commercial store sign, consider seven key points:

1. Purpose
What message do you most want to convey to the public and to potential customers? Branding Consistency Visibility Distinction and Innovation.

2. Location
Think about the area your company is in. What might be deemed appealing? What do municipal regulations allow? Where and how can your storefront or business gain maximum exposure?

3. Sign Type
What signage style best meets your company goals? Here are a few examples of effective storefront or roadside options (terminology varies throughout the industry):
 

• Digital Signs
• Channel Letter Signs
• Blade Signs 
• Illuminated Signs (Halo, Neon, Front-Lit, Back-Lit)
• Box Lettering
• Signage Materials include:

         - aluminum
         -  acrylic
         - brass
         - steel
         - vinyl
         - plastic
         - carved wood

This is only a sampling of ideas for creating your perfect sign. Ion Sign Company can help you work through the details to bring your sign to life!

4. Permitting
Ensuring that your sign meets the requirements of local regulatory agencies takes a lot of research time and work. We can take that burden off your shoulders before you commit to a sign type that might not meet local permitting requirements.

5. Design
We can help you design a new logo (or update an existing one) for your company and your project. Additionally, we will create a graphic mockup of your proposed sign before starting the work.

6. Fabrication
We work to manufacture your sign to the exact specifications and provide warranties for all our work.

7. Installation Requirements
Ion Sign Company will develop a realistic timeline for delivery and installation before starting the work.

Monument signs provide roadside or business campus information. These public signs also provide a sense of style and professionalism that communicates who you are to prospects and customers. Monument signs use durable materials such as various types of stone, steel, brick, and digital display. When considering a monument sign, keep in mind permitting factors that might apply.

Ground Monument Signage Site Plan Requirements: These include local code specification requirements such as:
 

• accurate dimensions and scale drawings
• lines of sight
• minimum distances from other structures/properties and roads
• minimum/maximum size allowances
• verbiage requirements and restrictions
• construction plans

Other monument sign design considerations:
 

• Single, Double, or Triple Sided
• Attached or Detached from Other Structures
• Landscaping and Planter Placement
• Uniformity with Other Structures
• Illumination/Digital LED Display

Monolith signs are freestanding vertical signs that provide a highly visible and appealing structure that conveys information and branding to your public. Monolith signs can be fabricated from steel, timber, or aluminum and surfaced with various types of paneling and finishes. Digital options, whether indoor or outdoor structures, add a visually stunning effect. They also can serve as wayfinding or directional signage.

When planning for a Monolith sign, consider the need for a site plan for outdoor projects requiring:
 

• accurate dimensions and scale drawings
• lines of sight
• minimum distances from other structures/properties and roads
• minimum/maximum size allowances
• verbiage requirements and restrictions
• construction plans

Important design considerations (Outdoor):
 

• Single, Double, or Triple Sided
• Attached or Detached from Other Structures
• Landscaping and Planter Placement
• Uniformity with Other Structures
• Illumination/Digital LED Display

Pole signs are a simple outdoor signage type that attaches a highly visible and durable sign atop a pole. Pole signs show the public where you are located. The signage height is flexible and can vary from 5ft to 100ft. The pole shape can be customized to complement your branding requirements.

Pylon signs offer a more creative base to your vertical signage structure.  Effective pylon signs can feature artistic touches to help your company stand out from surrounding businesses. Pylon signs are typically around 20ft high.

Pole and Pylon signs are built out of various durable, weather-sensitive materials and finishes. Polycarbonate and acrylic are two common choices.

When planning for a Pole or Pylon sign, take into account permitting requirements as they typically require a site plan for projects and specify minimum distance from other structures/properties and roads. Also, these signs must be built on or in the ground and supported by braces, uprights, and support columns. Wind tolerance is a major consideration when planning for either type.

Important design considerations:
 

• Pole length
• Pylon signs can have a more visually appealing upright made of stone, brick, or aluminum
• Lighted or non-lighted
• Illumination/Digital LED Display

Channel Letter signs and Box signs are the most popular signage types used in highly dense commercial areas such as malls, strip malls, and on buildings and storefronts. Channel Letters offer a visually stunning way of displaying your company name. Using individual lettering, logos, and graphics is a cost-effective approach to identifying your business and brand.

Box signs provide a more framed look to your overall design and offers a focused visual for your current and prospective customers. A box sign uses a container or housing that typically incorporates a translucent or clear screen. The overall result is accentuated lettering and graphics.

Channel Letter and Box signs can be made from plastic or sturdy sheet metals and come alive when using a 3D effect of raised letters. Consider incorporating digital LED options that add dynamic illumination touches.

Multi-Tenant signs are large freestanding structures used in locations such as shopping centers, malls, and office buildings with multiple tenants. The strength of this signage is the ability to showcase each tenant while also placing a heavy focus on the anchor or largest tenant. A Multi-Tenant sign quickly conveys to the public what businesses occupy the premises.

Directory signs are commonly used for public wayfinding or navigation. These (indoor and outdoor) signs guide customers to buildings, offices, or parking tenants.

Multi-Tenant and Directory Signage Site Plan Requirements: These include
 

• accurate dimensions and scale drawings
• lines of sight
• minimum distances from other structures/properties and roads
• minimum/maximum size allowances
• verbiage requirements and restrictions
• construction plans

Multi-Tenant and Directory signs can be built out of steel, timber, or aluminum and surfaced with various types of paneling and finishes.

Other Multi-Tenant and Directory sign design considerations:
 

• Single or Double Sided 
• Interchangeability of each tenant slot
• Landscaping and Planter Placement
• Uniformity with Other Structures
• Illumination/Digital LED Display