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Maximizing Outdoor Signage
At Impression Signs we pride ourselves in building quality custom signage that captures our clients’ visions and meets their unique needs. We also understand the importance of attention to detail from conception to completion and throughout a sign’s life. In this post, we’ll walk you through the life cycle of one of our products–the outdoor sign.
Before you order an outdoor sign, here are some important questions to ask so you can walk away with the perfect sign for your situation:
- What is the purpose of my outdoor sign?
- How long do I plan to keep my outdoor sign up?
- Whose attention am I trying to attract with my outdoor sign?
- What kinds of weather will my outdoor sign be exposed to?
- Is it important to me to be able to move my outdoor sign around?
- Do I plan to take my outdoor sign down, store it, and put it back up later?
Choosing the Outdoor Sign That’s Right for You
When you think of outdoor signs, what do you think of? More than likely, you picture a corrugated plastic sign with thin metal stakes that stick into the ground. They’re inexpensive and easy to customize in whatever shape and colors you envision. These signs are lightweight, water-resistant, and easy to install and move around outdoors. With proper care, coroplast (corrugated + plastic) signs can possibly last 1–2 years, weather-dependent, of course.
Coroplast signs commonly advertise political candidates, causes, rummage and estate sales, “For Rent” opportunities, neighborhood services, and even newly opened businesses.
Aluminum yard signs are also a popular choice. For example, real estate signs are often designed on aluminum panels adjoined to metal stakes, making them easy to install and remove. Aluminum signs are lightweight and long-lasting. In fact, with proper care, they can last 3–5 years. They’re not prone to rust and they’re waterproof. Just like coroplast signs, aluminum signs can also be cut into any shape.
For people looking for an outdoor sign that’s more durable or longer lasting, a site sign is another great option. Site signs are beefier than traditional yard signs and have posts that can be dug into the ground and backfilled. These semi-permanent signs are also known as “post and panel” signs and are an excellent choice for more long-term needs. You generally see site signs on construction sites and in front of buildings or land “For Lease,” apartment and townhome complexes, office parks, or businesses.
Although they’re not secured to the ground by stakes or posts, A-frame sandwich board signs are another sub-category of outdoor signage. You’ll usually find sandwich board or A-frame signage on sidewalks outside of shops or restaurants, luring in passersby with current sales or special offers. And, because they sit on top of the ground and fold flat, they’re easy to move around and store.
Directional signs are yet another type of outdoor sign, commonly spotted at special events. Typically made from PVC or coroplast, these signs help guests navigate music festival grounds, find stations at golf outings or fairs, and help show people where to park or find things at outdoor events.
Vinyl banners displayed between posts in the ground are also an effective way to communicate your message outdoors. Banners are easy to clean, roll up, store, and make a great affordable option for budget-conscious consumers.
Outdoor Signage Tips
- Keep your message clear and straightforward.
- Choose large fonts and bold or high-contrast colors to ensure visibility.
- Choose a material durable enough to withstand the length of time it needs to be up and exposed to the elements.
- Make sure your outdoor sign is legible from where your audience will view it.
Outdoor Signage Maintenance Tips
Here are some pro tips to keep in mind after you purchase an outdoor sign:
- Wipe down your sign regularly to maintain its appearance.
- If removable, store in a cool, dry place when not in use.
- Repair damage quickly to extend sign life. Consult professionals if needed.
Recycle or Upcycle Old Outdoor Signs
When signs reach the end of their life, consider recycling or creative reuse. Plastic and metal signs may be disassembled and recycled. Check locally for guidance.
You can also upcycle old signs—use them as paint shields, makeshift tables, or craft backdrops. If you’ve found creative uses, we’d love to hear them!
And next time you’re in the market for an outdoor sign, we’d love to help. Consider Impression Signs and Graphics your reliable, experienced, and friendly go-to for all your outdoor sign solutions. Contact us today to get started.
📞 651-328-6600 | 📧 info@ImpressionSigns.com |Project Highlight: Reell Manufacturing
Exterior Signage
The Ask: Create & replace illuminated exterior signage so they can be seen in the dark and update their brand identity at the same time.
The Project: Design, manufacture and install a monument sign cabinet that can be seen during the day and at night, and create an illuminated channel letters sign for the back of the building to help people find the building from both sides.
How We Did It: We worked with the city's planning department, an engineering firm, the client's electrician, and a landscaping contractor before ultimately building a monument sign with day/night film that allowed for higher visibility and contrast during both day and night.
Project Highlight: SPPS - Washington
SPPS – Digital Monument
The Ask: Replace an electronic message center sign that was destroyed in an automobile accident.
The Project: Create and install a digital monument sign with a programmable electronic message center to help raise awareness of school events, display recognition messages and enhance community pride.
How We Did It: We designed a monument that was similar to the original, but with several enhancements. A USA-based electronic message center vendor and a local fabricator then produced the monument sign while we helped obtain the required permit. The replacement sign was bigger than what is now currently allowed by the city, but since the original sign was grandfathered in, it was approved and later installed with help from the client’s electrician.
Project Highlight: Helix
HELIX – Multi-family Signage
The Ask: Update signage as part of a property rebrand & add additional wayfinding signage as part of a larger apartment building remodel.
The Project: Design and fabricate over 350 custom interior ADA signs, one illuminated monument sign, four post and panel signs, and a handful of custom parking signs.
How We Did It: We worked with the city’s planning department to ensure all exterior signage was properly permitted per city ordinance prior to fabrication and installation. Then we coordinated all sign installation with the client to ensure minimal disruption and maximum impact to all residents and visitors.
Project Highlight: Agiliti
AGILITI – Interior Signage
The Ask: Help create interior signage for a rebrand to enhance the corporate office environment, showcase the company’s products, and boost company culture through core values signage.
The Project: Work with the client’s design firm to create a company “Legends” wall, a wall mural, a dimensional sign for a curved wall, an illuminated lobby sign for the reception area, etched glass vinyl graphics for multiple conference rooms, and other multi-dimensional signs throughout the office.
How We Did It: We met with the client’s design firm to discuss possible solutions to bring their ideas to life then we performed a detailed site survey to validate the size of each space. We also provided suggestions that could help with their budget without sacrificing the project’s objective. From there, we continued to communicate with the client and their design firm until the whole project was approved, printed, and installed.
Project Highlight: Cobeck - Southdale
COBECK CO. – Comm. Construction Signage
The Ask: Provide signage for the new expansion area at Southdale Center as part of the Lifetime Fitness Edina project.
The Project: Supply illuminated channel letters, dimensional lobby signs, elevator signs, parking signs, and ADA compliant wayfinding signs for the new Southdale expansion parking ramp, elevator, and lobby.
How We Did It: After winning a signage bid on this construction project, we performed multiple site surveys at various stages of construction. We then created mockup submittals for all signage, and upon approval, manufactured and installed signage according to the commercial construction firm’s drawings and needs. We also provided extensive hands-on project management to source non-traditional fabrication requests and ensure on-time delivery to complete the firm’s entire construction project on time.
Project Highlight: Pizza Karma
PIZZA KARMA – Restaurant Signage
The Ask: Print and manufacture all necessary signage for a brand-new restaurant.
The Project: Manufacture exterior channel letters, swap out pylon sign panels in a multi-tenant pole sign, print and install large vinyl wall mural with a custom textured laminate, print and cut window vinyl, menu boards and various other interior wayfinding and branding signage.
How We Did It: We worked with an architectural design firm that specializes in restaurant builds to obtain brand assets we could use to design and layout several different types of signage. We installed all requested signage just in time for the grand opening, even with harsh weather conditions during the week of install.
Project Highlight: East Side Association
EASTSIDE NEIGHBOORHOOD DEVELOPMENT – Illuminated Signage
The Ask: Redesign and renew signage for businesses within the community to help foster economic growth and commercial development on the East Side of St. Paul.
The Project: Create exterior signage (both illuminated channel letters on a raceway and flat panels) to retrofit the space for 6 local businesses and help enhance visibility day and night while creating a more professional appearance for each.
How We Did It: We performed site surveys for each location, created design mockups for each business owner, and worked with the city to obtain required permits. From there, we coordinated installs with an electrician where applicable to ensure all illuminated signs provided maximum impact.
Project Highlight: Metro
METRO HEATING – Fleet Graphics
The Ask: Design & rebrand vehicle graphics to help build further brand awareness, build credibility, and enhance trustworthiness.
The Project: Create a new design, then print and wrap 30+ trucks and vans.
How We Did It: We created multiple design concepts to best incorporate Metro Heating’s ideas and represent not just their services, but also their values. From there, we printed the approved design, and scheduled install on both old and new fleet vehicles with a detailed weekly schedule to ensure on-time completion and minimal downtime for the client.
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