Our 6-Step Proven Process
At Impression Signs we value both our time and yours, so we’ve developed a proven process that helps ensure we find the signage solution that’s right for you.
Our process consists of the following steps:
- 1. Discover
With a phone call, email, or quick visit to our shop we’ll discuss your project’s objectives, timeline, and budget to help discover the proper solutions available.
- 4. Design
Upon quote approval, we’ll begin the design process which includes us sending an electronic proof for review. The design phase is complete when we receive approval upon all open proofs.
- 2. Solve
Through our discussion, we’ll determine the appropriate signage solution and if a site survey, or permit through the city, is necessary. Site surveys are sometimes required to accurately provide a proper estimate or quote.
- 5. Fabricate
Following proof approval, we’ll begin bringing your project to life. At this time, if your project requires installation, we will follow up with you to schedule an install date.
- 3. Quote
After our discussion, or scheduled site survey, we’ll send you a quote based on the identified solution(s) we uncovered. From there, we ask for a 50% deposit so we can get started on ordering any special materials we may need to begin.
- 6. Deliver
When your order is ready, we’ll confirm install and delivery details, ship, or let you know it’s ready for pickup.
- 1. Discover
With a phone call, email, or quick visit to our shop we’ll discuss your project’s objectives, timeline, and budget to help discover the proper solutions available.
- 2. Solve
Through our discussion, we’ll determine the appropriate signage solution and if a site survey, or permit through the city, is necessary. Site surveys are sometimes required to accurately provide a proper estimate or quote.
- 3. Quote
After our discussion, or scheduled site survey, we’ll send you a quote based on the identified solution(s) we uncovered. From there, we ask for a 50% deposit so we can get started on ordering any special materials we may need to begin.
- 4. Design
Upon quote approval, we’ll begin the design process which includes us sending an electronic proof for review. The design phase is complete when we receive approval upon all open proofs.
- 5. Fabricate
Following proof approval, we’ll begin bringing your project to life. At this time, if your project requires installation, we will follow up with you to schedule an install date
- 6. Deliver
When your order is ready, we’ll confirm install and delivery details, ship, or let you know it’s ready for pickup.
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SUCCESSFUL SIGNAGE STARTS HERELet us take you through some of the key signage considerations to ensure
your project is a success.Let us take you through some of the key signage
considerations to ensure your project is a success.SUCCESSFUL SIGNAGE STARTS HERE
Let us take you through some of the key signage considerations to ensure
your project is a success.
Consideration #1:
The Goal of Your Signage
Start your journey by identifying what specific thing you want your sign to do. Do you want it to help raise brand awareness? Increase sales? Help people find their way? Make the area safer or more secure? Help build community? Add fun flair to the space? Be ADA Compliant?
Consideration #2:
The Content on Your Signage
Keep it concise and relevant to your specific goal. For example, if your main goal is to increase call volume, make sure the phone number is front and center and clearly visible.
Common Elements Often Used In Signage
- Business Name
- Logo
- Tagline
- Phone Number
- Website
- Primary Services
- Social Media Icons
- QR Codes
- Relevant Photos or
Design Elements
Consideration #3:
The Location and Readability
of Your Signage
Where will your sign go? Will it be indoors or outdoors? And, how big will it need to be to be seen by those passing by? Determining letter height will help determine what type of sign you should get and what information can be included on your sign.
As a rule of thumb, 1-inch-high letters provide approximately 10ft of readability.
Consideration #4:
The Colors and Fonts
on Your Signage
If you already have a developed brand look and feel, it is best to go with fonts and colors already established when possible. Some fonts and colors may need to change depending on the readability, fabrication limitations, or city zoning regulations. If fonts or colors have not yet been determined, it may be simplest to go with a clean, easy to read modern font to give you maximum readability and colors that best represent the type of services you offer. Learn more about brand color psychology here.
Looking for inspiration? Learn more about our most popular offerings.
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.
Let’s tackle your next signage
project together.
Make purchasing custom signage a stress-free experience.