A Business With No Sign is a Sign of No Business!

Questions you should ask when purchasing an exterior sign:

Q. What types of signs do you offer, and what sign is right for me?

A: Custom Graphics offers a wide range of signage solutions, from small interior nameplates to towering 30-foot signs—and everything in between. Some of those types include:

• Channel Letters: 3D, internally lit letters and shapes, ideal for storefronts in multitenant buildings.

• Cabinet Signs: Custom-shaped enclosures with an illuminated face for high visibility day and night.

• Pylon Signs: Tall, free-standing, often illuminated signs mounted on poles, ideal for high-traffic roads and highways.

• Monument Signs: Ground-level signage, often with stone, brick, or metal bases. Can be illuminated or non-illuminated, great for marking entrances.
• Blade Signs: Vertically oriented, projecting signs mounted to buildings. Can be lit or non-lit, great for busy sidewalks and narrow streets.
• Tenant Signs: Display names of businesses in multitenant buildings, often paired with a storefront sign like channel letters.
• Aluminum Composite Material (ACM): Non-lit, lightweight, and cost-effective. Ideal for construction sites, real estate signs, and temporary displays.
• Electronic Messaging Center (EMC): LED displays that can be edited for changing content, perfect for businesses in high-traffic areas.

Q: What regulations and permits do I need to abide by when getting a sign?

A: When planning your signage, it’s important to consider local regulations and property requirements. Many cities have restrictions on how signs can be installed on historic buildings, which may limit your options. Additionally, landlords often have specific preferences regarding signage, as certain types and mounting methods can cause damage, such as holes in the building’s structure. For example, the city of Fargo states that permanent signs are restricted by height and area but only require a one-time permit. The cost of this permit varies based on the total area of the sign’s face(s).

Understanding these factors in advance will help ensure a smooth approval process and compliance with all necessary guidelines.

Q: Where should I place my new sign?

A: Determining where to place your sign can be tricky. When choosing a location, it is important to consider perspective, traffic flow, visibility, and building layout. However, regulations may dictate where you can and cannot install signage, typically based on your landlord’s restrictions or city permit requirements.

Q: Should I light my sign?

A: Our winters are not only long and dark, but they also bring shorter daylight hours, making visibility a crucial factor for businesses. During the winter months, consumers typically leave for work before sunrise and return home after sunset, meaning much of their daily commute happens in the dark. This makes well-lit signage an essential investment for any business looking to maintain visibility and attract customers.

Lit signage helps your business stand out against the dim winter backdrop while reassuring customers that your business is open, even during the darkest months of the year.

Custom Graphics Inc.