When looking for custom business signs, you may ask yourself, “how much should I pay for a sign?” Have you ever heard the saying, “you get what you pay for”? Well, like most things, the saying rings true for signs as well.
There are many factors to consider to get the best bang for your buck while also meeting the needs of the purpose of a sign. A custom sign can cost anywhere from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Once you’ve decided on your budget, there are a few things to help determine the best sign for your needs.
Factors to consider that affect quality and costs:
- Location
- Size
- Single or double sided
- Material
- Short or long term use
- Interior or exterior
- Contour cut or straight cut
Location Location Location
The first thing to decide is where you want the sign to be displayed. A few questions to ask yourself to get started:
- Do you want it to be visible from the street?
- Will this be an interior or exterior sign?
- Will it be used as directional signage?
The location of your sign will determine the type of material you will need, whether you need a material that can adhere to the surface you chose (like vinyl), or if the sign is free standing, (like a monument style). The choice of material plays a big role in the final price.
Location will also determine if your sign needs to be single or double sided. Like the example above, if you are displaying your business name or logo, or want to build a custom monument style sign, it would be a higher cost installation and design than something smaller like a portable sign such as an A-frame.
Double-sided signs typically cost more than single sided signs, so it’s an important factor to take into consideration when determining your location and budget.
Size Matters
Once you have decided on the location, then you can determine the proper size. Size plays a big role in costs especially if it requires professional installation.
Examples of smaller, more affordable signs would be an A-frame, or easel display. They offer more flexibility, allowing you to change or rotate out the signage since they are more affordable printing options and mobile enough that they can be repositioned at any time.
With printed signs, the same rules apply about costs. For example, single-sided signs will cost less than double-sided signs. The larger the sign, the more it will cost. And, more durable materials such as aluminum composites are typically more costly than less weather resistant materials such as corrugated plastic.
Heavy Duty Sign Holder A-Frame Signage Easel Display
A smaller portable sign like a foam board on an easel or a plastic sidewalk sign can range in price from under $100 to several hundred dollars, whereas larger signs that may require professional installation and permitting could cost several thousand dollars. These types of signs are often used for menu boards, directionals, business hours, announcing sales or specials and much more.
Making the Most of your Budget
If a large sign is out of your budget, but you still want to make a splash on your business front, there are creative options to make it happen. Full color window graphics and banners are a couple of options that won’t break the bank.
Banners and window graphics allow more creative freedom when it comes to design choices. You can incorporate more brand elements with a banner or graphic rather than a store front sign with simple text. With the right quality and design these options can create beautiful signage to reflect your brand and message.
Maximizing Your Signage Budget
There are many options to choose from for almost any budget! Give us a call, send us an email, or stop by our store to discuss what Optima Signs & Graphics can do for your business.