Imagine spending months planning a high-profile event, only to find yourself scrambling as posters topple over or hanging signs warp under harsh lighting. Or, after months of internal discussion, design approvals, and installation, your brand-new mural in the lobby starts peeling off the wall.
Effective signage needs more than great design. It requires the right materials, installation, and upkeep to look professional from start to finish. Without these, a million things can (and will) go wrong.
This guide builds on our recent articles about events and large-format signage, focusing on ten mistakes the Phase 3 team often see when working with clients on temporary and permanent signs. When you’re aware of the risks, you’ll make the right choices to prevent these mistakes and enjoy the benefits of eye-catching signage that boosts your brand.
Selecting the wrong substrate for business signage is a common error, particularly when balancing durability, aesthetics, and environmental resilience. Temporary indoor signage differs significantly from permanent outdoor installations. Consider the environment, intended use, and location carefully. The wrong material can lead to fading, warping, or structural failure.
When choosing materials for indoor signage, consider factors such as the duration of use, location, structure or surface, lighting, and visual impact. For outdoor signage, consider the local climate. This includes moisture, wind, and temperature. Also, consider the expected duration of use, lighting needs, installation regulations, and the desired visual impact.
Choosing the wrong substrate can lead to costly replacements. That’s why choosing a partner that understands the installation needs and conditions is essential to selecting substrates that provide longevity and aesthetic quality.
In collaboration with drive21, the Phase 3 team produced and installed two custom wall graphics in a common area of FanDuel's office in a 100-year-old industrial building. The goal was to create a seamless, high-impact wallpaper that preserved the historic character of the space. After creating the design, a site survey revealed that the building's painted brick and plaster walls required a strong adhesive for stability. The installation team advised the project manager and designer on a better material for uneven surfaces. They recommended using 3M rough wall adhesive and laminate instead of the requested wallpaper. These alternative materials would provide durability and a clean, "painted-on" appearance essential for such an industrial setting. The heat-set adhesive would preserve the building's industrial "cool factor" while ensuring longevity.
When you've lost your way, there's nothing more frustrating than a sign you can't see or find. Good sign placement considers attendee needs, foot traffic, sightlines, and layout. Poor placement can undermine even the best wayfinding signs leaving people disoriented or missing key information.
To maximize the impact of signage, position signs where people would naturally look for them. This includes high-traffic interior areas like entrances, near elevators, main walkways, and public services like restrooms and food vendors. It also includes hallway intersections. Place signs at choke points where foot traffic is likely to congregate. Make sure they can be seen from many directions. Placement in outdoor high-traffic areas could include street intersections, near parking lots and building entrances, on streetlights and fences, and along main walkways.
Effective signage goes beyond guiding visitors. It's also about safety. Include clear and strategically placed emergency exit signs, fire safety equipment directions, and evacuation routes. These signs should be easy to locate and unambiguous, prioritizing safety over aesthetics.
Proper placement isn't just about location. It's also about mounting signs at the right height and angle for maximum visibility. Placing signs too high or low can make them hard to read, reducing their effectiveness and frustrating visitors.
Outdoor signs, in particular, must be set at an optimal height and angle to be seen from a distance and various approaches. For example, if a sign is mounted too high on a busy street, pedestrians may miss it. A sign placed too low could be blocked by cars or other obstacles. Position indoor signs at eye level, roughly 5 to 6 feet from the ground, to make them easily readable across the room. When placing directional or informational signs in large indoor spaces, ensure they're visible from multiple entry points. They shouldn’t be hidden by furniture or other objects.
Don't forget about accessibility. Place signs at heights and angles that are readable to all individuals, including those with disabilities. This includes making sure that signs are visible from a seated position, in wheelchairs, or from a distance. Carefully considering height and angle will contribute to a positive and intuitive experience for all visitors.
Italian Luxury Interiors, a high-end furniture retailer in Buckhead Village, tasked Phase 3 with scaling, producing, and installing cut vinyl brand logos to appear above their storefront windows. The project presented unique challenges as each transom window above the storefront varied in height and size. To ensure that the logos are readable, the team carefully scaled the supplied designs to a consistent size that would stand out across all sections.
Even perfectly placed signs can fail if the messaging doesn't make sense. Clear, concise, relevant copy, images, and design are essential for guiding, informing, and engaging visitors. Choosing the wrong words—or cluttering a sign with too much information—leads to confusion and decreases the impact of your signage.
Each sign should have a single, focused purpose. It could provide directions, identify a location, or highlight an event agenda. Tailor the message to the sign's purpose. For wayfinding signs, keep text minimal. Use universally understood terms and symbols so all visitors can easily navigate the space. For informational signs, consider the tone and clarity. Use formal language in business settings. A friendly tone may be better for casual or public spaces. A quick "Welcome to Our Park" can be warm and inviting, but for urgent or compliance information, a clear directive like "Please Check In Here" or "Exit Only" is far more effective. Each sign should deliver its message at a glance. It must help viewers understand the info quickly without overloading them with details.
Using the wrong installation technique can lead to safety issues, instability, or even damage to the building. The best method will depend on the location, surface or structure materials, and the sign materials. Wall mounting, for instance, requires using suitable screws, anchors, or adhesives. The right choice is based on the wall and sign materials. You want to avoid damaging the surface or leaving visible marks. Sturdy hooks or cables provide support for hanging banners or fabric displays without risking slips or sagging. Outdoor signs need sturdy frames to resist the weather. Temporary indoor vinyl signs need removable adhesives for easy removal.
During the FanDuel project (see Mistake #1), we avoided this common mistake by carefully assessing the building's uneven surfaces, including painted brick and plaster over sheetrock. The installation area also had a 1.5-inch ridge protruding from the wall. Instead of the planned wallpaper installation, the team recommended 3M rough wall adhesive. This material is specifically designed for textured surfaces. It’ll provide a secure and long-lasting hold on the signage's mixed materials. The team also suggested applying a solid-colored adhesive strip over the ridge as a first layer, followed by a graphic layer. This approach creates a seamless look that conceals the ridge without disrupting the design. It also guarantees that the wall graphics stay in place without damaging the original structure.
Choosing the right hardware is critical for temporary signage. This is especially true for signs meant for repeated use. The wrong hardware can damage the sign or be too cumbersome for repeated installation. Using the correct hardware keeps signage stable and secure while installed. Opt for high-quality hardware that can endure repeated use. Investing more upfront can save time, money and heartache later. Durable materials resist wear and tear, minimizing the risk of broken parts or unsteady signage. Select hardware that simplifies assembly and disassembly, making transport and setup convenient. While higher-quality hardware may require a more significant initial investment, its longevity and reliability often make it more cost-effective over time. You'll avoid frequent replacements, save money, and reduce potential last-minute challenges.
UniPro Foodservice wanted to install acrylic graphics in their lobby to create a welcoming brand display. However, the lobby’s angled wall introduced an installation challenge: mounting the graphics so they appeared level despite the wall’s tilt. After consulting with UniPro and our installation partner, the Phase 3 team devised a way to modify the hardware. They used a standoff bracket that could be ground down to accommodate the exact wall angle and create a level appearance.
Have you ever driven right by a store sign because it was dark and you couldn't see it? Lighting can significantly affect your signs' visibility, appeal, and impact. The right lighting can turn static visuals into captivating displays or at least make sure they are viewable from the street. Poor or neglected lighting can make even the most well-designed signs ineffective.
Backlighting improves visibility in low-light areas, like at night or in dimly lit rooms. LED lighting is bright, energy-efficient, and long-lasting. It’s ideal for digital billboards, illuminated signs, and edge-lit displays. Spotlighting directs light onto important details or focal points in the sign's design. Ambient lighting showcases a sign's colors, contrast, and details. Thoughtful lighting makes a sign visible, inviting, and impactful in any setting.
When installing signage—whether temporary for events or promotions or permanent for wayfinding or branding—a common error is neglecting to test the signage both before and after installation. Testing ensures your signage meets visibility, readability, security, and durability standards, addressing issues before they impact the visitor experience.
For temporary signage, conduct a pre-installation test with prototypes in the actual space, under similar lighting conditions, and ideally with a simulated flow of people. Confirm legibility from various angles and distances, check if the signs stand out in high-traffic areas, and make sure the messaging is immediately clear.
Permanent signage also benefits from rigorous pre-installation testing. Test the materials you’ve chosen in similar weather conditions for exterior signage. Try mounting prototypes to review how the frame and hardware supports the sign’s weight and stability over time, especially in high-traffic or outdoor areas. Another option is to work with signage company that has extensive experience with the materials and mounting methods under considertaion.
Finally, a post-installation review is important for safety and security, as well as durability. Check that all fastenings are tight, materials are intact, and visibility is optimized.
For an Ashley furniture store in Great Falls, Montana, the Phase 3 team created, printed, and installed custom window graphics in November—a time when cold weather presented unique challenges. While some window graphics, applied inside, adhered well, others encountered issues. Condensation formed between the laminated graphics and perforated vinyl, obstructing visibility from inside the store and giving the graphics a frosted appearance. The cold also weakened the adhesive, causing the graphics to peel. To resolve the problem, the team had to wait until spring to reinstall the window signs when warmer weather would improve adhesive performance. In hindsight, testing the vinyl adhesion in both cold and wet environments in advance would have prevented this problem and avoided delays.
Cutting corners on logistics and installation planning can be costly. While DIY installation might seem like a money-saver, hiring professionals is invaluable. Professionals bring the right tools, experience, and problem-solving skills to tackle potential issues—including the mistakes we've uncovered in this article.
Before installation, collaborate with your production partner to finalize a logistics plan for permits, equipment, labor, and safety requirements. Professional installers will also handle site assessments to identify and problem-solve challenges. They'll prepare, measure, and mark every surface for proper and accurate installation. They'll take safety protocols and try to minimize disruptions to surrounding areas. They'll also perform post-installation inspections to confirm alignment, stability, and visual integrity.
Investing in a professional planning and installation process is the best way to avoid making mistakes when installing new signage. Instead, you’ll enjoy polished and durable results. Read more about our installation process here.
During installation at Italian Luxury Interiors (see Mistake #3), an added request came from the client: they wanted the logos to look “level” across the transom windows despite the height variances. Because the team partnered with a skilled installer, we were able to make on-the-spot adjustments and visually align the graphics as requested. Attempting the install without experienced professionals might have resulted in a misaligned appearance, requiring costly rework.
In the end, carefully avoiding these common mistakes makes all the difference between a secure, visible, and impactful sign program and a costly waste of time. At Phase 3, we specialize in designing and producing temporary and permanent signage tailored to your unique location, budget, logistical needs, and timeline. Just as we did with the FanDuel project, our team's expertise will ensure your signage perfectly fits your space. It’ll also meet the needs of your customers, employees, visitors, and stakeholders. Contact us today to learn more.