It’s no secret that the signage outside your facility is crucial in attracting customers and sending a message, whether it’s for a grand reopening, sale event, or simply a well-lit logo that lets passersby know who you are. That said, the signs posted within your building play an equally important yet different role. Interior signage helps employees and customers navigate a facility, steer clear of hazards, stay in the loop regarding company information, and much more. If you’ve never given much thought to your interior signage, you might not realize how much thought goes into designing, installing, and maintaining these essential features. Here are some tips for planning your interior signage project.

How to Plan Your Business Signage

Know What You Want to Say

The purpose of any sign is to communicate some idea to the person on the other side. So, the earliest stage of planning your interior signage project is figuring out what information you wish to get across. Every facility should have certain staples, such as exit signs, restroom signs, and so on. Aside from these crucial navigational signs, however, you might install signage unique to your business. For instance, you might want to place a large embossed logo in the lobby of your office building to reinforce your brand. Or, in light of recent events, you might put up interior signage that outlines your business’ disinfection efforts to make your customers more comfortable. Your interior signage is a powerful messaging tool, so use it accordingly.

Determine Different Types of Signage

Signs don’t just vary in messaging, but also size, shape, material, permanence, etc. Most facilities implement a wide range of sign types based on their purpose. For example, signs that boost your brand name and/or logo should be constructed from a durable material like metal, wood, masonry, or a strong plastic in order to stand the test of time. Signs that provide information on a special event or initiative, on the other hand, might be printed on paper or written on a whiteboard/chalkboard material to allow for regular change-outs. As you plan for your interior signage project, consider these material needs and costs to ensure you’ve got the right types of signage for the job.

Keep Safety and Compliance in Mind

Installing, repairing, and replacing interior signage involves certain safety and compliance considerations as well. If signs aren’t properly hung or secured to the wall, they can fall and injure those beneath them. Beyond these concerns, the signage installation process can interfere with facility operations, employees, and customers, putting people in harm’s way. Interior signage must also not obstruct visibility or accessibility -- signs must adhere to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines to ensure that all information can be delivered to those with various disabilities (i.e., embossing braille on your signage). These are just some of the safety and compliance considerations regarding interior signage, and it’s important to know all the hazards and regulations that apply to your facility.

Make Signage Easy to See, Read, and Understand

Since interior signage must be visible and accessible to all for safety reasons, sign visibility is also key in getting your message across and facilitating navigation for those inside. As such, plan to place your interior signage in strategic locations and make sure the lettering is bold, concise, and vivid. If your staff and customers speak more than one language, consider including translations on your most important signs as well to minimize confusion and cater to the largest audience possible.

Cleanliness Considerations

Like any other surface inside your facility, your interior signage must be properly cared for. Indeed, neglecting regular sign cleaning can cause your signage to deteriorate, fade, and/or become obstructed by dirt, dust, and grime, defeating its entire purpose. As you plan your interior signage project, establish a maintenance regimen for these features, complete with a checklist and schedule. Note that some of your signs may be difficult to access by your janitorial services (i.e. high hanging signs) -- make sure your cleaning staff has the proper equipment and safety training to efficiently and safely clean even the hardest-to-reach signage in your facility.

Sign On to an Organized and Informative Interior

If it’s time to outfit your facility with fresh signage, make sure you’re properly prepared for the installation and maintenance processes. At The Budd Group, our building maintenance program includes interior and exterior sign cleaning so your business always gets the right message across to as many people as possible. To learn more about our services and values, give us a call today at 800-221-8158!