Whether you own an Alexandria or Arlington VA dental practice, restaurant, or anything in between—a
building or monument sign will let people know they’ve arrived. In addition to complementing your branding, a monument sign can serve as a local landmark for generations to come.
When designing a monument sign, the experts at AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington can provide you with some great ideas. However, the ultimate decision is up to you. Read on to learn more about monument and building sign design tips that will help you make a more informed decision.
Make it Unique
A monument sign is your chance to shine. An opportunity to make a statement and let your entire community know you’re here to stay. Avoid the temptation of doing what others are doing. Instead, make your sign uniquely yours.
A great way to do this is to incorporate branding elements from your business. Colors, fonts, logos, mascots, and anything else that makes your business unique. It will also allow you to stand out from your competitors and differentiate your products or services from theirs.
A unique monument sign could also make your competitors a bit green with jealously…
Consider the Font
If your monument or building sign will only showcase your business name and address, you’ll most likely wind up using the standard font your company brand uses. However, if you’re looking to mix things up a bit, here are a few considerations:
Font color—the color of your font plays an important role in evoking emotion while tugging on the emotional and psychological strings of all those who view it. Consider reading about
color theory and how it can make or break your sign design.
Font face—Overly complicated fonts are near-impossible to read from a distance. Keep your font faces simple and bold for the best chances of success.
Font size—Take into consideration the average and longest possible viewing distance once you install your sign. The letters must be tall enough for far-away reading but not so tall that they overwhelm the entire design.
Consider the Color Scheme
The combination of colors plays an integral role in how easily people can view your sign from near and far. Colors that blend too much together will make it near-impossible for people to read your sign at a glance.
Try to use contrasting colors to make your signage that much more visible regardless of the viewing distance. For example, if the background of your monument or building sign is darker in color, then consider using a lighter color for the text and vice versa.
Don’t Run Afoul of City Hall
Before you place your signage order, check to make sure that you’re not breaking any local regulations or signage laws. For example, the City of Alexandria, VA, created a
signage guide for businesses located in the Historic District.
There are other
local signage laws that you’ll need to abide by as well. If you’re unsure, you can first give the signage experts at AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington, VA a call, and we can point you in the right direction and let you know if your monument sign idea might run afoul of any local regulations.
Carefully Consider the Shape
The next time you find yourself driving through Alexandria or Arlington, try paying close attention to the monument signs that you drive by on your way to your destination. You might notice that many monument signs look almost identical to other ones.
The shape and size of your monument sign can really make your business or location stand out in a sea of similarities. Consider unique and unconventional shapes, or perhaps add some lighting to your signage that will create a subtle drop shadow effect on the background.
Consider the Sign Materials
While you can go with a traditional monument signage materials, there are so many more options that you should consider, such as:
- Brick
- Stone
- Wood
- Metal
- Concrete
- Stucco
- Armored foam
- High-density urethane
The immediate and nearby surroundings of where you intend to install your monument sign can also affect material choice. For example, a monument made out of bricks might feel more “at home” in an area where most nearby buildings are made out of bricks.
Signage Design and Creation in Alexandria and Arlington
A little bit of creativity can really set your business apart from the rest of your competitors. If you need signage help, contact the expert sign makers at AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington. We've created many local monument signs, including one for the Watermark Hotel.
Over the years, we’ve helped countless Alexandria and Arlington businesses, individuals, and organizations create amazing and impactful monument signage. If you’d like to learn more about our sign services, give us a call at (703) 549-2432 or
contact us on our website.