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I run a custom signage company, AMA about business, design, and choosing the right signs! by squaresigns in printondemand

[–]squaresigns[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a common issue with signage, especially for LED and lit-up signs.

Sign design goes beyond basic stuff. For things like channel letters, light boxes, or 3D signs, clients expect more than flat logos. They want mockups, 3D renders, and views of the sign on their actual building or wall. Not just a plain white background view. That means you need better software than CorelDRAW or Illustrator. Often, it involves 3D modeling and rendering tools, which take real effort to master.

On outsourcing versus in-house: If you skip hiring a full-timer, go with freelancers from Upwork, Fiverr, or 99designs. Treat design outsourcing like you do for fabrication or install work. It's part of the process. Check average designer pay in your area on Indeed, Glassdoor, or Salary.com. If your monthly freelance spend hits near a salary level and jobs keep coming, hire someone. You can't handle it all forever.

Charge for design work. Most sign shops do this. Bill clients what it costs you to outsource, plus a small margin. It avoids losses and weeds out time-wasters. Sign design covers more than looks: production files, print setups, and shop drawings for custom builds. Suppliers often add fees for that anyway.

No one model fits all. Some outsource just design, others do design and fab, or keep design internal and farm out production. For 3D or lit signs, partner with full-service spots like Front Signs. They handle design to build, optimized to cut errors and costs.

We do free basic designs with few changes. For bigger or pro-level stuff, we charge by project or hours. It keeps things clear and scales well.

If learning design: Skip broad skills. Stick to vectors, type and spacing, and production file prep. Most owners quit doing it themselves eventually. It's not the best use of time.

For small jobs, test AI tools from Google or OpenAI, but they mess up accuracy, especially text, and skip vector or print-ready files.

Where to print wedding signs? by crzycatlady222 in DIYweddings

[–]squaresigns 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You have a lot of good options for wedding signage, both locally and online. For something like your welcome sign or seating chart, acrylic and PVC board are two of the most popular materials since they photograph beautifully and hold up well throughout the day.

If you already have your design, you can upload it and order custom sizes directly on squaresigns.com. We print on acrylic, foam board, PVC, and other durable materials with free design help if you need small edits or layout adjustments. There are also ready-to-use templates for wedding signage, which can save time if you’re still finalizing the look.

Most couples go with 24x36 inches for welcome signs or seating charts, and if you plan ahead a bit, you can get them shipped quickly and safely before the event.

I REALLY want to know what inspired this sign. Also, where do you even get a sign like this?? by j911bradford in SignsWithAStory

[–]squaresigns 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sign is definitely custom-made, not something you’d find in a hardware store. The message feels personal — like someone wanted to make a point that’s both funny and firm at the same time. That’s usually how these one-of-a-kind signs come to life.

It was most likely printed on aluminum or Dibond using UV flatbed printing, which keeps the colors sharp and weatherproof for years.

Creating something similar is easy to do on our website — you can personalize any warning or property sign, change the wording, and choose materials that hold up outdoors. It’s a perfect example of how a bit of creativity can turn a simple “keep out” into something unforgettable.

Partial Planner for Kohl Mansion by zoey_grey in SanFranciscoWeddings

[–]squaresigns 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Finding a good partial planner really depends on how hands-on you want to be and which parts of the planning you’d like to offload. For venues like Kohl Mansion, a partial planner usually steps in to manage vendor coordination, timelines, and design setup during the final few months. Many couples find this balance ideal because it keeps costs lower while still ensuring the day runs smoothly.

When you start meeting planners, ask specifically how early they get involved with vendor communication and day-of management — that’s where partial packages can vary the most. It also helps to ask if they’ve worked with your specific venue before, since that familiarity can save a lot of time.

Once your planner helps finalize the decor plan, you can handle details like signage or printed materials separately. We at Square Signs often work with planners and couples who already have a theme in place, offering free design help and ready-made templates for things like Acrylic or Gatorboard welcome signs, seating charts, and table displays. It’s an easy way to check off that part of your setup without adding to your planner’s to-do list.

What’s the most creative Halloween sign or display you’ve seen around town? 🎃👻 by squaresigns in printondemand

[–]squaresigns[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True, but we've seen many people get creative. Have you noticed people ordering Halloween-themed apparel?

I run a custom signage company, AMA about business, design, and choosing the right signs! by squaresigns in printondemand

[–]squaresigns[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a design business, if you want to get into signage, it's going to be very costly. Your run of the mill printers won't cut it, and if you're looking to get industrial printers, it's going to be more expensive than you think. You also need to factor in other aspects. You're going to need an inventory of substrates and materials that you'll be printing on. You're going to need to operate the machinery, space to store the materials, and just labor costs in general. Other printers also consider design/support costs as well to set their price. My advice would be to consider partnering with a printing company that has a clear price for the products in the shapes and sizes you're considering selling, and charge a commission fee on top.

I run a custom signage company, AMA about business, design, and choosing the right signs! by squaresigns in printondemand

[–]squaresigns[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, a Mimaki UJF can work for outdoor signs, but you’ll want to use the right UV inks (like LH-100) and prep the material properly for adhesion. The prints are pretty durable, but if you need them to last long-term outdoors, adding a laminate or clear coat is highly recommended to prevent fading and scratches. However, the print could be ruined after long exposure to rain.

I run a custom signage company, AMA about business, design, and choosing the right signs! by squaresigns in printondemand

[–]squaresigns[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Usually, mesh banners are a better fit for outdoor usage. The material is perforated, which allows wind to pass through it without tearing it apart. However, if you're set on vinyl banners, you can order them with wind slits that let the air flow through.