Ordering a custom sign sounds simple enough. You choose a size, add your logo and message, send the artwork to a printer, and you’re done. But there are a few things that can go wrong along the way, and some of them aren’t obvious until the finished sign is in your hands.
Whether you’re ordering signs for a storefront, corporate event, construction site, or promotional campaign, a little planning can save you from spending money on something that doesn’t quite work.
Here are seven mistakes worth avoiding before placing your next order.
1. Choosing the Wrong Sign Material
One of the most common mistakes is selecting a material based on price alone. A less expensive option might work perfectly for a weekend event but be completely unsuitable for a sign that needs to stay outdoors for several months.
Coroplast, for example, is lightweight, weather-resistant, and commonly used for yard signs, real estate advertising, and temporary outdoor promotions. Foam board is a popular choice for indoor presentations and displays, but it generally isn’t intended for prolonged outdoor exposure. PVC and Gatorboard offer other advantages depending on the application.
Before ordering, consider where the sign will be displayed, how long you’ll need it, and whether it will be exposed to sunlight, rain, or wind.
Print Basics offers a variety of custom sign printing options and can help you select a material that makes sense for your project.
2. Making the Text Too Small
A design that looks great on your computer screen might be almost impossible to read from across a parking lot.
This happens frequently when businesses try to squeeze too much information onto a single sign. The company name, slogan, website, phone number, service descriptions, and promotional offers all end up competing for attention.
Think about how someone will encounter your sign. Will they be walking past it? Driving by at 35 miles per hour? Standing a few feet away at a conference?
A roadside sign needs large lettering and a short message. An indoor informational sign can accommodate smaller text because people have time to stop and read it.
When in doubt, print your design at a reduced scale and view it from a distance. If the main message isn’t immediately clear, simplify it.
3. Using Low-Resolution Images and Logos
Few things make a new sign look less professional than a blurry logo or pixelated photograph.
Images downloaded from websites or copied from social media are often too small for large-format printing. They may look perfectly fine on a phone but become noticeably distorted when enlarged to several feet wide.
Whenever possible, use vector artwork for logos and illustrations. Vector files can be enlarged without losing sharpness. Photographs should be supplied at a resolution appropriate for the finished sign’s size and viewing distance.
If you’re unsure whether your artwork is suitable, review the Print Basics digital file preparation guidelines before submitting your files.
And if your artwork needs adjustments, the company’s creative services team can help prepare it for printing.
4. Ignoring Where and How the Sign Will Be Installed
A sign’s location affects almost every decision you make about its production.
For example, a directional sign placed near a building entrance has very different requirements from a promotional sign displayed beside a busy road. Even the way a sign will be mounted matters.
Will it stand in the ground using an H-stake? Will it be attached to a wall? Does it need to fit into an existing frame or display stand?
Businesses sometimes order signs without checking the available space or measuring their existing hardware. The result can be a perfectly printed sign that doesn’t fit where it was supposed to go.
Take measurements before ordering, and don’t forget to check any property management rules or local sign regulations that might apply.
For locations where a flexible hanging display makes more sense than a rigid sign, consider custom printed banners as an alternative.
5. Overlooking Color and Contrast
Your brand colors may look attractive together on a website, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll work well on a sign.
Light gray lettering on a white background might suit a brochure, yet become nearly invisible outdoors. Dark lettering against a similarly dark background can cause the same problem.
Lighting conditions matter, too. A sign displayed in bright South Florida sunlight may look different from one installed inside a softly lit office.
Choose colors that provide enough contrast for easy reading. Also remember that printed colors don’t always match what you see on a monitor.
If color accuracy is important to your branding, discuss your requirements with your printer and review the proof carefully before approving production.
6. Ordering Without Thinking About Future Use
Sometimes a sign is needed for one afternoon. Other times, it could be used dozens of times over several years.
Businesses don’t always make that distinction when ordering.
Consider a company that regularly attends networking events, conferences, and trade shows. Instead of ordering a new sign for every event, it might make more sense to invest in a durable display featuring the company logo and general messaging. Event-specific information can then be printed separately.
The same principle applies to directional signs, sponsor recognition displays, and reusable promotional signage.
If your business attends multiple events throughout the year, it’s worth exploring custom trade show displays designed for repeated use.
A slightly higher initial investment in the right materials can save money on replacements later.
7. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Order
Sign printing often becomes an afterthought, especially when businesses are preparing for grand openings, trade shows, sales promotions, or corporate events.
Everything else gets organized first, and then someone realizes the signs haven’t been ordered.
Although rush printing is sometimes available, waiting until the last minute can limit your choices. Certain materials may need to be ordered, artwork may require corrections, and finishing or mounting requirements can add production time.
It’s also important to allow time for reviewing proofs. Discovering a misspelled phone number or incorrect event date after printing is an expensive mistake.
If you have a firm deadline, let your printer know immediately. The sooner you discuss the project, the easier it is to determine what can realistically be completed on time.
Get Your Custom Signs Right the First Time With Print Basics
Whether you need a few yard signs for an upcoming event or a complete set of branded signs for your business, choosing the right materials, dimensions, and artwork makes a difference.
At Print Basics, we work with businesses throughout Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and the surrounding South Florida area. Our experienced team can help you decide which type of sign is best for your needs, review your artwork, and recommend practical options based on your budget and deadline.
We produce Coroplast signs, foam board displays, Gatorboard signs, PVC signs, and other custom signage for indoor and outdoor use.
Have a sign project coming up? Don’t guess about materials, sizing, or production requirements. Talk to our team before you order.
Explore our custom signs printing services or request a free, personalized quote today. Tell us what you’re planning, where the signs will be displayed, and when you need them. We’ll help you get the job done right.
You can also call us at 954-354-0700 to discuss your project directly.
