One of our most prolific areas – our specialist subject, if you like – is factory and industrial signage. We offer a wide range of signage solutions that will make your factory or warehouse stand out from the crowd, as well as emphasising your brand and building credibility with your target audience.
Clients often come to us unsure of the factory signage solution they need, and our expert team always point them in the direction of the option that meets their needs. With so much knowledge to share, we thought we’d put together a post outlining the factory signage basics – which materials are available, whether there are any restrictions on materials, the longevity of our signs and issues with planning permission and illumination. Sit tight; you’re about to become an expert on all things factory signage!
What different materials are available for my factory signs?
It’s important that your factory signage can withstand anything the notoriously unpredictable British weather can throw at it. It’s going to be out there, emphasising your brand for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so it has to be durable, hardwearing and able to retain its vibrancy whatever the weather.
Stainless steel and dibond aluminium are the go-to choices, and we powder-coat many of our signs to ensure that even the worst British weather will have minimal impact.
How long will my factory signs last for?
Of course, there are plenty of environmental factors which will dictate how long your signage will last. Factors like sunlight exposure and inclement weather play an important role, and it’s important to bear in mind that some colours fade faster than others (red being the main culprit).
Those considerations aside, if your sign is made from aluminium or stainless steel, it should last for up to ten years – ensuring it’s a worthwhile, longstanding investment. The exterior finishes may start to peel and fade a little sooner, but most people simply have these repainted as and when it’s needed to ensure their sign remains aesthetically pleasing.
Do I need planning permission for my sign?
This is one of the most common queries we have from our clients, and a very important topic – if you don’t comply with the authorities on this, they can remove your sign without warning.
If you’re planning a sign which is bigger than 0.3 square metres (which most factory signage will be), you may need to apply for planning permission. For illuminated signs, it doesn’t matter what size they are – you’ll definitely need to apply to the local authorities to ensure they don’t take down your sign.
Luckily, the Department for Communities and Local Government has issued some guidelines that all signage must adhere to, so that local businesses can avoid having their signs taken down:
- Signs must be kept clean
- Signs must be safe
- Permission from the landowner on which the sign is located must be sought (so if you’re leasing your factory or warehouse unit, you’ll need to ask permission from your landlord as well as the local council)
- Signs must not obstruct important transport signage, or make the roads hazardous. Signs which may obstruct the view of oncoming traffic, for example, may be removed.
- If the authorities ask you to remove a sign they deem not permissible, you must remove it safely and promptly to avoid further action.