If you’re looking for custom metal signs for your office lobby or interior wall, you’ve come to the right place. Having a few details handy can make the quoting process easier and faster, so you can get to designing your office lobby sign.
Here’s what to send us when requesting a quote for custom metal logo signage.
What Information Do You Need for a Custom Metal Sign Quote?
For most custom metal sign projects, having these five things can give you a strong head start:
- Your logo file
- A photo of the wall or installation area
- Whether you want lighting
- Examples of signs or styles you like
- An approximate size
The more information you provide up front, the easier it is for us to recommend the appropriate materials, finishes, fabrication methods, and lighting options, and ultimately give you an accurate quote.
1. Send Us Your Image or Logo File
If your custom metal sign will include imagery or a logo, this is a good starting point. Most metal signage is built around your company’s branding, so it’s important for us to see the shapes, lettering, proportions, colors, and other details that make up your logo.
A vector file is typically the best option to send this information to us. Vector files allow us to enlarge or reduce the size of the artwork without losing quality, so any details like curves, lettering, and proportions remain crisp during sign fabrication.
If you don’t have a vector file, that’s okay. Send us the best version you have, whether that’s:
- PNG
- JPG
- Brand guidelines
- Existing logo artwork
Our team will review it and let you know if we need additional artwork.
Additionally, you should send us the full-color version of your logo, even if you aren’t sure if you want to use those exact colors in the final design. Depending on your preferred look, we can use PMS color matching for a painted finish or use dimensional layers to produce the final appearance.
2. Send a Photo of Your Wall
Another helpful thing you can send us is a clear photo of the wall where the sign will be installed. Seeing the wall will help us determine how the sign can look its best where it’ll live.
Your wall photo should show everything, including:
- The entire wall
- Surrounding furniture
- Doors or windows
- Reception desks
- Ceiling height
- Nearby lighting
- Other architectural features
- Available wall space
For a lobby sign, for example, seeing the reception desk and wall together helps us understand the scale of the space. Additionally, knowing the color helps us give better recommendations for your signage finish, as a brushed aluminum metal sign on a white wall will look very different from the same sign on a dark wood or brick surface.
3. Choose Lighted or Non-Lighted Signage
Lighting is another major factor in both the appearance and cost of your custom metal sign. Even if you don’t know what type of lighting system you want, tell us if you have a preference for lighted vs. non-lighted. Telling us early helps us recommend a fabrication approach that supports it.
Non-lighted custom metal signs rely on the material, finish, and room lighting for visual impact, while lighted signs create more visual depth and make your logo a stronger focal point.
Depending on the design, your lighting options include:
- Halo lighting
- Backlit letters
- Illuminated dimensional logos
- Lighted panels
- Edge-lit components
- Stainless steel push-through designs
A halo-lit metal logo, for example, positions illumination behind the metal letters or logo elements so light creates a glow against the wall.
4. Send Examples of Other Custom Metal Signs You Like
You don’t need to know the exact specs of the signs you like, just send us an example and we can figure it out from there! You can find inspiration from:
- The Impact Signs website
- The Impact Signs project gallery
- Your own building
- Another office or hotel
- Architectural websites
- Social media
Our metal sign gallery has several completed projects you can use as reference for materials, finishes, and lighting.
5. Give Us an Approximate Size
You don’t need exact dimensions to start a quote, but an approximate size can greatly help. For custom metal signage, we commonly produce signs anywhere from 2 feet to 8 feet wide. If you aren’t sure how large your sign should be, measure the space where you want your sign to occupy. So for example, you can tell us:
- “The wall is about 12 feet wide.”
- “We want the logo approximately 5 feet across.”
- “The sign should fit above a 7-foot reception desk.”
- “We want it centered in an 8-foot-wide section of the wall.”
This can give us a starting point when we create your quote.
What If You Don’t Know What Material You Want?
It’s okay if you don’t know exactly which material you want for your custom metal sign. There are several choices, and you don’t need to pick between them all before contacting us. In fact, the right material for your needs may become apparent after you share:
- Your logo
- Your preferred appearance
- Your wall
- Your budget
- Whether the sign will be lighted
- The desired size
- Whether the application is indoors or outdoors
The materials we use for metal signs at Impact Signs include:
- Aluminum: Lightweight, versatile, and available in brushed, painted, anodized, powder-coated, and other finishes.
- Stainless steel: A strong choice for a clean, contemporary architectural appearance.
- Bronze: Offers a richer, more traditional metal appearance and can work especially well for professional or established brands.
- Brass: Can create a warmer gold-toned look for office and hospitality interiors.
- COR-TEN steel: Develops a distinctive weathered surface and is generally selected when that industrial, naturally oxidized appearance is intentional.
What If You Don’t Know Which Finish You Want?
You don’t need to know this when starting a quote, either. Metal signs can look very different depending on the finish you choose. Some of our options for different metal types include:
- Brushed
- Polished
- Painted
- Anodized
- Powder coated
- Oxidized
- Patina finishes
For instance, the same aluminum logo can feel very different in a natural brushed finish, black anodized finish, or custom-painted brand color. If you send inspiration photos, we can often identify the type of finish that will create the look you’re drawn to.
How Can You Get a Faster Quote for Custom Metal Signs?
If you want to make the process as efficient as possible, send everything together.
Custom Metal Sign Quote Checklist
Before submitting your request, gather:
- Your logo file: Vector AI, EPS, or PDF preferred, but send whatever you have.
- A photo of the wall: Show the full lobby, reception area, or installation space.
- Approximate dimensions: Give us the desired sign width or the size of the available wall area.
- Lighting preference: Tell us whether you want the sign lighted, non-lighted, or whether you’re open to either.
- Inspiration photos: Send examples from our site, Pinterest, another building, or anywhere else you’ve seen a sign you like.
- Installation location: Tell us whether the sign will be inside or outside and describe the wall surface if you know it.
- Project timing: Let us know when you need the sign.
You can also include anything else that is important to you, such as:
- Preferred finish
- Brand colors
- Budget considerations
- Desired depth
- Installation needs
- Specific material preferences
Don’t worry if some of those answers are still unknown. The first five items are usually enough to give us a good starting point.
Ready to Get a Quote for Your Custom Metal Sign?
The fastest way to start a custom metal logo sign project is to show us what you’re working with.
Have your project details ready? Send us your logo file, a photo of your lobby or wall, your approximate size, whether you’re interested in lighting, and a few examples of signs you like. Even if you haven’t chosen a material, finish, or mounting method yet, our team can help you narrow down the options.
If you’d rather talk through your logo, wall, materials, finishes, sizing, or lighting options first, schedule a consultation with our team. We look forward to helping you create a custom metal sign that fits your needs!
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Metal Signs
What do I need to send for a custom metal sign quote?\
Start with your logo file, a photo of the wall or installation area, an approximate size, your preference for lighted or non-lighted signage, and examples of signs you like. Those details help a sign manufacturer recommend appropriate materials, finishes, mounting methods, and fabrication options.
What file format should I send for a metal logo sign?
Vector artwork such as AI, EPS, or vector PDF is generally preferred because it can be scaled without losing quality. If you don’t have vector artwork, send the highest-quality version of your logo that you have.
Can you make custom metal signs from an existing company logo?
Yes, we can make custom metal signs from an existing company logo. Custom metal logo signs are fabricated around the supplied logo or artwork. Logos can be recreated as individual letters, dimensional shapes, fabricated components, or layered signs depending on the design.
How big should a lobby logo sign be?
There is no universal size for a lobby logo sign. The appropriate dimensions depend on the wall size, viewing distance, surrounding furniture, logo proportions, and desired visual impact. Sending a wall photo and approximate wall measurements makes it easier to recommend appropriate sizing.
