How to Create the Perfect Signage Plan

One of the tasks we're tackling this week for our Oconee Library project is interior signage.  While putting together a solid signage plan is a detailed and often collective effort, it doesn't have to make your head spin if you know the right steps to take and who to talk to.  

Need some one-on-one assistance for the signage in your own Library?   Reach out to me and I can help you get started! Schedule a free call with me today and let's chat about it!

STEP 1 - GET YOUR SPACE ON PAPER

In a perfect world, you already have access to a PDF of your entire existing floor plan as it is with no changes.  This is the best possible case scenario but not always feasible.  If you don't have your most current plan, you can try several things.  If your building isn't very old, you can always reach out to your architect or designer and see if they still have the file and could therefore send you a PDF version.  If the building is older, check with your facilities manager and see if there are old print copies stored somewhere safe.  You can take a hard copy to your local printer and have them scan in the document and make copies for you to draw on.

If none of these are viable options for you, your only other choice is to draw out the plan by hand.  Truthfully, it won't even have to be to scale, just so you have all rooms located properly.  Make sure you add the room names to each room.  This will be very  important later on.

STEP 2 - CREATE YOUR COORDINATING SPREADSHEET

Once your plan is drawn, you will need to create a spreadsheet that correlates to your plan.  You will want to create several columns.  You should have a column for the tag numbers.  This is the number that you will use to note each sign on your plan.  For example, you might use 101A on your spreadsheet for the workroom door.  On your plan right at the workroom door, you will draw a rectangle with 101A inside it.  This will help you keep all your information organized and relevant.

The next column should be the actual room name and number to show the location of the tag.  Then add a column that shows what the wording for that sign should be.  You can say Adult Workroom if that's what you wish for your sign to say at that door.  Create the next column to indicate the sign type.  In other words, will this be a ceiling-suspended sign or a wall-mounted sign.  Any other sign type will be noted here as well.  Don't worry about ADA terminology at this point.  Your sign vendor will take care of all this since they will know the relevant codes for your area.

STEP 3 - DON'T FORGET SPECIAL SIGNAGE

If you have patrons or businesses who are donating money to your Library with the honor of naming a room, be sure to include this into your interior signage plan.  Know what kind of lettering you're thinking of or whether or not you want this to be handled with a plaque or even etched glass.  You won't have to take on the full burden of creativity.  Your sign vendor is more than able to work with you on the details.  But have something in mind as a jumping off point for them.

STEP 4 - CONSIDER THE EXTERIOR SIGNAGE AS WELL

Your sign vendor can also handle exterior signage.  So unless that's being handled under another contract or by the local officials, you may want to discuss this with your vendor too.

STEP 5 - FIND THE RIGHT SIGN VENDOR

There are plenty of people online to handle your signage project.  If you don't know of anyone off hand, you have several choices.  I would first recommend that you ask your colleagues who have already put together a signage package for their own Library.  Word of mouth is the best and they will have lots of tips to help get you started.  You can also ask your county officials.  They may have connections with signage vendors or they may be able to direct you to their purchasing department that could possibly have a standard list of vendors for you to sift through.  If those options are unavailable to you, try a local internet search.  I try to stay away from the smaller companies, not that I don't love to buy local, but often they can't handle a project of this size or multiple sign types.  So if you do decide to go local, just make sure they can do it all in house and to your satisfaction.

Another quick note - get at least three quotes for pricing.  Don't pick just one.  And let them know you're shopping prices.  It keeps everyone honest.

STEP 6 - WORK OUT ALL THE DETAILS

Once you decide on your vendor, you'll want to have a detailed kickoff meeting to discuss your Library style, needs, and all your questions.  Give them your vision for the space and see what they can come up with.  This is their area of expertise.  They will have plenty of ideas for achieving your goals.  Let them work through the ADA issues too.  They should know what's required and where.  

Make sure you select color and font options that compliment your current Library design.  You don't want your signage to feel like an afterthought.

STEP 7 - INSTALL LIKE A PRO

Have someone on site the day of installation.  Your vendor will know how to make your space look amazing, but they will need someone around who can answer questions quickly and accurately.  Sometimes you've got to make quick decisions and you need their expertise as well as yours to make the installation a successful one.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Creating and executing a thorough signage plan is pretty easy.  Work through all the above steps and ask a lot of questions.  Don't settle for less than what you want and remember to rely heavily on your signage vendor.  If you'll stick to the plan, there's absolutely no reason why your interior as well as exterior signage can't be amazing and fully functional.