Lighted Box Signs

The Next Best Thing To Channel Letters

SmartBizChoices generally recommends channel letters for the outside of your new business because they offer a more stylized design, customized to brand your business. Because of the unique shape and color, and illumination at night, they are noticed easier and more often than other sign options. Often, though, channel letters are not allowed per local city or county ordinances, or the restrictions, if any, in your lease agreement. In this event, the second best option is to use a box sign on the facade of your building.

Commercial architectural box signs can be illuminated (lighted) or non-illuminated (non-lighted). If you have the option, Choices always recommends the lighted version. In the long run, research shows that a lighted sign is more cost-effective for advertising your business than a non-illuminated sign. With a lighted sign, your business message is seen at night as well as during the daylight hours. Often the contrast between the lighted box and dark of the evening hours gets you noticed more often than during the day when there are so many other distractions.

But before you order any sign, SmartBizChoices recommends that you check to be sure that your space has been wired for an illuminated sign. If it has electrical connections for a lighted sign there may be channel letters in place left by a former tenant already affixed to the building. The landlord generally, although not always, takes this down before you take possession of the leased property. It is a good idea to be sure that the specifics of who is to remove the former tenant's sign is written in, before you sign your lease.

If you can confirm that you are allowed to install a lighted sign but the electrical connections are not "pulled", then it is best to negotiate this service with your landlord BEFORE you sign a lease or you will be responsible for paying an electrician to pull the wires for you when your sign is to be installed.