Signage Installation Procedure: 5 Steps to Having a Signage Installed
Since the discovery of the first advertising insignia in 3000 BC, signboards have evolved tremendously. Today, business owners are using signs and digital ads in marketing their products and effectively communicating with a target audience, strengthening their brand and generating leads.
However, installing signage is not a walk in the park. Before you can have an advertising sign or signboard installed, you must know Singapore’s lawful signage installation procedure, which we will tackle in this article. Discover how to successfully and cost-effectively install a sign display with these guidelines.
However, installing signage is not a walk in the park. Before you can have an advertising sign or signboard installed, you must know Singapore’s lawful signage installation procedure, which we will tackle in this article. Discover how to successfully and cost-effectively install a sign display with these guidelines.
Why Professionals Should Do Signage Installation
Some business owners might prefer a DIY installation for their signage, mainly to save money. But consulting a professional installer will guarantee you the prevention of amateur mistakes (which usually result in potential hazards and poorly installed signage).
It is also vital that you first consult with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). BCA is an agency established on April 1, 1999, under the Ministry of National Development. The primary role of BCA is to improve Singapore’s living environment by developing and regulating the building and construction industry.
And when it comes to adhering to multiple guidelines set by the BCA, expert installers are already proficient. With professional installers, you’ll get the necessary installation approval quickly.
And when it comes to adhering to multiple guidelines set by the BCA, expert installers are already proficient. With professional installers, you’ll get the necessary installation approval quickly.
Factors Influencing the Installation Procedure
Whether it’s mounted signs or freestanding signs, a lot of factors influence the success of a signage installation, such as the following:
- Installation location (within or outside Central Area, conservation building, event signage in Central Area)
- Materials to use (base, substrate, and lettering)
- Out-of-the-box signage ideas (usually about message branding technique; works more effectively when you have little to no competition)
- Theme (colour, message, and font style)
- Design and size (should complement your commercial building and the surrounding establishments)
- Signage type (wayfinding, digital, channel letters, outdoor, pylon, compliant, informational, etc.)
To manage a successful signage installation, here are 5 comprehensive steps:
Step 1: Consulting and Complying with Regulations
Even if you own the building where you plan to place the signage, booking a consultation with BCA is a legal requirement. You can check if your proposed advertising sign or signboard complies with the relevant guidelines and conditions under the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) outdoor signage guidelines.
Moreover, you will also know if you are exempt from the license requirement. Some outdoor signs that do not require a license include:
Moreover, you will also know if you are exempt from the license requirement. Some outdoor signs that do not require a license include:
- Single signboards with a total area of not more than 5m2;
- Religious, government-aided, healthcare, or charity signboards;
- Advertising signs and signboards placed on food centres, hawker centres, or underpass stalls; or
- Signage displayed on free noticeboards on bus shelters and MRT stations.
The BCA can regulate the size of installed signage, preventing the display of unappealing and unlicensed signage in the streetscape. To know if you need to obtain a license, you can navigate the BCA site to do a quick consultation. Click here.
And to find out which URA guidelines your proposed signage needs to comply with, you can also consult a map to determine the location first.
And to find out which URA guidelines your proposed signage needs to comply with, you can also consult a map to determine the location first.
Guidelines
You need to comply with the following BCA regulations:
- Building control (outdoor advertising) regulations
- Building control (temporary building) regulations 2018
Each category contains guidelines for installation zones and height and size requirements.
Permit to Use
You also need to secure a Permit to Use for your signage before BCA can grant your license. This is required when your signage has an area exceeding 10m2 or if the advertising structure exceeds 10m2. With a Permit to Use, you’ll also know about the display period of your signage.
Documents
You need to submit the required documents so that BCA can process your application. The licensee, building owner, management corporation, or town council can file the said documents.
You can either read the guidelines ahead or directly contact an expert sign installer to guide you through the regulatory requirements.
You can either read the guidelines ahead or directly contact an expert sign installer to guide you through the regulatory requirements.
Step 2: Site Assessment
Once your local authority approves the signage installation project you’ve proposed, conducting a site assessment is necessary, especially for large-scale signage projects. With this, you’ll know that your proposed design fits the landscape characteristics, including the purpose, terrain, vehicle access, and more.
A site assessment will also influence the finalisation of your designs. It will be easy for you to visualise how your installed message attracts customers with a wow factor.
A site assessment will also influence the finalisation of your designs. It will be easy for you to visualise how your installed message attracts customers with a wow factor.
Step 3: Designing and Prototyping
After successfully surveying the site, you can now proceed with the next step: finalising the design and prototype of your signage. To avoid displaying poor signage, consider the following:
After successfully surveying the site, you can now proceed with the next step: finalising the design and prototype of your signage. To avoid displaying poor signage, consider the following:
- Legibility. Keep your message short and make it easier to see and read, even at a glance.
- Size. Make sure that your signage size is appropriate for the installation location and viewer’s distance.
- Tidiness. If you want your signage to convey the message effectively, it should not contain any clutter, whether in the design, lettering, or colour combinations.
- Font style and size. While there is a misconception that all capital letters will significantly impact your target audience, the truth is upper- and lower-case letters increase the readability of your sign.
- Design. Your design should reflect your brand effectively, demonstrating that it is a natural extension of your business.
The prototyping process will help bring your concept to life. It may include using graphic visualisation software to create 3D visuals, especially for technical projects. Professional sign installers will present you with engineering drawings to address health and safety concerns and confirm that the signage carries your business’s branding.
Step 4: Manufacturing
Your hired sign installer will begin the manufacturing process without delays and produce results that match the engineering drawings during the prototyping phase. Your sign installation team will also determine the appropriate materials based on the outlined qualities.
They will choose from timber, plastic, metal, aluminium, or other materials, with strength and flexibility considered. The installer will decide on the suitable finish to complement the materials used—painting, spraying, or coating.
Another advantage when hiring expert sign installers is that they can help you meet your desired timeline with their fast turnaround time using hi-tech machinery and technology.
They will choose from timber, plastic, metal, aluminium, or other materials, with strength and flexibility considered. The installer will decide on the suitable finish to complement the materials used—painting, spraying, or coating.
Another advantage when hiring expert sign installers is that they can help you meet your desired timeline with their fast turnaround time using hi-tech machinery and technology.
Step 5: Installing
Signage should be sturdy, well-erected, and enduring, so expert installers must do the tricky job of installing your signboards.
BCA recommends that you place signs at eye level. You also need to calculate how far it will be visible from a building or street entrance. Check if trees or other obstacles, like a street pole, may block your signs. Also, the placement and type of signage must withstand extreme Singapore conditions.
In addition, maintenance might be needed to ensure a fresh and clean look for your installed signage. Some sign installation companies will offer packages for ongoing maintenance and replacement of broken and outdated panels. Professional installers will also often take a photographic record so that you will have access to the digital copies of your project.
BCA recommends that you place signs at eye level. You also need to calculate how far it will be visible from a building or street entrance. Check if trees or other obstacles, like a street pole, may block your signs. Also, the placement and type of signage must withstand extreme Singapore conditions.
In addition, maintenance might be needed to ensure a fresh and clean look for your installed signage. Some sign installation companies will offer packages for ongoing maintenance and replacement of broken and outdated panels. Professional installers will also often take a photographic record so that you will have access to the digital copies of your project.
Start Your Installation Project
Business signage is an effective marketing strategy to communicate with your target audience. They create a significant persona that can be the key to overtaking your competitors.
However, a lawful signage process cannot be achieved overnight. Knowing the steps for installing your advertising sign will not be enough if you don’t have the right people working for you.
Similarly, a poorly installed signboard might hurt your business’s reputation and decrease efficiency. Therefore, it is prudent to leave this task to professionals.
However, a lawful signage process cannot be achieved overnight. Knowing the steps for installing your advertising sign will not be enough if you don’t have the right people working for you.
Similarly, a poorly installed signboard might hurt your business’s reputation and decrease efficiency. Therefore, it is prudent to leave this task to professionals.
Trust High X Cess Solutions for an Effective Signage Installation
At High X Cess Solutions, we understand the complete permitting process well, allowing you to achieve a seamless signage installation process with high-quality results.
Our qualified installers will take care of each process to ensure that your project is done on time and within budget, allowing you to focus on your business.
You can rely on High X Cess Solutions to handle your signage installation needs with precision and accuracy. Call us today on +65 9339 1419.
Our qualified installers will take care of each process to ensure that your project is done on time and within budget, allowing you to focus on your business.
You can rely on High X Cess Solutions to handle your signage installation needs with precision and accuracy. Call us today on +65 9339 1419.