To navigate around the BSGA Sign Buyers Guide please click one of the links below.

The BSGA Sign Buyers Guide     The Importance of good signage

Signage as Marketing                   The right sign for your business

Finding a signmaker                     Sign types and Materials

Wayfinding Signage                      Selection of materials

Standards                                          Lighting

Budgets                                             Planning Regulations

Lighting plays a vital role in achieving certain effects and images. Also it allows a sign to be visible and readable day and night, in all kinds of weather. The method of illumination will, to a large extent, be dependent on the type of sign.

Luxury_Illuminated_Letter_BlueHowever, different light sources  have different running costs, maintenance requirements and colour rendering capabilities. All of which must be considered, because they will affect the design, construction and cost of the sign.

Cost needs to be given careful consideration, because whilst one light source may involve a lower initial outlay the ongoing maintenance costs for the sign once it’s been installed and running costs may be higher. LED technology is increasingly used in signs as opposed to traditional lighting techniques.

Your signmaker should be able to provide you with information on the comparative running costs for these different forms of illumination.

Illuminated sigangeThe brightness (or in technical speak the maximum permissible luminance) of illuminated signs is controlled by planning regulations. Your signmaker or the local planning authority will be able to provide guidance on the requirements contained within the regulations.

Another factor to consider is the environmental impact of light pollution from badly positioned and overly bright signs. British Standard BS559 includes guidance on how light pollution may be minimised and again your signmaker will be able to provide advice on the best choice of illumination.