minnesota signs 2009

How do buy a sign in ‘09

Kinda catchy, I may use this in my literature. The question is important. How DO you buy a sign? At first it may sound simple, but really their are some hidden pitfalls. Let me show you.

You call a sign guy from the phone book, or three. He asks, “what kind of sign do you want?” You guess what kind of sign you want, either channel letters or pylon,  because you don’t want to sound stupid. You get their bids, all different. Then choose the guy who called you back.

Why go through this hassle. Buying a sign in Minnesota is much easier than that. Here’s how

Call me, Signs by rsg,  and I will immediately become your sign guy (consultant). I will come and visit your building if a lit sign and find out what you need, can have, want and can afford. In other words, sell you a sign that gives you the most impact for the money you have to spend. In many cases, SAVE YOU the money from your sign budget so you can spend it on your business.

Here’s why this is better:

Are you a sign professional?
Do you know the city sign rules?
Do you know how to determine an effective sign size?
Do you know the difference between channel letters, pylons, monuments, raceway signs, and why one is better than another?

If the answer is no to any or all of those questions, then why would I or any other sign person ask YOU “what kind of sign do you want?” It’s like going to the tax guy and him asking you which form should he fill out. Ridiculous.

Don’t be forced to buy a sign that you had to come up with because you didn’t want to sound dumb, call me, I will never let you sound dumb. You will always be able to make an informed decision.

good signing

Minneapolis sign installer

So you need a sign installed in the Twin Cities, eh?

What should you do first? You just found a guy going out of business, bought his sign off of Ebay and had it shipped to Minnesota. Now what?

Your in luck, here is a quick check list on the things to do to get your new old sign installed here in Minnesota.

1. Does it fit? All cities have size restrictions on wall signs. Usually 10-15% of the area of the wall on which it will be installed.
2. Does it match? Many landlords and some cities require that the sign match the other signs in the shopping center.
3. Did the landlord approve? It only takes a moment to ask.
4. Is it up to code? Check the sign for a UL label. This tells the electrical inspector that this electric sign was manufactured to specific criteria for safety.
5. Does it work? Surprisingly, many signs that have been shipped in, that you bought dirt cheap, doesn’t work
6. Did you call a licensed sign installer? Many if not all cities in the Twin Cities require a licensed sign installer to actually hang the sign.

Just a couple of simple questions, but questions that could save you hundreds, and maybe thousands of dollars. No one wants a wall sign that they can’t hang.

good signing

PS – call your local sign guy (763-753-7571) he may have some used signs hanging around looking for a good home.

Minneapolis signs and city issues

If you have a business in Minneapolis get your sign started now.

The Minneapolis Sign permit department is a very busy place. In that office their is a sign that states it could take up to 45 days to review a sign permit. Also, Minneapolis requires a licensed sign contractor approved by the city council of Minneapolis to do the sign installation.

Don’t get stuck with a company that can’t even get the permit. My company is a licensed sign hanger for Minneapolis and has been for several years. We also know the tricks to getting a sign permit in under 45 days.

How to get a sign permit in Minneapolis

1. research the sign code
2. design a sign that matches the code
3. have a sign hangers license already
4. get the sign design approved by the landlord
5. fill out a sign permit application
6. send in the application
7. wait 45 days before you start making your sign ( or hire me to do it quicker)
8. Pay your fee.

It’s as simple as that.

Good signing

What Should Your Wall Sign Say?

Should you just use your name on your Minnesota wall sign or pylon sign, or would something else be better?

This may not seem like a sign question, but it is very important to decide what should go on your sign. Many people automatically assume that the company name is all you need on your sign.

Before we look at some suggestions let me ask you this. What does Burlington Industries, Inc. do? Don’t know? Maybe manufacturing? Unless you live in Burlington, you most likely don’t know who this company is or what they do. This is there name, but should it be on the sign alone?

Identify or Advertise?

Your Minnesota sign can either do  things, it can Identify or Advertise. This means that your sign can tell people who and where you are but not tell them what you do, or it can tell them where you are and what you do.

Unless you have a major brand like McDonald’s or 3M, you may want to focus on the advertising part. My company is Signs by RSG. I chose this name because it tells immediately what it is that I sell. When I introduce myself to people and tell them the company I work for they know what I do without further explanation.

Have you ever been introduced to a person and even after they told you the company name you still had no idea what they did? Well your sign is like an introduction of your business to those people driving by. If they can’t figure out what your selling, they most likely won’t stop.

Your name may sound sweet, but if it doesn’t accurately describe what you do, consider some additional info on your wall sign.

Later I will talk more about what to put on your sign, but for now think about your name.

Remember, your building sign can either be  clear introduction into what your selling, or it can just identify your location. If you are looking for traffic then make your message as clear as possible.

good signing

Minnesota Signs

Minnesota signs and other city issues:

Minnesota was recently in the news over Electronic Message Centers. Minnetonka tried to have all the electronic billboards turned off.

For most of you your not going to face this dramatic of an issue. If you hire the right sign guy, you will be able to have a well designed and installed sign that complies with your city. Below are a few guidlines:

1 – Call the city first. Most Minnesota cities have the sign code online and are very willing to help you determine the size & type of signs you may install.

2 – It’s easier to say I’m sorry than to ask for permission, NOT! The city can and will make you take your sign down. If you don’t believe me, call Clear Channel and ask them.

3 – Call a sign guy. An experienced sign guy and work through and city issues. Call and ask, he is very willing to help you out.

4 – Your city may be easier than Minneapolis. Anoka, Coon Rapids, Champlin, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Maple Grove, Plymouth, New Hope, Fridley, Blaine, Woodbury and many other twin cities suburbs have very simple permitting procedures. But that doesn’t mean that they are all the same. Just because your business borders St. Paul, doesn’t mean you will have signs just like your St. Paul neighbor. Refer to #1

The cities of Minnesota want you to have a sign. They are just trying to prevent sign pollution which makes all of our signs less effective. They also are trying to keep the rules fair for all businesses.

Good Signing

Minnesota Sign Maker & Franchise Owners

Why should I go with a Sign Maker from Minnesota?

Because Minnesotans are so nice and their sign guys are really good.

Really, the reason is service. You want your neon sign maker to be local. Many franchise owners have their sign shipped in from some other place, but who is around to cover the warranty?

Additionally, your Minnesota sign maker is more familiar with the city codes and special conditions that exist around Minneapolis & St. Paul. We know the hoops that the city wants you to jump through. We know about the Minnesota winters. We’re know it alls.

We also know how to install your pylon sign into a frozen ground. Your other sign guy from Texas has no idea about such things.

Call your Minnesota sign maker today, he may actually know what he is talking about.

good signing

Signs, Shopping centers & Landlords in Minnesota

Why do Landlords require channel letters at my Coon Rapids, MN shopping center?

This is something that every shopping center in Minnesota & the U.S. works with, not just Coon Rapids.

Landlords are concerned about the success of their tenants as well as the appearance of their shopping center. They create a sign criteria that keeps the building looking good which will help attract more customers.

If the landlord allowed any type of sign to be installed, then the shopping center looks overcrowded and ugly. Ugly is not the look for any business.

Also, by having a sign criteria you will most likely pass the city requirements as well. Most shopping center sign criteria are more stringent than the cities.

Remember also that the city will be looking for permission from your landlord before a sign permit will be issued.

Good signing

The sign guy can be reached via email.

What is the maximum wall sign I can have?

How do you find out the maximum size wall sign?

Most cities in Minnesota use a percentage of the height x width of the wall to which the sign will hang. This percentage of wall area is usually 10% or 15%. Your wall sign must fit within that area, including any logos, ascenders and descenders.

For example, let’s look at a retail space in Coon Rapids, MN:

If your retail space is 20ft wide and 15ft tall then the total area is 300 sqft. Coon Rapids, MN allows 10% of the wall area which means you are allowed a 30sqft sign. There are some other rules that also come into play such as which zoning area your business is located and the landlord rules.

Also, you are not allowed to have your wall sign come too close to the neighboring tenant space.

How large is your wall sign:

Wall signs come in many shapes and sizes. Minnesota cities will draw an imaginary box around the tallest point to the lowest point and from the widest point to determine how large your wall sign is.

What I suggest:

First, read your lease. Those rules from your landlord are usually more restrictive on size of a wall sign than the cities.

Second, make a quick call to the Minnesota city your store is in and ask what the code is. Ask for someone in Community Development. This person will usually be able to direct you to the right section of the sign code.

Third, Call a professional sign maker with the experience to make sure you have the maximum size wall sign.

good signing

What should you expect from your sign manufacturer?

When selecting a sign manufacturing company, what should I look for?

When calling for bids for your sign project in Minnesota consider the following items:

• Select a sign company in the Twin Cities that makes electric signs – many do not do this work themselves
• Look for a sign company with an UL Underwriters Laboratories registration – required for safety by all Minnesota cities
• Ask for example or photos of their sign work in the Twin Cities – Some people say they have made a sign but haven’t
• Ask them to meet you at your location for a FREE evaluation

Here are some things that you should not expect:

• Free artwork – if you don’t have a logo, buy one otherwise you end up with clip art that they found for free. Remember you get what you pay for.
• A big discount on the first sign – We would love to work on your lit signs for years, but we can’t discount the first sign in the hope that you will bring us all your work. We know that after the first discount, you’ll want the other signs cheaper too.
• Installing your sign without a permit – we have to work in Minneapolis, MN again and cannot jeapardize our sign hangers license
• Free electrical work – we aren’t electricians so don’t expect us to wire the rest of your building

I hope this helps you choose a sign manufacturer in Minnesota. If you find the right guy, he will want to help you and give you the best value for your electric signs.

Good signing 

Are sign permits required in Coon Rapids, MN?

What do you have to do for a sign permit in Coon Rapids, Minnesota?

This question came to me from a client who was in a wharehouse district in Coon Rapids, MN. Yes, sign permits are required in every city in Minnesota. Coon Rapids, Blaine, Minneapolis and elswhere, sign permits are required as well as having a licensed sign contractor perform the installation.

Cities are trying to maintain consistency with regard to sign sizes and overall safety of electric signs. Most Minnesota cities are very rapid in their review of sign permit applications. Some however can take up to 45 days to review an application.

If you are looking to open a business or own one in Minnesota, we recommend you get your cities approval prior to doing any sign installations. If not, most cities will charge you double the permit fee which runs anywhere from $50-$1000 for a regular cost. They may even require you to remove the sign if it is non compliant.

Good signing!