Buying custom signs online is not as popular as buying clothes or gadgets online, but it does exist and for a good reason. Just like everything else a business needs, be it office equipment, office supplies, and whatnot, you can get what is needed online. This is because people are now big on convenience and the ease of getting stuff online.
Much like buying clothes and other personal needs from online portals, the buying of signs from stores found on the internet is relatively easy. If you need signs that do not have to carry very specific messages on them, you can simply choose the sign, the size, and click order. Of course, if you need to have custom messages on these, you will need to do more than that.
Customizing signs is not that different from customizing other items that you purchase online. When you buy custom shirts, or custom promotional items, you will usually be asked to provide the manufacturer a sample or a design. The same can also be done with signs, although there are some portals that do things differently.
Different Portals, Different Ways of Ordering
While most sites that offer standard signs (and standard products) for sale are easy to navigate and buy from, customizable items are a different story. This is because you will need to provide the company you are ordering from the many details needed to get your order right. For example, if you are ordering a t-shirt with custom designs and prints on them, you will need to send in your custom design to them so they can print these on your shirts.
This design will need to be sketched or drawn by an artist, then scanned and emailed to the manufacturer. You may need to hire an artist to make your designs for you, or you can do these yourself if you are adept at it. You will then need to attach an image of your design to the email or message page of your chosen manufacturer before they can create your custom item for you.
The same goes for when you need to have custom signs made for your business. You will need to send the manufacturer the details regarding your custom signage before they can process your order, bill you, and send you your signs. The process is not the same for each manufacturer since some request for a scanned design, while others have you create your design on their site with the use of set parameters and options.
There are also a number of signage sites online that allow you to chat or talk with a sign designer who puts together your custom signs for you. This is ideal for those who have an idea as to what they want in their heads, but cannot put these ideas down on paper. This is also great for those who do not have any design skills whatsoever, and really need the guidance of an experienced sign designer for what they require. This is also a great tool for those who do not have information about the rules that govern these signs, since sign designers usually be compliance experts as well, due to their line of work.
Should You or Shouldn’t You?
As convenient as ordering online may be, there are some things that do turn people off when it comes to ordering from online portals. For one, the turnaround time can be longer than when you order from a physical store. Another reason is that, when they order online and the manufacturer ships the wrong signs to them, they have to return these and have these redone. These things take a lot of time.
When you are pressed for time and you want the right signs for your business as soon as possible, you might benefit more from visiting an actual signage company near you. These businesses are more suitable for those who have lots of details needed for their signs, and need to explain fully what needs to be done to the manufacturer, complete with footnotes and explanations on the sign design sketches.
These physical stores can also remake a sign before it is delivered if errors are found when you check on your order before you pay. This will cut off any delay that you might experience with shipping back wrong signs and the frustration that comes with such an endeavor. So, the question of whether you should or should not order your customized signs online is dependent on the intricacies of your design, how far you are from a sign manufacturer, and how soon you need your signs.
While there are online sign makers that can create your signs perfectly for you, you still need to determine which ones can and cannot when shopping online. Until you are certain of your manufacturer’s capabilities, you might want to reconsider your decision if you are in a hurry for your signs. if you can trust your manufacturer however, then online shopping for signage is a good fit for you.
