ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Original Posts

The Ultimate Guide to Navigating the Sign Permit Process (3 Simple Steps)

“We’re opening in two weeks, but we forgot we need a sign. Can you help us?”—A question we hear all too often. Most business owners focus on location, setup, and marketing, but the sign permit often becomes an afterthought—until it’s a problem. Your sign is more than just a marker; it’s your first impression, your brand’s visibility, and a key to attracting customers. But there’s a catch: signage must meet local regulations. Skipping the permitting process can lead to costly fines, delays, or even removal orders. In New England’s historic towns, the process gets even more complicated with strict zoning laws and design restrictions. This guide will ensure your signage is not just eye-catching but fully compliant—so you can open

Have you ever considered how something as simple as a sign can affect someone’s ability to experience the world? The truth is, most businesses don’t ask themselves these questions until it’s too late. Imagine a potential customer saying, “I don’t know what your business is about, I can’t see your logo!” For individuals with disabilities, these seemingly minor details can make it difficult—if not impossible—to make them customers. In fact, non-compliance with accessibility standards can cost your business hundreds of thousands in fines. For example, did you know that something as simple as mounting your interior signage below the recommended height could result in a $75,000 fine? In this blog, we’ll explore what ADA-compliant signage is, the four key steps

Interior signage is often the first interaction a customer has with your brand when they enter your space. Whether it’s a welcoming lobby sign or directional signage guiding them through your office, interior signs play a crucial role in shaping a visitor’s perception. While it may seem like a small detail, the design, quality, and placement of signage can have a significant impact on how your brand is viewed. First Impressions Matter As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Interior signage is one of the first visual cues a customer will notice when they enter your establishment. A well-designed sign can communicate professionalism, trustworthiness, and attention to detail. On the flip

Picture this: you walk into a sprawling hospital, a labyrinth-like corporate campus, or an immense convention center. You’re on a mission, but the lack of clear directions leaves you feeling lost and overwhelmed. Time slips away, and frustration mounts as you struggle to find your destination. Now, imagine the alternative—a space where every turn is intuitive, every path guided by purposeful signage. You feel confident, in control, and free to focus on the reason you’re there. This isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of a well-designed, large facility. Effective wayfinding transforms confusion into clarity, and its impact reaches far beyond navigation. A Better Visitor Experience Starts with Clear Guidance The first impression a visitor forms of your facility

Continue reading to learn why design-build projects might be the best method to approach your next signage project.

Partnerships: When 1+1=3

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Strategic business partnerships empower companies, giving them the opportunity to grow their customer bases via referrals—a very potent strategy—and more importantly, improve their business by leveraging other’s capabilities to produce better products and services than they could on their own. Metro often works on projects involving large corporations, financial and educational institutions, retailers, mixed-use developments, and more. It’s often on projects like these that general contractors, property developers, architects, or property managers—experts in their fields but not in signage—bring Metro in to assist. When we’re involved early in the planning stages by partners, we can anticipate and address potential issues that those not in the signage industry might not realize

No one likes to get lost! And one of the best ways an institution can help people find their way or get important information quickly and clearly is to employ signage. In fact, signage offers a good tool for higher education settings. Freestanding signs with electronic message center displays (EMC) distribute daily and emergency information efficiently, and wayfinding signs help people navigate campus more easily. Interior signs can reinforce learning by supporting multimedia for lectures or enhance the interdepartmental recognition of student accomplishments by enabling departments to promote their students’ successes. And consistent signage supports both an institution’s branding and elevates its school spirit. Metro Sign has worked with a variety of colleges and universities right here in the heart

One of the colleges with whom Metro Sign has worked is Fitchburg State — a client for over three years. Some of the college’s first projects included adding need-based interior photopolymer Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signs. This initial opportunity led to additional signage projects including wayfinding, monument signs, directories, building identification, and award displays. One important job included the addition of flashing pedestrian signs at crosswalks. College administrators worried that vehicles failed to slow down when students and faculty entered the crosswalks, which could cause a hazardous situation. To keep both vehicle and foot traffic safe, Metro Sign installed environmentally-friendly new pedestrian signs with flashers activated by the press of a button. These solar-powered lights flash visibly to vehicles

When it comes to your business, branding is a big deal. After all, that’s the primary way that your business gets its name and ideas out to the public, and as such you need to make it one of your company’s highest priorities. As the owner, you may have used some modern branding, such as using social media sites or building your own company website or may have used online advertising. However, it’s also a very good idea to use real-world means to build your business, and one of the best ways to do that is via business signage. Business signs continue to be used to this day because they’re a very cost-effective way of getting the job done, and

If you’ve been looking into business signage, you might have found yourself bombarded with new terminology. Pylon, monument, blade… what’s the difference between all these types of signs? Here are the standard options for exterior and interior business signs. We hope these pictures and descriptions help clear up any confusion. You can also use our interactive Educational Sign Type Tool to learn more. Types of Exterior and Interior Business Signs Pylon Signs Pylon signs are the large, freestanding signs that are meant to be seen from a distance. They’re usually supported by one or two tall posts, and you’ve seen them used by gas stations, hotels, shopping centers, and restaurants along busy roads or highways. They can advertise a single