Opening Your New Business? Here’s Why You Should Plan Your Signage Before the Renovation Is Finished

When you’re opening a new business, signage is often one of the last things on the list.

The renovations are happening. The walls are being painted. Floors are going in. Furniture is being ordered. Your logo is ready.

And then, somewhere near the end, someone asks:

“Where are we putting the sign?”

We see this more often than you might think.

At Manimani Design Studio, we’ve seen how much easier a signage project can be when it’s considered before the space is finished, rather than after everything has already been installed.

Your signage isn't just something you attach to a wall at the end. It forms part of how your business space looks, functions and presents your brand.

Here are a few things to think about before your renovation is finished.

1. Know where your signage is going

Before ordering a sign, consider exactly where it will be installed.

Is it going on an interior reception wall? An exterior wall? A glass door? A reception desk? A feature wall? A shopfront? An exhibition stand?

The location affects the size, material, mounting method and sometimes even the type of signage that will work best.

Planning this early gives you time to make the right decision rather than trying to make a sign fit into a space that was never designed around it.

2. Ask for the shopfitter's drawings

Your signage doesn't exist on its own.

If you're opening a salon, doctor's practice, office or studio, your main logo sign will often sit behind a reception desk or within a waiting area. That means the signage needs to work with everything else being built around it.

If your shopfitter or carpenter is already measuring the space, ask for a copy of the floor plan and relevant drawings.

These drawings can help your signage supplier understand the bigger picture:

• How much wall space is actually available

• Where the reception desk will sit

• The height and width of the desk

• Where cabinetry or shelving will be positioned

• The relationship between the furniture and your feature wall

• Where your logo or other signage can realistically be placed

This means your signage can be planned as part of the space, rather than trying to squeeze it in after everything else has been installed.

The drawings won't necessarily replace a signage-specific measurement, but they give your signage supplier valuable information to start the conversation early and make sure the sign works with the finished space.

Our tip: When your shopfitter hands over the drawings, don't file them away. Keep a copy and send them to your signage supplier when you start planning your signage.

3. Think about the wall finish

This one is often overlooked.

Acrylic signage can be installed onto many different surfaces, but the finished wall needs to be considered.

For example:

• Wallpaper

• Tiles

• Painted walls

• Textured walls

• Wood panelling

• Mirrors

• Feature walls

The surface can affect how the sign is mounted and how it ultimately looks.

If you know you're planning a large logo plaque or dimensional lettering, tell your signage supplier before the wall is finished.

4. Plan your electrical points if you're considering LED signage

If you're thinking about an LED backlit logo, illuminated sign or another lighting feature, don't leave the electrical planning until the end.

Your electrician and signage supplier may need to coordinate where power will be required.

Planning this while the renovation is happening can save you from having exposed cables, awkward plug points or having to make changes to a finished wall.

5. Have your logo and brand details ready

Your signage supplier needs more than just a screenshot of your logo.

Whenever possible, have your logo in a good-quality format and know your preferred colours, wording and dimensions.

This is also the stage to decide whether you want:

Flat lettering, layered acrylic, 3D lettering, mirror acrylic, LED backlighting or another finish.

Your signage should reflect your brand, not simply fill an empty wall.

6. Think about installation before everything is moved in

This is one that businesses often don't think about.

A sign may be easy to install when the space is empty, but much more difficult once reception desks, furniture, equipment and décor are in place.

If installation is required, consider:

• Access to the wall

• Furniture placement

• Working height

• Parking and loading access

• Whether ladders or equipment will be needed

• Whether the installer needs clear access to the area

A little planning can make installation much smoother.

7. Don't forget your smaller signs

Your main logo isn't necessarily the only signage your business needs.

Depending on your business, you may also need:

• Reception signage

• Office or room signs

• Door signs

• Opening-hours signage

• Social media signs

• QR code signs

• Directional signage

• Branded displays

Planning these together can help create a more consistent customer experience throughout your space.

Your signage should be part of the plan, not an afterthought

Opening a business is already a huge project.

There are so many decisions to make that it's completely understandable for signage to get pushed down the list.

But your signage is one of the first things your customers may see.

Whether you're opening a salon, medical practice, office, studio, retail space or something completely different, planning your signage early can save time, avoid unnecessary changes and help your finished space come together the way you imagined it.

At Manimani Design Studio, we create custom acrylic signage for businesses of different sizes, from reception signs and door signage to branded displays and larger statement pieces.

The earlier we can be part of the conversation, the better we can help you plan the right signage for your space.