Caution, Warning and Danger Signs Explained

Safety Sign Meanings

Table of Contents
Safety Headers
Safety Symbols
Sign Legends
Types of Safety Signs
▸ Caution Signs
▸ Warning Signs
▸ Danger Signs
▸ Notice Signs
▸ Instructional Signs
▸ Alert Symbols

Workplace safety signage is required by law. All organizations, from international companies to small businesses, are legally responsible for knowing the risks, effectively communicating these risks with all employees, and complying with all safety regulations, specific to their industries, as set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is responsible for setting the standards and guidelines for proper workplace safety signage that is enforced by OSHA. There are three key standards that specify the design and content of safety signs.

It is also important to understand what social distancing signs mean to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Caution, Warning, & Danger Signs

Here are the brief meanings of these types of signs:

Caution Signs: minor or moderate injuries may occur
Warning Signs: serious injuries or death MAY occur
Danger Signs: serious injuries or death are VERY LIKELY to occur

These signs all serve to remind everyone to take proper safety precautions to prevent injury or death in the appropriate degrees.

Safety Headers or Signal Words

A SAFETY HEADER or signal word, including danger, warning, caution, notice, or specific safety instructions, is determined by the degree of the potential hazard.

Safety Symbols

SAFETY SYMBOLS or pictograms effectively communicate across language barriers, providing visual alerts about hazards, precautions, or other necessary information.

Sign Legends

SIGN LEGENDS must accurately communicate the hazard the sign is warning of.

Types of Safety Signs

There are a variety of workplace safety signs and they each signify different hazard levels. With this comes a variety of questions. What does a Caution sign mean? What is a Warning sign? What do Danger signs indicate? Below are brief descriptions of the different types of workplace safety signs and what they stand for.

Caution Signs

These signs warn of potential physical injuries caused by slips or falls, harmful substances, or other unsafe practices. All caution signs must have a bright yellow background and yellow letters against a black panel.

What Does Yellow Caution Tape Mean for OSHA?

Much like how Caution signs identify potentially dangerous areas, caution tape also marks areas to be wary of. It may be used to label areas that may be entered but only with caution, areas that are no longer safe to enter, or sensitive areas such as crime scenes.

Warning Signs

‘WARNING’ text must be printed in black letters on an orange background. These signs may also include a bright blue graphic depicting a safety precaution that should be taken in a specific area.

Danger Signs

These signs should only be posted in areas where there is potentially deadly harm from dangerous equipment or other environmental hazards, such as radiation, high voltage, or hazardous fumes, among others. Danger signs must be red, black, and white, and include ‘DANGER’ printed in white lettering on a red, oval shaped background. OSHA requires that all employees be made aware that danger signs indicate immediate danger and extreme caution must be used in the area at all times.

Is Danger or Warning More Severe?

It can be easy to lose track of the differences between Warning and Danger. What it boils down to is this; Warning signs indicate areas where severe injury or death MAY happen, whereas Danger signs indicate a zone where injury or death is VERY LIKELY to occur unless proper precautions are taken.

Notice Signs

NOTICE SIGNS signify lower risk areas and can also promote safety in the workplace or other public areas.

These signs generally display rules such as ‘please wash hands’ or ‘keep this area clean’. Notice signs also are used for distinguishing areas designated as ‘employees only’ and other low risk designations. Notice signs are blue and white.

Safety Instruction Signs

SAFETY INSTRUCTION SIGNS are used to relay general instructions and suggestions as they relate to safety measures. Safety instruction signs must include a green panel with white letters and a white background. All letters printed on the white background must be black.

Safety Alert Symbol

The universal SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL is a yellow triangle, outlined in black, containing an exclamation point. This symbol is only used on caution, warning, and danger signs, labels, or tags.

CustomSigns.com is your resource for ready made or design your own workplace safety signs. Our Customer Focus Team is here to answer your questions and help you determine proper signage needs for your organization.

For more information about workplace safety, please see our related blog posts:
The Importance of Understanding OSHA and Displaying Proper Signage for Workplace Safety
The Importance of OSHA Signs for Construction Sites
OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative

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October 2, 2018July 24, 2019

Making Temporary Signs Work for You

Chances are travelers notice hundreds of temporary signs as they trek through neighborhoods and cities, urban and suburban areas. Whether traveling by automobile, bus, train, taxi, or bicycle – even walking or jogging – public and private properties are teeming with temporary signage competing for attention. If getting your signs – and your message – noticed is the name of the game, understanding the ins and outs of making temporary signage work for you is key!

What Are Temporary Signs?

Temporary signs are those designed to provide information for an event limited by a specific time frame. Examples include: political campaigns, real estate sales or rentals, construction sites, civic events, or any type of promotion aimed at the general public. Temporary signs are also used as short-term signage solutions announcing “Coming Soon!” or “Remodeling Underway”, virtually any reason that permanent signs are not in place.

Temporary signs come in many forms, including:

Banners – Signs made of durable, flexible materials that can be attached to walls or windows, hung from ceilings, and can be used indoors or out, depending upon the material the banners are made of

Political/Election Signs – Signs made especially to promote a candidate or a political agenda; typically these signs are only permitted to be displayed on private property and must be removed a specific number of days after voting has taken place

Real Estate Signs – Signs designed to advertise the sale or rent of specific properties, whether private or commercial; these signs are non-illuminated and are generally limited to one sign per property

Construction Signs – Signs erected at construction sites displaying individuals or businesses that are associated with a project; usually only one temporary sign is permitted per construction site

Directional Construction Signs – Signs directing those visiting construction sites and/or making deliveries to proper entrances and exits

Wayfinding Signs – Signs strategically placed to guide and/or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic when temporary detours are required

Yard Signs – Outdoor signs that can be single or double sided, designed to display a message to passersby; these signs are free standing and often supported by H-stakes

Light Boxes – Illuminated boxes of various sizes that can be free standing or affixed to a wall; interchangeable letters, numbers, and symbols allow temporary messages to be displayed and changed as needed

Indoor Temporary Signs – Signs made to inform people of temporary situations, such as when something is “Out of Order” or “Temporarily Out of Stock”; custom temporary signs that can easily be attached with Velcro give a much more professional appearance than a handwritten or computer printed piece of paper affixed with tape

What are the Benefits of Temporary Signs?

Temporary signs provide an exceptional platform for sharing your message with the masses. These signs are a cost effective marketing tool that can help your business – or your candidate – stand out from the competition. These signs can be exceptionally helpful in promoting a home-based business where additional signage is impractical and/or not permitted.

Additionally, temporary signs are easy to install and remove as needed. Durable, lightweight, and often weather resistant and reusable, temporary signs are portable and help to support the tried and true adage that location is everything!

What Are the Challenges of Temporary Signs?

Some of the biggest challenges for posting temporary signs are the varying rules and regulations in place throughout the country. These can be based on the density of a given area as well as local zoning laws. Public safety is also of concern, for both pedestrians and moving vehicles. Rules may be in place limiting the number of temporary signs that can be posted in a given area, as well as standards that specify font sizes and contrast levels to reduce potential accidents caused by those attempting to view hard to read signs. To make temporary signs stand out and effectively relay your message, less is more. Convey your message in clear, concise language with simple graphics and fewer colors to reduce visual clutter and enhance readability.

Historic districts often also have their own set of special regulations designed to maintain the integrity of local historic districts or landmarks. A temporary sign should never take away from the historic character of these thoughtfully preserved areas.

Urban vs Suburban Signs

Urban areas, such as bustling downtown districts, often have greater pedestrian and vehicle traffic than their suburban counterparts. Therefore, it is important to plan temporary signage that has a compelling, effective message that is clearly visible to travelers quickly moving from one destination to another. Successfully, and safely, catching a potential customer’s or voter’s attention is the name of the game.

Creating effective urban signage is not without its challenges. Often, clutter becomes a concern when an abundance of temporary signs are vying for prime visual space. Additionally, urban areas typically have countless permanent (most often illuminated) signs as far as the eye can see.

Customsigns.com carries an exceptional selection of customizable temporary signs sure to meet your needs. Our Customer Focus Team is here to guide you or answer any questions you may have along the way.

For more information on temporary signs, please see our related blog posts:

Tips for Designing Visually Effective and Interesting Signs

Political Yard Signs, What You Should Know

September 25, 2018June 18, 2020

The Importance of Understanding OSHA and Displaying Proper Signage for Workplace Safety

While OHSA is a commonly recognized name throughout the business world, it is safe to say that a large number of employees are unfamiliar with what OSHA is designed to do. OSHA, or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, is a governmental oversight organization designed to hold employers responsible for providing a safe, healthful work environment for all employees and visitors.

OSHA Health and Safety in the Workplace

While OSHA does not specifically have an official regulatory section devoted solely to office safety, several standards and additional links can be found in OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs, applicable to workplace environments, as well as an OSHA Self-Inspection Checklist for Office Safety.

OFFICE HEALTH AND SAFETY – First and foremost is the health and well-being of every office employee and visitor. While office environments may appear to be relatively safe on a day-to-day basis, accidents do happen and employers often are at risk for losing thousands of dollars annually due to accidental injuries or illnesses. Add to that higher insurance premiums that are sure to follow, the loss of revenue from the need to replace an employee or employees (even temporarily), and the potentially high costs of workers’ compensation claims. And when the employer is at fault, personal injury claims for negligence can be significant.

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS – Slips, trips, and falls can happen anywhere and are one of the leading causes of workplace injury. Things that may not appear to pose a hazard can actually cause significant injury, for example, wet or recently waxed floors, boxes in an isle way or objects blocking exits, open cabinet or filing drawers, fallen objects, loose power cords across walkways, and food spills, just to name a few. OSHA does provide guidelines for developing a safety policy at your place of business, with the understanding that training all employees is the key to success. Posting the appropriate safety signage can be an effective first step in alerting employees and visitors to be aware of certain situations where an accident may occur.

FIRST AID AND SAFETY – OSHA approved first aid includes the following:

Administering nonprescription medications at nonprescription strength
Administering tetanus immunizations ONLY (all others are considered medical treatment)
Cleaning, flushing, or soaking surface wounds
Applying wound coverings including bandages, gauze pads, butterfly bandages, or Steri-strips
Applying hot or cold therapy
Using temporary stabilization devices, such as splints, slings, or neck collars
Using eye-patches and removing foreign objects from eyes ONLY with irrigation or q-tips
Removing a splinter or other foreign body with tweezers, irrigation, cotton balls, or other simple means
Drinking fluids to alleviate the effects of heat stress

OFFICE SAFETY AND CHEMICAL USAGE – Chances are the cleaning and/or bathroom closets and cleaning supply area for the kitchen or break room are full of chemical products. Even “green” or organic products require proper precautions. When any chemicals are present in an office setting, OSHA requires proper training for all employees for handling chemical spills and other accidents appropriately.

Training specifics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Never mix cleaning products, especially those containing ammonia or bleach
Be aware of which cleaning products/chemicals require dilution and by how much
Proper chemical product usage and storage
Appropriate emergency procedures for caring for the patient and appropriately cleaning the contaminated office area(s)
Understanding the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn when cleaning chemical spills, for example, chemical-approved gloves, goggles, and body suits
Always CLEARLY LABEL all cleaning and chemical containers with their contents and potential hazards
Proper ventilation to avoid buildup of dangerous vapors and chemical fumes
Thorough hand and arm washing after use of any and all cleaning and/or chemicals

GERMS AND BACTERIA IN THE OFFICE – Just about everyone has experienced how rapidly germs and sickness spread through the workplace, causing absenteeism to skyrocket and productivity to significantly decline. Consider the confined spaces that workplaces often include, add to that frequent sneezing and coughing near or by those around you. Additionally, we share water fountains, door handles, copy machines, faucets, and everything in between.

To combat the spread of illness in the workplace, OSHA has developed basic safety procedures for promoting the highest levels of health and safety. These include: proper hand washing techniques, cough etiquette, and the installation of “no touch” waste receptacles for used tissues, disposable towels, and cleaning supplies, among others. These wastebaskets should be placed generously throughout all office spaces.

PROMOTING A POSITIVE FEELING IN THE WORKPLACE – No matter what the goal, when everyone in the work group takes individual ownership – led by example from the top down – success is most likely to follow. Positive attitudes across the board help employees not only to perform better, but to feel like he or she plays an important role in the success of the organization.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND SAFETY – Workplace violence is a serious problem, and can occur either inside or outside the work environment. Violent acts can cover anything from threats or verbal incidents to physical altercations and even the loss of life. According to OSHA, more than 2 million Americans annually are victims of workplace violence. OSHA has put together a detailed fact sheet addressing workplace violence that every business should read and follow.

For more information, please visit OSHA or call 800.321.OSHA (6742), TYY 877.889.5627.

See our other OSHA blogs for additional information on keeping your employees and visitors safe:

The Importance of OSHA Signs for Construction Sites

How to Increase Workplace Safety Over the Summer

Caution, Warning, and Danger Signs Explained

OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative

September 18, 2018June 18, 2020

The Importance of OSHA Signs for Construction Sites

You have likely heard the title many times in the workplace, but what exactly is OSHA? The Occupational Heath and Safety Administration is an oversight organization created to hold employers responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for employees and visitors at all times.

According to the United States Department of Labor, workers’ rights include:

Working in a place where conditions are safe and do not pose risk of serious harm
Workers shall receive training (in an appropriate language that he/she will understand) regarding potential workplace hazards , ways to prevent these, and all OSHA standards that apply to his or her workplace
A review of work-related injuries and illnesses at their place of empolyment
All workers have the right to anonymously file a complaint asking OSHA to inspect the workplace if there is a potential hazard or the company is not complying with OSHA rules and regulations
These rights are protected under law to be exercised without fear of retaliation; if retaliation does occur, this should be immediately reported via a formal OSHA complaint no later than 30 days after the event

For more information, please visit OSHA or call 800.321.OSHA (6742), TYY 877.889.5627.

OSHA Regulated Construction Area Signs

Working in a construction area, is, by nature, a very dangerous job. If proper safety precautions are not taken, unnecessary and often serious injuries, including death, can occur. This is why proper OSHA signage is critical – and required – at every construction zone.

It is the employer’s responsibility to understand the risks associated with their industry, work areas, and equipment. Signs should never be used as generic warnings.

OSHA Safety Signage Applicable to Nearly All Construction Sites

DANGER – Posted in an area where hazards are likely to result in serious injury or death. Signs should be used ONLY in extremely dangerous areas, for example where high voltage is present, creating an electrical hazard. Danger signs are preceded by the safety alert triangle and feature bold white “DANGER” lettering surrounded by a red background.

WARNING – Posted in an area where serious injury or death may occur, yet overall risk does not require the danger sign. Examples include: heavy debris, high voltage, or blasting areas. Warning signs feature the safety alert triangle followed by the word “WARNING” printed in black with an orange background.

CAUTION – Posted where a minor or moderate physical injury could be caused. Examples include: contact with harmful equipment, substances, slips or falls, among others. Caution signs are symbolized by the safety alert triangle followed by the word “CAUTION” printed in black with a yellow background.

NOTICE – Posted in low risk areas where they serve as safety reminders. Examples include: informational signs about wearing hard hats, machinery, employees only in a specific area, or equipment. These signs often outline proper procedures, maintenance information and instructions, rules, or directions that do not relate specifically to personal injury.

GENERAL SAFETY SIGNS – Posted in low-risk areas as reminders for general safety. For example: signs relating to medical equipment, overall health, first aid, sanitation, housekeeping, and general safety measures.

ADMITTANCE – Posted in areas where restriction is limited to specific groups of people or individuals. These signs may specify the dangers of entering a restricted area.

FIRE SAFETY – Posted wherever fire exits are located and specify locations of emergency firefighting equipment.

NON-HAZARD SIGNS – While technically not safety signs, these signs are beneficial for sharing general safety information. For example: directional signs and procedures, via easy to read text and visual symbols.

Additional OSHA Guidelines

Once you have purchased the appropriate signs that comply with OSHA requirements, it is crucial that they are posted in the proper places. According to 29 CFR 1910.1 45(f)(4)(vi), signs must be placed “as close as safely possible” to the appropriate hazard.

It is also paramount that employees and anyone in the vicinity are able to clearly see and read the signs from a safe distance away. 29 CFR 1910.1 45(f)(4) specifies a distance of five feet away from the hazard.

See our other OSHA blogs for additional information on keeping your employees and visitors safe:

How to Increase Workplace Safety Over the Summer

Caution, Warning and Danger Signs Explained

OSHA’s National Youth Safety Initiative

September 5, 2018November 10, 2020

How to Design ADA Compliant Signs

The Value of ADA Signage

Proper ADA signage in public spaces is required by The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to help ensure that persons with visual, hearing, or other sensory disabilities are able to locate and read them easily, either visually or through braille or tactile touch (raised letters). In addition to improving mobility and independence for these individuals, ADA signage also supports safety in public places by ensuring that entrances and exits are clearly marked, visible, and distinguishable from other rooms.

The Basics of ADA Signage

According to the ADA, signs that must be ADA compliant include, but are not limited to, the following:

a) All informational signs (for example “Employees Only”)

b) All directional signs (for example “Exit to Lobby”)

c) All overhead signs (for example “Elevators”)

d) Signs that identify permanently dedicated rooms that will not change function, such as a lunch room, conference room, restroom, or closet

e) Signs highlighting the location of building floors, stairwells, and all exit levels

f) All restroom signs

ADA Signage Requirements

While there are many universal ADA signage requirements, it is important to check individual state laws that may have sign modifications or additional standards.

Where are ADA signs required?

ADA signs are required throughout all public access and employee areas.

Do ADA signs require braille or tactile letters?

ADA signs must include braille and tactile (raised) letters. Braille letters must be Grade 2 (shorthand braille), rounded/domed, and lowercase (other than proper nouns, letters that are part of a room number, initials, acronyms, or before the first word of sentences) and include a minimum 3/8 inch clearance on all sides. Tactile lettering must be 1/32 inch raised capital letters.

Since braille is a translation of words, signs that depict symbols or pictograms ONLY do not require braille.

Are there additional lettering specifications for ADA signs?

ADA signs must use sans-serif or other plain text and include spacing of 1/8 inch between adjoining characters for easy readability. Text height must be between 5/8 and 2 inches and printed in medium or bold font.

What makes ADA signs easily visible?

ADA signs must be made of high contrasting colors (dark/light or light/dark) for easy readability. Additionally, all signs (other than traffic and reflective parking signs) must have non-glare backgrounds and characters.

What symbols are ADA-approved for use on signage?

ADA signs may include any of the four approved accessibility symbols for pictograms:

a) Wheelchair, symbolizing mobility

b) An ear, signifying the availability of an assistive listening device

c) Keyboard, representing a text telephone (TTY)

d) Phone symbol with sound waves, representing the availability of a volume control phone

Pictograms must include a 6 inch high background area with nothing inside other than one of the four approved symbols described above.

a)Text descriptions are required for signs that include a pictogram and label rooms or spaces
<!- ->*Signs with pictograms that provide information about a space do not require text.

b) Tactile text should be directly under pictogram

c) Braille text should be directly under tactile letters

Does the ADA have special installation requirements?

The ADA lists specific installation requirements, depending on the type of sign. Generally, ADA room identification signs must be placed next to the doors they refer to, mounted between 48 inches, measured from the bottom of the lowest tactile character, and 60 inches, measured from the bottom of the highest tactile character, from the ground.

What is required for ADA parking signs?

All ADA parking signs must include the International Symbol of Accessibility, or “Wheelchair Symbol.” Signs need to be mounted a minimum of 60 inches from the floor measured from the bottom of the sign. Spaces set aside for vans must include the additional text “Van Accessible.”

For a comprehensive guide to all ADA regulations, please visit www.ADA.gov.

At CustomSigns.com, our Customer Focus Team is here to help determine your signage needs and answer any questions you may have along the way. Additionally, we make it easy for you to design your own ADA signs that meet current regulatory ADA standards.

See our other ADA blogs:

ADA Signage All Buildings Must Have
Where Should ADA Signs be Posted

December 21, 2015April 2, 2019

‘Tis The Season For Political Signs!

Bernie Sanders Yard Signs — Photo courtesy of johnsoncitypress.com

2015 is rapidly coming to a close and with it, the start of the 2016 campaign season. And while it may seem crazy for candidates to begin their respective campaigns a whole year and a half in advance of the actual elections, over the years that has grown to become the case. This time for the upcoming 2016 presidential election we’ve seen an unprecedented number of both lifelong politicians as well as newcomers to the political sphere throwing their hats into the ring in hope of achieving the number one job in the country.

With a number of debates having already taken place as well as a number of dropouts already, American citizens are wasting no time in picking and choosing those candidates whom they plan to endorse. Countless donors are throwing money at campaigns in hopes of helping to finance their cause. As it turns out, it seems as though beginning one’s campaign a year and a half ahead of time is almost necessary in today’s world.

Their campaign managers seem to know what they’re doing as a well, over 8.5 million people tuned in to the last Democratic debate and a record breaking 18 million tuned into the most recent 12/15 Republican Debate. According to countless polls, the citizens of the US are already picking and choosing their own candidates to endorse on a personal level. Millions are finding themselves flocking to candidate led town hall meetings and rallies to show their support and hear the propositions of the would-be presidents.

But while yes, the candidates thrive off of the vocal support of their followers, they also have come to rely on their financial support as well. Much like rock bands profit from the sale of their merchandise, so do the political candidates profit from their political merchandise such as buttons, t-shirts, bumper stickers, and yard signs.

Yard signs in particular are quite popular. More obvious than buttons, less permanent than a bumper sticker, yard signs are perfect for those who wish to advertise their political leanings without going overboard but still looking to make a statement. But with the arrival of the political season, and therefore the arrival of political yard signs, comes the need for clarified sign regulations.

Whether on the federal, state, or county level, sign regulations are always something to take into account when posting any kind of sign in your yard. This past year has been a big year for updating outdated sign regulations such as in the Supreme Court Case of Reed vs. Town of Gilbert in which a floating church with no concrete meeting house challenged the sign regulations of their home town of Gilbert and won.

As a result of this ruling, many counties and states are now taking the time to re-evaluate their own regulations. For example, the county of Lafayette in Mississippi has recently taken steps to clarify their existing sign regulations and make changes where necessary according to an article in The Oxford Eagle.

Therefore in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling and so many states and counties taking the time to look over their existing regulations, it would be a safe bet to double check your area’s sign regulations before investing in a temporary sign for your front lawn. Because despite even the most harmless of intentions, no one wants to find themselves in hot water.

August 14, 2015April 2, 2019

New Sign Regulations To Take Effect

garage sale sign regulations custom signs blog — Photo courtesy of Sassysigns.com

Remember that little story we chose to follow a few months ago about the Pastor with a roaming church who refused to accept that his town’s sign regulations were fair? If you need a refresher, recently in the small Arizona town of Gilbert, there exists a small but loyal church congregation. Due to a lack of funds, this church has no official church house and church members never know for sure where it will meet the following Sunday. Because of this, the pastor of the church has been force to go out and put up signs around town in hopes that his congregational flock will see them and know where and when church services will be held on Sunday.

The process seems straightforward enough, but when the pastor began being hit with citations for his signs is when the problem arose and grew into a lengthy court debate that progressed all the way to the Supreme Court. The pastor’s main reasoning throughout the whole legal proceedings was that his town’s sign regulations were limiting his freedom of speech as a citizen. The regulations played favorites in regards to certain types of signs, allowing some to stay up longer and be displayed in different areas longer than others based primarily on the content of the signs. No one could have seen the issue going this far – not even the Supreme Court judges themselves who ultimately ruled unanimously in favor of the pastor.

But as a result of this decision, Gilbert, Arizona (the town in question) is now being forced to reform their sign regulations to accommodate the Supreme Court’s ruling, but they aren’t alone. The court’s ruling was not exclusive to just Gilbert, but to the country as a whole.

Most recently an article appeared on flaglerlive.com talking about the new changes in the city of Palm Coasts’s sign regulations.

With an election year on the horizon and the candidates not wasting any time hitting the campaign trail, already people are beginning to throw their support behind their favorite candidates which means it’s political yard sign season yet again. On top of that, with fall just around the corner and Florida summers notorious for their brutal temperatures, the number of garage sales will be sure to go up. And as anyone who has ever advertised for a yard sale can tell you, your success is directly related to the visibility of your yard sale signs and if the city is changing some of their regulations, the people will need to know about it so they can plan accordingly.

With this landmark ruling in the world of sign regulations, we encourage all of our fans and friends to check out their county’s and state’s new and revised sign regulations. Here at Custom Signs we create a variety of high quality custom and stock signs for our customers to utilize as they see fit. From restroom signs, to no smoking signs and more – we pride ourselves in our dedication to our superior grade materials and products as well as our devotion to our customers.

February 27, 2015August 7, 2018

And The Saga Continues In Gilroy!

Here at Custom Signs, we’ve been following the recent sign debacle over in Gilroy, Arizona with interest. If you remember correctly from our previous blog, in Gilroy there exists the Good News Church that doesn’t appear to have a permanent home and instead is forced to wander like a nomad and hold services wherever it can. Good News Church goers never know for sure where services will be held the next week and as a result, the church must rely on directional signs that they post all over town as Sunday approaches.

So what’s the problem? In the little town of Gilroy, Arizona there are special sign regulations put in place which dictate that any and all directional signs are only allowed to be displayed twelve hours prior to the event. As you could imagine, this makes letting your church congregation know where services are going to be held quite difficult – especially for any newcomers that might want to listen in, let alone for the pre-existing congregation.

When we last visited this sleepy yet seemingly dramatic little town, Good News Church Pastor Clyde Reed, was ready to take the issue all the way to the Supreme Court, and that is exactly what has happened. It is Pastor Reed’s position that the current sign regulations in place for Gilroy are unfair and unconstitutional in that they limit freedom of speech.

So what happened when the Supreme Court justices took a look at the case? According to an article by the Washington Post, “The Supreme Court found so many things to question about an Arizona town’s sign ordinance Monday that it was difficult to tell exactly which grounds the justices might ultimately cite if, as seems likely, they strike it down.” Because the sign regulations in the town allow signs of a political nature more time to be displayed, it is the church’s attorney David Cortman, who believes that the government should not be allowed to decide what speech is to be more valuable than others, which is exactly what he believes has happened in the case of the church.

In the proceedings, Justice Stephen G. Breyer asked “‘Are you saying they can’t say, ‘Three blocks right and two blocks left’? That’s what this argument is about?’ ‘That is what it comes down to,’ Savrin answered. ‘Well, my goodness,’ Breyer replied. ‘I mean…on that, it does sound as if the town is being a little unreasonable, doesn’t it?’”

While it doesn’t sound like a definitive decision in the matter has been reached yet, but we think it’s safe to say that things aren’t looking good for the town’s case against the church. The Justices instead seem more amused that this issue has even come to this point and that the town seemingly won’t budge on the matter.

How do you feel about this issue? Do you feel like the government should have a say in what messages are more important for people to see? Let us know in the comments section!

December 18, 2014April 2, 2019

New Year New Sign Regulations! Is your Business Covered?

The year is quickly coming to an end, is your business ready for the New Year? Holiday plans are made, guest lists are checked, doors gearing up to be locked, and it’s time to start looking forward to 2015. You may be ready but is your business?

While so many see the New Year as a time for new beginnings and starting over, they aren’t the only ones. All throughout the year, various committees have come together across the country to work out a series of new and important business sign regulations over a variety of sign types, and formats. Many of these new sign regulations and laws will be taking effect throughout the beginning days and weeks of the year. Are your company’s business signs up to snuff?

Just last month in Gilroy, California the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce got together to discuss the business sign regulations already put in place. Among the issues discussed, was the topic of how long a business is permitted to display a banner and how much of a business’s windows could be covered with signs whether they are vinyl or otherwise.

On the other side of the country in Stockbridge, Massachusetts a recently formed sign committee again took aim at the use of banners as well as neon signs and signs that aren’t even on the specific business’s premises. As a result, Stockbridge’s business owners are fighting back in their attempt to get noticed and therefore attract customers and profits.

It’s true that we often overlook signs as we drive around our own native cities. We’ve become so bombarded with them that we’ve become desensitized. But if you actually stop to look around and really think about it, there are signs all over our cities and streets. Businesses rely on them to pull in prospective customers. But with the New Year comes new changes, and now is the time to make sure all of your businesses signs are up to code and won’t penalize you, your business, or your customers in 2015.

Here at Custom Signs, we make it our business to help get your business in ship shape and not just for the New Year – but all year long! We offer a variety of custom signage in an assortment of material types for you to choose from. We’ve been in the custom sign industry for over sixty years and have built our business on the idea of producing high quality products and selling them at a low cost. We know how important customer satisfaction is to any business which is why we pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service skills.

Have a lot of sprucing up to do? No problem! We’re capable of super fast turnaround times and give free two day shipping to every order that comes through our doors! All of our products are constructed with high quality parts and products in order to give you the best possible results.

Wondering if your town or city has changed or made adjustments to their sign regulations? Contact your local chamber of commerce for more information!

September 23, 2014April 2, 2019

What You Need To Know Now About Signs For Your Business

Got business signs? We know the term may be a bit broad but the truth is, there really are a variety of signs present at any place of business. From restaurants to offices, the number as well as the types of signs displayed can vary greatly. Sports bars may feature novelty signs, as well as bathroom signs and a standard sign stating that they don’t serve alcohol to anyone who is unable to produce a legal form of identification. An office on the other hand will need office signs, conference room signs, stairs or elevator signs, and of course bathroom signs.

But just how important are signs to your business? Very important. Making sure that your place of business is displaying the proper signage could be a big deal and not just have an impact on your sales and overall press, but if you fail to follow proper signage procedure it could lead to city, state, or county fines. When in doubt, always check with your local legislature before purchasing any new signage (especially outdoor signs) online. For example, in New Jersey handicap parking signs must meet particular state regulations by displaying the fine amount clearly and for all potential violators to see.

Another awesome benefit to business signs, is the guarantee that your guests and customers will never get lost. How many times have you found yourself awkwardly wandering around a restaurant or a mall, tirelessly searching for a bathroom? The answer? Probably more often than you would like to admit. With proper restroom signage, you can make sure that no one on you premises ever has to experience that directionless feeling again.

The feeling of being lost isn’t just a phenomenon limited to looking for a restroom sign, this can apply to almost anything from fitting rooms, to your college professors office, because let’s face it, some of those faculty administration buildings can feel as though they were designed by the makers of PacMan. Making sure that your business displays proper and sufficient signage can save people a lot of time down the road.

For over sixty years, our factory facilities have been catering to businesses and offices across the country, big and small alike. We here at Custom Signs know how important your business is to you and know that you only wish to present your customers and guests with your absolute best representation of yourself. Even if your business is just starting out, with our products, you can still make a statement without breaking the bank. We believe that shopping for something as basic as business signs should be easy and without any hidden fees. Unlike some of our competitors, we don’t believe in minimum purchases, and our quick turnaround time is the stuff of manufacturing legend. Each and every day we receive tons of orders, some big some small, but regardless of their size, our trusted and seasoned employees work hard to get as many high quality orders shipped out as soon as possible and often within one business day of being processed. Our commitment to excellence in customer service doesn’t just stop there! Each and every order that we receive is automatically granted free two day shipping! We know that running a business is hard enough as it is, that’s why we don’t want our customers to have to worry about anything. When you place an order with Custom Signs, you can be sure that you’re placing an order with the best! Order your new business signs today!