Manufacturers have a specific signage moment: the visitor area. Customers, auditors and
prospective clients walk from a car park through a door into a reception that is usually the only
part of the site they will ever see, and it has to carry the whole impression of the operation.
A manufacturing facility sign in that space is doing more work than the square
footage suggests.
The project: matching two brand colors on wood
A manufacturer came to us with a two color identity, green and orange, and a reception that
needed something better than a printed panel.
Two color marks are where color matching starts to matter properly. With a single color you
have some latitude, because there is nothing to compare it against. Put two brand colors side by
side and any error in either one becomes visible immediately, because the relationship between
them is what people recognize.
Both colors here were hand mixed against the brand reference and applied separately, with
masking between coats. That is slower than spraying a single color and it is the only way to get
a two color logo wood sign that reads as the actual brand rather than an
approximation of it.
White wash carried them both. Green and orange are a warm and cool pairing, and a neutral cool
base lets each keep its own character. On western oak the orange would have bloomed and the green
would have gone flat.
How color matching works on a wood sign
| What you send | How close we get | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vector file with named color values | Closest match | Best case. We mix to the value |
| Brand guideline PDF | Very close | Includes the intended relationship between colors |
| Printed sample you post to us | Very close | Useful for unusual or metallic colors |
| Photo of an existing sign or product | Approximate | Screen and camera color is unreliable, treat as a starting point |
| Color name only | Interpretation | We will ask for something more specific |
Every color is mixed by hand rather than picked from a stock palette, which is why the match is
closer than most sign shops manage and also why a multi color mark takes longer to build.
See stains, sizes and color options
What manufacturers and industrial businesses need
- Accurate brand color. Industrial brands are often color coded across
products, PPE and vehicles. - Presence in a plain space. Plant receptions are usually functional.
- Durability in a building with real traffic.
- Scale. Industrial buildings are big and small signs vanish in them.
- Matching exterior signage for gates, entrances and visitor parking.
Frequently asked questions about manufacturing signage
Can you match our exact brand colors?
Yes. Send the values or the brand guide and we mix by hand against them. You approve on the proof
before we cut.
How large can a wood sign be?
Up to 60 inches on the long side, which suits industrial reception walls where a 24 inch sign
would look lost.
Can you do exterior signs for a plant entrance?
Yes, with an exterior clear coat. Sheltered placement lasts considerably longer than full
exposure.
Can we order reception, boardroom and gate signs together?
Yes, and a batch costs less per sign than separate orders, because setup and color mixing happen
once for the run.
How long does it take?
About a week for interior, longer with exterior finishes or multiple colors.
See your facility sign before you commit
Send us your logo and brand color references and we will return a free digital
proof before anything is cut. Made in the USA and shipped nationwide.
Related:
industrial equipment company signs ·
textile company signs ·
building services signs
