Commercial Signage: Costs, Types, and Top Providers (2025)
Choosing commercial signage isn’t just picking a logo and hanging it up. You’re balancing visibility, code compliance, brand consistency, weather resistance, power needs, and a budget that could range from a few hundred dollars for a banner to six figures for an engineered, illuminated pylon. Quotes often differ on materials (acrylic vs. aluminum vs. retroreflective ORALITE), illumination (LED, halo, EMC), installation (permits, electrical, cranes), and timelines. And you may also need compliant safety labels and wayfinding that match your brand and meet OSHA/ANSI expectations.
This 2025 guide simplifies the decision. We compare leading providers—Safety Decals, FASTSIGNS, Signarama, Signs.com, FSG, Poyant Signs, Inpro, Vistaprint, and Walmart Business Print—covering what they offer, best for, popular types, typical costs and lead times, materials and durability, and installation and permitting support. You’ll get clear pros and considerations to help you shortlist vendors and budget with confidence. First up: Safety Decals for compliant, custom safety decals and labels, then we move into building, exterior, and large-format signage options.
1. Safety Decals (custom safety decals and labels)
Safety Decals handles the compliance layer of your commercial signage. When machines and fleets need warnings, they deliver durable labels.
What they offer
Custom and stock safety decals and labels. Conspicuity sheeting, sticker builder, promos, and risk assessment.
Best for
Manufacturing, construction, transportation, schools, and government. Multi-site programs needing standardized labels.
Popular signage types
Machine hazard decals, equipment ID, and lockout/tagout. Reflective ORALITE conspicuity for vehicles and trailers.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Quote-based pricing by size, material, and volume. Lead times vary with customization.
Service footprint and installation
Michigan-based; serving customers across the U.S. Peel-and-stick decals; remote consulting available.
Materials and durability
ORAFOL materials, including ORALITE retroreflective. Outdoor-rated vinyls and adhesives.
Compliance and permitting support
Guidance aligning labels to OSHA/ANSI best practices. Decals typically avoid municipal sign permitting.
Pros and considerations
Pros: compliance expertise, quality materials, deep customization, nationwide shipping. Considerations: not for illuminated or structural commercial signage.
2. FASTSIGNS (custom building and exterior signage)
FASTSIGNS delivers exterior commercial signage that gets noticed. They design custom building signs to attract customers and increase awareness.
What they offer
Custom building signs and exterior signage. Design tailored to your location and brand.
Best for
Businesses needing a strong branded exterior presence. Great when storefront visibility must improve.
Popular signage types
Common commercial signage formats include channel letters and monument. Many sites use pylon and blade signs.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Pricing is quote‑based by size and site. Industry averages: $2,000–$5,000 installed, ~$100 for A‑frames, and large pylons can reach six figures; permitting can extend timelines.
Service footprint and installation
Exterior work requires on‑site review and coordination. Confirm installation, electrical scope, and equipment needs during quoting.
Materials and durability
Exterior signs use weather‑resistant substrates and finishes. Match reflectivity, illumination, and maintenance to operating hours.
Compliance and permitting support
Most building signs need municipal approvals. Ask about code checks, drawings, and permit submission early.
Pros and considerations
Pros: strong storefront impact and cohesive branding. Considerations: permits, power, and install logistics drive timelines and cost.
3. Signarama (building signs and commercial signage)
Signarama focuses on building signs and commercial signage that elevates storefront visibility and brand recognition, offering custom solutions tailored to site, budget, and local conditions.
What they offer
Custom building signs and exterior commercial signage with design-to-install coordination.
Best for
Retail, restaurants, and offices seeking high-visibility storefront identification.
Popular signage types
Channel letters, dimensional letters, blade, monument, and pylon signs.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Quote-based; industry ranges span ~$100 A-frames to $2k–$5k installed averages, with engineered pylons reaching six figures; permitting can extend schedules.
Service footprint and installation
Confirm site survey, installation, electrical, and crane needs with your local provider.
Materials and durability
Exterior-grade metals, acrylics, finishes, and LED illumination specified for climate.
Compliance and permitting support
Ask for code checks, drawings, and permit submission to streamline approvals.
Pros and considerations
Pros: broad building‑sign options, cohesive branding. Considerations: costs and timelines vary by site and permitting.
4. Signs.com (online custom signs, banners, and decals)
Signs.com is an online printing service for custom signs, banners, and decals—ideal for fast, affordable commercial signage you can design and order online.
What they offer
Online custom vinyl banners, yard signs, metal signs, decals, and templates.
Best for
Small businesses needing promotional or temporary commercial signage without on‑site installation.
Popular signage types
Vinyl banners, yard signs, window decals, aluminum signs.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Pricing appears during configuration; production and shipping vary by product.
Service footprint and installation
Ships nationwide; DIY install products; no field crews.
Materials and durability
Outdoor‑rated vinyls, corrugated plastic, and aluminum for typical exposures.
Compliance and permitting support
Does not manage permits; check local codes for mounted exterior signs.
Pros and considerations
Pros: quick ordering, value pricing, broad options. Considerations: no surveys, permits, or install; not for illuminated structures.
5. FSG (design-build illuminated and large-format signage)
FSG delivers full‑service commercial signage—from design and build to repair—for brands that need coordinated, presentable exterior programs. They’re a strong fit when illuminated or large‑format projects demand tight project management and a single accountable partner.
What they offer
Design, build, and repair of commercial business signs with end‑to‑end oversight.
Best for
Multi‑site brands and facilities teams needing one partner for commercial signage.
Popular signage types
Building signs, monument and pylon structures, and retrofit/repairs.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Quote‑based. Typical ranges: $2,000–$5,000 installed; A‑frames ~$100; engineered, lighted double‑sided pylons can reach $200k. Lead times hinge on permits and fabrication.
Service footprint and installation
Confirm coverage, site surveys, installation, and electrical scope during scoping.
Materials and durability
Exterior‑grade metals, acrylics, coatings, and LEDs specified for climate and visibility.
Compliance and permitting support
Most exterior commercial signage needs permits; ask for drawings, engineering, and submittals.
Pros and considerations
- Pros: one‑stop coordination for complex, illuminated, large‑format signage.
- Considerations: costs and timelines influenced by permitting, power, and engineering.
6. Poyant Signs (monument, pylon, and custom exterior signage)
Poyant Signs brings decades of experience to exterior commercial signage that must be engineered, branded, and built to last. They’re a strong choice when your site needs cohesive identity—monument, pylon, blade, and wayfinding—handled end to end.
What they offer
Design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance with award‑winning designers and a 50,000 sq. ft. facility.
Best for
High‑visibility exterior identity and campus/wayfinding programs for single or multi‑tenant sites.
Popular signage types
Pylon, monument, post/pole, channel and dimensional letters, awnings, blade, wayfinding, and electronic message signs.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Industry ranges apply: ~$2,000–$5,000 installed averages; A‑frames ~$100; engineered, lighted double‑sided pylons can reach $200k. Permits and fabrication drive schedules.
Service footprint and installation
In‑house build and install; confirm service radius. Expect foundations, cranes, and electrical for larger structures.
Materials and durability
Steel structures on concrete, exterior metals/acrylics, and energy‑efficient LEDs for internally/externally illuminated signage.
Compliance and permitting support
Most exterior projects require approvals; ask for code checks, stamped drawings, engineering, and permit handling.
Pros and considerations
- Pros: full design‑build‑install‑maintain, OSHA‑certified installers, broad exterior signage portfolio.
- Considerations: engineering, permitting, and foundations add time and cost to commercial signage programs.
7. Inpro (architectural interior and wayfinding systems)
Inpro provides architectural signage—interior and select exterior systems—designed to guide people efficiently and elevate the facility experience within a commercial signage program.
What they offer
Facility‑wide wayfinding programs, directories, room/space identification, and coordinated architectural signage design.
Best for
Hospitals, schools, multi‑building offices, and public venues prioritizing clear navigation.
Popular signage types
Directories and maps, corridor directionals, room IDs, and campus trailblazers; can pair with monument signs.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Quote‑based; timelines depend on planning, approvals, and phased installation.
Service footprint and installation
Confirm site surveys, on‑site crews, and off‑hours work to reduce disruption.
Materials and durability
Architectural‑grade substrates and finishes for high‑traffic interiors; exterior‑rated options available.
Compliance and permitting support
Interior wayfinding rarely needs permits; exterior elements may require code checks.
Pros and considerations
Pros: cohesive wayfinding and consistent branding. Considerations: mapping and stakeholder reviews can extend schedules; coordinate structural exterior commercial signage with another partner.
8. Vistaprint (small business signs, banners, and posters)
Vistaprint is a familiar online option for quick, budget‑friendly commercial signage you can design and order without a site visit. It fits the moment when you need branded visuals fast—grand openings, events, sales—without the complexity of engineered or illuminated installations.
What they offer
Custom small business signs, banners, and posters with online design tools and templates.
Best for
Promotional and temporary commercial signage for retailers, events, and pop‑ups.
Popular signage types
Signs, vinyl banners, and posters suitable for indoor/outdoor promotion.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Pricing appears during configuration; production and shipping timelines are shown at checkout.
Service footprint and installation
Ships to your location; products are designed for DIY installation.
Materials and durability
Print‑grade options appropriate for indoor use and select outdoor durations based on product choice.
Compliance and permitting support
Does not manage permitting; verify local codes for fixed exterior signage.
Pros and considerations
Pros: easy online ordering, value pricing, fast reorders. Considerations: no surveys, engineering, or illuminated/structural commercial signage support.
9. Walmart Business Print (value signs, banners, and posters)
Walmart Business Print offers value-focused commercial signage for promotions and seasonal campaigns. Upload your artwork or use templates to order signs fast—ideal when you need branded visuals quickly without site surveys, permitting, or engineered installations.
What they offer
Online custom signs, banners, posters.
Best for
Budget teams needing simple DIY commercial signage.
Popular signage types
Vinyl banners, posters, yard signs.
Estimated pricing and lead times
Pricing and timelines shown at checkout.
Service footprint and installation
Order online; delivery options at checkout; DIY.
Materials and durability
Print-grade options for indoor and select outdoor.
Compliance and permitting support
No permitting; verify local requirements.
Pros and considerations
- Pros: value pricing, templates, quick reorders.
- Considerations: no surveys, permitting, or illuminated/structural signage.
Next steps
You’re choosing visibility, compliance, and durability—not just letters on a wall. Shortlist 2–3 providers that fit your scope, request drawings and a clear bill of materials, confirm permitting, and align install dates with your opening or rebrand. For storefronts, ask about illumination, power load, and maintenance. For fleets and equipment, standardize safety labels and retroreflective conspicuity now so you don’t scramble later. If you’re ready to tackle the compliance layer and unify your program, start with Safety Decals to spec custom safety decals, labels, and reflective sheeting that meet OSHA/ANSI best practices—then pair them with your exterior vendor for a cohesive, code‑aligned package.
