u/OfficeManager101 asks in r/CommercialRealEstate
Our company is moving to a new office in a Class B office park. We have a ground-floor suite with street-facing windows. What’s appropriate for corporate office signage? I see some offices with giant backlit signs, others with just vinyl lettering on the door. We want to look professional but don’t want to overspend. Also, do we need both exterior and lobby signage?
Top Comments
u/BuildingSignagePro (👍 43 points)
Great question — corporate office signage is completely different from retail signage. The goals are different: retail needs to attract strangers; office signage needs to validate professionalism and help people find you. Here’s what I recommend for a ground-floor office suite:
Exterior sign (must-have): Dimensional metal letters (brushed aluminum or stainless steel) mounted on a complementary metal panel or directly on the building facade. Keep it simple — just your company name. No taglines, no phone numbers. The clean dimensional look signals you’re an established business. Budget: $1,500-3,000 for a 4-6 word name.
Window application (recommended): Frosted vinyl with your logo and suite number in the lower corner of the street-facing window. Frosted film provides privacy while looking premium. Budget: $200-500.
Lobby sign (recommended): A reception wall logo — your company name and logo on the wall behind the front desk. This is what visitors see first when they walk in. It sets the tone. A brushed metal or acrylic logo sign. Budget: $800-2,000.
Directional signs (recommended for multi-suite floors): Restroom, exit, and suite number signs. Budget: $300-600.
Total for all: $3,000-6,000. But you can start with exterior + lobby for $2,500-5,000 and add the others later.
u/TechStartupCFO (👍 31 points)
We moved into a ground-floor space last year. Here’s what I learned: don’t cheap out on the lobby sign. We originally just had our logo printed on an acrylic panel — looked fine. But when investors and potential clients visited, the sign was one of those small details that said “early stage” versus “established.” Upgraded to brushed brass dimensional letters on a backlit acrylic panel. That single change cost $1,200 and the difference in first impressions is massive. When you’re asking for $2M in seed funding, your lobby sign is part of your pitch.
u/ArchitectSpec (👍 22 points)
Architect here who specifies signage for commercial projects. Key things most tenants get wrong:
- Lighting: If your sign is in a corridor or lobby, make sure it’s internally illuminated or has directed spot lighting. Corporate offices often have dimmer lobby lighting, and a non-illuminated sign in a dim lobby looks like a dark rectangle on the wall.
- Mounting height: Center of the sign at 60″ from floor for reading distance. Too high and it feels institutional (hospital energy). Too low and it’s disrespectful to the space.
- Brand consistency: Your exterior, lobby, and office interior signs should use the same typeface and finish. Mismatched materials across locations looks sloppy.
u/PropManager_CHI (👍 17 points)
Commercial property manager here. Before you order ANY exterior signage, check your lease for signage clauses. Many office parks restrict sign types, sizes, and illumination specs. You may only be allowed dimensional metal letters in specific finishes, or you may need landlord approval before installation. We’ve seen tenants order $4,000 signs that couldn’t be installed because they violated the master sign plan. Get written approval from building management first.
u/RemoteWorkFan (👍 6 points)
Honestly, as someone who visits offices for meetings, I mostly look for the suite number and building directory. Make sure your suite number is clearly visible from the parking lot or walkway. The most frustrating thing is knowing the company name but not being able to find suite 204.
Key Takeaways for Corporate Office Signage
- Prioritize: exterior dimensional metal letters > lobby reception sign > directional signs
- Brushed aluminum or brass communicates “established professional”
- Invest in the lobby sign — it directly impacts investor/client first impressions
- Check your lease for signage restrictions before ordering anything
- Ensure suite numbers are clearly visible from the parking lot
- Keep brand materials consistent across exterior, lobby, and interior signs
Browse corporate office sign examples in our portfolio and read our Sign Size Guide for proper dimensional planning.