What Information Does a Commercial Signage Company Need for Wallsticker to Provide an Accurate Quote?

If you're planning a commercial signage or graphics project, one of the first steps is obtaining an accurate quote. But what information does a signage company actually need to prepare one?

The good news is that you don't necessarily need a complete construction package or finalized specifications to start the conversation.

Here at Wallsticker, we work with clients at many different stages of the process. Some come to us with architectural drawings, production-ready artwork, verified field measurements, and detailed sign schedules. Others have a concept, a project location, and a few photographs.

Both are perfectly acceptable starting points.

The more information available, however, the more accurately our team can evaluate materials, fabrication, production, installation requirements, and overall project costs.

This guide explains what information is most helpful when requesting a commercial signage quote—and what to do when you don't have all of it yet.

1. Project Location

Start with the address where the signage or graphics will be installed.

The project location can affect:

• Installation scheduling

• Travel

• Site surveys

• Shipping and freight

• Local installation coordination

• Permitting requirements

• Equipment requirements

• Site access

For projects involving multiple locations, provide a location list or spreadsheet if available.

Wallsticker works on commercial projects nationwide, so our team can also help coordinate multi-location programs and installations across different markets.

2. What Type of Signage or Graphics Do You Need?

Tell us what you're looking to produce.

This might include:

• Exterior building signage

• Channel letters

• Dimensional letters and logos

• Blade signs

• Cabinet signs

• Monument signage

• Interior signage

• ADA signage

• Wayfinding signage

• Window graphics

• Frosted window film

• Wall graphics and murals

• Vehicle wraps

• Fleet graphics

• Temporary promotional graphics

If you're not sure what type of signage you need, that's okay.

Photographs, architectural drawings, renderings, or even a description of what you're trying to accomplish can give our team a starting point.

Our signage professionals can then help identify potential materials and production methods appropriate for the application.

3. Dimensions & Measurements

Accurate dimensions are one of the most important pieces of information needed for signage pricing.

For fabricated signage, provide the intended overall dimensions whenever possible.

For wall graphics, we typically need the width and height of the installation area.

For window graphics, individual window pane dimensions are usually preferable to one overall storefront measurement.

For vehicle graphics, provide the exact vehicle year, make, model, configuration, and quantity.

Even approximate dimensions can sometimes be useful for preliminary budgeting, but production should be based on verified dimensions when accuracy is critical.

What If You Don't Have Measurements?

Not every client has access to accurate field measurements.

If measurements are unavailable or need to be professionally verified, the Wallsticker Team can coordinate an on-site survey for a service fee.

Depending on the project, our survey technicians can document:

• Field dimensions

• Window dimensions

• Wall dimensions

• Existing signage

• Mounting surfaces

• Installation heights

• Site conditions

• Access conditions

• Potential obstacles

• Electrical conditions when applicable

• Project photographs

This information can then be used by our project, design, fabrication, and installation teams to properly evaluate the scope of work.

4. Quantity

Tell us how many signs, graphics, windows, walls, vehicles, or locations are included in the project.

Quantity can significantly affect production planning and pricing.

For example, producing one dimensional logo is different from producing standardized signage for 100 locations.

Likewise, wrapping one transit van requires a different production and scheduling strategy than branding a fleet consisting of dozens of vehicles.

For larger projects, a sign schedule or location spreadsheet can be extremely helpful.

5. Artwork

If artwork already exists, send it with your quote request.

Preferred files may include:

• Adobe Illustrator (AI)

• EPS

• Vector PDF

• SVG

• High-resolution PSD

• High-resolution TIFF

• High-resolution JPG or PNG when appropriate

Vector artwork is generally preferred for logos, typography, and fabricated signage because it can be scaled without losing quality.

High-resolution raster images are commonly used for photography and other continuous-tone graphics.

Don't worry if you're unsure whether your files are production-ready. Our team can review what you have and advise you if additional artwork preparation is required.

6. Brand Guidelines

For established brands, brand guidelines are extremely helpful.

These may include:

• Approved logos

• Pantone colors

• CMYK values

• Typography

• Logo spacing requirements

• Approved graphic treatments

• Material specifications

• Signage standards

Brand guidelines help our designers and production technicians understand how signage should represent the brand across different applications.

This becomes especially important for national retail programs and multi-location projects where consistency needs to be maintained across different properties.

7. Architectural Drawings & Sign Packages

For new construction, retail build-outs, renovations, and larger commercial projects, architectural documentation can provide valuable information.

Useful documents may include:

• Architectural plans

• Elevations

• Sign schedules

• Sign details

• Storefront drawings

• Electrical plans

• Finish schedules

• Landlord criteria

• Approved signage packages

You do not need to send an entire construction drawing set if most of it is unrelated to signage.

If possible, provide the pages showing the signage locations, elevations, dimensions, mounting conditions, and relevant architectural details.

Our project team can review these documents to help determine fabrication and installation requirements.

8. Photographs of the Installation Area

Photos are extremely valuable when preparing an installation quote.

Whenever possible, provide clear photographs showing:

• The complete installation area

• Surrounding walls or storefront

• Existing signage

• Installation height

• Ground conditions

• Access areas

• Nearby obstacles

• Doors and windows

• Architectural features

Wide photographs that show the overall environment are often just as useful as close-up images.

For exterior installations, photographs can help our installation technicians evaluate potential equipment and access requirements.

9. Installation Requirements

Let us know whether professional installation is required.

Some clients need Wallsticker to provide the complete project:

Design → Production → Fabrication → Installation

Other clients may only need fabrication because their general contractor or another approved team will handle installation.

Wallsticker can provide all or selected portions of the project depending on your requirements.

For installation pricing, useful information includes:

• Installation address

• Installation height

• Interior or exterior location

• Normal business hours or after-hours work

• Loading and parking conditions

• Security requirements

• Building access

• Lift requirements

• Construction-site requirements

• Desired installation date

If these details aren't known yet, our project team can help identify what needs to be determined.

10. Installation Surface or Substrate

Knowing what we're installing onto is important.

Examples include:

• Painted drywall

• Glass

• Concrete

• Brick

• Stucco

• Metal

• Wood

• Existing sign structures

• Vehicle surfaces

• Architectural panels

Different surfaces may require different adhesives, mounting hardware, preparation methods, or installation techniques.

For vinyl graphics in particular, surface condition can significantly affect material selection and adhesion.

11. Material Specifications

If your architect, designer, branding agency, or corporate standards already specify materials, include those specifications with your request.

If materials have not been selected, that's also fine.

Wallsticker's fabrication and production professionals can recommend materials based on factors such as:

• Interior vs. exterior use

• Expected installation duration

• Surface type

• Environmental exposure

• Appearance

• Durability

• Removal requirements

• Budget

The correct material should be selected for the application rather than simply using the same material for every project.

12. Project Timeline

Tell us when you need the project completed.

Important dates might include:

• Store opening

• Grand opening

• Construction completion

• Inspection

• Tenant turnover

• Event date

• Marketing launch

• Vehicle deployment

• Installation deadline

Commercial signage often needs to coordinate with broader construction and marketing schedules.

Providing the desired completion date early allows our project team to evaluate design, proofing, production, fabrication, shipping, and installation requirements against the available schedule.

13. Do You Need Existing Signage or Graphics Removed?

Removal is frequently overlooked when requesting a new signage quote.

Let us know if the project requires removal of:

• Existing signs

• Window graphics

• Wall graphics

• Vehicle graphics

• Adhesive residue

• Temporary promotional graphics

Wallsticker provides professional graphic and signage removal services and can quote removal as part of the project scope.

The condition and age of existing materials may affect the amount of technician time required for removal.

14. Does the Project Require Permitting?

Many exterior signage projects require permits, although requirements vary by jurisdiction and sign type.

If permits have already been obtained, provide the approved drawings or documentation when available.

If permitting has not yet been addressed, let us know.

Depending on the project and location, our team can help identify whether permitting needs to be incorporated into the project planning process.

Never assume that requirements for one city or property will apply to another. Local codes, landlord requirements, comprehensive sign plans, and property-specific restrictions can affect what is permitted.

15. For Multi-Location Projects, Provide the Overall Program Scope

If you're managing signage for multiple stores, offices, properties, or vehicles, tell us about the entire program rather than treating every location as an unrelated project.

Useful information may include:

• Total number of locations

• Location list

• Standard sign types

• Master artwork

• Brand standards

• Expected rollout schedule

• Site-specific variations

• Survey requirements

• Installation requirements

Understanding the larger program allows our team to evaluate opportunities for standardized production, consistent materials, coordinated surveys, logistics, and nationwide installation.

What If You Only Have a Concept?

Contact us anyway.

You do not need to become a signage expert before contacting Wallsticker.

A client may begin with something as simple as:

"We're opening a new store and need exterior signage, window graphics, and interior branding."

That's enough to begin a conversation.

Our job is to help determine what information is missing and what steps are required to move the project forward.

Depending on the project, that may involve reviewing architectural drawings, performing a site survey, developing artwork, recommending materials, preparing fabrication specifications, or coordinating professional installation.

The More Information We Have, the Better We Can Help

An accurate commercial signage quote is based on understanding the actual scope of work.

Providing measurements, artwork, photographs, quantities, locations, drawings, timelines, and installation requirements helps our team prepare a proposal based on real project conditions rather than assumptions.

At the same time, we understand that many clients contact us early in the planning process and may not have all of this information yet.

That's perfectly fine.

The Wallsticker Team can review what you have, identify what is still needed, and help determine the appropriate next steps.

Ready to Request a Commercial Signage Quote?

Whether you have complete architectural plans and production-ready artwork or simply have a project you need help developing, the Wallsticker Team welcomes the opportunity to review your requirements.

Send us your available artwork, measurements, photographs, plans, project locations, and desired schedule. If you're missing measurements or other project information, we'll help identify what is needed to move forward.

Contact the Wallsticker Team today for a free quote.