A post and panel sign is a freestanding ground sign consisting of one or more vertical structural uprights that support a rigid display board or cabinet. Sign companies use them for both temporary real estate advertising and permanent architectural purposes like wayfinding, directories, and facility identification.
Types of Post and Panel Signs
The International Sign Association classifies post and panel signage as a subtype of freestanding ground signs. The industry separates these structures by their materials and intended lifespan.
Temporary site signage uses utility-grade wood or vinyl posts. The display boards are typically medium density overlay (MDO) or corrugated plastic, commonly seen on construction sites and real estate lots.
Permanent architectural signage features engineered aluminum extrusions or steel posts with solid aluminum or aluminum composite panels. Facilities use them for long-term identification, multi-tenant directories, and directional wayfinding.
Construction and Installation
Installers set the upright posts into augered ground holes filled with concrete or bolt them to concrete footers using base plates. The required depth of the footings varies by geographic location and local building code to resist ground heave below the frost line and local wind pressures.
The panels are mounted between the posts using slotted extrusion tracks or brackets. They can also be face-fastened to the front of the posts or hung cantilevered from a single upright. Extrusion systems are standard in the commercial sign industry to create frameless display boards with concealed fasteners.
Factors That Affect Cost
- Size and faces: The total sign area and whether the display has graphics on one or both sides.
- Materials: Substrate durability plays a major role, such as choosing heavy-gauge aluminum over standard wood.
- Illumination: Signs can be non-illuminated, lit externally with ground fixtures, or lit internally using a fabricated cabinet panel.
- Engineering requirements: Wind-load structural needs and foundation depth dictated by local building codes.
- Modularity: Custom features like changeable tenant inserts versus static permanent graphics.
Sign codes change and vary by zoning district and overlay. Confirm with the authority having jurisdiction before submitting a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a post and panel sign differ from a monument sign?
A post and panel sign relies on vertical posts that leave open space between the panel and the ground. A monument sign has a low-profile, continuous solid masonry or structural base with no open space below the display.
Do post and panel signs require a building permit?
Yes, permanent post and panel signs typically require permits, but rules vary by jurisdiction. The local sign permit process dictates setback distances from rights-of-way, height restrictions, and allowable square footage. These limits determine exactly where a shop can install the sign.
Can individual panels be swapped out later?
Yes. Many architectural post and panel signs use modular extrusion systems designed for multi-tenant directories or wayfinding. This allows clients to swap out individual directional inserts or tenant panels without replacing the entire sign structure.
How can I show a client what their sign will look like?
You can use sign company software like Vuely to create a photo-accurate mockup of the sign on the customer's actual building. A sales rep can capture a survey with photos, generate the mockup, check local sign codes, estimate the price, and collect a signature on site.
Vuely is AI sales software for sign companies: site surveys, mockups on the customer's own building, and sign code checks before the quote goes out.