Everything You Need to Create Healthcare Signage

Creating signs for a hospital, medical facility, or dental practice means finding the right product mix to provide clear, concise signage that fits with the design of the building and needs of the customer. As collaboration and consolidation continues to happen in the healthcare industry, branding and identification are more important than ever before. That extends to the look and design of interior and exterior signage. This can be a challenge, particularly if the customer is trying match previously installed colors for a building addition or new facility within a healthcare network.

Having a clear understanding of the signage needs of the customer can save you time and resources when creating a sign program for a healthcare facility. Here are some of the factors you should consider when meeting with a customer about signs for a hospital, medical facility, or dental practice.

Size of the building

It goes without saying, but creating a sign program for an entire hospital building is vastly different than for a smaller, single story medical practice. In addition to the standard room identification and directory signs, there are potentially ceiling and wall mounted wayfinding signs, station and desk markers, emergency medical equipment tags, employee name badges, and so on.

Whether it’s a large or small facility, you’ll want to consult with your customers about their current and future signage needs. If it’s a larger healthcare network that may be adding buildings in the future, you may want to suggest they use engraving plastic in a more traditional color palate. This way, if a sign needs to be replaced or a new facility is added to the network, it will be easier to match the new sign or signs with ones already installed. Look for plastic sheet manufacturers that have a history of high quality and consistency in their products, such as Rowmark and Innovative Plastics Inc. (IPI).

Another consideration is the frequency with which rooms made need to change purpose and therefore need modular signage. If there is a multipurpose room, such as a conference room or temporary office, using a sign with a clear plastic lens that can be easily removed to change the room designation might be the better option for the customer. You may also suggest using mounting hardware such as standoffs if the room occasionally changes use or designation, but not on a regular basis. Standoffs make it easy for the customer to remove and replace signs while still offering a secure and contemporary mounting solution.

Exterior and interior signs

When it comes to door and entryway identification, it’s important to discuss with your customers whether the sign will be marking an interior or exterior doorway. Using the wrong material, particularly for an outdoor application, can result in a sign that will need to be replaced much sooner than anticipated, whether it’s because of material color fade, warping, or cracking.

There are numerous engravable sheet plastics that are suitable for both interior and exterior applications. If your customer is looking for outdoor door or equipment identification, consider using one of these products for your sign program. You’ll be able to offer a coordinated sign system that has matching interior and exterior signs and not have to worry about the outdoor signs needing replacement for years to come.

Sign mounting solutions

After your customer chooses the design and style of the signs they’re looking for in their healthcare facility, it’ll be important to find the right mounting solution for their needs. There are multiple options to choose from, including permanent and modular sign frames, directories, hanging and other wall mounted sign holders, and standoffs and mounting bars.

For larger buildings, coordinating room identification signs, directories, wayfinding, and name badges will offer your customers a cohesive look. In this situation, choosing a sign frame system that offers matching components would be the ideal solution. Look for sign frame systems that can be made from matching metal or plastic extrusions and cut to custom lengths. This will allow you to give your customers the exact frames and directories they’re looking for.

Smaller facilities may need to offer more flexibility with room designations, such as the ability to change sign inserts on a regular basis. If that’s the case, consider offering sign frames with easily removable, clear plastic lenses so the customer can print inserts and change when needed.

If your customer is looking for a contemporary design, consider using mounting hardware such as standoffs, flag mounts, or mounting bars. These options are sleek, secure, and highlight the sign colors and design itself by offering dimension when mounting. Standoffs in particular have become very popular for sign mounting as well as hospital donor recognition walls. Be sure to look for standoffs made from high-quality stainless steel to ensure they’ll stand up to areas with high traffic.

Conclusion

Creating a sign program for a healthcare facility can be a daunting task. Johnson Plastics Plus offers thousands of color combinations for engravable plastics from leading brands such Rowmark and IPI. This includes products for laser and rotary engraving and indoor and outdoor use. Additionally, JPPlus has a complete line of sign frame options, including stock frames and custom-cut products, as well as standoffs and mounting hardware solutions from Gyford Standoff Systems.

Conclusion

Creating a sign program for a healthcare facility can be a daunting task. Johnson Plastics Plus offers thousands of color combinations for engravable plastics from leading brands such Rowmark and IPI. This includes products for laser and rotary engraving and indoor and outdoor use. Additionally, JPPlus has a complete line of sign frame options, including stock frames and custom-cut products, as well as standoffs and mounting hardware solutions from Gyford Standoff Systems.

For more information and to see our complete line of products, visit our dedicated Healthcare Signage resource.