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Contact Information:
craig@riponmainst.com

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Ripon Main Street, Inc.
Craig Tebon, Executive Director
127 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 365
Ripon, WI 54971
Phone #: (920) 748-7466

Examples of Appropriate Signage for
Historic Buildings and Central Business Districts

Signs are a vital part of all downtown businesses. A sign calls attention to your business and creates an individual image for your store. Consistent signage throughout the business district also contributes to an overall unified image. A successful sign can reinforce the image of the downtown, serve the needs of the business, and compliment the architectural style of the building.

A collection of sign examples that are appropriate for historic areas are shown below.

1. A sign should express an easy to read, direct message. Keep it simple.

2. A storefront should not have more than two signs - one primary and one secondary.

3. The total signage area for a storefront shall not exceed in square feet, three times the lineal footage of the storefront the sign is attached to. The sign should not be more than 2 feet high and should be mounted somewhere above the storefront display windows and below the second story window sill. Generally, lettering should be 8 to 18 inches high and occupy only 75 percent of the sign board.

4. Choose a sign maker carefully. Quality of workmanship and construction is as vital as any of the guidelines above. Ask your sign maker where you can see examples of previous work.

5. Window signs should not obscure the display area. The color of the letters should contrast with the display background. Light colored letters or gold leafed letters with dark borders are effective.

6. Awnings can also serve as signs with contrasting letters sewn onto a valance. Usually 6 to 8 inch letters are sufficient.

7. Be very cautious about plastic signage - it rarely matches the downtown character.

8. There are hundreds of letter styles available. A letter style should be chosen that is easy to read and reflects the image of the business it represents.

9. Sign colors should compliment the colors of the building. Light colored letters on a dark background are easier to read. Incorporate a shadow or outline around the letters. Introducing a second or third color by adding borders, shadows, etc. enhances the image of the sign as well as the business.

10. Illuminated signs can be appropriate downtown if they represent the proportions of the storefront and the guidelines above. Signs can be directly illuminated with incandescent lights. Exposed neon letters can also be effective, adding color and vitality to the downtown during the evening.