Office signage plays an important role in helping visitors navigate your facility and labeling important rooms. Use these guidelines to select the right sign for an area.

Signs that label permanent spaces, like restrooms, stairways and elevators, should be clearly labeled with large-print text and the internationally recognized symbols for these areas.

Signs that label an individual's office should include the occupant’s name, their professional title and the room number if applicable. Remember, the occupant of rooms like these can frequently change (due to employee turnover, promotions, construction, etc.) so signs that are easy to change are optimal.

Signs that give directions should be placed at all key entry points. Signs at the main entrance should include a navigational directory of all the rooms/offices that are found on each floor. Whenever there is an elevator or staircase exit, there should be a sign to tell visitors how the room numbers divide on that floor.

Signs that communicate access restrictions and instructions are an important and cost-effective way to lay the ground rules of your facility. With these signs, think intuitively about color, font and size you choose. A sign that says “ACCESS RESTRICTED. Authorized Personnel ONLY” is better suited on a red sign with bold lettering versus a blue sign with your favorite font.

Before you settle on a design, be sure to consult the rules set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some buildings are required to have tactile and/or braille signs in specific areas. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and even compensation to the affected individual.