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FAQs
Q: Why is there sometimes a big difference in the prices I get from sign companies?
A: While no one answer will adequately explain why there is a big difference in pricing there can be numerous reasons as to why this may be the case. The first relates to the materials being used. There can be a big difference in paints, vinyls and substrates in terms of quality and intended uses. The better quality materials generally command a higher price which a sign maker has to pass on to the customer. A general rule of thumb here is to make sure that you clearly communicate what you expect from a sign in terms of life and clearly detail where the sign is to be positioned.
Q: Do signs intended for indoor use last longer than outdoor signs?
A: They can do but generally speaking the materials used in outdoor signage is designed for such use and is capable of withstanding UV rays and the extremes of weather whereas indoor signs generally only have to handle artificial light and more constant heat extremes.
Q: Do I need to get Council permission to put a footpath sign outside my premises?
A: There’s no simple answer to this unfortunately. In some regions and under some council rules or by-laws, the ability to display a footpath sign outside your place of business is your right. There are however councils that require a fee to be paid or, in some instances, a resource consent to be applied for which can rule the economics of using such a sign almost pointless. Some areas, like the heritage area of central Napier, have different rules yet again. The best advice we can give is firstly to be aware that there are differences region-to-region and secondly, to ask an NZSDA member when you are considering such as sign, as they will know what the local rules are or who to contact to check if any changes have occurred.
Q: I want to wrap my company vehicle in attention grabbing graphics, are there any rules that govern graphics on cars?
A: Yes there are. The type of vehicle to be ‘wrapped’ has a bearing on what can and what can’t be done. Land Transport NZ has a set of rules that pertain to vehicle graphics where the graphic will cover all or part of the window glass. Referred to as the glazing rule, it outlines what criteria must be met. A common misconception is that a company vehicle can be ‘wrapped’ because it is a company vehicle and not a privately owned car. This is not the case. Any vehicle known as an MA class vehicle in the rules, which includes all sedans, hatchbacks and station wagons, is not permitted to have graphics covering glass situated behind the ‘B’ pillar. Your local NZSDA signmaker can advise you of what is and is not permissible.
Q: Can banners be used as permanent signage?
A: It would not be advisable to use a banner as a permanent sign. A banner is generally considered a temporary sign that has a finite life.
Q: I contacted a signwriter to paint a sign for me but he didn’t work with paint just vinyl. Is this true of most signwriters?
A: No it’s not. Most signwriters, especially those that have completed a traditional sign making apprenticeship, can brush paint signs when called upon and there are signwriters who specialise in the more traditional ways of making signs.
Q: If there was one piece of advice you would give a sign buyer, what would it be?
A: There’s a number of ways to answer this one. Basically there’s NO one piece of advice that would suit everybody or answer this question anything like adequately. If you need signs made, be sure to be precise in what it is you want. Specify its purpose or use, its location and what materials you would like it made from. If you are seeking numerous quotes, be sure to provide each quoting company with the same specification or information as you want to be comparing apples with apples when considering which quote to accept. If a price seems exceptionally high or low ask “why?” as the answer prove valuable or worthwhile to you.
If you have a question regarding the use of signage or graphics in certain situations please email the question to (ADAM CAN WE SET UP AN EMAIL ADDRESS BACK THROUGH THIS DOMAIN?)
Q: Why is there sometimes a big difference in the prices I get from sign companies?
A: While no one answer will adequately explain why there is a big difference in pricing there can be numerous reasons as to why this may be the case. The first relates to the materials being used. There can be a big difference in paints, vinyls and substrates in terms of quality and intended uses. The better quality materials generally command a higher price which a sign maker has to pass on to the customer. A general rule of thumb here is to make sure that you clearly communicate what you expect from a sign in terms of life and clearly detail where the sign is to be positioned.
Q: Do signs intended for indoor use last longer than outdoor signs?
A: They can do but generally speaking the materials used in outdoor signage is designed for such use and is capable of withstanding UV rays and the extremes of weather whereas indoor signs generally only have to handle artificial light and a more constant temperature variation.
Q: Do I need to get Council permission to put a footpath sign outside my premises?
A: There’s no simple answer to this unfortunately. In some regions and under some council rules or by-laws, the ability to display a footpath sign outside your place of business is your right. There are however councils that require a fee to be paid or, in some instances, a resource consent to be applied for which can rule the economics of using such a sign almost pointless. Some areas, like the heritage area of central Napier, have different rules yet again. The best advice we can give is firstly to be aware that there are differences region-to-region and secondly, to ask an NZSDA member when you are considering such as sign, as they will know what the local rules are or who to contact to check if any changes have occurred.
Q: I want to wrap my company vehicle in attention grabbing graphics, are there any rules that govern graphics on cars?
A: Yes there are. The type of vehicle to be ‘wrapped’ has a bearing on what can and what can’t be done. Land Transport NZ has a set of rules that pertain to vehicle graphics where the graphic will cover all or part of the window glass. Referred to as the glazing rule, it outlines what criteria must be met. A common misconception is that a company vehicle can be ‘wrapped’ because it is a company vehicle and not a privately owned car. This is not the case. Any vehicle known as an MA class vehicle in the rules, which includes all sedans, hatchbacks and station wagons, is not permitted to have graphics covering glass situated behind the ‘B’ pillar. Your local NZSDA signmaker can advise you of what is and is not permissible.
Q: Can banners be used as permanent signage?
A: It would not be advisable to use a banner as a permanent sign. A banner is generally considered a temporary sign that has a finite life.
Q: I contacted a signwriter to paint a sign for me but he didn’t work with paint just vinyl. Is this true of most signwriters?
A: No it’s not. Most signwriters, especially those that have completed a traditional sign making apprenticeship, can brush paint signs when called upon and there are signwriters who specialise in the more traditional ways of making signs.
Q: If there was one piece of advice you would give a sign buyer, what would it be?
A: There’s a number of ways to answer this one. Basically there’s NO one piece of advice that would suit everybody or answer this question anything like adequately. If you need signs made, be sure to be precise in what it is you want. Specify its purpose or use, its location and what materials you would like it made from. If you are seeking numerous quotes, be sure to provide each quoting company with the same specification or information as you want to be comparing apples with apples when considering which quote to accept. If a price seems exceptionally high or low ask “why?” as the answer prove valuable or worthwhile to you.
If you have a question regarding the use of signage or graphics in certain situations please email the question to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Q: Why is there sometimes a big difference in the prices I get from sign companies?
A: While no one answer will adequately explain why there is a big difference in pricing there can be numerous reasons as to why this may be the case. The first relates to the materials being used. There can be a big difference in paints, vinyls and substrates in terms of quality and intended uses. The better quality materials generally command a higher price which a sign maker has to pass on to the customer. A general rule of thumb here is to make sure that you clearly communicate what you expect from a sign in terms of life and clearly detail where the sign is to be positioned.
Q: Do signs intended for indoor use last longer than outdoor signs?
A: They can do but generally speaking the materials used in outdoor signage is designed for such use and is capable of withstanding UV rays and the extremes of weather whereas indoor signs generally only have to handle artificial light and more constant heat extremes.
Q: Do I need to get Council permission to put a footpath sign outside my premises?
A: There’s no simple answer to this unfortunately. In some regions and under some council rules or by-laws, the ability to display a footpath sign outside your place of business is your right. There are however councils that require a fee to be paid or, in some instances, a resource consent to be applied for which can rule the economics of using such a sign almost pointless. Some areas, like the heritage area of central Napier, have different rules yet again. The best advice we can give is firstly to be aware that there are differences region-to-region and secondly, to ask an NZSDA member when you are considering such as sign, as they will know what the local rules are or who to contact to check if any changes have occurred.
Q: I want to wrap my company vehicle in attention grabbing graphics, are there any rules that govern graphics on cars?
A: Yes there are. The type of vehicle to be ‘wrapped’ has a bearing on what can and what can’t be done. Land Transport NZ has a set of rules that pertain to vehicle graphics where the graphic will cover all or part of the window glass. Referred to as the glazing rule, it outlines what criteria must be met. A common misconception is that a company vehicle can be ‘wrapped’ because it is a company vehicle and not a privately owned car. This is not the case. Any vehicle known as an MA class vehicle in the rules, which includes all sedans, hatchbacks and station wagons, is not permitted to have graphics covering glass situated behind the ‘B’ pillar. Your local NZSDA signmaker can advise you of what is and is not permissible.
Q: Can banners be used as permanent signage?
A: It would not be advisable to use a banner as a permanent sign. A banner is generally considered a temporary sign that has a finite life.
Q: I contacted a signwriter to paint a sign for me but he didn’t work with paint just vinyl. Is this true of most signwriters?
A: No it’s not. Most signwriters, especially those that have completed a traditional sign making apprenticeship, can brush paint signs when called upon and there are signwriters who specialise in the more traditional ways of making signs.
Q: If there was one piece of advice you would give a sign buyer, what would it be?
A: There’s a number of ways to answer this one. Basically there’s NO one piece of advice that would suit everybody or answer this question anything like adequately. If you need signs made, be sure to be precise in what it is you want. Specify its purpose or use, its location and what materials you would like it made from. If you are seeking numerous quotes, be sure to provide each quoting company with the same specification or information as you want to be comparing apples with apples when considering which quote to accept. If a price seems exceptionally high or low ask “why?” as the answer prove valuable or worthwhile to you.
If you have a question regarding the use of signage or graphics in certain situations please email the question to (ADAM CAN WE SET UP AN EMAIL ADDRESS BACK THROUGH THIS DOMAIN?)
Q: Do signs intended for indoor use last longer than outdoor signs?
Q: I want to wrap my company vehicle in attention grabbing graphics, are there any rules that govern graphics on cars?
Q: Can banners be used as permanent signage?
Q: I contacted a signwriter to paint a sign for me but he didn’t work with paint just vinyl. Is this true of most signwriters?
Q: If there was one piece of advice you would give a sign buyer, what would it be?
If you have a question regarding the use of signage or graphics in certain situations please email the question to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it