We follow a comprehensive process that takes into account everything from how easy your signs will be to read to what materials they will be manufactured from. We will guide you through the entire process as we work together; here’s an outline of what you can expect:
Before we even begin talking about what’s going to go on your signs, we will work with you to select maps that will form the foundation of the project. Choosing maps at the outset of the project will give us a shared understanding of your trails, and reduces potential for confusion and miscommunication later. If you don’t already have trail maps, we will help you find other suitable maps (such as topo maps or online maps).
Rather than starting with questions about what signs should go where, we will center the initial conversation on what information you are trying to communicate. We want to know, for example, that “hikers northbound on the green trail will find Crystal Lake 2.3 miles ahead”. This lets you focus on what you know best (your trails) rather than having to think about guidelines and best practices of sign layout.
We will thoroughly review this with you, to avoid common errors that would create confusion — for example, putting up a sign that says “Crystal Lake 2.3 miles ahead” and then forgetting to put a “Crystal Lake” sign at the lake.
After the information content of your signs has been largely agreed upon, we will begin the process of digitally laying out this information on signs. During this stage, we will take into account national trail sign guidelines, to make sure that your signs communicate in familiar and easily understood ways; we can also work with you to take into account applicable local guidelines. As layout progresses, we will provide you with draft signs made out of light and inexpensive materials, so you can hold them in your hands and take them out on the trails to see what they would look like in the wild. This will give us an opportunity to confirm that the signs will convey their message effectively when installed in their final location.
If you have special requests, such as a logo that you want included on the signs, trailhead information signs, signs for buildings, etc, we would be happy to discuss them with you.
After sign layout has been agreed upon, we will begin manufacturing the signs. We use King Plastic ColorCore®, a durable synthetic material commonly used in modern trail sign manufacturing. We have our own local supplier, but can work with you if you have your own source of ColorCore. We can work with other similar synthetic materials; we do not make signs out of wood because wood requires extensive post-processing for durability and weather-resistance, which would significantly increase the labor cost.
We will recommend specific type of ColorCore to you based on your needs and your budget, as well as recommending appropriate mounting hardware. You will be responsible for all other aspects of sign installation, such as pruning branches around sign-mounted trees or installing sign posts.
We will ship the signs to you, unless you decide to skip the shipping costs and pick them up from us in New Haven CT or Boston MA.