Short answer: A standoff lobby sign is usually 3/8 in. clear acrylic, 24 to 48 in. wide, with a standoff about 1 in. in from each corner. Put the logo on the back (reverse engraved, painted, or vinyl) so the front stays smooth and the wall shadow adds depth. For signs under 18 in. wide, 1/4 in. is plenty.

What size and thickness to choose

Start with the wall. A lobby sign usually fills about a third to half the width of the wall it's on, centered at eye height (the middle of the sign around 60 in. off the floor). Behind a reception desk, measure from the desktop to the ceiling and keep the sign in the middle third of that space.

  • Up to 18 × 12 in.: 1/4 in. with four 5/8 in. standoffs.
  • 18 to 36 in. wide: 3/8 in. The thicker edge reads well across a room and the panel stays flat between standoffs.
  • 36 to 60 in. wide: 1/2 in. clear, or 3/8 in. with six standoffs (an extra pair in the middle of the top and bottom edges).

Thicker sheet gets heavy fast: a 48 × 24 in. panel of 1/2 in. weighs about 24 lb. The acrylic weight calculator helps you pick wall anchors that can carry it.

Where to put the standoffs

Most signs use one standoff per corner, with the hole center 1 to 1.5 in. in from each edge. Keep at least twice the sheet thickness of material between the hole and the edge so it doesn't crack when the cap is tightened. Space standoffs no more than about 24 in. apart on 3/8 in. sheet; beyond that, add a pair in the middle.

Standoff length sets the shadow. A 1/2 in. barrel looks tight and corporate; a 1 in. barrel throws a deeper shadow that makes the sign seem to float. Brushed aluminum and stainless are the usual finishes, with black for darker walls. We drill the holes to fit and include the hardware when you add standoffs to your order.

Tip: order a paper template with the hole positions, or ask us to drill a scrap strip with the same spacing. Tape it to the wall, mark the holes, and the sign will hang level the first time.

How to put your logo on it

Reverse engraving

We engrave the logo into the back of clear sheet, mirrored, so it reads correctly from the front. The frosted marks catch light and cast a soft shadow on the wall. It's the most durable option since nothing on the front can wear. Read more in reverse engraving acrylic.

Engraved and color-filled

The same engraving, filled with paint in your brand color. Good for logos that need to read strongly on a busy wall.

Vinyl or printed graphics

For photographic logos or gradients, a printed film on the back gives full color. Cut vinyl suits solid one or two-color logos and is easy to swap if the brand changes.

Clear or colored?

Clear is the classic floating look, and the logo appears to hover over the wall. If the wall is busy, patterned, or a strong color, a white or frosted backer panel behind the clear face gives the logo a clean field to sit on. Two layers on longer standoffs (a frosted or black back panel and a clear front) is a common upgrade; we can cut both from one drawing.

Design tips

  • Keep the logo at least 1 in. clear of the standoff caps.
  • Square corners suit corporate signs; a small 1/4 in. radius looks softer and chips less.
  • Thin script lines under 1/32 in. wide get lost when engraved large; thicken them a little.
  • Laser-cut edges on 3/8 in. sheet come out glossy, so they don't need extra edge polishing.

Send your logo and wall measurements through upload a drawing, or price a plain panel with standoffs in the instant quote.

Questions

Do you include the standoffs?

Yes, if you add them to the order. Each set is four standoffs with caps and barrels, and we drill the sign to match.

Can a standoff sign go outside?

Yes, with stainless standoffs and holes drilled slightly oversized so the acrylic can expand and contract with temperature. Reverse engraving and back-applied graphics are protected from weather by the sheet itself.

How do I hang a heavy acrylic sign?

Screw the standoff bases into studs where possible, or use anchors rated well above the sign's weight for your wall type. Our guide to mounting acrylic to a wall covers drywall, masonry, and tile.