Glass Signs for Receptions and Offices

The glass itself

Our glass signs are made in toughened safety glass, in clear, frosted or tinted finishes, with thicknesses from 6mm to 19mm. Thicker glass looks more substantial and throws a stronger edge; thinner glass suits smaller door and room signs. Clear glass shows the wall behind; frosted glass softens it and makes lettering stand out; tinted glass adds colour without printing.

Glass signs can be made to virtually any shape or size, so the panel does not have to be a rectangle.

Putting the logo on

• Etched: the design is cut into the surface, giving a subtle frosted mark that is part of the glass. Quiet and very professional.
• Printed: full-colour graphics printed onto the glass, for logos that rely on brand colours.
• LED illuminated: light fed through the edge of the panel makes etched detail glow.

Combining methods is possible — a printed logo with an etched strapline, for instance.

Edge lighting

LED edge-lit glass is one of the most striking reception signs you can have. Light entering the edge of the panel travels through the glass and catches wherever the surface has been etched, so the logo glows while the rest stays clear. It suits dim receptions and evening use. Edge-lit signs are covered in more detail on our edgelight signs page.

Fixing to the wall

Glass signs are usually held off the wall on standoff fixings, which creates a shadow gap and lets the sign float. The wall behind matters: a feature colour or texture will show through clear glass, so consider it part of the design. The survey checks the wall can take the fixings and that the position works with the desk, lighting and sightlines from the door.

Where glass works best

Glass is designed for indoor applications. It is at its best in receptions, boardrooms, corridors and office doors, where it gives a sophisticated, professional appearance. For exterior signs, other materials are usually more practical.

Care

One of the advantages of glass is how easy it is to keep looking new: wipe it clean with ordinary glass cleaner. Etched and printed designs are durable in normal office use.

Beyond the reception wall

The same style can run through a building: matching glass door signs for meeting rooms, glass directory panels by the lifts, and glass nameplates for individual offices. Designing them together keeps the look consistent.

Planning the reception as a whole

A glass sign behind the desk is often the centrepiece, but it works best when the rest of the reception supports it. Lighting should fall on the sign without reflecting straight into the eyes of visitors coming through the door. The wall behind should be chosen with the glass in mind. Door signs, meeting room names and directory panels should share the same materials and lettering.

It is also worth thinking about what visitors see first from the door, which may not be the wall behind the desk. The survey looks at sightlines from the entrance so the sign is placed where it has the most effect.

Our in-house designers show the glass sign on a photograph of your reception before anything is made, so you can judge its size, finish and position before you approve it.

Common questions