FBS Prints Team
Printing, Signage & Growth Specialists
For a property set back from the road, a monument sign is often the difference between a driver noticing a business and driving right past it. Set at ground level near the entrance, it identifies a property clearly without competing with the building's architecture.
How Monument Signs Work
A monument sign is a freestanding structure — typically built with a solid base of brick, stone, stucco, or metal — with the business name or logo mounted on or built into the face. Unlike a pole sign, it stays low to the ground, which many municipalities favor for maintaining a clean streetscape along commercial corridors.
This makes it a strong fit for:
- Office parks and medical buildings that need a professional, low-profile identifier
- Multi-tenant retail centers listing several businesses on one shared sign
- Properties set back from the road where a building-mounted sign alone isn't enough
- Des Plaines businesses replacing an aging pole sign with a more modern ground-level design
Layout Options for Different Properties
Monument signs generally fall into two layouts, and the right one depends on the property:
Single-tenant signs — one business name and logo, giving full control over branding and layout
Multi-tenant signs — shared panel space listing several businesses, often with a consistent panel size and font for a unified look
Changeable panels — some multi-tenant designs use removable panels so tenants can be added or swapped without rebuilding the sign
What Affects Cost and Longevity
A few choices shape both price and how well the sign holds up over time:
Base material — brick and stone offer a premium, long-lasting look; metal and high-density foam are lighter and often more budget-friendly
Illumination — front-lit, halo-lit, or ground spotlight options extend visibility after dark
Height and size limits — most municipalities, including Des Plaines, cap monument sign dimensions by zoning district, so confirming limits early avoids redesign later
Landscaping integration — signs built into surrounding landscaping tend to age better visually than standalone structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a monument sign be in Des Plaines, IL?
Height limits vary by zoning district — check with the city's planning department before finalizing a design.
Can a monument sign be updated for a new tenant?
Yes, especially multi-tenant designs with removable panels, which allow name changes without rebuilding the whole structure.
Do monument signs need to be illuminated?
No, illumination is optional, though it extends visibility into evening hours for properties with after-hours traffic.
How long does a monument sign typically last?
With durable materials like brick, stone, or metal and routine maintenance, monument signs commonly last 15–20 years or more.
What materials work best for a Des Plaines monument sign?
Brick, stone, metal, and other durable materials can be used depending on the property's architecture, budget, maintenance needs, and desired appearance.
Author Biography
FBS Prints Team
FBS Prints helps businesses grow with practical signage, printing, direct mail, web design, and SEO guidance built around real-world execution.
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