When working within the parameters of a shopping mall, sign projects like an illuminated restaurant sign often require careful planning, extra approvals, and permitting. These are all things we include in our illuminated sign quotes and consultation, ensuring that everything is done correctly, every step of the way. So, when a well-known restaurant, Lucha Libre Taco Shop, expanded their San Diego location into the Shoppes at Carlsbad, they got in touch with us to make sure the illuminated restaurant sign was just right.
The restaurant owners found themselves in a time crunch. They called us in November, needing a sign by Thanksgiving as a previous vendor had left them in the lurch. There’s no challenge that we consider insurmountable, so we got to work right away, knowing that there are always a lot of details to handle with a sign project like this.
We knew the signage size had to be a ratio of 1:1 for storefront linear footage and maximum square footage of the sign. To create the signage, we used the Lucha Libre logo (vector format: .ai, .eps, pdf) and site survey measurements to scale a sign to the right size. We created permit documents required by the city of Carlsbad for landlord approval, including a custom design proof and materials acceptable to the mall’s signage criteria. Once we had landlord approval, we then secured the permit with the city of Carlsbad, and finally could begin fabrication illuminated restaurant sign.
Our team created an LED-illuminated restaurant sign with a combination of reverse pan lighting and front-lit channel letters. The “Lucha Libre” letters are maxed out at 16 inches high, with a two-inch return. The letters are painted black and set off from the wall using pin-mounted one-inch standoffs. We use high quality LEDs that are UL certified with power supply 100W —we understand the importance quality creates illumination that lasts! The illuminated center logo section is made of an aluminum panel and a 3mm thick black ACM mask, with the mask created as a full-color digital print. We also added dimensional letters in non-illuminated acrylic, a laser cut center panel, dots and a filigree pattern, the words “Taco Shop” in half-inch thick white matte acrylic, and suite numbers in a white cut vinyl to bring the whole design together.
This was a complex custom illuminated restaurant sign project on a tight deadline, something we completed without cutting any corners or sacrificing on quality. We’re proud of what we do, and would love to hear from you for your next sign project needs. Just give the team at North Coast Signs a call at 760-536-5454 or email info@northcoastsigns.net.
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