{"id":17685,"date":"2018-08-29T08:46:57","date_gmt":"2018-08-29T14:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/signs-blog.signs.com\/?p=17685"},"modified":"2026-05-28T03:09:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T09:09:07","slug":"signage-101-what-are-standoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/signs-blog.signs.com\/blog\/signage-101-what-are-standoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"Signage 101 \u2014 What Are Standoffs?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of the most professional ways to hang a sign in a business setting is to use\u00a0standoffs<\/b>. First impressions are important to guests and customers. Having a clean, elegant finish to your sign sends an unspoken message of trust, and pride in what you do. \u00a0As a visitor to a restaurant, an office, or a public building, you might not notice exactly how a sign is hanged, but it\u2019s the small details that make all the difference in how a sign looks and feels.<\/p>

I\u2019m going to dive into the details of sign standoffs\u2014what they are, why and when you should use them, and how they work. I\u2019ll also go over which signs work best with standoffs and how to easily add them to your order with our user-friendly\u00a0design tool<\/a>. I\u2019ll finish off today\u2019s post by sharing a few examples of fully installed standoffs.\u00a0Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n<\/div>

\nWhat are standoffs?\n<\/h2>
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Standoffs, sometimes called standoff screws are a hardware option for hanging a rigid sign through drilled holes. Standoffs attach your sign to a wall, placing an aesthetically pleasing gap of one inch in between the sign material and the wall. The result: \u00a0a dramatic and eye-catching display.<\/p>

Standoffs function as fasteners, creating a durable mount for any sign. They also become part of the design and presentation of the finished sign. Standoff screws are usually round and fit through the drilled holes on your sign. Standoffs are commonly made of aluminum, brass, or nylon. There are many different finishes for standoffs including brushed, chrome, nickel, anodized, and more. Our standoffs are a beautiful brushed, anodized aluminum that look great with any sign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

\nWhy use standoffs?\n<\/h2>
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There are many ways to hang your sign, however, unlike traditional signage installations, standoffs give your sign a refreshing three-dimensional look. With standoffs, your sign is projected from the wall for an eye-catching display sure to impress any visitor. Standoffs allow your sign to literally pop from the wall.<\/p>

Standoff screws are not only attractive, they also support the weight of a sign firmly to a wall, so you don\u2019t have to worry about your sign falling down from tape or other adhesive hanging methods. Standoffs are the preferred option for logo signs above a reception desk, a directory sign, and even look good for room identification signs. You can also use standoffs to hang a permanent menu in a restaurant or hang a piece of art printed on\u00a0acrylic<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0metal<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>

\nHow standoffs work\n<\/h2>
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A standoff screw is an assembly of hardware that includes the standoff mount, screw, washers, and dry-wall anchor. By itself, a standoff screw isn\u2019t very strong, but like a bundle of sticks, when multiple standoffs are used together\u2014one in each corner, or centered\u2014they can hold a sign in place for years.<\/p>

To use this elegant hanging solution for your needs, the sign must have predrilled holes where the standoff screws will be placed. When you order a sign from us using our design tool, drilled holes will automatically come with your sign when you choose to include standoffs with your sign. You can also select to have holes drilled without ordering standoffs if you desire.<\/p>

The most common arrangement for sign standoffs is to have them placed in the four corners of a square or rectangular sign. You can also have the standoffs placed in the corners and the top & bottom of your sign for added support. If your sign is created with a contour cut, meaning that the shape of the sign is custom, then you can select custom placement to have your standoffs wherever you want.<\/p>

If you select custom placement in the design tool, you\u2019ll be prompted to provide a note describing where you want your holes drilled for your standoffs. Be as specific as you can to ensure your sign is created the way you want it. Another option is to have your standoffs placed at the top and bottom center of your sign or simply from the top corners only. Here is a complete list of the options for mounting your sign with standoffs:<\/p>