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At Port City Signs & Graphics, we know that exterior sign lighting isn’t just about brightness — it’s about visibility, recognition, and making a strong first impression about the business inside. So when Wilmington Surgical Associates asked us to help with the signage for their new medical facility on Independence Boulevard, we saw a great opportunity to bring all of that to life.

The project included two main exterior signs: one that is illuminated on the rear of the building facing the high-traffic roadway, and one that is non-illuminated on the front of the building at the main entrance. Each came with its own set of challenges — from lighting and legibility to installation and design — and we were excited to create solutions that worked beautifully with the design of the building, the brand, and the surrounding environment.

Addressing Challenging Colors for Outdoor Signage Lighting

One of the first challenges we faced was with the brand colors. Wilmington Surgical’s logo features grays and blues, which don’t typically illuminate well at night. To maintain visibility around the clock, we used a perforated vinyl treatment on the illuminated rear sign. This treatment is similar to a perforated vinyl window on a vehicle. From a distance, it looks like whatever the print is, but when you walk up close to it, you can see that the vinyl has small holes in the design. In the case of our sign, those holes let white shine through, which allows the colors to appear blue and on-brand during the day and bright white at night. The result is that the letters can be read while keeping the overall look clean and consistent.

This approach to exterior sign lighting gave the practice the high-end look it deserves, while also solving the common problem of colors that don't show up well at night.

Adjusting Fine Text Without Compromising the Brand

Another key challenge we encountered with this project was the fine lettering in Wilmington Surgical Associates' logo. While the typography worked beautifully for print and digital use, it posed some issues for illuminated, dimensional signage — specifically when it came to fabrication and wiring.

Illuminated signs require a certain stroke width to accommodate internal LED lighting components and hardware. Letters that are too thin simply can’t be built to house the lighting systems effectively, and in outdoor settings, very fine lines can also be difficult to read from a distance.

To solve this, we made subtle adjustments to the font — carefully increasing the thickness of the letters just enough to allow for proper fabrication and lighting installation. We took great care to keep these adjustments as minimal and precise as possible, so the average viewer would never notice a difference. In the end, we were able to maintain brand integrity while creating signage that works beautifully at scale — both lit and unlit.

A Clean Outdoor Sign Mounting Solution That Protected the Building

The rear-facing sign also presented several structural considerations. The building was brand new, and the client wanted to avoid unnecessary wall penetrations or multiple, bulky raceways that could interfere with the insulation and design.

Our solution was to create a very large custom-painted cabinet-like aluminum backer panel, matched precisely to the color and shape of that corner of the building. This allowed us to mount the dimensional letters and logo securely and run all wiring behind the panel. While there are multiple penetration points through the panel, there is just one through the wall. The result was a clean finish that looked as though the sign was built into the structure from day one — all while protecting the exterior of the building. 

Smart Use of Architectural Lighting for the Front Sign

The front-facing sign wasn’t illuminated internally, but it didn’t need to be. The building’s built-in trim lighting (or perimeter lighting) provided a subtle glow that framed the dimensional sign beautifully. Rather than competing with that lighting or overwhelming the entryway, we leaned into the existing light design and positioned the sign for optimal visibility.

If that didn’t work, our backup plan was to make use of the awning that was already there over the entryway. We could have easily added adjustable LED flood lights on top of the awning, but that wasn't necessary. The trim lighting provided plenty of illumination for the sign on its own. 

This is a great example of how exterior sign lighting doesn’t always require internal LEDs or external light fixtures. Sometimes the best results come from working with what’s already there, especially when it enhances the overall experience for visitors.

Safe, Efficient Exterior Sign Lighting Installation with Minimal Disruption

Installing exterior signage always comes with logistical considerations, but this project added several unique challenges. The large, illuminated sign needed to be installed about 30 feet up on the side of the building. Inside the building, behind the wall where the sign was mounted, was a staircase, which meant there was no safe or practical way to access the area from the interior. All installation and future service would need to happen entirely from the outside.

To further complicate things, there were electrical boxes near the sign location and new landscaping being added to the area — elements we had to work around carefully to avoid damage. We also needed to avoid extended lane closures on Independence Boulevard because it's a major thoroughfare running alongside the building.

To make installation as safe and efficient as possible, we pre-assembled the sign into four large sections at our facility. Each section included the backing panel and pre-mounted dimensional lettering, which allowed our team to minimize time spent in the lift truck and avoid being up in the air for days bolting in individual letters. We used a crane and lift to safely position and secure each half of the panel, which kept our crew off ladders, out of the staircase, and on schedule.

By doing as much fabrication and final assembly in-house as we could, we avoided hardware surprises and weather complications on-site. It also saved labor costs and allowed for a clean, seamless installation.

Leveraging LED Technology for Long-Term Performance

For the illuminated sign facing Independence Boulevard, we used high-efficiency LED sign lighting — a solution we recommend often for its durability, energy cost savings, and minimal maintenance needs. Compared to older fluorescent systems, modern LED bulbs draw significantly less power and last much longer, which helps reduce operating costs and eliminates the hassle of frequent replacements.

In this case, the sign’s placement, which was high on the building and with no interior access due to the staircase behind the wall, made it even more important to choose a lighting solution that wouldn’t require regular upkeep. While the panel isn’t designed to hinge open, it can be accessed in sections if necessary. Fortunately, thanks to the long lifespan and reliability of today’s LEDs, maintenance is rarely needed.

It’s always our goal to help clients choose lighting solutions that not only look great but also make sense for the long-term.

A Project That Pushed Us Forward

This project stretched our team in all the best ways. From experimenting with new materials to coordinating multiple vendors and delivering on a tight timeline, it challenged us to grow and improve. We’re proud of the final result — not just because the signs look fantastic, but because they reflect the care and collaboration that went into every step of the process.

Wilmington Surgical Associates now has signage that reflects the professionalism and pride behind their practice and helps people easily find them. The signs are clear, polished, and thoughtfully designed to work with the building, not against it. That’s what great signage does.

If you're planning a new commercial sign or upgrading your current one, we’d love to help. Contact us at (910) 294-9402 or Request a Quote, and let’s talk about how we can make your business stand out.