Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about outdoor advertising production, installation processes, materials, and our services. We've compiled information to help you make informed decisions for your signage needs.

We manufacture a comprehensive range of outdoor advertising products including illuminated and non-illuminated signage, large-format banners, building wraps, window graphics, vehicle wraps, wayfinding systems, and freestanding structures. Our capabilities extend to channel letters with LED lighting, lightboxes in various sizes, dibond panels, ACM composite signs, and custom 3D fabrications.

Each product category offers different materials and finishing options. For example, lightboxes can be produced with acrylic or polycarbonate faces, while banners are available in mesh or solid PVC depending on wind exposure requirements. We work with businesses across retail, hospitality, property development, and corporate sectors throughout London and surrounding areas.

Standard production timeframes range from 5 to 15 working days depending on complexity and size. Simple vinyl graphics or banners typically require 5-7 days, while illuminated channel letters or complex 3D structures may need 10-15 days. These timelines begin after final artwork approval and do not include installation scheduling.

Rush services are available for urgent projects with a 48-72 hour turnaround on select items such as banners, window graphics, and simple flat panel signs. Complex fabrications requiring metalwork, electrical components, or structural engineering naturally require extended production periods. We provide detailed timelines during the quotation stage based on your specific requirements.

We provide complete turnkey solutions including both manufacturing and professional installation. Our installation team consists of 8 certified technicians with experience in working at height, electrical installations, and structural mounting. We hold relevant insurance coverage and health and safety certifications required for commercial installations across Greater London.

Installation services include site surveys, structural assessments, securing necessary fixings to brick, concrete, or cladding systems, and electrical connections for illuminated signs. We also coordinate with building management, obtain access permits, and arrange traffic management when required. Alternatively, we can supply products for your own installation team if preferred.

Our material selection includes aluminium composite panels (3mm and 6mm thickness), dibond aluminium sheets, acrylic in clear or coloured options from 3mm to 10mm, polycarbonate for impact resistance, stainless steel for premium applications, and various PVC substrates. For printed graphics, we use cast vinyl with 7-10 year outdoor durability and UV-resistant inks.

Material recommendations depend on location exposure, longevity requirements, and budget considerations. Coastal locations benefit from marine-grade stainless steel or powder-coated aluminium to resist salt corrosion. High-traffic areas may require polycarbonate rather than acrylic for vandal resistance. We specify materials based on British Standards for wind loading and structural integrity.

Yes, we routinely work with corporate brand guidelines and style manuals. Our design team can interpret your brand standards including Pantone colour matching, specific typeface requirements, logo usage rules, and spacing specifications. We use calibrated colour management systems to ensure accurate reproduction of brand colours across different materials and printing processes.

We accept brand assets in various formats including Adobe Creative Suite files, PDF specifications, and digital asset management system exports. Our proofing process includes colour samples and material mockups before full production begins. For multi-location rollouts, we maintain consistency across all signage elements through documented specifications and quality control checks.

Durability varies by material and environmental exposure. Vinyl graphics on protected surfaces last 5-7 years, while those facing direct sunlight may require replacement after 3-4 years. Aluminium composite panels maintain structural integrity for 10-15 years, though printed surfaces may need refinishing after 7-10 years depending on UV exposure and pollution levels in urban environments.

Illuminated channel letters with LED modules typically operate for 50,000 hours (approximately 11 years at 12 hours daily use) before requiring lamp replacement. Structural components like aluminium frames and mounting systems often exceed 15 years with proper installation. We provide maintenance recommendations and warranty coverage details specific to each product type during the quotation process.

Planning requirements depend on sign size, location, illumination, and whether the property is in a conservation area or listed building zone. In England, the Town and Country Planning Act governs advertising consent. Generally, fascia signs under 0.75 square metres on business premises may not require consent, while larger installations, projecting signs, or those in sensitive areas typically do.

We advise checking with your local planning authority before proceeding. Many London boroughs have specific regulations regarding illumination hours, sign projection distances, and acceptable materials in conservation areas. We can provide technical drawings and specifications required for planning applications, though the application process itself remains the property owner's responsibility. Listed buildings require additional heritage consent.

Our in-house design team provides concept development, technical artwork preparation, 3D visualizations, and material mockups. Services include typography selection, colour consultation, layout optimization for viewing distances, and adaptation of existing branding for physical signage applications. We create visual renders showing how proposed signage will appear on your building facade.

Design consultations are included with production orders. We work from your rough sketches, existing logos, or develop concepts from brief descriptions of your requirements. Technical drawings include mounting specifications, electrical schematics for illuminated signs, and structural details. All designs undergo client approval stages before production begins, with revisions accommodated during the development phase.

LED technology consumes 70-80% less electricity than traditional neon, operates cooler reducing fire risk, and provides 50,000+ hour lifespan compared to neon's 10,000-15,000 hours. LED modules are solid-state with no fragile glass tubes, making them more resistant to vibration and impact. They also offer better colour consistency and brightness control options.

Initial costs for LED channel letters are comparable to neon, but operational savings accumulate significantly over time. A typical shopfront sign using 150 watts of LED versus 600 watts of neon saves approximately £180 annually in electricity costs based on 12-hour daily operation. LED signs also require less maintenance, with modular components allowing individual section replacement rather than complete tube replacement.

Yes, we maintain an extensive Pantone matching system and use spectrophotometer colour measurement for accuracy. For printed graphics, we achieve close approximations of Pantone colours using CMYK or expanded gamut printing processes. For solid colour materials like vinyl or powder-coated metals, we source factory-matched colours or specify custom mixing.

It's important to note that exact colour matching varies by substrate and process. Printed colours on white vinyl differ slightly from the same colour on brushed aluminium. We provide physical colour samples on your chosen material before full production. For critical brand colour matching, we recommend approving samples under both daylight and artificial lighting conditions, as appearance shifts between lighting environments.

Non-illuminated signs benefit from quarterly cleaning with mild detergent and water to remove urban pollution and grime. Avoid abrasive cleaners or high-pressure washing which can damage printed surfaces or protective coatings. Illuminated signs require annual electrical inspections to check connections, weatherproofing seals, and LED module performance.

We offer maintenance contracts covering scheduled cleaning, lamp replacement, and minor repairs. Typical maintenance includes checking mounting fixings for security, inspecting seals around electrical penetrations, and cleaning diffuser panels on lightboxes. Early detection of issues like water ingress or loose fixings prevents more costly repairs. For businesses without in-house facilities teams, our annual maintenance visits ensure signage remains in optimal condition.

All outdoor signage is engineered to BS EN 12899 standards for permanent traffic signs, which specify wind loading, temperature cycling, and UV exposure requirements. We use marine-grade stainless steel fixings, silicone weatherproofing, and powder-coated finishes with minimum 60 micron thickness for corrosion resistance. Structural calculations account for wind speeds up to 100 mph in exposed locations.

Materials are selected for thermal expansion compatibility, preventing stress cracking during temperature fluctuations between -10°C winter conditions and 30°C summer heat. Electrical components in illuminated signs use IP65-rated enclosures preventing water ingress. Drainage holes are incorporated in channel letters and lightbox designs to prevent water accumulation. All installations include appropriate backing boards and standoffs to allow air circulation and prevent moisture trapping.

We regularly work on listed buildings and properties within conservation areas, where signage must be sympathetic to architectural heritage. This typically involves traditional materials like hand-painted signs, brass plaques, or carefully designed projecting signs using period-appropriate mounting methods. We consult with conservation officers during the design phase to ensure compliance.

Installation methods for listed buildings avoid permanent damage to historic fabric. We use resin fixings in mortar joints rather than drilling into historic brickwork, removable mounting systems, and reversible installation techniques. Documentation includes photographic records and detailed fixing schedules. Listed building consent applications require specialist drawings showing minimal intervention approaches, which we provide as part of the design service for heritage properties.

Vinyl cut graphics use solid colour vinyl film cut to shape, ideal for text, logos, and simple designs requiring crisp edges and solid colours. This method offers superior durability with colours lasting 7-10 years outdoors. Printed graphics allow full-colour images, photographs, gradients, and complex designs using digital printing on vinyl substrate, typically with 5-7 year outdoor durability.

Cost considerations differ: vinyl cutting is economical for simple designs with few colours, while printing becomes cost-effective for complex multi-colour artwork regardless of colour count. Vinyl cut letters have dimensional depth and clean edges, making them preferable for premium shopfront signage. Printed graphics excel for vehicle wraps, building wraps, and any application requiring photographic imagery or colour gradients.

Yes, we produce temporary signage for events, construction sites, property marketing, and short-term promotions. Options include correx boards, PVC banners with eyelets or pole pockets, A-frame pavement signs, pop-up banner stands, and temporary hoarding graphics. These products are designed for quick installation and removal without permanent fixings.

For events lasting several weeks, we recommend mesh banners for outdoor applications as they allow wind passage, reducing stress on fixings. Correx boards suit property development marketing and construction site signage, available in 3mm or 5mm thickness. We also provide installation hardware including banner frames, ground stakes, and weighted bases. Temporary signage can be stored and reused for recurring events, with typical lifespan of 2-3 years depending on handling and storage conditions.

For businesses with multiple locations, we coordinate nationwide installations through a network of certified installation partners. Our project management approach includes site surveys at all locations, creation of standardized specifications, phased production scheduling, and coordinated installation dates. We maintain consistency through documented standards and quality control inspections.

Each location receives site-specific drawings accounting for architectural variations while maintaining brand consistency. We manage logistics including secure storage, scheduled deliveries, and installation coordination with individual site managers. Progress reporting provides visibility of rollout status across all locations. For retail chains, we can schedule installations during closed hours to minimize business disruption. Bulk production for multi-site projects typically offers 15-25% cost savings compared to individual site orders.

Manufacturing warranties cover material defects and workmanship for 12 months from installation. This includes structural integrity of fabricated components, adhesion of applied graphics, and performance of electrical components in illuminated signs. LED modules carry manufacturer warranties of 3-5 years depending on specification. Printed graphics are warranted against premature fading for periods specified by material grade.

Warranty coverage excludes damage from vandalism, extreme weather events beyond design specifications, or lack of recommended maintenance. Installation work is guaranteed for 12 months covering fixing security and weatherproofing integrity. We respond to warranty claims within 48 hours with site assessment and remedial work scheduled within 5 working days. Extended warranty options are available for critical signage installations.

Many signs can be refurbished at 40-60% of replacement cost. Refurbishment options include replacing printed faces on lightboxes, updating vinyl graphics, repainting metal structures, retrofitting LED lighting into existing channel letters, and replacing damaged acrylic panels. We assess structural integrity and electrical safety before recommending refurbishment versus replacement.

Typical refurbishment projects involve removing old graphics, surface preparation, applying new vinyl or printing new faces, and replacing any deteriorated components. This approach works well for structurally sound signs requiring cosmetic updates or rebranding. Illuminated signs benefit from LED retrofitting, reducing energy consumption while extending sign lifespan. We provide comparative quotations for refurbishment versus new manufacture, allowing informed decisions based on condition and budget considerations.

Our installation team is trained and certified for working at height using mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), scaffolding, and rope access techniques. We coordinate access requirements during the survey phase, obtaining necessary permits from building management or local authorities. For high-rise installations, we arrange cherry picker hire or scaffolding erection as required.

Urban installations often require parking suspensions for equipment access, which we arrange through local council traffic management departments, typically requiring 10-15 working days notice. For shopping centres or multi-tenant buildings, we coordinate with property management regarding working hours, service lift access, and contractor induction requirements. All installation work is covered by £5 million public liability insurance and method statements are provided for health and safety compliance.

For accurate quotations, we need sign dimensions, preferred materials, whether illumination is required, installation location with photographs showing mounting surface, and any existing artwork or design concepts. Site photographs should show the full building facade, close-ups of mounting areas, and surrounding context. If replacing existing signage, measurements and photos of current signs are helpful.

Additional useful information includes planning consent status, building ownership (freehold or leasehold), access restrictions, preferred installation timeframes, and budget parameters. For illuminated signs, details about available electrical supply location assist with installation planning. We can work from rough sketches or detailed technical drawings depending on project stage. Site surveys can be arranged for complex projects requiring structural assessment or precise measurements before quotation.

About Nohoru

Since 2009, we've been creating outdoor advertising that gets noticed. From small shopfronts to large building facades, our work speaks for businesses across London and beyond.

Our Story

Nohoru started in a modest workshop in North London with three people, one large-format printer, and a clear goal: produce outdoor advertising that lasts. What began as a small operation serving local shops has grown into a studio handling projects for retail chains, restaurants, corporate offices, and public venues throughout the UK.

Our first major contract came in 2011 when a retail client needed 47 window displays across their London locations within two weeks. We delivered on time, and that project taught us the importance of reliable production schedules and consistent quality across multiple sites. Since then, we've completed over 3,200 installations.

Today, our 2,400 square metre facility houses six large-format printers (including two Roland TrueVIS VG3-640 units and one EFI VUTEk h5), a full carpentry workshop, and separate spaces for vinyl application and finishing work. Our team of 18 includes five certified installers with combined experience of 67 years in the signage industry.

Nohoru production facility with large-format printing equipment
Professional installation team working on outdoor signage project

Our Mission

We produce outdoor advertising that withstands British weather and serves its purpose for years. Every project receives the same attention whether it's a single banner or a multi-site rollout. Our clients return because we deliver what we promise, when we promise it.

Our Vision

To remain the go-to studio for businesses that need reliable outdoor advertising production. We invest in equipment that improves quality and reduces turnaround times. By 2025, we aim to cut our standard production time by 20% while maintaining our current quality standards.

Precision Manufacturing

Our colour calibration process ensures 98% accuracy to Pantone references. We use materials rated for 5-7 years outdoor use and test samples in our weathering chamber before production.

Documented Processes

Every project follows our 12-step quality checklist. Clients receive photos at key production stages and detailed installation reports with measurements and fixing methods used.

Realistic Timelines

We schedule based on actual production capacity, not optimistic estimates. Our average project completion rate is 96% on or before the agreed date, tracked monthly since 2016.