Do tray signs dent or scratch?

Powder-coated aluminium is tough, but a folded tray can dent if struck by a ladder or vehicle, and deep scratches expose bare metal. Touch-up paint is available in the RAL colour, though repairs are rarely invisible. On low fascias near loading areas, a higher fixing position helps.

Is there a typical lead time for tray signs in Derry/Londonderry?

Yes, though it varies with the job. The lead time typically runs from the day you approve the proof, not from the first enquiry, and is typically a few weeks. Survey visits, artwork changes and any consent application sit before that point, so getting photos, sizes and logo files to us early typically shortens the overall timescale.

How deep is a tray sign?

Returns are usually 50–75 mm, enough to hide a fixing rail and give a visible edge. Deeper trays are possible where you want room for LED modules later or need to cover an uneven fascia, and we set the depth at survey based on what is behind.

What colour should the tray be?

Pick a colour that contrasts strongly with your lettering and suits the frontage. Charcoal, anthracite and black with white or metallic letters read clearly on most buildings, while light trays with dark letters suit darker brick. Matching the RAL colour of your window frames gives a coordinated look.

Will someone visit my premises in Derry/Londonderry before quoting?

If the job needs it, yes. For signs fixed to a building, anything illuminated or work at height, we arrange a survey to measure, check the wall and plan access. For window graphics, lettering and many vehicle jobs, clear photos with measurements are often enough, and we only visit if something needs a closer look.

Will the location in Derry/Londonderry affect the cost of tray signs?

Location is one factor among several, alongside size, material, access equipment and design time. Our guide range is £1,250–£3,450 per sign + VAT; any travel, parking or access costs for your site in Derry/Londonderry are included in the written quote we confirm after a survey or artwork check, so you can see them before you commit.

Tray signs in County Londonderry

Tray signs are fascia signs folded from aluminium sheet so the face turns back at the edges into returns, typically 50–75 mm deep, then powder coated and hung on concealed fixings.

Why choose tray signs in County Londonderry?

Where several Derry/Londonderry shops share a parade, a charcoal tray with white letters stands apart from the printed panels around it.
Professional practices in Derry/Londonderry, such as dentists, opticians and solicitors, may prefer a tray because a clean folded edge suggests care.
Clinics and salons in Derry/Londonderry wanting a calm, premium look can get it from raised acrylic letters on a matt tray, unlit.

Guide prices in County Londonderry

Budgeting for tray signs? The guide below runs from £1,250 to £3,450 per sign. VAT is extra. Size, materials and access decide where your job lands, and we confirm it in writing after surveying or checking the artwork.

Tray signs in County Londonderry: guide prices, supplied and fitted
Item	Guide, ex VAT	Inc. VAT (20%)
Tray sign up to 3 m, vinyl lettering	£1,250 – £2,100	£1,500 – £2,520
Tray sign 3–5 m, raised acrylic lettering	£1,850 – £3,450	£2,220 – £4,140
Push-through or routed letters (non-lit)	£350 – £950	£420 – £1,140

Length matters most, because longer trays need joints, more coating and more fixing rail. Then come the lettering method, letter count, special or metallic powder coats, access height and removal of the old sign. Every figure is confirmed after survey and an artwork check.

Do you need permission for a sign in County Londonderry?

Signs in Northern Ireland are covered by the 2015 Control of Advertisements Regulations (NI), not the English or Scottish versions. Whether an unlit sign needs an application depends on its size, where it sits on the building and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Where consent is needed, the council handles it, with applications made online via the NI Planning Portal. For listed buildings, listed building consent usually applies too, and fixings into mortar joints are generally preferred. We check what applies to your premises before anything is ordered, and we can prepare or submit the application for you.

Options worth considering

Tray with vinyl lettering

Cut-vinyl text on a powder-coated tray: the entry point.

Tray with raised acrylic letters

Solid acrylic letters fixed proud of the face for depth and shadow.

Tray with built-up letters

Fabricated metal letters on the tray face for a layered look.

Towns in County Londonderry

Your town not here? We still cover it. These are the main towns in County Londonderry with their own page for tray signs, each one setting out the same survey, proof and fitting steps.

Tell us where you are in County Londonderry and what you need. We quote for tray signs free of charge, and the design proof always comes before any making or fitting.