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.

Who carries out the work on tray signs in Watford?

The work on site is done by installers working under our contract, and anything that needs making is produced by specialist fabricators. You deal with Smart Signs throughout: we take the enquiry, survey, prepare the design and quote, check consent and coordinate the fitting, so there is one point of contact from first message to handover.

Will the location in Watford 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 Watford are included in the written quote we confirm after a survey or artwork check, so you can see them before you commit.

Can I change the lettering later?

That depends on the lettering method. Vinyl can be removed and replaced on site. Raised acrylic letters can be unscrewed and swapped, leaving holes to fill. Routed letters are cut into the face, so a change normally means a new tray face, which is worth knowing before you choose.

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.

What can delay tray signs in Watford?

The usual causes are artwork changes after the proof stage, waiting for consent, access arrangements such as a council licence for scaffolding on the pavement, and weather for outdoor fitting. Jobs typically run smoothly once the proof is approved and any consent is in place, but we do not promise dates that depend on things outside our control.

Tray signs in Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire?

Businesses moving into a refurbished Watford building can use a wrap-around tray to hide an uneven old fascia without stripping it out.
If your Watford premises might open into the evening one day, a light-ready tray avoids paying for a second sign later.
Professional practices in Watford, such as dentists, opticians and solicitors, may prefer a tray because a clean folded edge suggests care.

Guide prices in Hertfordshire

Guide prices start from £1,250 and go up to £3,450 per sign, exclusive of VAT. The breakdown below shows where different sizes and options sit. Nothing is final until we have measured up or checked your artwork and sent a written quote.

Tray signs in Hertfordshire: 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 Hertfordshire?

In England, a non-illuminated sign on your own business premises usually falls under deemed consent, which means no application is needed provided the sign stays within set limits. The lettering and symbols should be no more than 0.75 m tall (0.3 m in an area of special control), and the top of the sign should sit no higher than the bottom of any first-floor window. Conservation areas and listed buildings need more care: a sign on a listed building usually also needs listed building consent. We check the position for your premises before you commit, and we can prepare the drawings and photos for an application or submit it for you.

Options worth considering

Light-ready tray

Deep enough for LED modules, with cable entry agreed, fitted unlit for now.

Tray with built-up letters

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

Routed tray with push-through letters

Letters cut through the face with acrylic pushed through, ready to light.

Towns in Hertfordshire

Find your town in the list to open its page for tray signs. If it is not listed, ask anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, not limited to these places in Hertfordshire.

Start your tray signs enquiry for Hertfordshire now: images and rough measurements help us price accurately. Quotes cost nothing, and you see and approve the design before production starts.