How Much Does Business Signage Cost in New Zealand? (2025 Guide)
Why Signage Costs Vary So Much in New Zealand
Business signage in New Zealand isn’t a fixed-price product. Every job is custom, every site is different, and each material behaves differently outdoors. Two signs that look similar from the street can still vary by hundreds or thousands of dollars once you break down the fabrication steps, installation environment, and overall scope.
Below are the core factors that influence signage pricing across NZ.
Materials and Substrate Choice
The substrate (the base the sign is built on) is one of the biggest cost drivers.
Common options include:
-
ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) – durable, stable, cost-effective.
-
Acrylic – used for 3D letters and interior features.
-
Vinyl – various grades depending on longevity and flexibility.
-
Illuminated components – LEDs, opal acrylic, diffusers, aluminium trays.
Material upgrades—like thicker ACM, cast vinyl, or painted acrylic—improve durability but raise overall cost.
Size, Scale and Complexity
The physical footprint of the sign directly impacts cost.
Multi-panel façades, printed ACM sections, edge wrapping, or 3D elements add:
-
more fabrication
-
more trimming
-
more installation time
Larger projects also have more logistical handling and require precision alignment across surfaces.
Installation Environment
Where the sign is installed is just as important as what it’s made from.
-
Height — signs above standard ladder reach may require a scissor lift or cherry picker.
-
Surface type — weatherboards, concrete, stucco, glass, steel, and cladding all require different fixings.
-
Access restrictions — narrow walkways, high foot traffic, tight carparks, or obstacles slow the process.
-
Weather exposure — coastal areas and strong UV locations may require upgraded adhesives and materials.
Labour and Finishing Time
Labour often forms a larger portion of cost than people expect. Even simple signage requires:
-
cleaning and surface prep
-
measuring and levelling
-
trimming edges
-
safe panel handling
-
responsible disposal of packaging
Premium finishing—like wrapped ACM edges or layered acrylic—requires even more time.
Custom Design or Brand Requirements
Businesses with strict brand standards or premium finishes may require:
-
Pantone colour accuracy
-
gloss/matte combinations
-
custom router cutting
-
painted or layered acrylic
-
special lighting techniques
These enhance the final result but also add design and fabrication time.
What Businesses Typically Spend on Signage in New Zealand
Before diving into specific categories, it helps to understand the general spending patterns across NZ businesses. Signage pricing has a broad range because each project is custom, but most businesses still fall into a few predictable brackets.
Small businesses—cafés, retail stores, sole traders, trades, and new local brands—typically invest a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars when they’re setting up basic exterior or interior signage. This usually covers simple ACM panels, window graphics, a pavement sign, or basic vehicle lettering.
Growing businesses or those moving into new premises often step into the several-thousand-dollar range, especially when the project includes multiple surfaces, larger building façades, or a combination of interior and exterior elements. This level of investment tends to create the first cohesive, professional look across a site.
Full building rebrands, such as multi-panel façades, plinth signage, feature walls, reception signs, and vehicle graphics, generally sit in the mid to high thousands. A strong example is the MTF Kumeu rebrand, which combines ACM panels, 3D acrylic elements, window graphics, a custom lightbox, and interior branding. Larger branding packages like this reflect the higher labour requirements, installation access, and scale of materials needed.
Ultimately, signage isn’t a flat-rate purchase—it’s an investment that grows with the scope of your branding goals.
Exterior Signage Costs
Exterior signage is usually the most visible—and most cost-variable—category. Materials need to withstand UV, wind, and rain, and installs often involve heights, multi-panel joins, and access equipment. Below is a breakdown of the most common exterior signage types in New Zealand and the price ranges businesses typically fall into.
ACM Panel Signage
ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) is one of NZ’s most widely used substrates for building signage. It’s durable, lightweight, UV-stable, and suitable for both printed and cut-vinyl graphics.
Typical cost ranges:
-
Basic small ACM panels → mid hundreds
-
Multi-panel façades → low to mid thousands
-
Large, complex projects (e.g., MTF Kumeu) → $8k–$10k+
ACM is usually the most cost-effective way to cover a large exterior surface with a professional finish.
For a deeper breakdown of materials, pricing factors, and NZ weather performance, see our full ACM Signage Guide.
Project examples
3D Acrylic or Router-Cut Lettering
3D acrylic lettering adds depth and a premium architectural look. It’s ideal for exterior branding where visibility and quality need to shine.
Cost ranges:
-
Standard flat-cut acrylic → higher hundreds to low thousands
-
Layered or large-format 3D letters → mid thousands
These are popular for clean, modern branding on commercial buildings.
Project Examples
Illuminated Lightboxes
Lightboxes offer night-time visibility and strong impact. They are one of the more premium forms of signage, especially when built custom.
Typical ranges:
-
Small window-mounted lightboxes → low thousands
-
Custom fascia lightboxes → higher thousands
-
Multi-sided illuminated displays → premium tier
Fabrication includes aluminium trays, opal acrylic faces, LED modules, and electrical considerations.
Project Examples
Plinth / Stacker Signs
Plinth (or stacker) signs are freestanding structures commonly used by trades, property frontages, and multi-tenant buildings.
Cost ranges:
-
Basic one-sided plinth → mid hundreds
-
Double-sided or multi-board plinths → low to mid thousands
These offer strong roadside visibility and long-term brand presence.
Project Examples
Window Graphics for Shopfronts
Window signage is an affordable way to boost street visibility and is often paired with ACM panels for a complete shopfront package.
Typical costs:
-
Simple cut vinyl (hours, logos, small graphics) → low hundreds
-
Full window prints or multi-panel coverage → mid hundreds to low thousands
Ideal for retail, hospitality, and services wanting to maximise glass frontage.
Project Examples
Interior Signage Costs
Interior signage is generally more predictable than exterior work because it’s not exposed to weather and often involves smoother surfaces. Most interior projects sit in the mid-hundreds to low-thousands range depending on materials, size, and installation detail. Below are the most common interior signage types for NZ businesses.
Reception and Interior Wall Branding
Reception areas and feature walls create the first impression inside a business, so most companies choose a clean, professional finish.
Common formats include ACM panels, vinyl wall graphics, and printed feature walls.
Typical ranges:
-
Flat ACM reception signs → mid hundreds
-
Feature walls or full printed branding → low thousands
These solutions are popular for offices, clinics, gyms, real estate branches, and trades wanting a consistent look inside and out.
Example Projects
Frosting and Privacy Film
Frosting is widely used in office and commercial spaces for both privacy and aesthetics. It allows light through while reducing visibility—ideal for meeting rooms and workspaces.
Cost ranges:
-
Small office panels or individual doors → low hundreds
-
Full-office or multi-room fit-outs → mid hundreds to low thousands
(Costs increase when there are many panels, tall glass sections, or custom cut-outs.)
Frosting is one of the most cost-effective interior options because installation is relatively fast.
Examples Projects
3D Wall Logos
3D logos create a premium, architectural look inside any workspace. Acrylic is the most common material, but layered, painted, or mounted constructions can lift the result further.
Typical ranges:
-
Standard flat acrylic logos → higher hundreds
-
Multi-layered or custom-painted acrylic logos → low thousands
These are ideal for reception walls, branded meeting rooms, and interior feature points where you want depth and visual impact.
Examples Projects
Vehicle Signage Costs
Vehicle signage is one of the most effective ways to get daily visibility for your business. Pricing varies depending on how much coverage you choose, the type of vinyl film used, and the complexity of the vehicle’s shape. Below are the typical cost ranges for ute, van, and fleet branding in New Zealand.
Ute & Van Signage
Basic vehicle branding usually involves cut vinyl logos and simple graphics on doors, tailgates, or rear windows. It’s the most affordable and popular option, especially for trades and small businesses.
Typical ranges:
-
Basic cut vinyl packages → low to mid hundreds
-
Printed accents or partial panels (e.g., lower sides, tailgates) → mid hundreds
These options deliver clean brand visibility without needing a full wrap.
Partial Wraps
Partial wraps cover specific sections of the vehicle such as bonnets, lower side panels, canopies, or rear quarters. These use printed films and can dramatically improve presence without wrapping the entire vehicle.
Typical ranges:
-
Most partial wraps → low to mid thousands
-
Complex or multi-surface partial wraps → higher thousands
Costs reflect design complexity, film choice, and labour required to install panels around curves and recesses
Full Wraps
A full wrap transforms the entire vehicle using premium cast wrap film and laminate. This is the most impactful form of vehicle signage but also the most labour-intensive.
Typical ranges:
-
Standard ute/van full wrap → $4,500–$7,000
(Covers premium film, trimming, panel removal where required, and full installation.)
Full wraps last 5–7 years with proper maintenance and provide some of the highest branding value per dollar.
Promotional & Display Signage Costs
Promotional signage is ideal for events, footpath visibility, and temporary marketing. These products are generally more affordable than building or vehicle signage and have faster turnaround times. Most options fall within the low to mid hundreds depending on hardware quality and print materials.
Pull-Up Banners
Pull-up banners are lightweight, portable, and ideal for events, expos, foyers, and in-store promotions.
Typical ranges:
-
Basic pull-up banners → low hundreds
-
Premium event-grade units → higher hundreds
Premium banners use stronger bases, smoother mechanisms, and higher-end print materials suited for long-term or frequent use.
Sandwich Boards / A-Frames / Pavement Signs
Pavement signs vary in durability and cost depending on whether you choose a lightweight board or a heavy-duty aluminium A-frame.
Typical ranges:
-
Basic sandwich boards → $100–$150
(Lightweight, cost-effective, ideal for short-term promotions or sheltered areas.) -
Premium A-frames → $200–$300
(Double-sided aluminium frames with printed faces; best long-term option.)
These are common for cafés, retail storefronts, salons, and service businesses wanting consistent street-level visibility.
What Impacts the Final Project Cost?
Even when two signs look similar, the final price can vary significantly depending on how complex the installation is, what materials are used, and how the site needs to be prepared. These factors often matter just as much as the sign itself. Understanding them helps set realistic expectations and avoids surprises later in the project.
Site Preparation
Before installation begins, some surfaces need cleaning, sanding, sealing, or minor repairs. Weathered façades, flaky paint, or old adhesive residues can add time. In some cases—like the JP Auto project—surface preparation becomes a meaningful part of the job.
Access Requirements
If the sign is above ladder height or in a difficult position, the project may require:
-
a scissor lift
-
a cherry picker
-
traffic management for busy roadside installs
-
extra installers for safety
Access often has a bigger impact on cost than the sign material itself.
Repainting, Repair, or Removal of Existing Signage
Removing old ACM, repairing damaged surfaces, or repainting weatherboards extends the scope of the job. Businesses moving into older premises often need this done before new signage can be installed.
Material Upgrades
Upgrading materials can increase durability and appearance but will raise costs. This includes:
-
cast vs calendared vinyl
-
thicker, more rigid ACM
-
painted or layered acrylic
-
LED-optimised materials for lightboxes
These upgrades pay off in longevity and appearance.
Installation Time
Complex installations require more labour. Trimming vinyl around difficult edges, joining multiple ACM panels precisely, handling oversized substrates, or mounting 3D elements all add time.
Project Deadlines and After-Hours Work
Urgent turnarounds or after-hours installations may affect labour cost. Retail, hospitality, and medical sites often require evening installs to avoid disrupting customers.
How to Budget for Business Signage
Signage can feel hard to budget for because every project is custom, but most New Zealand businesses fit into predictable spending brackets once you know what type of signage you need. A good budget doesn’t just cover the sign itself—it allows for quality materials, safe installation, and long-term durability.
Starting Budgets for Small Businesses
For new or small businesses, a realistic starting point is $500–$2,000.
This typically covers:
-
a basic ACM shopfront panel
-
simple window graphics or frosting
-
a pavement sign
-
or ute/van door logos
This level of spend is usually enough to establish a professional presence without a large upfront investment.
Budgeting for Vehicle Signage
Vehicle branding has its own cost structure because film type, coverage, and installation time vary more than standard signage.
Typical budgets:
-
Basic vehicle branding (doors, tailgate, rear window) → $300–$700
-
Partial wraps (lower sides, bonnet, toolbox, rear quarters) → $1,200–$2,500
When budgeting, consider:
-
whether cast or calendared film is required
-
complex shapes, curves, and recesses
-
prep time (removing waxes, silicone, old graphics)
-
whether trims, mirrors, or handles need removing
A quality cast wrap typically lasts 5–7 years, making it one of the strongest long-term advertising investments.
Budgeting for Multi-Surface or Multi-Site Branding
Branding multiple surfaces—e.g., façade, windows, interior walls—usually sits in the $3,000–$8,000 range.
Common for:
-
relocations
-
new office fit-outs
-
rebrands
-
multi-site consistency
The cost reflects additional materials and more installation time.
When Premium Materials Are Worth It
Premium materials improve longevity, appearance, and durability:
-
ACM over corflute for exterior
-
cast vinyl over calendared
-
acrylic 3D logos over flat graphics
-
LED-grade acrylic for illuminated signage
While upfront cost is higher, premium materials reduce replacement frequency and maintain better visual quality.
Choosing ACM vs Acrylic
A practical rule:
-
ACM → best for exterior panels, façades, and value-focused installs
-
Acrylic → best for premium branding, 3D elements, and interior walls
Most businesses use both across different parts of their site.
If you’re unsure when ACM is the right choice, our ACM guide explains how it compares to acrylic, Paylite and other substrates in NZ weather.
Why Investing in Longevity Matters
Cheaper materials often fade, warp, or fail sooner—especially in NZ’s coastal and high-UV environments. Spending slightly more can reduce:
-
replacements
-
callouts
-
downtime
-
long-term cost
Longevity is generally the best metric for determining value.
Real Examples from Auckland Businesses
Looking at real projects helps clarify how signage budgets translate into finished work. Below are examples of Auckland businesses that required different combinations of exterior, interior, and vehicle signage, with notes on the scope involved.
MTF Kumeu — Full Site Rebrand
This project included a complete building transformation: printed ACM panels across the façade, a custom illuminated lightbox, 3D acrylic branding inside, window graphics, and supporting site signage. This type of multi-surface rebrand typically sits in the 8,000-15000 Range, depending on access and installation time.
Link to portfolio: MTF Kumeu
Fabric Digital — Multi-Panel ACM Façade
Fabric Digital required a clean, modern exterior using printed ACM panels across multiple sections of their front elevation. The job involved panel alignment, edge finishing, and elevated site access. These projects commonly fall into the mid to high thousands bracket.
Link to portfolio: Fabric Digital
JP Auto Center — Router-Cut Acrylic Letters
JP Auto opted for bold 3D acrylic lettering mounted onto their building for a premium, architectural look. This included router cutting, drilling templates, secure fixings, and alignment on a textured surface. Similar jobs sit in the $3000 - 6000 Range
Link to portfolio: JP Auto Center
Rata Builders — Full Wrap Trailer
This project involved a full printed cast wrap on a work trailer, including rivet work and large-panel alignment. Most trailer wraps of this scale fall in the mid-thousands depending on design complexity.
Link to portfolio: Rata Builders
We Roof Ltd — Plinth Signage
We Roof’s plinth (stacker) sign used printed ACM faces mounted to a freestanding structure. With framing, substrate preparation, and double-sided visibility, plinth projects typically fall into the mid hundreds to low thousands.
Link to portfolio: We Roof
Accent Construction — Full Wrap Ranger
The Accent Construction Ranger wrap featured printed cast film applied across sides, bonnet, and tailgate with clean alignment and recess handling. Full ute wraps typically fall in the $4,500–$7,000 range.
Link to portfolio: Accent Construction
When to Choose Premium vs Budget Signage
Signage doesn’t always need to be top-of-the-line, but there are times when premium materials or fabrication methods offer better long-term value. Knowing when to invest—and when a simpler solution is perfectly suitable—helps businesses make informed decisions without overspending.
When Budget Signage Is the Right Choice
Budget-friendly options are ideal when the priority is visibility without a large upfront cost. In many cases, a simple, well-designed sign is all a business needs.
Budget signage works well for:
-
New businesses testing a location or early-stage branding
-
Temporary premises or short-term leases
-
Simple identification signage (e.g., door panels, trading hours, basic ACM panels)
-
Low-exposure environments where UV and weather wear is limited
-
Interior applications, where durability demands are lower
Common examples include basic ACM panels, small window graphics, and sandwich boards.
When Premium Signage Is Worth the Investment
Premium signage becomes the smarter choice when long-term durability, brand reputation, or heavy exposure matter. While the upfront cost is higher, premium materials typically look better, last longer, and need less maintenance.
Premium choices are ideal when:
-
Street appeal is a priority, especially in competitive areas
-
Brand perception is important (professional services, medical, real estate, retail)
-
The sign faces strong UV or coastal conditions
-
Architectural finishes are desired (acrylic 3D logos, lightboxes, premium printed ACM)
-
Vehicle wraps need longevity, especially full wraps and deep-recess surfaces
Higher-quality materials reduce replacement frequency and keep your branding looking consistent for years.
How to Decide Between the Two
A practical rule:
-
If the sign is temporary, indoors, or low-risk → budget options are usually fine.
-
If the sign represents your brand long-term, faces weather, or needs visual impact → go premium.
Most NZ businesses ultimately use a combination—budget materials where appropriate and premium materials where presentation matters.
See a comparison between 2 common sign materials, one budget one premium in our ACM vs Acrylic Guide
Common Mistakes NZ Businesses Make When Pricing Signage
Many NZ businesses underestimate the factors that affect signage pricing, which can lead to unexpected costs or disappointing results. Understanding these common mistakes helps you budget accurately and choose signage that performs well over time.
Choosing the Wrong Material for the Environment
A frequent issue is selecting a material that isn’t suited to the installation location. Examples include:
-
using corflute outdoors long-term
-
choosing calendared vinyl for curved vehicle panels
-
using thin ACM in high-wind zones
-
using interior-grade acrylic outside
These choices can lead to premature fading, warping, or failure.
Under-Budgeting Installation Time
Installation isn’t just “putting up a sign.”
Time increases when:
-
access is restricted
-
panels are oversized
-
multiple installers are needed
-
walls need measuring, levelling, or prep work
Labour often makes up a significant portion of the project cost.
Choosing the Cheapest Vinyl
Low-grade or unbranded vinyl looks fine on day one but shrinks, cracks, or fades within 12–24 months, especially in high-UV regions.
Cheap material savings are short-lived and often lead to a full redo.
Not Considering Access Requirements
Jobs may require:
-
scissor lifts
-
cherry pickers
-
night installs
-
traffic management
-
additional installers for safety
These logistical requirements impact cost more than most businesses expect.
Ignoring Long-Term Longevity
Businesses often focus only on upfront price, not replacement frequency. Premium materials:
-
last longer
-
stay visually consistent
-
reduce callouts
-
perform better in NZ weather
Longevity is one of the best indicators of overall value.
Assuming All Signs Cost the Same
Two signs of the same size can vary significantly in price due to:
-
substrate type
-
print method
-
film grade
-
fabrication time
-
installation complexity
-
access equipment
-
finishing details
It’s the combination of these factors—not size alone—that determines final cost.
Get a Quote for Your Project
Every signage project is different, and the best way to get an accurate price is to talk through the materials, size, and installation requirements of your specific site or vehicle. Whether you need exterior signage, interior branding, or a full vehicle wrap, we can help you choose the right approach for your budget and your goals.