You’ve Got Mail! 5 Reasons Not To Neglect Your Modern Mailbox Signage

In many cases, the mailbox along with the garden fence and the driveway are the first things that greet passers-by. These simple, often overlooked elements form the initial impression that people make when they view your house for the first time. Whether you have a modern mailbox or you have chosen the rural mailbox aesthetic for your property, one thing is for certain; it is a great representation of your personal style.

Modern-mailbox: Red British traditional letterbox outside a stone cottage

Find a Modern Mailbox That Matches Your Style

While snail mail may appear to be dying out, traditional mail is still in use be it only for credit card bills or Xmas cards. This means that every home is still required to own a mailbox. There are many varieties of mailboxes to choose from such as the wall-mount mailboxes as well as ones mounted on a metal mailbox post. However, a universal factor to consider when upgrading is the style of your mailbox. Do you go for a standard style mailbox, an ultra modern mailbox, or one that is inspired by a historic design. The answer lies in your personal style. Find inspiration in interior design magazines and head over to Pinterest to decipher what look it is that you are looking to create and which will be the best mailbox for your home.

The Importance of a Personalized Mailbox

As mailboxes are such a visible element to the facade of the property, it creates the perfect canvas on which to show your house number or address. Not only does this allow for your home to be found quicker, it also sets the tone for what visitors will meet when they enter your house. Mailbox signs offer a convenient and elegant way to display any message to passers-by. A quick image search for ‘mailbox signs’ brings up endless photos of metal house number signs, showing carefully crafted typefaces adorning the smooth surfaces of the signs.

Some of our favorite things to display on a modern mailbox sign include:

- A classic, timeless house number

- A mind the dog warning message

- Your family’s surname

- Your house number and street name

- A heartwarming welcome sign

- Your business name

- A ‘Home Sweet Home’ sign

- A ‘No Publicity’ or ‘No Junk Mail’ sign

Modern mailbox: Close up of a black metal mailbox fixed to a red brick wall

Let’s Talk About Mailbox Numbers!

In some US states, it is required by law to place your house number both on your property and on your mailbox. There are even regulations in place in some locations as to how house numbers need to be designed and placed. While house numbers on decorative mailboxes boost curb appeal, they also serve a vital purpose to help emergency services, utility services and mailmen find your property. Because of this, it is essential that the numbers are highly visible and easy to read. This means placing a sign on both sides of your modern mailbox, making sure the numbers are not any smaller than 3 inches tall, and that the numbers are in a contrasting color to the background. This would in most cases translate into a sign with a height of no less than 4 inches.

Modern mailbox: Black american style mailbox with white enamel sign

Other things to consider:

- Check your area’s guidelines for signage

- Choose a durable material that is weather resistant such as porcelain enamel

- Make sure that the number height is at least 3 inches high

- Use a clear, easy to read typeface

- Place the sign on both sides of the mailbox or on a plaque above to improve visibility

- Fix the sign to your mailbox using double sided adhesive tape (like 3M Very High Bonding tape or similar)

- If needed, illuminate the sign for increased visibility in the dark

Creating Signage with Mailbox Letters

Placing a house number on your mailbox may not properly transmit your personality and style. If you want to customize your house mailbox, a welcoming, well thought out text could offer bystanders an attention-grabbing message to put a smile on their faces. The trick when including typeography on a sign is to keep it short and clear. Things like a house name, your address or your family name are ideal options for modern mailbox signs. Because a mailbox only offers a limited space on which to place the sign, it is common for people to use mailbox number stickers and other quick options for their signage. While this may work for some, it is only a temporary option that will weather and tarnish quickly. RAMSIGN celebrates warm welcoming homes that are inspired by the elegance of Danish design.That is why each one of our signs is produced using hand stenciled porcelain enamel which guarantees a “like new” appearance for an entire lifetime.

Unique mailbox: Choose enamel signs to add to your mailbox

Mailbox Address Plaque Inspiration

Thankfully there are many unique mailboxes to choose from, and adorning it with a matching address plaque elevates your home’s curb appeal by adding a sleek finishing touch to your property’s exterior. Address plaques are designed to contain multiple lines of text in addition to featuring a standout house number. Of course, the best way to achieve an eye catching design is to choose a large sign and include a contrasting background to the text. This ensures that your design can be appreciated from a distance. If your property is a classic home featuring traditional motifs, it is worth considering a serif typeface for your signage to complement the style of your home. Alternatively, if your home is a contemporary build with a modern mailbox then a sans serif typeface accompanied by an icon is the perfect accent to the sleek, clean lines of your property. Sans serif is a letterform where the letters do not have decorative serifs, also commonly referred to as “feet” or “tails”.

Alternative Mailbox Plaques for the Design Conscious Home

While contemporary mailboxes are a great place to show your home’s key information, they are also a great canvas to display your killer sense of humor or creativity. The sky really is the limit when it comes to designing a sign and any personal message in any language goes. At RAMSIGN, we have been specializing in custom designed signs for the last 30 years and we have seen some wild and wacky designs along the way. Nick Brandt, RAMSIGNs founder, recalls: “Some designs brought a tear to our eyes, others caused us to smile from ear to ear, and some even made us burst with laughter!” It is this emotional connection that turns a beautiful design into a memorable, heartfelt conversation starter.

When Designing Signs for Cool Mailboxes Remember This:

- The 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) - Understanding the purpose of your sign will give your design a real edge.

- Color - Make your modern mailbox sign as vibrant and full of zest as possible

- Less is More - With such limited space, select each word carefully to avoid overcrowding the design with text

- Add Value - Not just to your property but, to the life of the spectator. Make a warm welcome, warn the unwanted, evoke emotions, or simply provide helpful information.

Custom mailboxes: Wooden red mailbox with brown tabby cat sat on top

Creative Designs for Office Mailboxes

Custom mailboxes don’t need to be strictly reserved for homeowners only. Businesses big and small all receive essential mail that needs to arrive at its destination on time in a safe and secure way. Without having an easy way to identify the business, deliveries and customers will not be able to reach the premises resulting in costly delays or lost sales. It is fundamental that a company mailbox can be identified at first glance. Signage is not a one-size-fits-all product and with hundreds of materials available, choosing the best option for your brand goes deeper than practicality.

Designing your home mailbox

First, consider how different materials like enamel, acrylic, wood or slate work for your brand. How well does each material support your company’s image, heritage and values? Make sure to choose a material which is “on brand” so you send a clear and consistent message to the world. Second, consider the longevity of the material. If the material is not 100% weather and scratch proof the sign will soon start to look tired, and that is hardly the image you desire. Are you going to maintain and replace the sign every few years? Probably not, so longevity is an important and often undervalued factor to take into consideration. Be proud of your brand image and display it clearly for all to see on your modern mailbox. And, don’t forget, you can have your sign customized to include your company logo.

Stainless steel mailbox: Green mailbox shaped to look like a country cottage

RAMSIGN Porcelain Enamel Mailbox Signs

In 1991, the Danish design company RAMSIGN was founded by Nick Brandt. The idea was to create traditional enamel signs using the original design elements and production methods of the 1800’s. Today RAMSIGN offers personalized porcelain enamel signage for your home allowing everyone the opportunity to celebrate Danish design and keep the old craft alive. Discover RAMSIGN’s exclusive Scandinavian designs or dive into the endless world of ‘design your own’ signs where you can use their sign-builder to playfully create the Scandinavian-styled sign of your dreams.

HOW TO FASTEN A SIGN TO MY MAILBOX?

Mailbox Screws

Use screws for mounting if your wall mounted post box is made from wood. Choose the short variety of screw and ensure that they are not fastened too tightly so as not to damage the sign. Over time the screws will develop a gentle patina making it seem as though the sign was always part of the wall post box. For outdoors, use brass or stainless steel screws.