3B.E(2026.10.20)USDA Signage Guide-2KS0137.pdf

Facility Signage Guide April 2014

FacilitySignageGuideFacilitySignageGuide

FacilitySignageGuideLessor _______ & Government________

USDA Facility Signage

Facility signs play a major role in projecting a clear, strong impression of USDA. This facility signage guide serves as a manual for the development and implementation of a comprehensive signage and wayfinding system for both exterior and interior signage. The purpose of this guide is to establish the image of USDA, creating a sense of space that welcomes visitors and staff; defining USDA as a destination, and informing, orientating, and directing visitors to and through all USDA facilities.

All USDA interior facility signage designating a permanent room or space must be ADA compliant. For the latest ADA signage standards and guidelines, contact www.ADA.gov

USDA facilities within the Washington, DC, metropolitan area must comply with special DC/Metro signage requirements. Contact the Office of Operations (OAO) for the latest version.

The objective of this guide is not to replace current signs but, rather, to ensure that when the signs need to be replaced with new signs, they comply with these new guidelines.

Lessor _______ & Government________

Dark Blue

PMS 288

Color Background

Dark Green

PMS 343

Color The signature lockup shall be reproduced in either one or three colors. The official colors for the USDA symbol are dark blue (PMS

288) and dark green (PMS 343), and the Department name is black. When reproduced in one color, the signature lockup shall be black or the most dominant color available. When the signature lockup is placed on a color background, it can be reproduced in one color, either black or white.

Three Color

One Color - Black

One Color - Black or White

Solid Black

Facility Signage

Signature Lockups Signature lockups must be used on all Department facility signage.

Signature lockups combine the USDA Symbol and the Department name. Do not use the USDA Symbol without the Department name. Only use signature lockups supplied by USDA’s Office of Communications. Any substitution of fonts on signature lockups is unacceptable. Do not attempt to create signature lockups in any manner.

Acceptable Signature Lockup Variations

Signature Lockups

Clearance Space, Proportions, and Placement Signature lockups must be used on all Department facility signage. Signature lockups are comprised of the USDA Symbol and the Department name. To ensure maximum visibility, the signature lockup should be placed at the top of any signage above the Agency’s name. Only use signature lockups supplied by USDA’s Office of Communications. Any substitution of typefonts on signature lockups is unacceptable. Do not attempt to create signature lockups in any manner.

Clearance space shall be used on all signage to provide a clean, consistent background area and position for the signature lockup. All acceptable versions of the signature lockups can be used. No images, gradations, or other graphics can appear within the clearance space. All other types of visual elements, images, and typography can fall below the clearance space. Helvetica and Arial are the preferred typefonts.

Agency Name

USDA Symbol - 14% or more of signage height.

Minimum .75”

S Ig na ge

H ei gh t

Minimum clearance space -equal to the width of the USDA Symbol’s letter “A”.

Agency Name Agency Name

Minimum Clearance Space

Free-Standing Signage Monumental Signage Building-Mounted Signage

Agency Name

Agency Name Here

Free-Standing Signage - REQUIRED

Signature lockup must be positioned above all other names.

Name Here

Agency Name Here

Site address as required

Building-Mounted Signage - REQUIRED

Use street address or site number as required by the office complex or landlord. Signature lockup must be positioned above all other names.

Name Agency

Name

Directional Signage - REQUIRED (if needed)

Directional arrows can be placed where appropriate outside the signature lockup clearance space.

Tenant Name

Agency Name Tenant Name

Office Room Signage - REQUIRED

USDA Facility

All USDA interior facility signage designating a permanent room or space must be ADA compliant. For the latest ADA signage standards and guidelines contact www.ADA.gov. Signature lockup must be positioned above all other names.

Division Name Tenant Name Tenant Name Tenant Name

Office Room Signage - REQUIRED

Non-USDA Facility

Signature lockup is not required.

Service Center Farm Service Agency 201

Conservation Service Culpeper Soil and Water 207 Conservation District

Building Directory - REQUIRED (if needed)

USDA Facility

Signature lockup must be positioned above all other names.

XYZ Office Building

XYZ Office Building

United States Department of Agriculture 202

United States Department of Agriculture 202 Agency Name Here

Department name only

Department name with Agency name on second line

Building Directory - REQUIRED (if needed)

Non-USDA Facility

The Department name must be fully spelled out and positioned above the Agency name.