This is new, I haven’t seen any of these boards around.  I can’t find anything about signboards on the ARB website,  so not sure if they do them.  I would have thought that if this was ‘a common thing’ I would have noticed something, personally I think this could just be a one-off thing.

When I first saw your post @ben0321 I thought that the ARB were producing these signs.  What I think has happened is that  these signboards are something you get made yourself by downloading and using the ARB logo .  This way you bypass the RIBA, especially if you don’t have membership.

Delving into this more, I checked out the prices of the RIBA signboards (they come in 2 sizes) and then I input the exact details into the first company I found on google that also does signage and I was shocked at the prices that I came up with.

https://www.architecture.com/riba-business/site-signboards

The price difference is staggering.

Posted by: @ben0321

I think that it's certainly not worth keeping both memberships. So the question is can I use the ARB signboards as a substitute?

Hello,

Considering all architects need to be registered at the ARB I don’t see why you could not use the ARB logo instead of the RIBA one. 

It looks relatively simple to do and if you look at supernova post for cost comparison RIBA realistically is going to cost a great deal of money.

Looking for cheaper alternatives available seems like a good deal to me, especially when chartered practice membership gets expensive.

Regards,

J.White

I think if you have RIBA membership you can use their logo to make your own signs.  It is about using the specifications of colour and size which are stated, and which they adhere to.

No one is under any obligation to use the RIBA service for sign boards but as the most convenient option all members use it.

I don't recall seeing any of the ARB signboards and I don’t know if this will take off on any large scale, but I think it's a good idea, if you can save yourself some money.

There is nowhere on the ARB website that says that you cannot use the logo for signboards. 

Not sure why it isn’t advertised, but this could be the ‘low profile’ that the arb have had as just being the registration board.  IMO once the cpd scheme takes off in 2024 I think that the services that are offered at the RIBA may be duplicated at the ARB.

Thanks supernova. You put up incredibly useful information. 

The price for signboards from a signage shop is a tiny amount, twenty pounds at most, and let us get it in perspective, it is absolutely tiny compared to the RIBA's enormous prices.

The minimum order RIBA price is fifty-two quid! Plus postage!

I didn't realise the difference in price and postage with added VAT!

Looks like RIBA is pushing these on Twitter now

https://twitter.com/RIBA/status/1708527330136613030

Hey @supernova, your breakdown of the cost analysis caught my eye, and it seems prices have taken a hike lately, maybe blaming it on the energy cost surge.

I stumbled upon a few alternatives, all a tad pricier per unit than your mentioned ones but still less compared to RIBA's rates.

• Board Printing Company - they've got some decent deals.
• Big Value Banners is another spot worth checking out.
• Trade Printer also has some wallet-friendly options.

For 10 x RIBA (1220x305mm) at £425.28, you're looking at a saving of £246.29 by opting for 10 x Trade Printer at £178.99.

And if you're eyeing the larger 10 x RIBA (2440x610mm) for £744.00, you can snag 10 x Trade Printer equivalents at £633.79, saving £110.21.

Just a heads up, I shot an email over to the ARB about using their logo for sign boards. Good news-confirmed you can, as long as you stick to their exact colours (akin to RIBA).

This could be an option for those on a budget and not keen on the RIBA membership obligation. 🤑