3B E (2026.10.20) USDA Signage Guide

April 2014

Facility Signage Guide

Facility
Facility Signage

Guide
Facility
Signage
Signage

Guide

Guide

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.

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.

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.

Acceptable Signature Lockup Variations

Solid Black
Dark Blue
PMS 288
Dark Green
PMS 343
Three Color

One Color - Black

Color
Background

One Color - Black or White

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