Tips for Making Great Signage for your Store

In today’s fast-paced world, catching the attention of potential customers is half the battle. If you have a physical and public-facing retail space, one of the most effective ways to attract people inside is by having fantastic storefront signage. This can be a great method of raising brand awareness, increasing footfall to your store, and ultimately boosting sales. However, to get the most out of your signage, it’s not quite as simple as printing your company name on a board and putting it outside the shop. To help you out, here are some top tips for producing the best possible sign for your business.

Function is foremost

Firstly ask yourself what the point of your sign is. For example, is it a permanent sign displaying your store name or a temporary sign to advertise a particular promotion or other event? Another aspect to consider is exactly who you are trying to attract. Who is your target audience? One other factor that will have an impact is where the sign is going to be positioned specifically – for instance, is it a sandwich board on the sidewalk or a hanging sign above the door? How big is the sign? All of these things will have an impact on the design you use, so it’s a good idea to gather all this information in advance, ready to get creating.

Choose your font wisely

Not all fonts are created equal. Each one has its own character and a slightly different impact on readers. Therefore, some are better suited for signs than others. The most important factor is to choose a font that is legible. How easy your sign is to read will depend on where it’s located and how big it is, which in turn will affect issues such as the appropriate size for the font. Keep in mind that cursive fonts tend to be more difficult to read, especially from a distance or in a hurry. Spacing is also important, and don’t be tempted to overuse capital letters as this can come across as a sort of visual shouting.

If you’re thinking of having a sign that changes frequently, you can be more flexible with font and add some individualism by using your own handwriting. However, for more permanent signage, you might want to use letter stencils as a way to ensure readability and consistency. The other factor to bear in mind is the effect the font you choose has on the reader and the impression it gives of your company. For instance, if you have a traditional business, then you might want to choose a classic font to match that image or go for something more offbeat if you want to give off a quirkier impression.

Think about colors

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing colors for your signs. Firstly, it’s sensible to use high contrast colors to make the sign easier to read (think black and white rather than black and navy). Then you want to think about the associations people have with different colors and the emotions they evoke. That way, you can choose the ones that are most appropriate for your company and the message you want to send. For instance, red is exciting and lively – perfect for announcing a flash sale – whereas greens and blues are more natural and calming, making them well suited to eco brands.

By picking relevant colors, you can give people an idea of what your business is all about without even having to use any words. Another aspect of color use is linked with what your brand already has in place. If your logo uses certain colors, then you might want to stick with those or others that complement it, or if much of your advertising uses a certain color scheme, then it’s wise to match your signage to that.

Keep it simple

Generally speaking, people don’t stand around reading signs all day. That’s why keeping your signage simple and concise is a good idea. You want people to be able to get a good idea of what it’s about with just a quick glance. That means a low word count, an uncluttered design, and perhaps a striking image. You definitely don’t want to be writing an essay! This is especially true in a crowded area with lots of signs and stores competing for people’s attention as they pass by and with attention spans becoming shorter.

Keeping an eye on neighboring signs is a good idea in general, as it will help you to ensure that yours stands out. Try to aim for a different color scheme and font to theirs, or incorporate unique design elements such as light or movement. This is an effective way of increasing the likelihood that your sign will be the one people notice – speak to a professional sign-making company to get some ideas!

Inject some personality

Of course, none of this is to say that you can’t have some fun with your signage. In fact, quite the opposite. Most people like to get a sense of a company’s personality before shopping or dining with them, and your signage can be an effective way to do this. For instance, you could try adding some humor to your sign – especially if it’s a handwritten one that you frequently change, such as we often see outside bars and coffee shops. Other options include using a quirky decorative font or a cute mascot that people will remember. Alternatively, you could work on a design that exudes reliability, luxury, or athleticism.

The ideal balance is a style that showcases the type of company you are as well as the type of product or service you sell so that before people have even stepped inside they already have a good idea of what they can expect from you. Once you find something that works, you can use it on different types of advertising in order to build that brand awareness and image. Don’t be afraid to take your time and brainstorm creatively with this, as it’s important to get right. You never know when inspiration will strike!