If you are a business owner, you will have to decide what your signs are going to look like. Your sign should draw people in and let them know you’re open. It is also going to set the tone for what customers should expect when they do business with you. Below are five tips that you can use to create a sign that will help your business succeed.
1. Keep Your Sign Simple
An effective sign will clearly and quickly display a short message. Viewers generally don’t take a lot of time to processing messages. People who are driving only will have seconds for deciphering what a sign says, so a 3-5 word message will be ideal. Take some time to determine your message on your sign and remember the environment when creating a sign. No matter the message you want to get across, make it concise and simple.
2. Have Lots of White Space
Ample white space goes along with keeping your sign simple. The blank area surrounding your text or image is important. It’s best to have 30-40%. Having ample blank space translates to better readability. A large variety of graphics and text will overwhelm the viewer and require more time to read. A simple message with plenty of white space is easier to process. If you have a complicated message to deliver, consider a press release or other method to get your message across rather than using a sign.
3. Choose a Font That’s Easy to Read
A fancy typeface may not make your design better if it is hard to read. When a typeface is unreadable, the sign is not going to accomplish its purpose. There is a balance between design and readability that must be determined carefully. Consider the distance from which your sign will be read to help determine the size and style of the font required. An experienced sign designer will make recommendations on letter size from various reading distances. When a sign is meant to be read from a distance, it is much easier to decipher large block letters. Straight, clear fonts are easy to read. Use a bit larger text or bold letters to provide emphasis. If your sign is being read from very close proximity, such as in a retail store, there is more flexibility in the style and size of your font.
4. Work with Color
Research has shown that dark blue, red or black text on a white or yellow background offer the most contrast and will be the most readable from a distance. Another great bonus is that yellow and white will beautifully contrast with many outside elements like the sky’s blue color and the green grass. This is going to help with making your sign stand out. While the colors of your brand may need to be used for your sign, be sure to use plenty of contrast between the letters and the background. Using a lot of signs close together? Keep your design and colors consistent so the atmosphere doesn’t look busy and scattered.
5. Carefully Use Images
When you are creating your sign, make sure that you are careful about using images. Any images you use in your sign should reflect the type of business you have. Potential customers who see your sign should easily understand what kind of business you have. The best way to do this is through using a well-designed logo.
When you are creating your sign, think about the other signs that you see and what draws you to those businesses. That will help you with giving you an idea of what your sign should emulate. You don’t want to make your sign exactly like them, of course, but you want to think about what makes them stand out. Then you can help your sign be just as great!
Questions about Business Signs?
Spectrum Signworks is proud to have created custom signs for some of the finest businesses in Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, and Marco Island. If you’re interested in working with our world-class designers on Signs for your business, give us a call at 239-908-0505!
