Building signage is one of the first impressions people have of your business. It’s a powerful branding tool that can attract attention, communicate your brand’s purpose, and leave a lasting impact on potential customers. But deciding what to put on your business signage can be challenging. Below are key tips to make sure your signage is effective, engaging, and serves your business well.
1. Keep It Simple
When it comes to signage, simplicity is key. Avoid overloading the sign with too much information. Stick to the essentials, such as:
- Business Name: This should be clear, visible, and ideally reflect your brand’s colours and fonts.
- Logo: A recognisable logo can make your business memorable, so make sure it’s prominently displayed.
- Key Message of Tagline (Optional): If you have a brief slogan or value proposition that defines your business, add it – but keep it short!
Pro Tip: Simple and clear designs are more memorable and easier to read; even from a distance!
2. Consider the Viewing Distance and Location
Think about where your signage will be positioned and how far away people will be when they view it. This impacts design choices significantly:
- Size and Scale: Ensure that the text and logo are large enough to be read from the furtherest point your audience might view it.
- Lighting and Visibility: If your sign will be viewed at night, consider backlighting or illumination options.
- Angle and Height: Signs placed too high or low can be easily missed. Consider eye-level or the primary viewing angle of passersby.
3. Focus on Readability and Font Choice
Choose fonts that are easy to read at a glance. Avoid overly decorative fonts, as they can make your signage hard to read.
- Bold, Clear Fonts: Sans-serif fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or other clean and modern options work well for visibility.
- Colour Contrast: High contrast between text and background colours ensures readability in various lighting conditions.
4. Use Colour Wisely
The colors you use in your signage play a big role in how viewers perceive your brand. Stick to your brand’s color palette to build brand consistency and recognition.
- Use High-Contrast Colours: Make sure the text stands out against the background. Light text on a dark background (or vice versa) works best.
- Brand Consistency: Consistent use of your brand colours reinforces your identity and makes your business easy to recognise.
5. Add Contact Details (When Appropriate)
If your signage will be viewed up close (like on a front door), you may want to include contact details such as a phone number, website, or social media handles. However, if the sign is primarily for distant viewing, skip these details as they can clutter the design.
6. Test Before You Commit
Before finalising your sign, test the design:
- Distance Check: Look at the design from various distances and ensure all elements are readable.
- Lighting Conditions: Check how the sign looks in different lighting conditions, including bright sunlight, shadows, and at night if it will be viewed after dark.
Building signage is a powerful marketing tool that speaks volumes about your business. By keeping it simple, considering the viewing situation, and focusing on readability, your signage can become an asset that attracts and retains customers. Need help designing impactful signage? At JR Marketing Group, we specialise in creating signage that reflects your brand and resonates with your audience. Contact us today for expert guidance on all things signs and print!