Investing in exterior signage is one of the best advertising decisions you can make for your business or establishment. There are many pros that come with adding exterior retail signage to your property, but as with all advertising, learning how to make your advertisement or signage stand out will help you massively! There are many areas that a business may unnecessarily step on their own toes when it comes to signage. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid these common yet hindering mistakes.
Here are the top eight mistakes many businesses make when designing their exterior retail signage:
Imbalanced Color Contrast
If you want your sign to be easily seen and read, make sure to create a strong contrast between the lettering and the background. Popular business signs often feature black lettering on a white background or vice versa for a good reason: the lettering is well defined and legible. Aim to avoid dark colors like black, brown and blue against light-colored backgrounds such as pink, gray and yellow. This will ensure that the font stands out and can be seen up close or from a distance.
Don’t Go Crazy For Fonts
Got an amazing idea for branding your business? Fantastic! Just make sure to exercise caution when it comes to your exterior signage. Choose a font style that suits your brand but does not go overboard. Choosing a more artistic or bespoke font may make it difficult for potential customers to read your signage. While you may get a few curious customers walking through the door, others may feel put off by being unable to identify your business.
In other words, you should stick to classic fonts, like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, rather than contemporary and trendy styles. At the same time, you do not want to look dated. Additionally, you should avoid using scripts or overly decorative fonts that can be tough to discern, particularly from a distance or from a moving vehicle.
Poor Readability
The size of your sign and lettering should be sufficient to be clearly readable from both the road and in the vicinity of the sign. Make sure to take care to ensure the size of the lettering isn’t so dominant that it encompasses the entire area of the sign, leaving adequate “white space” for balance. On the other hand, you do not want the font size to be too small either. When in doubt, speak to a professional signage company for their recommendations.
Avoid Complicated Logos
When creating a logo for your business, it’s important to ensure that it will be easily recognizable and appropriate for all types of media. This includes billboards and brochures to pens and mugs. Visualize how your logo might look in various sizes so you can see if it will need to be adapted for different exterior signage. With the right logo, you’ll ensure that your company’s message comes across clearly no matter what medium it’s being viewed on. Try to avoid overcomplicating your logo with multiple colors of intricate designs, sometimes simple is enough!
Security
When it comes to the security of your sign, graffiti and theft may be issues worth considering. Security may be a requirement in your area, especially if you plan on displaying your sign for an extended period of time. Using protective laminates can help make the task of cleaning off graffiti much easier. Additionally, making sure your sign is properly secured can help to prevent theft, as competing businesses, pranksters, and even admirers may be tempted to take the sign for themselves. Keeping your sign safe will ensure that it serves its purpose for as long as possible.
Incorrect Installation
In order to ensure your sign lasts throughout different weather conditions and other unforeseen issues, it must be properly installed. You can use a professional company to make sure that when you install your sign, it is done correctly. Depending on the material, size and destination of your sign, installation costs may vary. If your sign requires a complex support system, it is best to consult a professional to set it up correctly. Additionally, if your sign is to be attached to a storefront, be sure to check your lease agreement to avoid any penalties.
Choosing Inexpensive Materials
When selecting which material you would like to use for your signage, it is important to select durable materials that give you adequate return of investment. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense to go with slightly better materials during the fabrication of your sign, it will make a difference in the long run. For example, at Tupp Signs, we use resilient materials like vinyl and aluminum in our designs, as well as long-lasting LED for around-the-clock illumination.
Avoid Word and Image Clutter
Keep your message short and sweet so customers can quickly digest it. Avoid including excess information and aim for only the most important points. Having a condensed message, with larger lettering, can help make your sign more noticeable and attractive. Strive for a concise advertisement that’s easy to read and understand. Pack all the important information into minimal words and get rid of any unnecessary details. This will make your message more noticeable and memorable. Keep your sign short, so it can be read quickly, and use bigger lettering to add more visibility.
How Can Tupp Signs Help?
Now that you know the common mistakes business owners make when designing their exterior retail signage, you should be able to avoid these issues. The next step is finding a commercial signage company to help you design and install those signs! Tupp Signs specializes in the manufacturing of your customized sign using quality materials and well thought through designs that work. At Tupp Signs, we have a large amount of experience building various different types of pylon signs using quality materials.
At Tupps Signs, one of our experts can sit down with your business and help guide you to what sign may be best for your business. We are able to offer budget friendly designs that are catered to what your business needs, that will stay looking good for a long time.
If you are interested in creating a pylon sign for your business or want more information such as quotes or advice, please fill out the contact form!