Choosing the right material for your business sign is vital if you want to make sure your business signs are long-lasting. Here is the best way to choose which material is right for your signs.
Where Your Sign Is Placed
There are hundreds of different types of business signs that can be beneficial to you. Choosing the right material for those business signs does depend on where you would like your sign to be placed. Placement of signage falls into two large categories which are either outdoors or indoors. Depending on the sign’s placement, certain materials will be suitable for it and others will not. If you are placing your sign outside, weather conditions will be harsher and your sign will need to be made out of robust material to withstand damage and the climate.
The Different Types Of Signs
Here is a list of the most common types of signs and what material may be suitable for them:
1. Window Signs
Window signs and graphics are ideal for indoor use. When using glass as a material for your sign or graphic, it is wise that the placement is inside. If you have a sign that is placed on glass that has been applied to the outside side of the glass, it can easily wear and get scratched compared to a more durable option like a cabinet sign. Window graphics work well for shops and are very useful when displaying important information like opening times.
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Elegant appearance
Cons:
- Fragile to breakage
2. Wall Signs
If you are looking for ways to creatively display signs inside your business, then why not use the walls? Wall murals and signs are becoming more popular seeing as the only material they will require is paint. A wall sign can be done as large or as small as you want, as long as you have the wall space. Wall murals are better suited to indoor use if you would like to use normal paint. You can use wall signs on your outdoor walls as the concrete will be durable, although you will need to make sure that the spray paint that is used for your sign is waterproof and designed for outdoor use. Waterproof paint will be more long-lasting if your outdoor wall is exposed to different weather conditions. If you are wanting to have a wall sign outdoors, we would recommend using a wall that is slightly covered from rain or the least exposed to the sun otherwise you may find that you will need to have your paint topped up and tidied every year or so.
Pros:
- Durable
- More budget friendly
- Larger space available
Cons:
- Exposed to weather conditions
- Will require maintenance
3. Printed Banners
Banners are ideal for outdoor use and can be made to be completely customizable. Banners are often made from a plastic that is waterproof and therefore very durable for outdoor use. You can order a banner to either be a grommet-hanging banner which is ideal for fences or sides of buildings, a pole-mounted banner which is easily placed wherever you would like, or retractable banners which are perfect for entrances and exits as they are portable and sleek.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Customizable
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Common in design
4. Backlit signage
For any business that needs their signs to be visible during the night, backlit signage is a must. Backlit signs are made from plastic and LED lighting which is installed inside the sign and around the edge of the sign. Using backlit signage can make your sign easily seen not only at night time but in darker weathers such as rain or fog.
Pros
- Effective and easy-to see
- Can be used inside and outside
Cons:
- Produced in small-sized signs
5. Flags
Flags are ideal to use as signage for your business but for outdoor use only. A flag will be more effective when placed either at the entrance of your business or up high so that potential customers can see it from afar. Flags are made from material that is waterproof and durable. When you order your flag sign, the flag will be made from vinyl mesh fabric bases and UV ray-resistant inks. When weather conditions are bad, the flag material will wear and become not so effective as a sign.
Pros:
- Durable in most weather conditions
Cons:
- For outdoor use only
Cleaning Your Sign
When choosing which material is right for your sign, it is important that you ask yourself how much time your business can allocate to cleaning the sign and upkeep the general maintenance of it. Signage will present a better impression of your business if it is cared for and shows no signs of wear in appearance. If you want a sign that is difficult for you to regularly reach and clean, you may need to consider that later down the line you will have to hire a professional team to clean your sign. If your sign is made from wood, wood can be a high-maintenance material that will require you to apply products to keep the wood waterproof. Some materials have difficult surface textures which will make cleaning them harder, such as flags. If you are wanting your signs maintenance to be low, we would recommend that you choose a material that is smooth in texture, wipeable, and easy to reach.
Weather Conditions
If you live in a region where the weather conditions hit extremes, such as heat or snow then you may want to choose your sign material based on the climate. Living in any kind of extreme weather will have an effect on your signage as it will wear the sign quicker, depending on the material. It is important that no matter what the weather, your sign should say visible and clean looking. Therefore, choosing a material that is suited to your climate can save you repair costs and cleaning costs later down the line. If you are prone to heavy rainfall, it is important to always choose a material that is waterproof like plastic. If you live in a climate that is hot, choose a material that is UV resistant like flags.