Are you seeing signs that your business needs new signs? With many people beginning to stroll the streets and window shop again, having an eye-catching sign is more important than ever. Great signs are one of the most cost-effective advertising methods for your business, but a bad sign can lose potential customers. Whether you’re making signs for a brand-new business or giving your old signs a makeover, consider these four tips for designing an eye-catching sign.
Consider the Logistics
Before you get started on a design concept, it’s important to assess what your business needs in a sign. Will your signs be located on the street, a billboard or some other location? Are there any local ordinances regarding the height, size and placement of signs with which you will need to comply? Taking the time to answer these questions at the beginning of the process can prevent costly mistakes later.
Go Bold
Intricate designs and delicate fonts may look nice up close, but they are impossible to decipher from the street. Keep graphics crisp, simple, and bold, and choose large, easy-to-read fonts. High contrast and bold colors also help attract attention. Remember, signs that are located higher or farther away from traffic need to have larger fonts than those that are displayed on storefronts or sidewalks.
Decide How to Mount Your Signs
Knowing how your signs will be mounted is a crucial step before sending them off to the printer. Make sure that the sign’s final design accommodates mounting hardware like posts, wires or hangers. Have you already printed signs with no wraparound space? Don’t throw them out just yet. You can purchase plastic sign holders from companies like Plastic Displays and Fixtures Co. Inc to fit your existing signs.
Use the Right File Types
When choosing or creating artwork for your signs, remember that file sizes need to be large enough for printing and the right type for your chosen printer. Logos, text, and drawings should be vector files, while printers typically want high-resolution files for photos. Ask your printer for exact specifications before sending files to prevent wasting money on signs that don’t turn out the way you expected.
If you hit a roadblock with designing your own signs, consider hiring a graphic designer to take on the task. Investing in professional designs is a sure way to get eye-catching signs. Is your budget too low for a pro? Save money by hiring a student designer from a local college or university.
