Custom Business Signs | Helpful Design Tips

There’s a number of reasons your business might consider creating custom business signs and banners. Perhaps you need some advertising signage to get your name out there and attract new clients. Or maybe you just want to put up a banner to let the public know about a great sale you have going on.  

Custom business signs can be a great method for growing and branding your business but this only works if your custom signs are able to effectively deliver your information to the public.  Obviously the most important thing to consider with custom made signs is visibility. After all, they won’t do you any good if nobody can read them. Here’s a few things to consider if you’re in the market for some new custom signage.
 

Legibility

The most significant factor differentiating a good sign from a bad sign has to be the legibility.  It might seem like a good idea to get creative and use some unique fonts but it can really hinder your sign’s readability.  

It’s usually best to stick with just one font and keep it something standard that people are familiar with.  Additionally, it might seem counterintuitive but you should avoid using all capital letters. Studies have shown that it’s actually easier to read with both upper and lowercase letters present.

Font Size

Text size also plays a huge role in legibility.  When you’re putting up a sign you should have a pretty good idea of where you want it to be seen from.  Generally speaking, for your custom signage to be readable you should make the height of the text 1 inch for every 10 feet away from its target viewing location.

Negative Space

If you’re using outdoor signage or a banner to advertise a new sale or product it’s important to keep it simple.  Many business owners get into trouble when making custom business signs because they try to cram too much information on the sign just so they can use up all the space.  

However, what may seem like wasted space isn’t really wasted space.  Having a good amount of empty space will actually keep your signage uncluttered and much more readable.

Graphics

A good way to fill up your available space without making your sign too cluttered is by using graphics.  Adding pictures or logos can be a great method for catching someone’s eye and can make a sign more interesting as well.  

The quick visual representation makes it especially useful for getting the attention of drivers who are looking around while waiting in traffic. Interesting graphic signage can spark intrigue and lure the viewer into having to find out what the sign and your business are all about.

Color scheme

The last thing you need to keep in mind with custom made signs is finding a successful color scheme. When it comes to choosing color combinations for outdoor business signs, contrast is key.  The more contrast between the background and text the more readable your sign will be. Always be sure to choose light colored text with a darker background and vice versa.

If you think it’s time for your business to start using advertising signage, you should see how VSP Graphic Group can help.  Although some people might think of us only as 3m certified car wrap installers, we actually work extensively with all forms of graphics and signage; including custom business signs.  Give us a call today if you know you what you need or if you’d like our experienced design team to help you develop great looking custom business signs.