An eye-catching sign is one of the most effective ways to draw customers to your business. However, from monument signs to pylon signs to LED signs, there are endless options you can choose, and even once you’ve chosen a style, you still need to figure out what design will make your sign special. Everyone is vying for the attention of passersby, and it’s easy for your sign to blend in and go unnoticed. So, how do you make your sign stand out from the competition? Here are 5 ways savvy business owners can ensure that their signs will not be missed.
1. Contrast with your surroundings
The most eye-catching business signs contrast with their surroundings–that’s what makes them so impossible to ignore. Illumination is one of the easiest ways to grab attention, especially since it means your sign will still be very visible when the sun sets. High pylon signs that soar to the sky–especially those that light up–will make your business stand out if the rest of the landscape and the surrounding buildings are lower.
Sometimes, there are strict regulations regarding the styles and colors you can use in your business sign. This can be limiting and can push you toward a more subtle sign design that blends in with your surroundings. However, a skilled sign designer can always find a way to make you stand out, even within the restrictions of the zoning codes! Some of the most impressive signs incorporate elements of their surroundings yet feature an element of surprise.
2. Use bold, high contrast colors
Contrasting with your surroundings is one way to ensure your business sign grabs attention, and contrast is also important when choosing colors for your sign. The foreground and background of your sign cannot be similar in color. If you have a dark background, the text on your sign should be white or another bright color. This makes your sign easily readable. For maximum visibility for your business, the colors on your sign should also be bold. Consulting with a designer is a good way to find out whether your sign utilizes color effectively.
3. Make people think with a memorable message
With a memorable tagline or slogan, you give your viewers something they can’t help but take a moment to read. The best signs are those that really make people think. A clever and quirky message goes a long way, but it’s also important that you keep your message short and to the point. After all, people are simply not going to spend that much time reading your sign, especially if they’re driving in their cars. You have limited time to grab people’s attention, so you need to fit your message into a few short words that clearly represent your business.
4. Use unexpected custom shapes
Sure, most signs are simple rectangles or ovals…but why should they be? When you order a custom sign, you have the option of trying out an unconventional shape! One way to accomplish this is by having a sign made in the shape of your logo. However, you can take it a step further by applying a little more creativity. For instance, if you sell artisan burgers at your restaurant, why not try a sign shaped like a burger? If you have a mascot for your business, how about a sign shaped like that mascot? Once you break away from the traditional sign shapes, the possibilities are pretty much endless! In addition to custom shape, you can add dimension to your sign with 3D elements such as moldings.
5. Change your message frequently
Many of the same people will pass by your sign every day, and if they know what to expect, they may begin to ignore it–no matter how exciting and unique your sign is and no matter how creative and catchy your message is. By changing up your message often, passers by will never know what to expect–and that means they won’t be able to help but stop and see what your sign says today! A letter board is one way you can accomplish this–letter boards allow you to manually change the letters on your sign, whether to advertise a new promotion or to display a quirky message.
However, with an digital message center, you have even more options for messages as well as animated graphics. Digital message centers can be powered by cloud technology so you can update your sign from anywhere at any time. This is a more expensive solution than a simple letter board, but it’s extremely effective and versatile, and it makes it possible for your sign to grab attention even in the dark of night.
Your sign doesn’t need to feature all 5 of these elements–you can mix and match these tips based on what works for your business. No matter what, you do always want to be true to your branding–but your branding can always evolve. The best way to beat your competition is not being afraid to take risks with your sign design!
