An effective sign can mean the difference between someone walking right in or walking on by to check out your competition. If you’re trying to attract new customers or help previous customers find you again, the primary function of your exterior signage is making you stand out from your surroundings and your competitors. That means you need signage that’s guaranteed to get you noticed. Here are 4 sign types that simply can’t be missed.
1. Channel letters
Not everyone is familiar with the phrase “channel letters,” but there’s no doubt you’ve seen them everywhere. They’re individual letters that contain lighting elements inside—and the illumination is exactly what makes channel letter signs so noticeable. LED is the most energy-efficient and modern way to light channel letters, not to mention the brightest, but neon is also common.
Channel letters are frequently used to display the name of a store, restaurant, cafe, or other business. The most common location for channel letters is the front of your building, above the entrance. If you have a large building, you may want to have channel letters installed in multiple locations so your name is easily visible from multiple angles.
2. Sign cabinets
Like channel letters, sign cabinets are everywhere. They’re also known as cabinet signs and box signs. Their name accurately describes what they are; essentially, cabinets or boxes with lighting elements inside (LED being the best choice). Sign cabinets are often used on storefronts like channel letters, but they’re also commonly added to freestanding signs. Unlike individual letters, a uniform sign cabinet gives you more surface area to display complex graphics and text, and then you can make it all but impossible to miss by lighting it up with bright, clear LEDs.
3. LED message boards
Sometimes, getting noticed depends on putting out the right message at the right time. Letter board signs have long been used by businesses to advertise specific promotions. Today, there’s no reason to manually switch out letters when you need to change your message. An LED message board displays your graphics and text boldly, and how often the message changes is entirely up to you. Similar to sign cabinets, LED message boards are frequently an addition to a freestanding sign.
4. Pylon signs
We’ve now discussed three types of illuminated signs, all of which should be lit by LED technology for the best results. All can also be added to buildings, walls, or freestanding signs. So, what kind of freestanding sign is most likely to get you noticed? That would be the pylon sign! The most defining feature of a pylon sign is its height. Pylons, also known as pole signs, are the best choice if your business is situated on a busy road. A combination of sign cabinets and an LED message board on a pylon sign is a surefire way to get attention.
With the right sign design, it doesn’t matter what sign you have: you’ll get noticed.
Admittedly, we’ve talked a lot about illumination here, but having a lighted sign isn’t the only way to get your business noticed. Illumination isn’t permitted by the zoning codes in certain areas, but some businesses may voluntarily choose non-illuminated signs if that’s what fits with their brand. For example, many businesses have used colored or striped awnings to define their brands, and there are oh-so-many more ways to get your business noticed with attention-grabbing signage. Making your sign light up is the easiest, but talented sign designers know how to make any sign distinctive regardless of the type.
