Signage design is one of the most important aspects of marketing your company or products. There are many different things you need to consider in order to get maximum effect from your signs while keeping your expenses manageable. Whether you are looking for a small sign to guide traffic or a huge banner using large format printing your final design represents you and your business.
10 Tips for Great Signage Design
- The Message – Even if all other aspects of your signage design are perfect if you do not have a compelling message that people respond to then you have failed. Your sign is intended to do something, and the message used should help readers take the desired action that you want. The message can be as simple as a directional arrow or a large signboard with prices or a list of product benefits.
- Readability – Many companies choose large format printing for signs because the larger size and format provides readability even from a distance. The point of having signage is to allow consumers to read what you have to offer, and if people have a hard time reading your signs then you are missing out on leads and potential customers.
One of your most important choices for signage design is the fonts used. Certain fonts just do not translate well for viewing signs. It is best to limit the number of fonts to two. More than that can be confusing. Fancy designer fonts might work well for business cards, but sign fonts need to be bold and easy to read.
Choose typefaces that were designed for the purpose you are using them for (display fonts for headlines, body copy typefaces for body copy, etc.).
Source: Douglas Bonneville for Smashing Magazine
- Graphics – When it comes to signage design, the right graphics are critical, and even a small mistake in this area can have a big effect on the finished appearance of your signs. A graphic designer can help you come up with the perfect graphics for your items, and help make sure that you do not have too few or too many components on the finished design.
Choose photos, tables and other graphic elements that enhance the meaning of the text.
Source: Colorado State University Extension
- Text Placement – Text placement is also important with signage design, whether you use large format printing or a smaller format instead. Where the text is placed is almost as important as the actual text being used. A professional designer can help if you are inexperienced or you want some expert guidance.
- Spacing – Great signage design will take spacing into consideration. Too many people view open space on a sign as something that needs to be filled, but allowing some spacing can add pop and appeal to your signs and attract even more people to your business. A sign without any blank space at all will usually seem crowded or busy, turning away potential clients.
Less can be more in certain cases, and adding too much can actually detract from the message that you are trying to convey.
From our article: Six Tips for Printing Signs that are Memorable. Click here to read the complete article.
- Color – Color choices are important with signage design. Scientific research has been performed on how certain colors cause certain responses in people, such as red seeming angry and blue being seen as sad. It is important to remember that a printer will have various shades of each color though, and these can be combined in a variety of ways for different effects.
- The Wow Factor – When it comes to signage design there is nothing more important than the Wow factor, and it is quickly obvious whether your sign has this factor or not. The Wow factor makes people stop and take a second look. If you are not sure how to add pizazz to your sign then talk to a professional sign designer for guidance.
- Contrast – Whether you use large format printing or not it is important to have contrast on your signs. This not only helps people read your sign quickly and easily but it also catches the eye and gets their attention in the first place. You can use contrasting colors, alternate images with blank spaces, or add contrast in other ways so that people know whom and where you are.
- Centering and Layout – One of the biggest mistakes with signage design is failing to perfectly center each element and the overall design and layout. This aspect can change the appearance of your sign and even cast doubt on your company reputation if there are visible imperfections in your signage. There are software programs available that can help you with signage layout.
- Shape – The shape of your sign does not have to be square, even if you are using large format printing. This is one way to make your items stand out from your competitors. Discuss your shape options with the printer that you are using and find out what your options are. You may be surprised at what is possible with the technology available today.
What else do you consider with signage design and why?
