Outdoor business signs are an item that every business owner considers in their advertising strategy. However, very few business owners actually comprehend all of the numerous benefits available from custom outdoor business signs.
Before discussing the different types of outdoor business signs that can benefit your business, let’s first explain why you should add them.
HOW OUTDOOR BUSINESS SIGNS CAN BE USED
An outdoor business sign can be used for many different purposes. While it’s easy for most signs to blend into the background, they are actually serving many important functions throughout the day (and sometimes night).
Some of these functions include:
Advertising: Many signs that you see along the road and highway (such as billboards and signs above businesses) are meant to advertise a business, products, or services. A sign that promotes a product should be pretty versatile and adjustable when you have a different product to advertise.
Directions to your location: A location finder sign will mainly help drivers on the road find your location, i.e. “take highway 95 and turn right.”
Indoor directions: A direction finder sign is different from a location finder in that it will direct people to specific sections of a building (such as restrooms).
Setting the mood: An important function of an outdoor business sign is to help set a person’s mood before they enter your establishment. That way, everything goes smoothly for the best possible outcomes.
Additionally, if you do have signage, but it hasn’t been updated in a while or doesn’t represent your business anymore, then you’re also losing out. An old worn-out sign isn’t going to make people excited or inspire confidence in your business. But, if you utilize a modern and up-to-date sign, then you’ll draw people in much easier.
Sign Examples:
Channel letters offer a three dimensional, modern finish and make a real statement. They are fabricated from aluminum or acrylic and are illuminated from within with either neon or low-voltage LEDs.
These signs are commonly used on building exteriors. They offer high visibility as the letters are often twelve inches to several feet tall. Channel letters are generally more expensive than other signage options because they have to be handmade and need to be wired together.
They can sometimes be difficult to install on uneven surfaces. If that’s the case, a carrier will need to be made as a backer which the letters will be installed on before being hung on the wall.
Dimensional (or individual mounted) letters are the same as channel letters, but they are not illuminated from within. In fact, if you’re looking to light up your sign by night, you’ll need to consider an external lighting source. Dimensional letters are long-lasting and give a professional, polished, clean-cut appearance to commercial premises. Durable, yet more economical than channel letter signage, dimensional lettering can be made in varying depths and material such as metal, acrylic and PVC.
Cabinet signs, also known as box signs or wall signs—are mounted to the edifice of a building, usually above or near the main doorway. These signs are also internally illuminated by energy-efficient LED, fluorescent, or neon bulbs to give your store visibility regardless of the time of day.
Cabinet signs have two lighting options: one-sided, where only a single side of the sign illuminates, or double-side, where both sides of the sign light up. Many recognizable cabinet signs, such as those on restaurants, are one-sided, but if you choose to have your cabinet sign mounted to a pole or perpendicular to a wall, a double-sided sign will serve your business well.
Outdoor business plaques can be wall or door-mounted and are available in almost every material—including brass, acrylic, aluminum, slate, granite, bronze or steel. Stone carved signs can add a unique touch and allow for hand engraving using gilded or enamel lettering for an extra high-end finish. Engraved signage makes an excellent choice for businesses, stores, offices, institutions and hotels—it is hard wearing, durable and looks beautifully timeless.
Blade (or projecting) signs project out from the wall of a building. They can be mounted on a building facade, storefront pole or attached to a surface perpendicular to the normal flow of traffic. They help pedestrians find the entrance to a business from the pavement. They can be lit internally, externally, or not at all.
Awnings are typically canvas over a frame and are a classy look for any business. They can enhance elegance and shelter incoming customers into restaurants, cafes, and hotels. Illuminated awnings are lit from underneath by fluorescent lamps. The light shines through the awning fabric, illuminating whatever text or graphics are on it and providing night time readability. These awning signs can be an effective signage choice for fast-food chains and stores open 24/7.
We would like to tell you that the items above are the easiest things to make and design, and it’s not always that simple. Contact us today and let our experts help you get started on your next amazing work of art!
