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Whether you’re a small business looking to grow or a large company seeking more exposure, there are many signs you can use to advertise your business. From traditional carved and sandblasted wooden signs to modern illuminated ones, you have plenty of options. However, choosing the right one can be challenging. That’s why we’re here. This month’s blog is your official guide to navigating the world of business signage. By asking the right questions and understanding the different types of signs for businesses and their benefits, you’ll be ready to captivate your audience. Let’s get into it.

 

5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Sign for Your Business

1. What Type of Business Signage Fits Your Primary Audience?

Who are you trying to appeal to? This is an important question to answer. If you try to market to everyone, it becomes impossible. It’s unlikely that everyone needs or wants your products or services. As a business owner, you need to identify your ideal customer, not just to make sales, but to build a business that caters to them. By understanding your target market, you can better meet their needs and choose the signs that work best for them. For example, to attract a younger crowd, experiment with custom signs featuring unique designs and bright colours. For an older audience, stick to basic colour schemes and familiar fonts. If your audience is mixed, try to find a balance between the two.

2. What Business Signage Fits Your Budget?

Finding out what you can honestly afford is crucial. You don’t want to blow your budget before your business even begins to pick up. Establishing a budget early on helps you narrow down your options. You can easily rule out companies or types of signs that may not be suitable for your situation. When creating a budget, it’s also important to consider the future ROI of the signs. Set a realistic budget that balances your financial goals with the understanding that high-quality signs are a long-term investment for your business. At Creative SignWorks, we provide each of our clients with a full breakdown of all costs and different options available within their budget.

3. Is the Sign Going Indoors, Outdoors, or on a Vehicle?

Where you plan to use your sign is a key factor. Indoor signs can be made from almost any material, but outdoor signs need to be durable to withstand weather, debris, corrosives and vandalism. Let’s take a moment to explore the different types of signs for businesses.

 

Types of Signs for Businesses: Indoor Signs

Interior Building Signage

Think of interior building signage as a guide for your clients, customers and patients. Their experience depends on how well your interior business signage is designed and how effectively it’s able to convey information. Beyond navigation, interior commercial signs can also serve as in-store advertising, highlighting promotions, showcasing new products and efficiently communicating essential information to everyone who passes through. From colleges, universities and offices to clinics and beyond, interior signs for businesses are a powerful tool that enhance physical spaces. Learn more about interior signage here.

 

Types of Signs for Businesses: Outdoor Signs

LED Message Board

LED message boards are outdoor signs that offer businesses exceptional customization. Often found outside of schools, halls and churches, these boards utilize thousands of long-lasting LED lights. Each digital LED sign is composed of individual panels, allowing for customization to almost any size. These panels contain clusters of LEDs, known as pixels, which generate the content displayed on the sign. Businesses can choose from several types of LED message boards, including full-colour, tri-colour, single-colour and double-sided options. Regardless of the type chosen, these boards can be easily customized for targeted marketing efforts. Messages can be instantly updated to enhance outdoor advertising. Digital LED signs come in various sizes, tailored to the specific needs of businesses, and can even be compact enough to fit beneath existing commercial signs, serving as a digital welcoming banner. Once installed, LED message boards require minimal upkeep, typically lasting about 10 years with little maintenance needed from installation to replacement. Learn more about improving customer communication with LED message boards.

Illuminated Commercial Signs

Commercial illuminated signs ensure your business is easy to find 24/7. There are three main types: pylon signs, channel letter signs and light box signs. Pylon signs are perfect for businesses looking to stand out. These big, bold custom signs are mounted on poles to grab the attention of people walking or driving by. Because they’re tall and noticeable, they make effective landmarks, helping customers find your business easily. Channel letter signs feature 3-dimensional, individually cut letters, ideal for showcasing a company name or logo. Commonly seen on storefronts, commercial buildings and in shopping malls, there are three main types: front-lit, reverse-lit (halo-lit), or a combination of both. Front-lit channel letters shine light out of the front face, creating a bright and easy-to-read sign. Reverse-lit letters are illuminated from behind, producing a soft ‘halo’ effect that adds sophistication. The combination type offers illumination from both the front and back. Light box signs are made from boxes or containers, also known as cabinets, that use light to brighten up the sign’s face. These boxes are covered with a thin layer of material like vinyl, acrylic, or plastic, which displays the text and/or graphics lit up from behind by either LED lighting or traditional fluorescent lamps. The white space around your business name and logo creates a striking contrast, making the message and image pop. Light box signs are durable, can be placed flat against a wall or mounted on a post and help customers find you even in poorly lit areas. Learn more about increasing brand visibility with commercial illuminated signs.

Carved & Sandblasted Wooden Signs

Looking for more outdoor business signs ideas? Carved wooden signs showcase the rich history and evolution of wooden craftsmanship. Rooted in tradition, these signs have evolved to maintain an enduring appeal that spans generations. At Creative SignWorks, we offer carved wooden signs for business that blend historical charm with modern customization. Sandblasted wooden signs also represent a unique combination of craftsmanship and innovation, providing a distinctive aesthetic for homes and businesses. This technique involves propelling fine particles against a wooden surface to create a textured, dimensional effect. These signs are perfect for homeowners looking to display inspirational quotes and for businesses to showcase detailed graphics that reflect their character. In addition to their artistic appeal, sandblasted custom signs are remarkably durable. The textured background not only adds visual interest but also helps the sign withstand various weather conditions, making it a reliable and attractive option for both homeowners and business owners. Learn more about the timeless charm of custom wooden signs for homes and businesses.

 

Types of Signs for Businesses: Vehicle Graphics

Vehicle graphics include various vinyl decals and wraps used for decoration or marketing. From simple words and phrases to intricate logos, vehicle advertising is an efficient way to reach more people. It’s like having your marketing campaign travel with you. Decals are usually cut into specific shapes, like letters or logos, while wraps are large vinyl stickers that cover entire sections of a vehicle, including letters, logos and backgrounds. At Creative SignWorks, we specialize in partial vehicle wraps. These wraps cover only certain parts of a vehicle, such as the hood, sides, trunk, or doors. Typically covering between one-quarter to three-quarters of a vehicle’s exterior, partial vehicle wraps are a great option for businesses that don’t want to change their vehicle’s colour entirely.

Benefits of Partial Vehicle Advertising

• Quick Installation: Because you’re only wrapping part of the vehicle, the installation process is quick, minimizing the time your vehicle is out of commission.
   
• Cost Effective: Partial wraps are more budget-friendly than full wraps. They require less material and labour, keeping overall costs down. If you want to enhance your advertising while on the move without overspending, consider a partial wrap is something to think about.
   
• Hard to Miss: Make a lasting impression on potential customers with a partial vehicle graphic. Ensure you use your best graphics and marketing messages to catch their attention.

Learn more about the benefits of partial vehicle graphics.

4. What do you want your business signage to look like?

Gather inspiration from signs you like by taking photos of local signs and creating a Pinterest board. This will help you identify the elements you prefer. Research how certain materials and finishes withstand the test of time and decide which one matches your business style. At Creative SignWorks, we offer a wide range of signs for businesses, from ones that embody rustic charm to modern simplicity, catering to various business needs. When deciding on the look of your sign, consider whether you want letters or a full logo. Both are eye-catching, but letters tend to offer a simpler and cleaner appearance. Another important factor is size. Measure the height and width of the space where the sign will be displayed and think about the viewing distance to ensure visibility. Don’t be afraid to use negative space to make the sign the focal point. If you have a larger space, multiple smaller signs can also be effective.

5. What Message are you trying to communicate?

Determining how you want your business to come across to the public is crucial. While it may seem straightforward, the answer could be more complex than you think. Think about how you want your sign to represent your organization.

 

What Sign to Use for Your Business: Tips on Crafting Your Business Signage

Now that you’ve tackled the important questions, let’s discuss the essential details to include on your sign to convey your message clearly to customers. Remember, simplicity is key in custom signs.

• Be clear about what your business offers. Customers appreciate knowing what to expect.
• Use a brief and catchy phrase to grab the attention of people passing by. Make it memorable and engaging.
• Choose colours that contrast starkly with the background.
• Keep in mind that a mix of upper and lowercase letters and a simple font makes the text easier to read.

 

Contact Creative SignWorks for Custom Signs

If you’re still unsure about which sign is best for your business or need help with the job, Creative SignWorks is here to help. Whether you’re seeking partial vehicle graphics, interior business signage or outdoor business signs ideas, with over 20 years of experience, we can provide expert guidance tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more about the best signs for your business or to start your project.