How To Stand Out With the Appeal and Artistry of Custom Business Signs

Being noticed matters in business, and one effective way to capture the attention of potential customers is by investing in custom business signs. These professionally designed and crafted signs amplify the message your business wants to present and embody your identity and character. From their ability to improve your business’s visibility and recognition to acting as tools for business growth—custom signs are a branding staple. In this article, we jump into the inherent power of custom business signs and unravel the subtle artistry involved in their creation.

The Inherent Power of Custom Business Signs

Custom business signs have an inherent power to attract attention and convey key information about a brand. Their unique and eye-catching nature makes them stand out compared to generic signage.

Impact of the Unique Appeal Compared to Generic Signage

Generic signage often fades into the background and fails to make an impression. Custom signs incorporate distinctive elements like logos, taglines, dimensional textures, and bright colors that create visual interest. This catches the customer’s eye and causes them to engage with and remember the sign.

For example, a custom monument sign with a logo cutout attracts more attention than a plain rectangular sign. The unique shape is more likely to stand out among the other signs around it. Customers also tend to have a better recall of signs that align with a brand’s identity through the use of signature fonts, icons, and messaging.

Establishing Branding and Logo Through Custom Signs

Custom business signs present prime real estate for establishing brand identity. Incorporating logos and taglines prominently links the sign back to your company.

Dimensional elements can make logos pop in attention-grabbing ways to reinforce branding. Using signature fonts, colors, and graphic elements from your brand’s style guide also helps customers instantly recognize who your business is. When custom signs reflect the branding in their design, they powerfully supplement other marketing materials to build familiarity.

Boosting Visibility and Recognition Through Personalized Designs

It’s not enough to have signage. The signage has to stand out from the surroundings. Personalized design choices allow custom business signs to grab attention in creative ways that generic signs cannot.

Options like unique shapes, neon lighting, reflective materials, and digital displays boost visibility and make the sign more recognizable. When a sign features your company’s established branding elements plus captivating custom details, its ability to connect with your targeted customers is much greater.

Enhancing In-Store Experience through Cohesive Signage

Over the years, the shopping experience has evolved significantly, with physical stores striving to offer the same convenience that online shopping boasts. Your business can dramatically improve how customers interact with your space by implementing well-designed, consistent signs throughout your business environment. This simplifies the shopping process and contributes to a positive overall shopping atmosphere. Moreover, cohesive signage can reinforce brand identity, making the shopping experience more memorable and encouraging repeat visits.

Wayfinding Signage

Cohesive custom signage inside stores enhances customer experience through clear wayfinding. Customers can easily navigate retail spaces, commercial offices, and industrial parks to find what they need.

Elements To Consider When Designing Custom Business Signs

Maximize results from your custom sign investment through strategic design choices. Important considerations include:

Focus on prominently featuring your business name and logo
Ensure critical info is quickly readable from distances/angles
Reinforce brand identity with aligned colors and fonts
Use opaque backgrounds behind any light text for clarity
Follow lease agreements, location zoning requirements, and established size guidelines

Be sure to involve signage experts with a vast portfolio of impressive results. They bring experience, keep up with trends, and incorporate best practices. Finally, carefully consider placement and lighting for optimal visibility at all hours.

Shape

The shape of your custom business sign impacts visibility and aesthetics. Consider if you want a standard rectangle or square sign or something unique like a circle, oval, star, or custom silhouette. Unique shapes stand out more, but rectangular signs allow more space for text and graphics.

Considering placement and function is also crucial. For example, a long horizontal sign above a storefront maximizes visibility, whereas a tall, narrow sign on a pole needs less space. Match the shape to your business type, too. A playful, curved shape typically makes more sense for an ice cream shop versus squares and rectangles, which many consider more appropriate for a law firm or other business that projects professionalism and seriousness.

Size

Another key consideration is the appropriate size for your custom sign. Evaluate placement, distance from viewers, and goals. A sign meant to be viewed from afar, like on a busy road, must be quite tall and large.

A medium or smaller sign can be suitable if it is positioned for nearby foot traffic. Also, ensure the size properly complements but does not overwhelm the building size. You must also consider any local zoning regulations or lease agreements restricting the size of business signage. Consider portable signs for events or seasonal use versus permanent placement.

Imagery

The imagery on a custom business sign conveys a powerful message beyond just words. Photographs and illustrations set a tone while shaping the audience’s perception of a brand on a deeper level.

For example, showcasing chefs at work on a restaurant sign promotes quality and care. Abstract shapes and compositions aligned to a brand image further identify who a business is at first glance. Customized pictures and graphics on a custom sign communicate a brand’s identity and values to passersby.

Colors

Strategic use of color is critical when designing a custom business sign. Match colors to your brand logo and colors, or choose contrasting colors that align with your industry. Bright, intense colors attract attention from a distance, while dark, subtle hues project professionalism.

Limit colors to two or three for maximum impact. Ensure colors complement each other through the color wheel relationships. Evaluate color meanings as well— green promotes natural products, blue conveys trustworthiness, and purple sophistication. Finally, choose matt or gloss finishes to control shine.

Explore Excel Signs & Design’s custom business signdesign services to see the difference a collaborative partner can have on your project.

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Materials

The materials used for custom signs must balance aesthetics, durability, and longevity. Leading options include:

Metal: attractive, durable but heavy. Best for permanent signs.
Plastic/Acrylic: budget-friendly, lightweight but less durable over time
Wood: natural appeal but needs protective finishes
Foam Board: extremely light, best for short-term signs

Consider thickness, structure, weight capacity, and fragility when choosing materials. Also, evaluate weather/rust resistance if the sign is for outdoor use versus indoor display.

Lighting Effects

Incorporating lighting is an excellent way to make your custom sign stand out. Illumination improves visibility in low light plus adds visual interest. Options include:

Neon: vibrant, eye-catching lighting
LED: energy efficient, customizable colors
Backlighting: subtly outlines sign shape
Spotlights: strategically highlight specific areas

When selecting options, ensure lighting aligns with desired aesthetics and consider operating costs, maintenance needs, and average lifespan.

Choosing a Custom Business Sign Based on Your Goals

When selecting a custom business sign, aligning your choice with your specific goals and objectives is crucial. Consider the following options:

Monument Signs: Ideal for enhancing the entrance of corporate offices or large business complexes, monument signs offer a prestigious and permanent branding solution.
Blade Signs: Perfect for businesses in busy pedestrian areas, blade signs jut out from the building, grabbing attention and directing foot traffic.
Pole Signs: Best suited for roadside visibility, pole signs tower above the landscape, making them excellent for attracting motorists from a distance.
Cabinet Signs: Versatile and eye-catching cabinet signs are illuminated boxes that effectively display your brand and message day and night.
Post and Panel Signs: These custom signs offer simplicity and clarity and are great for providing directional or informational guidance within large campuses or industrial facilities.
Channel Letter Signs: Highly customizable and impactful, channel letter signs create a bold statement on building facades, ensuring visibility from afar.
Dimensional Letter Signs: Adding depth and sophistication to your storefront, lobby, or hallway, dimensional letter signs offer a classic yet modern look that enhances brand identity.
Wall Signs: Used most frequently for interior purposes, wall signs come in various materials and styles, serving as prominent markers for businesses.
Digital Signs: Offering dynamic and engaging content, digital signs are perfect for displaying real-time information, promotions, or interactive content to captivate audiences.

By understanding your objectives and considering the unique features of each custom business sign type, you can choose the perfect branding tool to meet your needs and make a lasting impression on your target audience.

Show Off Your Brand With Custom Business Signs Created By Excel Signs & Design

Since 2011, we’ve helped St. Louis area business partners stand out with attention-grabbing, beautifully crafted signage. As we always say, “We’re not in the sign business—we’re in the relationship business.” That means when you trust Excel Signs, you’re rewarded with a collaborative team that takes the time to meet with you in person, gets to know your business and objectives, and uses creativity and expertise to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to schedule a time for an initial consultation and begin crafting a custom business sign that stands out.

How To Stand Out With the Appeal and Artistry of Custom Business Signs

The Inherent Power of Custom Business Signs

Impact of the Unique Appeal Compared to Generic Signage

Establishing Branding and Logo Through Custom Signs

Boosting Visibility and Recognition Through Personalized Designs

Enhancing In-Store Experience through Cohesive Signage

Wayfinding Signage

Elements To Consider When Designing Custom Business Signs

Shape

Size

Imagery

Colors

Materials

Lighting Effects

Choosing a Custom Business Sign Based on Your Goals

Show Off Your Brand With Custom Business Signs Created By Excel Signs & Design

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