Outdoor signs are a critical piece of any business’s marketing and branding strategy. They provide a physical presence to your brand and a way for consumers to make quick judgments about your products and services. In fact, a recent survey by FedEx found that 8 out of 10 consumers have walked into a restaurant or store they saw a sign for for the first time.
In an environment where a customer may see your sign as many as 50 to 60 times a month, it’s important that your signage is as professional looking as possible. According to a sign maker, the best way to ensure your signs are as high-quality and durable as possible is to have them made of materials that can resist the elements. Typically, long-lasting outdoor signage is fabricated out of materials such as poly lumber or concrete. These materials are more resistant to weathering, which reduces the cost of upkeep over the life of the sign. These signs can be printed on with fade-resistant inks or vinyl to further increase their lifespan.
Another factor to consider is the sign’s location and exposure to sunlight. Signs that are positioned in areas that receive prolonged direct sun exposure will need to be printed with UV-resistant inks. This prevents the colors from fading due to sunlight, ensuring that your customers can read the information on your sign for as long as possible.
Similarly, if your outdoor signage is located in an area with heavy winds, it’s important to consider the strength of the wind. A strong gust can rip a soft sign from its mounting or split a hard sign in half. For this reason, a wind-resistant coating is often applied to soft signs, such as canvas or vinyl, or hard-backed sign materials, such as poly lumber, to ensure they can stand up to harsh environments.
Finally, if your outdoor signs are intended for public viewing, it’s crucial to consider their legibility from a distance. Using the right fonts and colors is important for this purpose. A sans-serif font, such as Helvetica or Futura, is usually the most effective for achieving readability at a distance. Serif fonts, which are commonly used in print marketing collateral, can have decorative lines that can blend together at a distance and hinder readability.
A well-designed and well-placed sign can help to establish a positive relationship with your consumer from the moment they set eyes on it. The design of your sign should balance professionalism with personality to reflect the nature and tone of your business and to capture the attention of your audience. Signs that are creative, surprising, thought-provoking and humorous will be remembered longer than simple or bland signs. When you’re ready to create a custom outdoor sign for your business, contact the experts at Boston sign company.
