Today’s post reviews International Sign Association research on the 5 critical components of business sign visibility. Read on to learn how to find a Signworld partner near you and get your sign spotted!
1. Sign Size
Small signs often go unnoticed, but bigger isn’t always better.
Oversized signs can get you in all kinds of trouble. Some signs are too big to read in one glance, which is often all you get from busy passersby. In those cases, you’re failing to make meaningful impressions–your reader learns nothing about your business or misses the call to action–even when your signs get spotted.
Supersized signs are also a pain to maintain, requiring special equipment to clean, and they take up too much space. Plus they’re often considered a bit of an eyesore–so much so that state and county bylaws restrict business owners to different sizes depending on the local jurisdiction and sign type. Violating these restrictions could get you fined or force you to pay for a replacement sign, effectively doubling the project’s cost.
Optimal sign size depends on setting and target audience. Get in touch with a Signworld partner to find the right size for your unique sign needs and budget.
2. Sign Angle
Signs make the biggest impact when they’re directly in front of their target audience. Every inch or degree your sign moves away from this ideal angle hinders visibility.
For best results, walk a mile (or at least a block or two) in the customer’s shoes. Walk or drive the route you anticipate your target audience will take. Familiarize yourself with their approach and identify the best angles to showcase your brand’s message.
3. Sign Location
Make sure sign visibility isn’t hampered by trees, landscaping, snow banks, or other natural obstructions. The same goes for any utility poles, traffic lights, and other signs. Consider each potential location with all four seasons in mind, and think about how different types of traffic will affect visibility through the day (e.g. parked cars or thick crowds). All these factors will affect your optimal height and setback specs.
4. Sign Luminance
When the sun is shining, sign luminance isn’t an issue. But at night, you’ll need to find some way to illuminate your signage to maintain visibility. Some signs are internally lit, while others require external lighting rigs to be seen.
5. Sign Contrast
Have you ever seen a sign with yellow text on a white background? If you have, it probably wasn’t legible.
High-contrast designs, such as blue on white, white on red, or illuminated text on opaque backgrounds, are best for getting your sign spotted and read.
Maximize Sign Visibility – Find a Local Signworld Partner
Visit the Signworld website to find a Signworld partner near you.
