Storefront Sign Guide

Whether you have been in business for 25 years or you’re officially opening your doors tomorrow, you want to make sure that your storefront signage is doing its job. There is so much more nuance to storefront signs than simply stating the name of your business. You want your signage to be a reflection of your business while also making a clear statement to passersby. This way, you can passively draw in new clientele by investing in high-quality outdoor storefront signs.

However, it’s not easy to decide on the best type of sign for your company. Should you opt for window graphics or 3D lettering? Do you want something more temporary, like a banner, or more permanent, like light boxes? Does your storefront have the space for an awning or do you need something that remains flush against the building? Or do you want to use a combination of different sign styles to take advantage of your unique space and business niche? These are all questions you will need to ask before ever approaching a sign company to create your very own custom storefront signs.

Fortunately, at SignIt, we are dedicated to helping you find the best solution for your business. Not only can we create custom signs from scratch, but we can also install them to meet your needs and specifications. So, in today’s guide, we will go over some of the most popular storefront sign designs, including the potential benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Commercial Awnings

Commercial awnings offer a way for you to provide shelter to your customers waiting outside while also creating an eye-catching sign. Since awnings stick out from the front of your business, they can naturally draw attention from people on the sidewalk, as well as people across the street. You can even choose between non-retractable and retractable awnings based on the needs of your customers and your business.

You can also customize the kind of info you want to display. If you want to keep it simple, you can just put the name of your business along the edges of your awning. Alternatively, you can add your business name, phone number, email, and any other brief but relevant info that potential customers may want to know.

Banners

Banners are generally reserved for temporary sales or events, as they can be easily put up and taken down as needed. However, if the banners are made of durable, high-quality materials, they can also work as inexpensive long-term signage. That said, consumers usually associate banners with time-sensitive information like liquidation sales, holiday events, or temporary offers. In any case, banners offer a great way to include a lot of information on one sign without taking up a lot of space.

Digital Printing

Digital printing gives you plenty of different ways to create signage for your business, but it is often used to create storefront window graphics. If you have a glass front door or a large windowed storefront, digital printing is one of the best ways to make custom signs. These full-color words and images allow you to combine logos with relevant artistry to make your signage completely unique to your business.

Window graphics can function as either short-term or long-term signage, based on the type of digital printing you choose. For example, most vinyl digital printing signs function much like stickers that can be installed and removed as needed. But unlike paper stickers, you won’t leave a mark on your windows when you take your vinyl prints off (as long as you remove them carefully).

Flag Signs

Flag signs are a great option in busy cities where businesses face lots of competition on the same street. When you use a flag, you have a sign that literally sticks out from the face of your business to draw attention from both sides of the sidewalk. Flag signs are most effective if your business is situated in an area with heavy foot traffic. However, one potential drawback of using a free=hanging flag sign is that it can get wrapped up or partially obscured by wind or bad weather. For this reason, flag signs are often best when combined with fixed sign options.

Hanging Signs

Much like flag signs, hanging signs can help make your business leave an impression on people walking or driving by your storefront. While many hanging signs are also susceptible to strong winds, they tend to be more resilient than flag signs, making them a great long-term choice if your business is located in an area with unpredictable weather. Aside from being more wind-resistant, hanging signs can also work well for businesses that want a more quaint, old-fashioned appearance.

Light Boxes

Light Boxes eliminate the common issue of low visibility. By building a sign around light sources, you ensure that your signs are people can actually see your sign at virtually any time of day or night. Lighted storefront signs are especially popular for businesses that remain open before the sun comes up or after the sun goes down. Well-lit business storefront signs also get more attention from passersby, even increasing the visibility distance to potentially draw from a larger supply of interested consumers.

Channel Lettering

Three-dimensional lettering (also known as channel lettering) is a way to design signs that typically remain flush against your building, but help the name of your business physically stand out from the rest of the building. Lettering is very common for retail storefront signage and is easy to combine with light boxes to make an even greater impact on passersby. You can also use lettering to customize your sign based on the font, color, and even depth of each letter.

It’s also important to note that the vast majority of large corporations and box stores use some form of channel lettering. In fact, many of the most popular chain stores and restaurants use a combination of chain lettering and light boxes to get the most out of their signage. This goes to show that, if you are unsure which type of sign to choose, you can’t go wrong with some type of 3D lettering design.

Wood Signs

Wood signs can encompass a wide range of designs and formats, as long as they are made of high-quality wood. Installing or uninstalling wooden signs typically requires professional help, which is why these signs are best as a long-term investment. If you think you may want to change your sign again in the near future, you would be better off choosing a different material. In any case, wood signs are another great way to make your business stand out by creating a rustic, “old-school” aesthetic.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing a storefront sign for your business. From the materials you use to the angle of the sign, you want to make sure that you get the most out of your investment. Fortunately, SignIt can help you figure out what will work best for your storefront and create the best sign to fit your needs and budget.

Do you want to transform your storefront and help improve the quality of your brand? Are you looking for an affordable solution so that customers and outdoor patrons can be drawn in by the look of your business? If so, be sure to reach out to Sign It to design and install the perfect storefront sign for your business today!