Business signs are an essential communication element for companies that want to convey something new or even their location. To do this, these signs must meet some requirements: focus on key users, convey a clear message, be well located and visible, and fulfill the function for which they were made.
Keep in mind that:
- They can be the customer’s first contact with the company.
- Help to find the location and tour its facilities.
- Transmit an institutional and professional image.
- Retain customers.
For all these reasons, it is important to invest in good signage, since it will be the first interaction with your business. The signage is your professional business card.
Every detail will be critical, from sign design and style to local regulations, your surroundings, and the impact on customers. For that reason, it is important to take into account some factors when creating and producing the signage for your business.
Table of Contents
Keys to successful commercial exterior signs
Some of these factors to consider are:
- Local or zoning rules and regulations
Variables to take into account:
branding
Durability
environment
Space
Budget
- Choose the type of sign suitable for your business:
Design the sign according to your brand
Define your message and role
- Location and visibility according to:
venue environment
Available space
- Zoning Regulation
Among them, you will find zonal requirements regarding the width, height, color, material, and content of the message of the storefront sign. It is essential to obtain authorization or legal permission for the exhibition of your business sign.
General aspects to take into account when ordering the realization of a commercial sign to specialized companies:
- Branding
There are many combined aspects involved in creating a sign, design, creativity, a logo, manufacturing, materials, colors, etc. to communicate a clear message and make a good impression on customers. The branding
- Durability
Durability must take into account climatic factors such as wind, rain, hours of sunshine, humidity, etc. Some factors alter the material and if it is not suitable it can degrade in a short time. A sign will last longer if it’s from materials that can survive the weather conditions at its site and if regular maintenance checks are scheduled with a trustworthy sign repair company.
- Environment
The relationship of the sign with its surrounding natural and architectural environment is fundamental. Details such as the appearance of the place and the rest of the businesses, where the sign can be better perceived or where it offers greater visibility, and even the direction of the streets and pedestrian crossings is an important facts.
- Space
The space available will determine the overall size of the sign and its design. The exhibition space must also be considered by commercial laws.
- Function
Defining the purpose of the sign will allow you to know where to continue with the design and its performance. It is important to define if it will be an interactive sign, if it will follow the style of other signs, what audience it is aimed at, how long its duration is stipulated, if it is subject to modifications at certain times, etc.
- Choose the most suitable type of business sign
- To define the type of sign, two fundamental factors are important: the message and the function.
- Because your business signage plays a critical role in defining how people will perceive your business, you need to ensure that signage is consistent with the brand, makes the right impression, and delivers the right message to the store audience.
- There are 10 types of Channel le:
- Fabric Storefront Signs
- Plywood Storefront Signs
- Screen Printed Window Storefront Signs
- Punched Metal Signboard or Laser Cut Storefront Sign
- Metal Logo & Lettering Storefront Sign
- Awning Storefront Sign
- Rock Storefront Sign
- Tube Light Storefront Sign
- Digital Storefront Signs
- Roadway or Pole Storefront Signs
What types of Channel Letter Signs are there
Channel Letter Signs are large letters, they can also be numbers, shapes, or special characters. They are also known as panoramic and are made of various materials such as metals or plastics. Generally, they are used as outdoor commercial signage since they offer good visibility both day and night thanks to the lighting they have. An essential feature of channel letter signs is that they capture the customer’s attention from the first moment, allowing direct interaction with the logo and message of the company or business.
Types of Channel Letter Signs
There is a wide variety of attractive designs that make up the visual experience you need to empower your audience. They are distinguished from how lighting is achieved.
- Standard/Front Lit channel letters
The Standard-Front Lit channel letter is the most chosen for its versatility. Its front lighting means that even during the day it does not lose presence or visibility. Each letter is internally illuminated with neon or LED light that shines through the façade. The back and the return are made of aluminum and the front is made of plastic material (acrylics or polycarbonate) or aluminum depending on the visual effects that you want to generate.
- Halo Lit channel letters:
They are also known as “reverse channel-lit letters”. The fronts and bottoms of this type of gutter are made of aluminum as it is required to be a durable material. The fronts and bottoms of the reverse channel letter are made of aluminum. This makes them especially durable. To provide the halo-lit effect, channel letters are positioned away from the wall or raceway to which they are mounted. This space makes it possible for the internal lighting of each letter to shine on the wall, and for this brightness, in its variety of colors, to expand to its surroundings. Halo-lit channel letters are distinctive and elegant…
- Reverse and Front Lit channel letters:
It is a very striking type of channel letter. It is the combination of front and back lighting or a halo effect. The back is made of aluminum and its front of plastic material such as polycarbonate. This design allows you to play with many color options and lighting effects.
- Open Face channel letters:
The Open Face channel is a design very similar to the halo design. The difference is in the exposed front of each letter so that the exposure of the neon lights and their impressive luminosity can be appreciated, generating a sophisticated style and a very original appeal.
How a Channel Letter maker works
The sign manufacturing companies that have achieved leadership produce signs of international quality. To do this, for example:
- They use certified equipment
- They use top-quality techniques.
- They design high-impact products.
In this way, they generate trust in their clients who are already loyal to the company’s brand, as well as to the services and products that it offers them at every opportunity.
They run their business by being:
- Respectful towards the environment.
- Friendly business practices.
- Efficient in the manufacture of their products.
They are companies that offer solutions to their clients, becoming leaders in the commercial sign industry.
For several reasons:
- They have trained professionals in the field.
- They provide advice from the first moment.
- They track the entire customer experience.
They have websites that show all the necessary information so that you can easily access the design and manufacture of your commercial sign with the best quality on the market. This is the case of the Loyalty Signs company, in Miami, a leading manufacturer in South Florida.
For example, the design of a Channel Letter Sign is a very important task to position your business in the market and cannot be left in inexperienced hands. After deciding on the type of channel letter you want, you still need to think about: design, color, font, montage, etc. It is a great process in which each stage is essential. This implies integral and constant work with each client.
These are some characteristics of this process:
- Each new project is carried out in a personalized way, respecting the wishes and needs of the client. That is why the design strategy is defined in conjunction with it.
- Recognition of the space, the surroundings, and the provisions that the facilities present is carried out.
- For the construction of the marquee sign, visits are made to the client’s facilities, guaranteeing maximum precision in terms of the appropriate dimensions of the sign.
- It becomes internalized with the brand, its logos, and its branding.
- Virtual sign display tests are carried out and once approved, an installation strategy is deployed as quickly and efficiently as possible to evaluate the most convenient installation method.
- Once the placement strategy is defined, the construction begins with the approval of the client.
Pylon vs Monument Signage, which is which
Other types of very common commercial signs are the Pylon Sign and the Monument Sign. Although they share some characteristics, since both can be installed in areas of large buildings, at the entrances to companies and businesses, or on the sides of roads and highways, there are some important differences between them. In addition, the legislation of certain regions or geographical areas restricts its use. Therefore, if we decide to install some of these models of commercial signs, we will have first to verify if they are enabled in our area.
Next, we will see the differences between the two:
Pylon Sign
Their main noteworthy feature is their height, which is why they are also called “pole signs.” It is ideal to advertise different types of businesses or to attract attention in areas close to roads and even with a high influx of pedestrians. If, in addition, lighting is added, it will be guaranteed that the business has visibility and attracts potential customers both day and night.
They are common in areas of shopping centers, malls, grocery stores, or commercial buildings with many tenants.
Companies usually present a sketch before manufacturing the business sign.
The team of designers and the production department work as a team to provide the best customer service. They must be attentive to each part of the process so that the result of the signage is successful.
Monument Sign
It is a type of freestanding commercial sign, they are usually made of stone, marble, brick, concrete, or metal. They can carry the name of the company, the logo, or other additional information. They are frequently found at the entrances to corporate facilities, shopping centers, schools, churches, condominiums, and other buildings that wish to highlight their income with distinction. It is an excellent option because it conveys an image of permanence, durability, and solidity. They are usually located at the height of the view of passers-by, so they do not need a post, pillar, or other structure to support them.
Before choosing a type of sign, it is convenient to consult the local zoning code. In this way, you will know the rules and requirements requested regarding commercial signage: Some data that are taken into account are:
- Width
- Height
- Color
- Font size
- Materials
- building overhang
Messaging (some communities restrict the content of messages)
To find out your zoning laws or where your commission is located, check with your local Chamber of Commerce or do a couple of internet searches.
You can search this way in your favorite search engine:
Your Zip Code + Signage Zoning Regulations or Your City + Signage Zoning Regulations
Before you sign a lease for your retail space, be sure to check the lease for any guidelines or restrictions around signage, as well as who is responsible for creating and paying for any standard storefront signage.
What are the closest commercial signage companies?
Currently, you do not necessarily have to hire a company that is close to your trade, business, or company. The best companies tend to manufacture signs in their region and distribute them throughout the country. Loyalty Signs is a company that is perfectly suited to the service mentioned. There are many reasons to hire a leading company when deciding to make a sign for your business.