Designing outdoor signage that actually works isn’t about cramming in as much information as possible. It’s about being clear, bold and impossible to ignore.
Keep it simple
If someone’s walking past or driving by, you’ve got seconds to grab them. One main message and no essays. If it can’t be read in three seconds, it’s too busy.
Think about the distance
A sign viewed from across the road needs much larger lettering than one outside your door. As a rough guide, the further away people are, the bigger your text needs to be. Sounds obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Essentially, outdoor advertising is all about making a bold statement in public.
Contrast is your best friend
Dark text on a light background, or vice versa, is far easier to read than fancy colour combinations. That pale yellow script on a white board? It may be lovely on Instagram but useless on a sunny pavement.
Weather matters too
In the UK especially, rain, wind and fading sunlight can wreck flimsy materials. Go for durable finishes. There’s nothing persuasive about a sign lying face down in a puddle. You can create eye-catching signs for your business. Professional sign makers Exeter such as https://exeter.nettl.com/signs can pull in customers with their expert designs.
Don’t forget placement
Eye level is key. Avoid cluttered areas where your sign will compete with others. And make sure it doesn’t block pavements or access points as councils aren’t fans of that. You can also add personality. A witty line and a good design stick in people’s minds.