Top Five Tips for Designing Custom Signs

Featured Image Caption: Reduce Speed Road Signage

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Custom signs are one of the most important tools for advertising and branding. Whether you are looking to draw attention to your business, highlight products or services, or create an eye-catching display, custom signage can be a great way to do it. But it’s important to remember that designing effective custom signs can be a tricky task.

To help you out, we have put together a list of five tips for designing custom signs that stand out and get noticed. In this blog post, we will provide advice on everything from choosing the right size to selecting materials and more.

Tip #1: Keep It Simple

Signage design is a powerful tool for any business looking to make a lasting impression on potential customers. One of the most important elements to consider when designing effective custom signage is keeping the design simple.
Simplicity is key in custom signage design because it allows your message to stand out and be easily seen by passersby. Signs with too many details or colours can be overwhelming and confusing, which makes them hard to remember. Signs that have fewer colors, fonts, and shapes are more likely to stick in the minds of potential customers.
The power of simplicity in signage design is best illustrated through some of the most recognizable logos and signs in the world. For example, Apple’s iconic logo features only an apple outline and a single colour, yet it remains one of the most recognisable symbols in the world. McDonald’s golden arches are another great example of successful signage design that utilises a simple concept.

When designing custom signage, think about how you can simplify your design while still effectively conveying your message. Consider reducing the number of colors and fonts you use and opting for simpler shapes instead of overly complex ones. By keeping your signage simple, you’ll be able to create a memorable look that will stand out in a crowd and leave a lasting impression on potential customers.

Tip #2: Use Contrast to Your Advantage

Using contrast in your custom signage is a great way to draw attention and make important information stand out. Contrast can come in the form of different colours, fonts, sizes, and even shapes. When you use contrast, you are creating a visual hierarchy that allows viewers to recognise the most important elements of the sign quickly. Here are some tips for utilising contrast in your custom signage design:

Make use of bold colours. Choose colours that have high contrast, such as black and white or blue and yellow. Using these colours will help make sure that your message stands out from the rest of the elements on the sign.
Utilize contrasting typefaces. Try to use two typefaces that have different styles, such as a bold sans-serif font for headlines and a more elegant serif font for body copy. This will create visual interest and ensure that your message is easy to read.
Use different sizes for different elements. Making the text on your sign larger than the other elements will make it easier for people to read. Consider making certain words bolder or larger than others to emphasise their importance.
Create contrast with shapes. If your sign features images, try using shapes that have different forms and sizes to create visual interest and emphasise important elements.

By using contrast in your custom signage design, you can make sure that viewers can easily find and understand the important information. Bold colors, typefaces, sizes, and shapes all help to create a visual hierarchy that makes your message stand out and be memorable.

Tip #3: Keep the Message Clear and Concise

When it comes to designing effective custom signage, it is essential to keep the message clear and concise. Clarity is key when it comes to communicating your message through a sign, as any distraction or confusion can be detrimental.

The most important thing to remember is to make sure that the font you are using is legible and easy to read. Make sure it stands out from the background colour of the sign, and if possible, try to use a sans-serif font for greater visibility. Additionally, it is also important to limit the amount of text you are using. Use concise phrases that are easily understood.
It is also beneficial to create an eye-catching design that is easy to interpret at a glance. Utilize graphics, shapes, and colours to make your message stand out from the background. When adding images or symbols, make sure they are relevant to your message and clear in their intent.
When deciding how large or small the text should be on your sign, take the viewing distance of the sign into account. If people will be viewing the sign from farther away, use larger text. This will help to ensure that the words are visible and legible.
Lastly, remember to use strong, simple language that conveys your message in as few words as possible. You want people to be able to understand your message at a glance without having to read through a long list of words.

By keeping these tips in mind when designing custom signage, you can ensure that your message is easily understood and remembered by anyone who sees it. Clear, concise messaging is an essential part of any successful sign design.

Tip #4: Consider the Viewing Distance

When designing custom signage, it is essential to take into account the viewing distance. Signs that are too small and hard to read can be a major turn-off for potential customers. On the other hand, signs that are designed to be viewed from a distance can make all the difference in effectively communicating your message.

Considering the viewing distance is crucial for effective signage design. Different designs should be used for different distances, as different techniques will be required to make sure your sign stands out from a distance. Here are some tips on how to design for different viewing distances:

For close-range viewing (10–20 feet away), smaller text can be used. The important thing is to make sure the text is clear and readable.
For medium-range viewing (30–50 feet away), use larger font sizes and fewer words. It’s also important to use strong visuals and colours that can draw attention from a distance.
For far-range viewing (over 50 feet away), use extra large fonts and fewer words. The font size should be at least 72 pt. so that it is easily readable from a long distance. Also, consider using bright colours and bold designs that stand out from a distance.

Overall, considering the viewing distance is one of the most important aspects of designing effective signage. It’s important to consider the size and type of text used in relation to the viewing distance, as well as the use of strong visuals and bold colours that can draw attention from a distance. With the right design strategies, you can ensure that your signage stands out from afar and effectively communicates your message.

Tip #5: Make It Memorable

Creating a memorable custom signage design is essential to ensuring that viewers will remember it. A sign should be visually appealing and have a unique look so that viewers can recognise it easily in the future.

One way to make a sign memorable is by incorporating humour or unique imagery. Humorous signs draw attention and can help get people’s attention, while unique imagery makes your sign stand out from other signs and ensures that viewers will remember it. Additionally, incorporating bright colours into your design can also help create a memorable sign. Bright colours can help attract the eye and draw people in, making them more likely to remember your message.
Another way to make sure your sign sticks in the viewer’s mind is by using strong typography. Choosing an eye-catching font and arranging the text interestingly can help to keep your sign memorable. Keep the text size appropriate for the viewing distance as well, so that people can easily read your message without having to strain their eyes.
Finally, creating a memorable sign also means making sure that you are conveying your message clearly. Using the correct terminology and making sure all the necessary information is included in the design will ensure that viewers understand and remember the message you’re trying to communicate.

Conclusion

Creating a memorable sign doesn’t have to be difficult. By incorporating humour or unique imagery, utilising strong typography, and making sure all necessary information is included, you can ensure that viewers will remember your custom signage design.

Custom signage is an important part of any business, organization, or event. To ensure that your custom signs are effective, it is important to keep the design simple, make use of contrast, keep the message clear and concise, consider the viewing distance, and make it memorable. By following these five tips, you can create custom signage that will have maximum impact and success. If you’re planning on creating custom signs for your business or event, be sure to remember these tips. Keep the design simple and uncluttered, use high contrast elements, keep the message clear and concise, consider the viewing distance, and make the sign memorable. With these five tips in mind, you’ll be sure to create custom signage that stands out and gets noticed.