Creating Effective Window Signs

The following is a contributed post.

Signage is an old form of communication that never fully loses its original flavor. Despite the influx of bulletin boards, sign posts, electronic gadgets, and more, signs in the window must still follow a few basic premises to ensure that they reach their goal.

The goal, of course, is to communicate a message. This message might be about a special deal or option that you want your clients to know about. It could just be to get them to come in the doors of your shop. By following a few basic tips, you can make sure to get the most bang for your investment.

Answer a Key Set of Questions

Before you start your sign, you need to answer a set of questions to ensure that you know what needs to be done with your window signs. Here are the questions you should answer:

1. What do you hope to achieve with this sign?

2. What problem will the sign solve or what benefit will it give?

3. What message do you want to communicate and to whom do you want to communicate this?

4. What are the specifics of your market?

5. At what distance is this sign to be viewed?

6. When will you want people viewing this time or what will be competing for their attention?

7. Do you plan to keep the sign temporarily or permanently? Is it outdoors or indoors?

8. How will you affix the sign?

Use a Simple Color Scheme

Regardless of whether you’re doing soap writing in the window or an electronic display, it’s best for your signs to be simple in color and design. A simple color scheme is one that uses distinctive colors in a single palette. While there are some exceptions to this rule, the simple palette is easier to translate into the window. However, using a simple palette does not mean that you do not use contrast. Contrasts are essential. Black and white, for instance, is the classic sign contrast. For a basic sign, it’s best to keep your color choice to between two and three.

Incorporate the Four Elements of Effective Signing

Creating an effective sign requires that you satisfy four elements. Your sign must be visible, readable, noticeable, and legible. You may want to create a couple of different signs to ensure that you get the best one. As a general rule, your signage letters will need to have one inch of height for each 10 feet of distance in viewing. Readability refers to a simple easy to read message that contains graphic design elements that further the message. Being noticeable refers to making sure that your sign stands out. This is typically accomplished through the contrast as well as the uniqueness of the design. Legibility refers to the ability of people to read the sign and the effectiveness of the image. This usually focuses on the font.

When you create your sign, you want to make sure that you present all of these things to keep it effective.