Custom Signs Can Do More Than Just State Your Name

By Author: Angel Rhett
Total Articles: 55
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When you think of custom business signs, you probably think of a plain, boring sign stating the name of a business. In other words, you think the purpose of custom signs is to let people know they've arrived at the right building. While it's true that custom signs do inform people, they can serve many other functions as well. In fact, what your custom sign does depends first on what type of organization or function you want the custom sign to draw attention to. A custom sign advertising a sale would be significantly different than a custom sign stating the name of your law practice, wouldn't it?

There are three areas of purpose for a custom sign, and the first step in designing a highly effective custom sign is to address these three points. After all, you wouldn't go shopping for anything else without first knowing what you want. And when you are ordering something custom designed especially for you, you can't just depend on "knowing what you want when you see it." So determine the elements of your custom sign from each of the following three purposes, and then you will have a custom sign that keeps on working for you ...
... for the long haul.
Who Do You Want To Notice Your Custom Sign?

Some custom signs, such as those advertising fast food restaurants, are designed with the general population in mind. Fast food restaurants use bright, contrasting colors and different shapes (think of the Golden Arches) on their custom signs, knowing the human eye will be drawn to such images. But now think of a custom sign designed for a daycare building. Usually, you will see a child oriented shape or image, such as blocks or a rocking horse, with juvenile colors and a childlike font. Owners of daycares know that people needing their services are looking for something associated with children, so that's the audience to whom they appeal. People without the need for daycare will very likely not even register the sign as they drive by it, but those with young children are accustomed to such imagery and will take note.

Will your custom sign be appealing to adults? New clients? Repeat clients? Shoppers? Determine the primary readers of your custom sign and then you can begin visualizing a custom sign just for them.
What Will Be The Purpose Of Your Custom Sign?

What does a STOP sign do? It commands. And it is a brilliantly designed sign. With its distinct shape, bright, red, warning background and contrasting white text in large, san serif font, it is unmistakable in its purpose. Your custom sign can be equally as effective! But you need to understand the job of your custom sign. Are you advertising a new business? Impressing clients with your professionalism? Directing people to a location?

The type and amount of text on your custom sign, along with the colors, shape, and size of your sign, are dependent on knowing what you want your custom sign to do. Take those Golden Arches again - text isn't necessary, but color is. Red excites passion and a sense of urgency, while yellow motivates appetites, so a better custom sign for a fast food restaurant can't be found. But such a sign would look silly on the front of an insurance building. In the same way, a black and white custom sign with classic typeface would go largely ignored by a burger-hungry public.

So know what it is you want your custom sign to do and your design can make it happen!
How Will Your Custom Sign Work?

Now that you know who you are trying to attract with your custom sign, and what the purpose of your custom sign is, you need to know how to make it work. Are you promoting a sale? Then you will probably want an exciting vinyl banner that can be displayed temporarily to indicate the fleeting nature of the sale. Are you stating required safety regulations? Then you need a simple custom sign that has room for a lot of text. Are you opening a new business? Then your custom sign needs to lure new customers inside to see what you're all about.

Your custom sign will be a reflection of you and your business or cause, so make it work for you just like an employee - give it a job description!
Now You Know How To Design A Brilliant Custom Sign

And it doesn't have to be boring or like everyone else's custom sign. Just remember to ask yourself, "Who is my audience? What is my custom sign's purpose? And how will my custom sign work?" Once you've answered these questions, you should be well on your way to creating the perfect custom sign for you.
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