Top Tips on Designing a Sign For Your Business
Knowing how to design a sign for your business can feel overwhelming. How big should the text be, what should it say, and do you really need a professional designer? The questions add up fast.
At Image Box Design, we know firsthand how a well-designed sign can boost footfall and brand loyalty, whether it’s for a bustling high street shop or an outdoor event.
In this guide, you’ll find practical, no‑nonsense tips on how to design a sign for your business so you can feel confident about your next project.
Let’s jump in.
Why is a Business Sign so Important?
A business sign is vital because it acts as a 24/7 advert, reinforces your brand in the real world, and directly drives footfall and sales. Done well, it often becomes one of the highest-ROI marketing assets a local business can invest in.
First Impressions and Visibility
Your sign is often the first thing people see, shaping their perception of your professionalism and product quality within seconds.
Studies show that around three-quarters of consumers have entered a store they’d never visited before purely because of its signage. In busy streets, a distinctive sign helps you stand out from surrounding businesses and be noticed by passing traffic and pedestrians.
Branding and Trust
Consistent use of your logo, colours and typography on signage builds brand recognition and recall over time. High-quality signage is strongly linked to perceived quality; many customers judge the quality of a business’s products or services based on how professional its sign looks.
This familiarity and perceived credibility make people more comfortable choosing you over unknown competitors.
Driving Footfall and Sales
Effective signs pull people through the door, with some research suggesting well-designed signage can increase foot traffic by 20-24%. Once installed, visible, easy‑to‑read signs have been associated with sales uplifts from around 4-15% or more, and multiple case studies show significant revenue growth after upgrading or adding signs.
Storefront and in‑store signs also drive impulse purchases by highlighting offers or key products at the right moment.
Always-On, Cost-Effective Marketing
Unlike ads that stop when the budget runs out, signage works 24/7, continually exposing your brand to locals and repeat passersby for years. For small businesses, this makes signage one of the most cost‑effective marketing channels because a single upfront investment can deliver ongoing awareness and leads without ongoing media spend.
As people move in and out of your area each year, your sign keeps introducing the business to new potential customers without extra effort.
Customer Experience and Communication
Clear external and internal signs help people find your premises, entrances, exits, departments and key services quickly, reducing friction. Signs can efficiently communicate essentials such as opening hours, contact details, promotions, events, or “we’re hiring” messages to everyone who passes.
This combination of guidance and information improves the overall customer experience and supports better buying decisions.
How to Design a Sign for Your Business: 4 Key Steps
1. Know Your Audience and Purpose First
Before sketching anything, get clear on who you’re talking to and what you want the sign to do.
Is it:
- Grabbing the attention of drivers on a busy road?
- Guiding visitors around an event or exhibition?
- Welcoming walk‑in customers to your storefront?
Busy commuters need bold, simple messages they can absorb in seconds. Exhibition visitors may respond better to something more creative that reflects your brand personality.
Think about the sign’s main job too. A promotional banner might focus on a specific offer, while a permanent shop sign should focus on your name and brand recognition.
At Image Box Design, every project starts by nailing this down, so the final design is aligned with your goals – exactly what’s done with exhibition displays and signage. Skipping this step is how you end up with a sign that looks nice but doesn’t actually do much.
2. Pick Colours and Fonts That Pop
Colour is one of your strongest tools for grabbing attention. Aim for high contrast so your message is easy to read from a distance.
For example, dark text on a light background or vice versa. Wherever possible, work within your brand palette so your signage ties in with your website, print and social media.
Fonts matter just as much as colour. Avoid overly decorative or script fonts for main text, especially on outdoor signs. Clean, sans‑serif fonts like Helvetica or Arial are much easier to read quickly.
As a rule of thumb:
- Stick to a maximum of two fonts – one for headlines, one for supporting detail.
- Use bold, clear type for the main message.
- Test how the colours and fonts look in daylight, at night and in different weather.
This same approach is used across print design projects at Image Box Design to keep messages punchy and easy to digest.
3. Keep it Simple and Sketch it Out
When it comes to sign design, less really is more.
The most effective signs usually include:
- Your logo and business name
- One clear message or benefit
- A simple call to action, such as “Open Now”, “Visit imagebox.co.uk” or “Call today”
Avoid cramming in paragraphs of text, long lists of services or detailed descriptions. Those belong on your website or brochure, not your shopfront. Aim for the “five‑second rule”: someone should be able to understand your sign in about five seconds.
Start with quick sketches on paper. Play with different layouts, try your logo at the top, centre or left, and think about how any icons or graphics support the message. Once you have a layout that feels right, move into design software like Adobe Illustrator to refine spacing, alignment and proportions.
4. Choose Materials and Placement Wisely
Even the best design will fall flat if the materials or placement are wrong. Outdoor signs need to handle the elements, so durable options like ACM (aluminium composite) panels or high‑quality vinyl are often a smart choice. Indoor signs can be more flexible, using acrylic, foam board or other lightweight materials.
Think carefully about:
- Lighting: Do you need backlighting, spotlights or LEDs for evening visibility?
- Height and angle: Can drivers or pedestrians see it clearly from common approach routes?
- Local regulations: Check council rules on size, placement and illumination.
Where possible, tie your sign design in with your logo design to keep your visual identity consistent. Before you commit, stand back, walk past and even drive by if you can – you’ll quickly see if anything needs adjusting.
Custom Outdoor & Indoor Business Signs from Image Box Design
Looking for a graphic design company to design your business sign?
Get in touch with Image Box Design today for expert signage that drives results. From concept to printing, we’ve got you covered. Complete our online enquiry form, or give us a call, and we will be in touch to discuss your project.
FAQs
What makes a sign design effective?
Legibility, simplicity, and bold contrasts rule. Focus on readability from distance, concise messaging, and standout colours or graphics that match your brand.
How big should my business sign be?
It depends on viewing distance – 1 inch of letter height per 10 feet of distance is a solid rule. For roads, go large; for shops, proportional to the facade.
Do I need a professional designer?
DIY works for basics, but pros handle scalability, materials, and brand alignment. Saves costly redos down the line.
Related Guides:
- How Much Does a Business Sign Cost?
- What is Signage? What is it Used For?
- What Makes a Good Logo?
- How to Design a Roller Banner That Turns Heads
- How Does Branding Impact the Success of a Small Local Business?
- How Much Does a Flyer Design Cost?
- How Much Do Graphic Designers Charge?
