Signage plays a crucial role in branding, wayfinding and marketing, yet in today’s crowded visual landscape standing out is more challenging than ever. Whether we’re talking about shopfront signage, a hoarding or interior signage, the key to making an impact lies in factors such as design, materials, placement and lighting. For businesses investing in signage, ensuring visibility and engagement is essential—not just to catch the eye but to create a lasting impression that drives footfall and conversions.
So this is FASTSIGNS® Manchester’s guide to what your businesses needs to know to ensure your signage commands your customers’ attention.
Prioritising Readability and Clarity
A sign is only as effective as it is readable. The most striking sign in the world is useless if people struggle to understand it. Key considerations include font choice, size, contrast and spacing of elements. Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica are often recommended for maximum legibility, particularly from a distance, while script fonts should be used sparingly. High-contrast colour combinations, such as black on yellow or white on blue, really aid readability. Additionally, ensuring sufficient negative space around text prevents visual clutter which enhances comprehension.
Using High-Quality Materials
The materials used in signage contribute to both its aesthetics and longevity. Cheap materials may fade, warp or deteriorate quickly, leading to a poor representation of your brand and even poorer return on your investment.
For exterior signage, weather-resistant materials such as aluminium composite panels, acrylic, and powder-coated metals are best for durability.
For interior settings, premium finishes like brushed steel or frosted glass can create a tone of sophistication. Investing in high-quality materials enhances both visual appeal and the long-term value of the signage.
Incorporating Your Brand’s Identity
Your business’s signage needs to integrate fully with brand identity. Colour psychology plays a significant role here: red conveys urgency and excitement, so is frequently used in sales signage. Blue is more associated with trust and professionalism, making it a popular choice for corporate branding. Consistency with your company’s existing logo, typography and colour palette will strengthen recognition of your brand. A recognisable, well-designed does more than attract attention: it reinforces brand recall, helping your businesses stay at the forefront of your customers’ minds.
Illumination for Maximum Impact
Few things elevate the power of signage more than proper lighting. Illuminated signage increases visibility by up to 60% when compared to non-illuminated signs. Whether you use LED backlighting, halo lighting or neon-style illumination, lighting ensures visibility in low-light conditions and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. For businesses operating at night, such as restaurants or retail stores, illuminated signage is of course indispensable. Energy-efficient LED solutions have become particularly popular, offering long lifespan, low maintenance and sustainability benefits.
Choosing the Right Placement
Even the best-designed sign will fail if placed incorrectly. Signage should be positioned at eye level and in locations with minimal obstruction. For your outdoor signs, consider sightlines from key traffic points, of both vehicles and pedestrians. Placing your signage at major road junctions is one of the best ways to achieve significantly higher engagement rates. For interior signage, strategic placement in reception areas, waiting rooms or near high-footfall areas like lifts and staircases is the way to ensure maximum exposure.
Choosing Unique Shapes and 3D Elements
Traditional rectangular signage has its place of course, but unconventional shapes and three-dimensional elements can sometimes create more compelling visual interest.
Dimensional lettering, raised logos and sculptural elements serve to create depth and texture that make signage more engaging. Techniques like layering acrylic or using CNC-cut metal can add tactile appeal, making the sign more visually dynamic.
If your business is looking to make a powerful statement we would love to advise you on how to really communicate your brand’s personality.
Interactive and Digital Elements
Incorporating technology into signage is an increasingly popular way to capture attention. Digital displays allow for dynamic messaging, animations and easy real-time updates. According to a study by Nielsen, digital signage captures 400% more views than static signs, making it a no-brainer for high-impact advertising. Interactive elements, such as QR codes linking to promotions or touchscreen wayfinding displays, enhance user engagement. While traditional static signage remains important, digital integrations can provide a cutting-edge experience that modern businesses like yours will benefit from.
Compliance Without Compromise
While creativity is essential, businesses must also ensure their signage adheres to local regulations. In the UK, planning permission may be required for certain types of outdoor advertising, especially illuminated signs in conservation areas. The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 outlines the requirements businesses must follow to avoid fines or removal notices. Working with a professional signage company like FASTSIGNS Manchester will help you to ensure legal compliance without sacrificing maximum impact.
Final Thoughts: Making a Sign Stand Out
Creating standout signage is ultimately a blend of art, strategy and technical expertise. And we’ve got all three covered for you at FASTSIGNS Manchester.
By focusing on readability, high-quality materials, brand consistency, lighting, placement and innovation, your business can craft signage that attracts attention and also drives brand recognition and sales conversions. Relying on our expert design and manufacturing ensures you get a professional result that delivers long-term value for your business. Whether your sector is retail, corporate or industrial, well-executed signage is more than just a sign: it’s a statement about you.
If you’re considering upgrading your signage, get in touch with us today and let’s start exploring bespoke solutions that are right for your business.