Why Should I Have A Sign? (Top of Page)
Good signage can increase a businesses’ opportunity for success and can be the difference, in this high-impluse and buying-oriented world, between success and failure. Your signs brand your business and may be the only physical indicator that you are there and want a customer’s patronage. Signs and vehicle lettering are the most affordable means of advertising available to businesses, and most businesses -- new or not -- don’t have a dollar to waste. Signs are on the job 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The U.S. Small Business Administration says, “...signs are the most effective, yet least expensive form of advertising for the small business.”

Sign Design Tips. (Top of Page)
Below are some tips for effective sign design:
1. Keep it visible and legible.
Remember that people of all ages (with varying vision) are going to be passing by your sign so it needs to be seen easily to be read quickly.
2. Keep it simple.
Don’t crowd your signage with too many words or lines of text which are difficult to read from a distance.
3. Save the details for the sale.
Don’t attempt to sell your product on the sign -- Use it to get people interested and into your business.
4. Grab attention.
There should be something about your signage that will reach out and grab the attention of your target market.
5. Use colorful pictures and graphics.
Your signage should have well designed, colorful, and attractive graphics and/or logo to clearly grab a viewer’s attention.
6. Your signage is the customer’s first impression of you.
First impressions are lasting impressions so project an image you want remembered.
7. Aesthetics and suitability.
Your sign should be attractive and appropriate for your type of business.
8. Keep your sign near the viewer.
Put your signage as close to the street as allowable without becoming an obstruction.
9. Make it memorable.
Good signage should make your products or services, as well as your location, easy to remember.
10. Consistent visual image.
Ideally, the design and colors of your signage should compliment the design and colors of your business.

Sign Talk Glossary. (Top of Page)
A SIGN: Any visual display with words or symbols designed to convey information or attract attention.
ANIMATED SIGN: A sign depicting action, motion, light or color changes through electrical or mechanical means. Although technologically similar to flashing signs, the animated sign emphasizes graphics and artistic display.
AWNING SIGN: A building mounted sign that provides additional functionality as shelter.
BACKLIGHTED LETTER: An illuminated reverse channel letter (open or translucent back) so light from the letter is directed against the surface behind the letter producing a halo lighting effect around the letter.
BANNER: A sign composed of lightweight material. Promotional banners include those used to announce open houses and grand openings, make special announcements, or communicate events.
BENCH SIGN: A sign located on the seat or back of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
BUILDING FASCIA: That portion of any elevation of a building extending vertically from the grade to the top parapet wall or eaves, and horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation.
CABINET SIGN: A sign structure consisting of the frame and face(s), not including the internal components, embellishments or support structure.
CANOPY SIGN: A building mounted sign functioning as a marquee or a sign mounted on a marquee or canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN: A variable message sign composed of individual letters panel-mounted in or on a track system.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN: Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
DIRECTORY SIGN: A sign that identifies the names and locations of tenants in a multi-tenant building or development.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN: A sign with two parallel opposing (back-to-back) faces.
EXTERIOR ILLUMINATED SIGN: A sign that is illuminated by a light source that is directed towards, and shines on the face of a sign.
FASCIA SIGN: A building mounted sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN: A sign that is not attached to a building.
GROUND SIGN: A freestanding sign with no visible support structure.
HIGH-RISE SIGN: A tall freestanding sign.
INTERIOR SIGNS: Signs that are located inside a building or other facility.
MARQUEE: A permanent canopy often of metal and glass projecting over an entrance.
MARQUEE SIGN: A sign mounted on a permanent canopy or a traditional industry term for the variable message section of a canopy sign.
MENU BOARD: A variable message sign that allows a retailer to list products and prices.
MOBILE SIGN: A portable sign mounted on a trailer.
MONUMENT SIGN: A ground sign with low overall height.
NEON SIGN: A sign manufactured utilizing neon tubing, which is visible to the viewer.
ON-PREMISE SIGN: A communication device whose message and design relates to products or services offered on that same property.
PARAPET SIGN: A sign mounted on top of the parapet (wall extending over roofline) of a building.
PERMANENT SIGN: A sign attached to a building, structure, or the ground in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental loads, such as wind, and precludes ready removal or movement.
POINT-OF-PURCHASE SIGN: Signage that advertises a product at its point of sale, or “point-of-purchase” location.
POLE SIGN: A freestanding sign with visible support structure.
PORTABLE SIGN: A sign not permanently attached to the ground or building.
POST AND PANEL SIGN: An unlighted sign fabricated by using one or more visible posts to support the sign body.
PROJECTING SIGN: A building mounted sign with the faces of the sign perpendicular to the building fascia.
REGULATORY SIGN: A sign having the primary purpose of conveying information concerning rules, ordinances or laws.
ROOF SIGN: A building mounted sign erected on the roof of a building.
SIDEWALK/SANDWICH SIGN: A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an “A”, which is why it is also called an A-Frame sign.
SINGLE-FACED SIGN: A sign with only one face plane.
STATIONARY SIGN: A sign with a power cord for attachment to a source of electrical power that is not readily moveable or portable.
TEMPORARY SIGN: Any sign not intended for permanent installation, such as banners or signs at construction sites or political signs.
UNDER-CANOPY SIGN: A sign designed to be mounted underneath a canopy.
VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN: A sign that includes provisions for message changes. Also called a changeable copy panel/sign, electronic message center, or menu board.
WALL SIGN: A building mounted sign.
WINDOW/STOREFRONT SIGN: A sign that is displayed in a window, often the storefront window of a business.