In a world where everyone is trying to sell something, how can you create signage that stands out? A short answer would be to follow the basic rules of designing, creating and installing signage. The long answer is detailed in the article below, put together by our friends at HBR Signs.

7 Most Common Mistakes in Signage

Powerful signage – the one that leaves a print on your customers’ mind – is designed with the basic signage principles in mind. This means avoiding the following mistakes, which are more common than one might think.

1. Giving Away Too Much Information

The purpose of a sign is to draw potential customers’ attention and deliver a short, impactful message they will remember for days or weeks to come. If you stuff too much information on the sign, the reader will probably miss the core message and forget about it in the next couple of minutes.

2. Installing the Sign in the Wrong Location

Having a sign obstructed by trees or other signs is worse than having no sign at all. Not only will people fail to see it, but those who actually do will perceive it as a sign of second-hand quality business.

3. Not Adjusting the Contrast

People will not stop and stare at your message, unless you create a killer sign. Avoid combining different shades of the same colour, as they are difficult to read. Instead, black text on yellow background or white text on black background can be easily seen from a distance.

4. Choosing Poor Quality Materials

It goes without saying that the quality of the materials and print should be one of the top priorities when creating signage. In this case, signage is much like a first date – you want to make the best impression. Your customers will learn a lot about your business when seeing those signs, and they’ll instantly feel drawn to or drawn away from your business.

5. Choosing a Font That Is Hard to Read

You only have a few seconds to get your message to the prospects – don’t waste half of them with a font that is hard to read or with multiple fonts that may confuse them. Verdana or Helvetica are frequently used in signage, as they are easy on the eyes.

6. Printing Low Quality Images

Before turning the design to print, make sure all the graphic elements are high quality. The last thing you need is a large pixelated billboard or unclear images cluttering the signage.

7. Neglecting the Sign

Signs, too, need maintenance. Whether it’s a letter missing or the colours that have faded due to the sunlight exposure, check all the signage you have installed every once in a while and make sure that it still inspires people to know more about your business.

If you need any help designing, creating or installing your signage, reach out to our team at HBR Signs. From Bentley to Costa and Arla, they’ve successfully helped companies create signage that stands out.