The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Signs: Boost Visibility and Drive Business
By Banners.com Staff
Every small business or event planner wants to bring foot traffic into their business or event. So, that brings this question to the table: What are some effective forms of advertising? One particularly effective form of advertising is the topic we are here to talk about today, and that is outdoor signs! These signs are great because they are often placed right in front of locations that people are passing through, giving your business or event easy advertising.
Here at Banners.com, we specialize in these advertising marvels and understand each aspect to consider when using them as a promotional tool. In this guide, we'll discuss the type of personalized signs for outdoors that works best for your business, the most durable materials, where to place your signs, and various other tips!
Chapter One: Choosing the Right Outdoor Sign for Your Needs
Chapter Two: Making the Most of Outdoor Sign Durability and Design
Chapter Three: Real-World Applications and Best Practices
Chapter Four: Final Thoughts: Why Outdoor Signs Are a Smart Investment
Chapter One: Choosing the Right Outdoor Sign for Your Needs
Types of Outdoor Signs for Businesses
Outdoor signs for business come in various forms, each made for your business purposes. Common types of outdoor signage that companies use to advertise include:
- A-frame sidewalk signs: A perfect option for storefront promotions or sidewalk menus.
- Pole Banners: Great option to hang from street lamps when entering or leaving a city, or decorating college campus footpaths.
- Wall-mounted signs: Ideal for branding and visibility from afar.
- Vinyl Banners: Versatile banners for a trade show, retail promotion, or community event.
- Yard Signs: A sign inserted into the ground, perfect for real estate agents, businesses, politicians, for birthdays and lawn care.
- Mesh Banners: A high quality outdoor signage option, that has a crisscrossed fiber pattern for maximum airflow.
Choosing the correct type of sign for your business will depend on your location, visibility needs, and brand message. For areas that have a lot of people passing through, signage that can be illuminated or present your business's colors information such as website, store hours and product offerings can be an extremely effective way to enhance your brand recognition.
How to Choose the Right Outdoor Sign
When choosing outdoor signage, it's important to consider:
- Visibility: At what distance can people see/read your signage?
- Message clarity: Is the message of your sign easily digestible? Can you read it within seconds?
- Placement: Will it be placed on a wall, staked into the ground, or freestanding?
Custom vs. Pre-Made Outdoor Signs
While pre-made signs can be a cost-effective option to quickly promote a generic message ("Open," "Sale," etc.), custom outdoor business signs have more flexibility to show branding identity. You can include your logo, fonts, and color palette, creating signage that matches your brand identity.
These custom signs are particularly beneficial for targeted events like grand openings or seasonal promotions.
Chapter Two: Making the Most of Outdoor Sign Durability and Design
Best Materials for Durable Outdoor Signs
A common concern that many people have is the longevity of their outdoor signage. The most common durable materials for outdoor signs include:
- Aluminum or Metal Signs: A lightweight, rustproof, and a perfect option for all types of weather.
- PVC and Coroplast (Yard Signs): This is a perfect choice for temporary event signage or yard signs.
- Acrylic and Dibond: Great for signage that will stick around for a while. These materials are a permanent signage option with a sleek finish.
- Vinyl Signs: Vinyl banners and Mesh banners are known for their durability, weather resistance, and material strength.
Weatherproofing is essential to consider when designing outdoor signage. One way to increase longevity is to use UV-resistant inks and lamination, which protects the sign from fading and wear. At Banners.com, we offer a wide variety of weatherproofed materials and print all of our custom products with uv resistant ink. We can provide specific options to suit your needs based on your intended use and budget.
Weatherproof Outdoor Sign Options
All of our custom weatherproof outdoor signs are created to handle a wide range of weather conditions. From wind and rain to sun exposure. Depending on your location and climate, you may want to consider:
- UV-coating for printed graphics (only available on yard sign products)
- Waterproof adhesives for decals and labels
- Mesh for high wind areas
- Ball bungees when hanging your vinyl banners to help distribute even load/tension on the bungees to help increase the lifespan.
Outdoor Signage Design Tips
Effective signage is more than just making the sign visually appealing; it's also important to consider whether your sign effectively communicates your message. Here are some of our professional tips:
- Keep it simple: A cluttered sign is difficult to read.
- Use high-contrast colors: This improves readability from a distance.
- Choose bold fonts: This enhances the visibility and emphasis of the text.
Chapter Three: Real-World Applications and Best Practices
Outdoor Signs for Small Businesses and Events
Small businesses benefit significantly from outdoor advertising signs. Some popular forms of strategic signage are:
- Sidewalk promotions: Advertise daily specials or limited-time offers.
- Events signs: Guide guests at weddings, races, trade shows, or markets.
- Directional signage: Help customers find entrances, exits, or parking areas.
As a side note, Outdoor event signage enhances brand recognition and is a great option for communicating directions or safety information.
Outdoor Sign Regulations and Permits
Many cities require permits for permanent signage, especially if the sign is large, illuminated, and/or connected to a building. At the same time, the rules and regulations will be different based on the location. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
- Check local zoning laws: Size, height, and illumination tend to be regulated.
- Get HOA approval (if necessary): Residential or shared areas often require approval.
- Allocate time for the permit process. A permit for your signage can take a few weeks to acquire.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
Proper installation is essential to further your sign's lifespan. Here's what we recommend:
- Use appropriate mounting hardware: Different materials require different anchors or adhesives.
- Use ball bungees: These are a particularly effective way to hang banners; ball bungees allow you to hang banners on various surfaces. Need help with how to hang a banner with ball bungees?
- Avoid areas with high winds if the sign is not secured. Freestanding signs can easily blow away or over if they aren't weighed down or tied down properly.
- Schedule regular maintenance: Occasionally check for damage or fading on the sign while also wiping down the sign when necessary.
Final Thoughts: Why Outdoor Signs Are a Smart Investment
Custom outdoor signs are an extremely cost-effective and impactful marketing tool. They are a great option for increasing brand awareness, driving foot traffic, or directing guests at an event.
Banners.com is proud to be a trusted partner to thousands of businesses and event organizers across the country. We offer custom solutions, expert guidance, and fast turnaround times to make your custom outdoor signs a seamless part of your marketing strategy.