Whether you’re an SME in its first year of business, or a large international organisation with hundreds and thousands of employees – choosing the correct signage solutions for your business is essential.

In order to achieve the best results, there are a series of factors to consider:

Firstly, it is important to assess the purpose of the signage that you are looking to purchase. Almost all signage is designed to achieve one or more of the following.

  • To identify or promote a given brand
  • To inform and advertise to a given audience
  • To engage and entertain a given audience

Are you a restaurant owner looking to advertise a new menu or to inform customers about changes to your business? Perhaps your organisation has undergone a rebrand and you wish to promote it to your existing clients and generate brand awareness?

With this information, you, and us, as your sign manufacturer, will be able to make clearer decisions on sizes, materials, colours, and other aspects of the signage scheme.

Consider:

» Budget:

Of course, this is always going to be one of the more crucial factors in a signage project and it is important to explore your options.  At Hardy Signs, we work closely with our clients to give accurate estimations for their requirements. We take the time to explain the price differences in various materials and manufacturing processes so that you can make an informed decision.

You’d expect a signage company provide you with 2-3 different options that reflect premium, more bespoke solutions and a cost-effective approach. It is also important to remember that you may not need to spend heavily to gain the desired purpose of your signage – low-budget, cost-effective solutions can be just as impactful.

» Colour:

Did you know that the colour red is known to increase aggression, whilst blue is said to have a more calming effect? There is a great deal of in-depth research on the impact of different colours on the human brain and the emotions that different colours can trigger. Take the time to read our ‘Importance of colour‘ blog to learn more.

At Hardy Signs, we ensure that the design process is carefully considered and the use of colour in all our signage solutions is a subject that we discuss in detail with our client.

» Illumination:

If you think that your signage needs a higher impact, why not try illuminated signage? This is a slightly more expensive option (Fig. 1), but it is worth every penny. Illuminated signage is a great way to gain prominent visibility and stand out from your competitors.

There are different options for illuminated signage such as neon, halo illuminated, face illuminated, flexible-faced lightboxes, light-boxes lightboxes, and sign lighting. One of the main benefits of this kind of signage is that they shine bright day or night, especially on the greyer days. A little bit of lighting can make all the difference in the world and give you the edge over your competitors.  

If they are done right, the impact lasts a lifetime. For example, if you look at McDonald’s, their main sign is the letter ‘M’ in illuminated 3D lettering. The signage stands out; you are familiar to the brand; you can spot it miles away and it is eye-catching.

mcdonalds - illuminated signageFig 1. Mcdonalds Illuminated Signage

» Digital Options:

If you are looking for something more versatile – digital signage has so many various applications. Many restaurant, pubs and takeaways use digital menu boards so the customer can see everything clearer. Transport hubs (airports, train, and bus stations and even bus stops) have also chosen digital screens.

In the hospitality sector (restaurants, cafés, theatres, hotels etc) they can be used to advertise to and inform customers and visitors. It all depends on the content loaded to the screens and if used appropriately they can boost customer satisfaction by 40% – according to Digital Signage Today. It is just as beneficial in the healthcare sector. Digital signage is transforming the way GP surgeries and hospitals communicate with staff and patients. It can be used as directional signage to point visitors in the right direction or displaying essential healthcare information. For example, in 2020 many hospitals and GP surgeries are showing the message ‘stay alert, control the virus, save lives’ to warn people about Coronavirus.

We recently introduced LCD Hand Sanitiser Displays, which combines handwashing with digital signage. This product enables its users to browse the content whilst also keeping cleanliness intact.

» Planning Constraints:

When choosing signage for your business, remember that you may need planning permission depending on the size of the sign or the illumination. Excessive brightness could be a distraction to motorists. According to government guidelines, any illuminated signage or sign that is bigger than 0.3 square metres on the outside of your business will need planning permission. There are five ‘standard conditions’ you must adhere to.

These include:

  • Signs must be kept clean
  • They must be safe
  • You must have permission from the landowner on which the sign is located
  • The sign cannot obscure transport signage or routes or make them hazardous. So, do not block road signs and stop motorists from being able to see oncoming traffic.
  • If the authorities do ask you to remove a sign, you must do so safely.

Should you have any questions, our team will be happy to help!

» Brand Guidelines / Restrictions:

Some companies have established brand guidelines within their business that give specific instructions on elements such as fonts, colours, logos, etc. Maintaining uniformity throughout a business’ corporate identity is a key factor in conveying its’ core values. It is vastly important to think about brand guidelines when considering the different signage solutions.


Sources:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11499/326679.pdf

https://resources.blmtechnology.com/av/getting-started-with-digital-signage-part-2

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