Your business sign is one of the most important print projects you can take on. Working around the clock to grab attention, an effective business sign will build brand awareness and ultimately encourage customers into your store. A poor quality sign can have the opposite effect, driving potential customers away before they’ve even stepped foot through the door.
With so many design options and materials to consider, creating the perfect sign for your NYC business can feel like a daunting project, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide will walk you through the process, from brainstorming ideas to finalizing a design that reflects your brand and captivates your audience.
How to Design Your Sign
Determine the Purpose of your Sign
- Are you trying to attract attention from people walking or driving by – or is your business likely to already be the customer’s destination?
- Do you want to provide information like your business’s logo, street address, contact details and hours?
- Will your business sign be used for wayfinding, guiding customers towards things like parking and entrances?
Understanding your sign’s primary function will help guide your design choices.
Select Design Elements
Color
As a starting point, most businesses will use their existing brand identity as a base color for a business sign, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. Consider the coloring of neighboring signage to avoid getting lost in the noise, and keep legibility high by using a limited palette of bright, contrasting and complementary hues.
Typography
Choose a clear and easy-to-read font that complements your logo and brand aesthetic. Like with colors, you shouldn’t feel bound by your existing logo font when designing a business sign. Blocky, sans-serif fonts are generally more readable from a distance, as are lighter-colored fonts set against darker backgrounds.
Graphics & images
High-quality visuals can significantly enhance your sign’s impact, but keep in mind that they can easily overwhelm the design if too many contrasting images are used. Consider limiting yourself to using your logo, product photos or location-specific imagery.
Material
The material you choose will mostly be determined by the business sign’s location. Outdoor signage should be durable enough to withstand harsh weather and sun-bleaching without fading or being damaged, while business signs next to busy streets should be easy to clean regularly. Common options include aluminum, vinyl, acrylic, and wood.
Texture
Consider the visual and tactile impact of different textures. A glossy finish can create a modern feel, while a rustic wood grain adds warmth.
Size & scale
A giant sign might overwhelm a small storefront, while a tiny sign might get lost in a busy street. Your sign should be large enough to be easily read from the spot where your customers are standing. Remember that NYC zoning regulations set the maximum permitted sizes for large street frontage and other business signs, which can vary depending on where you are.
Draft, Gather Feedback, Finalize
Once you’ve decided on the basic elements, it’s time to sketch out some initial ideas or use free online design tools to create a digital draft.
Partner with Unique Print NY and we can help out at every stage of the process, guiding your print project from concept to completion. We can work with you to refine your business sign’s colors, materials, size and layout. Once you’re happy, we can finalize the design, ready for printing, before placing your order.
What Impacts Business Signage Cost?
At Unique Print NY we deliver cost-effective, high-quality business signage with fast turnarounds and guaranteed results. Speak with our friendly team of experts today to get a quote on your next print project.
Every project is different, and the cost of your business sign depends on several factors.
- Size: Larger signs naturally cost more due to material and printing requirements.
- Material: Premium materials like acrylic or illuminated signs will be more expensive than standard vinyl banners.
- Complexity: Signs with intricate designs, multiple colors, or custom fabrication will cost more than simple designs.
- Installation: If professional installation is required, you’ll need to factor in the labor cost.
When to Work with a Full Service Printing Company for Your Business Signage?
When it comes to designing an effective and memorable sign for your business, teaming up with Unique Print NY early on in the process offers some serious advantages.
- Expertise: Our experienced team has seen it all. We can guide you through everything from the design process to material selection, saving you time and hassle.
- High-quality printing & fabrication: We use advanced printing techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to produce durable signs with vibrant colors and sharp details.
- Large format printing: Do you need a truly impactful sign? We can handle large-scale projects to maximize your visibility at any distance.
- Custom fabrication: Do you have a unique design concept in mind? If you can imagine it, we can probably make it. At Unique Print NY we create a wide range of custom signs for NYC businesses using diverse materials and fabrication techniques.
Work with Unique Print NY on your next print project. We’ll provide you with an effective business sign that not only represents your brand’s values and vibe, but attracts new customers and looks great while doing it
Steve Hogarty
