Design Tips

Signs are one of the most efficient and effective means of communication. Signs help people find you; they reach people who are passing by your establishment; they present an image of your business. In short, signs tell people who you are and what you are selling.

A sign is the most direct form of visual communication available.

• A sign must be noticeable.
• A sign should have a clean and simple, but brief message.
• A sign must be readable. Review the letter visibility chart below for more details.
  
  

  LETTER HEIGHT		READABLE DISTANCE (For maximum Impact)		MAXIMUM READABLE DISTANCE
  3"		30'		100'
  4"		40'		150'
  6"		60'		200'
  8"		80'		350'
  9"		90'		400'
  10"		100'		450'
  12"		120'		525'
  15"		150'		630'
  18"		180'		750'
  24"		240'		1,000'
  30"		300'		1,250'
  36"		360'		1,500'
  42"		420'		1,750'
  48"		480'		2,000'
  54"		540'		2,250'
  60"		600'		2,500'

  
  Maximum Distance in color would be RED or BLACK on WHITE Background, 5,280' equals 1 mile.
  
• A sign must be legible, well designed and easy to read. For examples and more details, click here.
  
• A sign should use contrasting color combinations. Click here for color chart example.
• A sign should use no more than two different fonts. There are over 3,000 fonts available, but only a handful are usually used over and over in the sign business. Use a size and boldness to create diversity and interest.

  The most popular fonts utilized for sign designs are: