Hanging Out Your Shingle-Choosing The Right Storefront Sign For Your Business

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Storefront signs are essential for letting customers know what type of business you have and what days, and times your business is open. The expression "hanging out your shingle" goes back several decades when professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, worked out of their homes. They would hang a shingle or roof tile near their front door as a way of announcing what type of service they offered and to let those passing by that they were open for business. Storefront signs have come a long way since the days of using a roofing shingle to advertise a business, but the concept is still the same, the goal of your storefront sign is to draw customers in. Here are a few tips on choosing the right storefront sign for your business.

Signs to Suit Your Location

The signage you choose should work well with the building as well as the location of the building. For example, if your business is in an urban area, the sign should covey sophistication and energy, whereas a business in a historical district should convey the feeling of that time period. The sign should stand out, without being a distraction to the building or its surroundings. It is also important to consider how the sign will be seen, for example:

• If the building is in a location with more pedestrians than vehicles, the sign should be hung near the entranceway for easy viewing.
• Buildings that will have more street traffic than pedestrian traffic should have signage with content that is large enough to be read from inside a vehicle.

The Best Design For Your Needs

Storefront signs are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials. They can be one color or several colors. They can be made of wood, metal or fabric. Some examples of popular storefront signs include:

• Painted glass: this type of sign is typically used on an entry door or storefront window. Painted glass signage is sometimes difficult to see from the street, but it is ideal for businesses with a lot of pedestrian traffic. This type of sign also is also attractive on buildings in a historical district.
• Painted plywood: these types of signs are simple and personalized, yet affordable. But they are subject to weather damage, so they may need to be frequently replaced.
• Fabric: fabric signs are a ideal for those who prefer a colorful, budget friendly sign. The fabric used is typically plastic, vinyl or nylon. Sun, rain and wind can damage the fabric, so this type of sign may need to be replaced frequently.
• Awning signs: awning signs accomplish three goals, they provide shade for your business, shelter for your customers and advertisement for your business. The cost of awning signs depends on the fabric, size of the awning and the hardware needed to hang the awning.
• Punched metal: this is one of the most common types of storefront signs because they are durable and weather-resistant. When designed correctly, punched metal signs can typically be used in either an urban location or a historical location. The cost of a punched metal sign depends on the size, color and texture.
• Metal lettering: this is three-dimensional type of signage that is typically used to spell out the name of the business. The letters are usually large enough to be seen from the street. The cost depends on the letter size and design of the letter as well as the installation cost.

Once you have hung out your shingle, it is important to maintain it. Signage that is damaged or faded will be a representation of your business, so it is important to clean, repair and/or replace storefront signs as often as necessary.

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1 April 2016