Signs work best when they are planned together, from the fascia outside to the door plates inside. Send us floor plans or photos of the building and we design one consistent set, so visitors follow the same type, colours and arrows from the car park to reception.
Signage design
Read from across the street.
Good signage design gets read from a distance, in passing, in any light. We create the artwork and set it up for your sign maker.
Sign types
What kind of sign do you need?
Outside
Shop fronts and fascias
Fascia boards, projecting signs, built-up letters and lit signs that name you from the street.
Glass
Window graphics
Cut vinyl lettering, frosted manifestation bands and full-colour graphics for shop windows and glass doors.
Inside
Wayfinding and offices
Reception signs, directional signs, door plates and wall graphics that help visitors find their way.
Events
Banners and displays
Roller banners, PVC and mesh banners, flags, A-boards and exhibition backdrops.
Materials
Common sign materials
The material sets how long a sign lasts and how it can be lit. Your sign maker will confirm what suits the site.
| Material | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium composite panel | Fascias and outdoor boards | Rigid, flat and built for years outside |
| Acrylic | Reception signs and built-up letters | Clear or coloured; can be lit from behind or the edge |
| PVC foam board | Indoor signs and short-term displays | Light and inexpensive, but not for long spells outdoors |
| Fluted polypropylene | Site boards and temporary signs | Light, waterproof and low cost |
| Vinyl | Windows, vehicles and walls | Cut lettering or printed graphics, with removable or permanent adhesive |
| Banner material | Roller, PVC and mesh banners | Mesh lets wind through on fences and scaffolding |
Before you order
Do you need permission for a new sign?
Sometimes. In England, most illuminated signs and some larger fascia and projecting signs need advertisement consent from the council, and listed buildings and conservation areas have stricter rules. The Planning Portal explains the basics.
In the US, sign rules come from local zoning codes, and South African municipalities have their own outdoor advertising by-laws. Check before you commission the sign. We can supply scaled drawings and a visual of the sign on your building for an application.
Print & design
Related services
Questions
Questions about signage design
Question not here? Send it to us and we will answer it directly.
Ask a questionWhat files does a sign maker need?
Vector artwork at full size or to an agreed scale, such as 1:10 for large signs, with text converted to outlines and colours given as Pantone or vinyl colour references. Printed graphics need images at enough resolution for their viewing distance. We confirm the maker’s exact requirements first, because every workshop works slightly differently.
How big should the lettering be?
Big enough to read from where people will actually be: across the road, in a passing car or at the far end of a car park. Letter height grows with reading distance, and bold, simple type at strong contrast carries further than thin or decorative type. We check the layout at scale before you commit.
What does signage design cost?
That depends on the number of signs and how much work each sign involves. A single roller banner is a quick job; a shop front with a lit fascia, window graphics and interior wayfinding takes longer, especially when measurements and site photos become scaled drawings. We quote for design only, and fabrication and fitting come from your sign maker.
What size is a standard roller banner?
In the UK and South Africa, the most common roller banner is 850 mm wide by about 2 metres tall, with wider stands available. In the US, 33 inches is the most common width. We keep the key message in the top two-thirds, because the bottom of a banner often ends up behind tables and people.
Fitting out new premises?
Commission your signage design
Send photos of the site, rough measurements, the signs you want and your sign maker, if you’ve chosen one. Our quote gives a fixed figure for each sign and any drawings you need. Your signage design then starts with a visual on your own building.