10 Sign Mistakes People Make

When putting up a sign for your business there is a lot to consider. Leaving a positive first impression on your potential customer is important. Recognizing potential mistakes and avoiding them will give you the best chance to draw people to your business. Here are 10 sign mistakes people make and why to avoid them.

1. Leaving the Sign Exposed
The sun and rain will eventually become an enemy of your sign. Just like your skin needs protection, so does your sign. To avoid fading it’s good to by UV inks that are fade resistant, especially if your sign is staying outdoors for more than one day. Waterproofing any sign outdoors is a good move, even if the forecast is only sunshine. You never know when rain or other factors will strike.

2. Improper Design

Typically, someone passing by your sign only has a few seconds to look at it, making it critical that they can read it clearly. Making sure that your font is readable and on a contrasting enough background can make or break your sign readability. You may like the way certain colors look together, but unless people can read it at a glance you will have missed a chance at a lasting first impression. Additionally, making sure you have your sign large enough for people to read at a distance.

3. Not Accounting for Nature

Much like not accounting for sun and rain, other forces of nature pose just as much of a threat. Wind can cause signs to break away from it’s mounting or even crack a sign in half. Making sure your sign is made of the right material to make it flexible enough to withstand wind can save you costly replacements and repairs. Some solutions include having holes for wind to go through, or using a mesh-like material.

4. Failing to Consider the Temperature
Each substrate reacts at different temperatures. Depending on where your sign is located, being able to handle extreme cold or blazing heat can play a part in which material you use to make your sign. Some materials might become brittle and break or even melt in high heat. Some can crack easy in winds in low temperatures. Make sure you make your sign on something made for the climate of where your sign is going to be. Check manufacture guidelines on materials to get what you need.

5. Not Taking Security Measures
Not making your sign anti-theft and easy clean up can be another costly mistake. If your sign is going to stay up for a long time, it might come face to face with a thief or two trying to steal it for a bet or whatever their reason could be. Making sure your sign is well grounded and bolted down is a good start. Additionally, laminates on top of your sign can make graffiti come off easier, as well as dirt and grime that can accumulate overtime.

6. Installation Plans
After choosing the proper substrate, failing to prepare for installation can present other issues. Each material has different factors that can affect travel and installation. It can also determine if you need professional installers or not. Its good to keep in mind how the finished sign will be put up.

7. Throwing The Sign Up Anywhere
A sign could have the greatest design, but if it’s not placed in the right spot very few will notice it. If your sign goes unnoticed, many potential customers will be lost. It’s important to place your sign with high visibility, or clear from bushes, trees, or other environmental blockades.

8. Cost
Depending on the type of sign you have created, the cost of shipping and installation can be a make or break on a budget. However, buying lesser material because of the costs can cost more in the long run with repairs, replacements, etc. Be sure to factor in all costs, from material to installation.

9. No Maintenance
Throwing a sign up and leaving it will not do any good. Making sure your sign stays clean and well-lit will make your business look and feel more professional to potential customers. Taking the time to repair damages and making sure any lights are still working can make all the difference.

10. Seeking Trends
If you plan on having your sign up for decades, it can be important to consider not designing with today's trend unless you want to redo your design. What looked groundbreaking a few decades ago can look old an outdated today. Make sure you think about how well your sign design will age.

If you’re planning to install a professional outdoor sign, make sure you’re doing it right. Applying laminate for ‘sunscreen’ and protection can save you money down the line. The proper placement can draw you in more customers and securing your sign from thieves is a smart play. Make sure you know what you need before you invest in that shiny new sign.