Custom signs play a crucial role for both businesses and individuals alike.
Whether it’s a sign promoting a favorite political candidate or one that is celebrating a grand opening, custom yard signs are small marketing tools that pack a big punch in lots of different settings.
And shopping for these tools online is a great way to get exactly what you want, for a price you can easily afford.
- Custom yard signs are an excellent way to promote, celebrate, and inform those you are trying to reach in an effective and inexpensive way.
- Knowing your sign’s purpose and target audience will help you make the best custom sign for any business or event.
- Online signage companies are a great way to design custom signs, but take care to find the one that will best serve your needs.
- ― Step #1: Define Your “Why”
- ― Step #2: Define Your “Who”
- ― Step #3: Craft Your Message
- ― Step #4: Choose Your Materials
- ― Looking for the Best Custom Sign Online Store? Look No Further than Easy Signs!
While shopping for custom signage online is an excellent way to get a good deal, it can also seem daunting with so many options available.
From choosing your messaging to picking out the perfect colors and fonts, figuring out how to create signs that effectively communicate your message will require a bit of research to get the end product you want.
Let’s look at some of the key steps to making this happen!
Step #1: Define Your “Why”
Before diving into the design process, it’s crucial to understand the core reason behind creating your custom signs.
Defining your “why” will guide every decision you make, from the message to the design elements.
Let’s look at the best ways to do this:
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Understand the Purpose of Your Signs
The first step to making custom signage is to clearly identify the primary purpose of the sign.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want to achieve with this sign?
- What action do I want my audience to take?
Here are some common answers to these questions:
- My signs are for promotional use: One of the most common uses of custom signs is to let an audience know about something specific. For example, a sale sign outside a store lets an audience know this is a good time to buy. A sign that promotes a particular political candidate reminds everyone it’s time to vote.
- My signs are going to be used to inform: Essential information or instructions are often best conveyed with custom signs. From “No Smoking” signs to “VIP Parking Only” signs, a custom sign can make sure everyone knows the directions and how to implement them.
- My signs are for fun!: Custom signs are a great way to get everyone excited about an event. Whether it’s vinyl banners celebrating a candidate’s win or a feather flag celebrating a new store opening, custom signs can be an inexpensive and exciting way to pump up the energy at all types of events.
Step #2: Define Your “Who”
Knowing who will see your sign is just as important as knowing why you’re making it.
Understanding your target audience is going to help you tailor your message in a way that will resonate with them, while also prompting the desired action.
Here’s how to effectively identify and consider your target audience during the design prep stage:
Who is My Target Audience?
Start by defining the specific group of people you want to reach with your sign.
Think about these questions:
- Demographics: What is the age, gender, income level, education, and occupation of your audience?
- Psychographics: What are their interests, values, attitudes, and lifestyles?
- Behavioral Traits: What are their purchasing behaviors, brand loyalty, and usage patterns?
Knowing the audience you want to reach is crucial for creating effective custom signs. By understanding your audience’s demographics, preferences, and needs, you can craft a sign that captures their attention and prompts the desired action.
Step #3: Craft Your Message
Now that you understand the purpose of your signage and the audience it’s designed for, you can begin the process of crafting your custom signs.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Be Concise: Your message should be short and to the point. People often glance at signs quickly, so make sure your main point is immediately clear.
- Use Strong Action Words: Encourage your audience to take action with words like “Buy Now,” “Register Today,” or “Learn More.”
- Highlight Key Information: Make sure the most important information stands out, whether it’s a date, time, location, or special offer.
- Use the Right Colors: Use colors that align with your brand or the event’s theme. Ensure good contrast for readability.
- Find the Best Fonts: Choose fonts that are easy to read from a distance. Avoid using too many different fonts to maintain a cohesive look.
- Use Images and Icons: Incorporating images or icons that support your message is going to make it much more engaging. When possible, try to use your own images instead of stock ones to get a more customized effect.
Step #4: Choose Your Materials
Selecting high quality materials for your custom signs will be a critical step that affects their durability, appearance, and overall effectiveness.
The material you choose should align with the sign’s purpose, the location where it will be placed, and your budget.
Here’s a guide for choosing the materials that will best serve your needs:
Know Your Options
Depending on the purpose and use of your signs, one type of material may be better than another. For example, custom parking signs often require durable materials like metal or corrugated plastic to withstand outdoor conditions while clearly communicating essential information.
1. Vinyl
- Pros: Durable, weather-resistant, flexible, and cost-effective.
- Cons: Can fade over time with prolonged sun exposure.
- Best For: Outdoor banners, promotional signs, and temporary signage.
2. Metal (Aluminum, Steel)
- Pros: Extremely durable, weather-resistant, and professional-looking.
- Cons: Heavier and more expensive than other materials.
- Best For: Long-term outdoor signs, business signs, and directional signs.
3. Corrugated Plastic (Coroplast)
- Pros: Lightweight, weather-resistant, and cost-effective.
- Cons: Less durable than metal or acrylic.
- Best For: Yard signs, political signs, and real estate signs.
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Know Your Usage
Where will your signs be located? How long will they be in use? The answers to these questions will help you determine which of the above materials are going to be best for your custom sign design.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: Outdoor signs need to withstand weather conditions, so materials like vinyl, metal, or corrugated plastic are ideal. Indoor signs can use materials like foam board or acrylic.
- Visibility: Ensure the material and size are appropriate for the viewing distance and location. For example, a large metal sign might be suitable for a storefront, while a small acrylic sign could work well in an office.
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Know Your Budget
Balance your budget with the quality and durability of the material. While metal and acrylic are often more expensive, they may be better suited for situations that call for permanent use.
Vinyl, foam, and corrugated plastic are more budget-friendly options and are easy to move, making them ideal for times when you need signs that are more temporary and transportable.
Making custom signs can be a fun and highly effective way to make sure your message is clear to the audience you’re trying to attract.
Whether you want to promote a new business name, advertise a new product, or celebrate your award-winning customer service team, a well-designed custom sign can be your best tool to do all this and more!
Looking for the Best Custom Sign Online Store? Look No Further than Easy Signs!
When it comes to finding the best custom signs online, look no further than Easy Signs, where commitment to quality sets us apart in the industry.
At Easy Signs, we manufacture high-quality digitally printed signage at the lowest cost, passing the savings directly to our customers.
Located in Allentown, PA, our modern factory is equipped with the latest technology, including large-format HP dye sublimation printers and Latex printers.
Not only that, but our skilled artists and online design tool options will make sure every sign you need is as unique as you need it to be.
Whether you need promotional banners, informational signs, or directional signage, Easy Signs has you covered.
Trust us to help you create custom signs that effectively communicate your message and meet your needs.
Start designing with Easy Signs today and experience the difference in quality and service!