Channel letter signs are large vinyl letters installed outside a business's entrance. They are a premium marketing tool that helps to enhance a business's branding efforts and overall presence. Many Texas-based companies utilize custom channel letters to elevate their marketing strategy, from large corporations to local businesses.
These signs are incredibly adaptable, allowing them to accommodate your specific design requirements. You can choose from a nearly limitless selection of materials, styles, colors, lighting, and mounts to create your desired look. It's why they are such a powerful means to grow brand awareness.
Understanding the Utility of Channel Letters for Branding
Texas is home to over 3.2 million businesses, meaning visibility is key to growing brand recognition. Well-placed, clear, and readable signage not only directs customers to your business but also differentiates it from competitors. It can generate the right first impression, attract customers, and enhance sales. A study by the International Sign Association found that signs can directly contribute to at least half of all new customers for businesses, which accentuates their overall importance and effectiveness when designed properly.
Custom channel letter signs are large entrance signs, usually made of metal or acrylic letters. Each letter or symbol is three-dimensional, meaning once it's installed, it projects outwards from the building. The key feature of channel letter signs is their lighting; there are four primary lighting configurations to choose from, including:
- Standard Front-Lit: This is the most common type, where the front of the letter is illuminated.
- Halo-Lit: Commonly called backlit letters, the lighting creates a halo effect by illuminating the surface they are mounted on instead of the letters themselves.
- Open Face: The signs are illuminated from the front, and the bulbs are not covered by a front panel, leaving them exposed. They are often teamed with neon or decorative light bulbs to create a visually striking appearance.
- Combination-Lit: This option combines front and backlit lighting effects to create a vibrant design.
Channel letter signs in Fort Worth offer an excellent canvas to display your brand. However, their design will noticeably impact their visibility, emphasizing the need to focus on crafting a proper design and working with a professional signage partner.
Designing Channel Letter Signs in Fort Worth for Maximum Impact
Before we dive into how to design custom channel letters for impact, let's clarify the two primary goals of a design: visual appeal and clarity. Signs should be striking, while also being legible from your desired distance.
Size and Proportion
The size of your channel letters is critically important. They need to be large enough to be easily readable but should be proportional to the space where they will be installed. Also account for the fact that your audience may be walking or driving past the sign, meaning they need to be large enough to be read by a diverse audience. A general rule of thumb is that the sign should be as large as the space allows while leaving sufficient padding around it for visual separation.
Choosing Fonts
Fonts reflect your branding and readability. San serif, bold fonts are often best for custom channel letter signs because they are easy to read at a glance. Conversely, fonts that look like handwriting – otherwise called cursive fonts – may look nice on a screen, but they can be hard to read from afar.
Color Choice
Using your brand's colors for a sign is the best practice. For instance, a company with a logo that uses dark blue and green should reflect that in their signage. Light-on-dark or dark-on-light color schemes work best for font and background colors, as they ensure adequate contrast. In other words, make sure the colors you choose stand out from the background and that the sign is legible at all hours of the day.
Incorporating Lighting
LED lighting has been transformative for signage. Unlike traditional bulbs and neon lighting, you can choose from a nearly limitless selection of colors and lighting effects. LED lighting is also available in a variety of styles, such as diffused lighting, imitation light bulbs, LED neon, and more.
An expert sign designer can show you how different lighting options will look before you decide on one for your sign. Choose an option that gives the sign a premium appearance and reflects your business's branding.
Location, Location, Location
Signs are most effective when they are seen by passersby, so install your channel letters facing the flow of traffic. Ensure they are unobstructed by trees, buildings, lampposts, or banners. How high your sign should be installed depends on your audience. A sign mounted above your storefront is ideal for pedestrians, while a rooftop-mounted sign will be most visible to drivers. Consider a location and angle that maximizes its visibility for your target audience.
Design for Durability
Durability may not seem to be related to visibility, but the quality of materials and construction will determine the longevity of your sign. A sign that fades prematurely or breaks easily will make a poor first impression, which can negatively impact your business. It's wiser to invest in high-quality materials, such as metal, upfront because, over time, they will pay for themselves with lower maintenance requirements and a maximized impact.
Avoiding Common Design Mistakes for Your Channel Letter Signs
Now that we've discussed the top tips for maximizing the visibility of your sign, here are a few things to keep in mind about design:
- Legibility: Make sure your messaging is center stage on your sign. Opt for uncluttered designs and bold typefaces that are easy to read. People spend around seven seconds making an impression of a business, which is why the sign needs to be easily recognizable. Flourishing design touches, and long messages are best saved for your website.
- Color: Ensure the color you choose reflects your brand's identity, while also having an emotional impact on customers. For example, blues and greens are calming, while reds and yellows are energizing. Avoid using hues that contradict the kind of atmosphere you are trying to set for your establishment.
- Branding: The design of your channel letters should reflect the style, colors, and graphics you use in other marketing materials. Consistent branding creates a consistent experience, while misaligned branding can instill distrust. Be vigilant that your channel letter sign company captures your brand requirements accurately.
Work with a Top Channel Letter Sign Company in Southlake
At Priority Signs & Graphics, we are trusted signage partners for retailers, offices, medical providers, transit agencies, and more. Our customers depend on us for an all-encompassing signage experience and responsive customer support, which we consistently provide and pride ourselves on doing so.
Book a free consultation today to discuss your needs with an experienced sign professional. See why we are the go-to channel letter sign company for businesses like yours.
