Outdoor signs are only successful if they can quickly draw attention from busy, distracted people moving from one place to another and hold their attention long enough for them to take notice, or ideally, take action. If your outdoor signs are failing at their one and only purpose, it is most likely due to their design.

Consider these design tips when creating outdoor signage and give your billboards, banners, and displays the best chances for success.

Simple is Best

How much can you read while driving past a sign at 30 miles an hour? Probably just a few words—and that holds true for just about everyone. Whatever you want to say on your outdoor signage, say it fast and keep it simple. Apply this same rule to colors (choose a few, and make them bold) and design elements (the fewer, the better). Make a loud, bold statement with your sign, not a confusing, muddled one.

Turn on the Contrast

If you want your signs to stand out in the cacophony of images people are subject to every day, use contrasts to your advantage. Contrasting colors are naturally appealing together (check out the color wheel to see what we mean by contrasting) and are more effective at getting your message stand out than similar colors are. Stick to two, if you can, since too much contrast can be jarring and unpleasant.

Show us Your Brand

You spent good money on that logo and style guide for your business so be sure to put it to work in all your communications, even the giant ones that do your outside advertising for you. Use your logo. Use your company colors. Use your company language. Stick to the message and you’ll build brand loyalty a lot faster.

We can help with design and printing of nearly anything you have in mind. Contact our office to find out how we can help you make a bold statement, drive customers to your door, and boost your profits with the highest quality printing in Cincinnati.