When you’re devising a signage strategy for your business, whether that’s an entertainment venue, a large-scale organised event or an office or retail area, it’s vital to consider all the different types of signage available on the current market and think about which will be the most appropriate for your particular project.

Why Signage Really Does Matter

Signs form a critical part of an organisation’s overall marketing strategy. Indeed, they can make or break the overall experience or impressions a customer or other visitor has of a business. Here are some points to bear in mind:

Adding your logo, for example, reinforces your brand and its message – sometimes even your core values too
Exterior signage tells people about your business 24/7, allowing people to notice where and what it is; and with illuminated signage, your business can be even more visible and noticeable after dark
Good signage communicates what you do simply, clearly and well, and sets out what people can expect in their interactions with you, and from your products or services
It is important in creating the first impression someone has of your business
In retail, good signage installation introduces new lines, boosts underperforming products, and can even encourage impulse purchases
Wayfinding signage obviously helps direct people to the right area of your venue, store or event
As décor, signage can add some colour to your venue or event
Interior signage can again help people to navigate, and help to drive sales in retail stores

The Main Types of Signage

There are more different types of signage than you may have realised, in both large and small formats. We detail some of the most popular varieties below:

#1 Exterior signage

This can take the form of signs at the front of shops or offices, hoardings, totems and other kinds of directional and wayfinding signage. There’s a great variety of different types of signage here, and a tremendous range of materials can be used, from aluminium to acrylic signage. And you can use bespoke lettering to create something that’s unique to your organisation. The various types available include:

Illuminated signage: These kinds of signs can significantly benefit your business whether you are open at night or not. Whether you go for LED-based models, backlit banners or anything else, you can be sure you will be noticed. You’ll also be creating a sleek, smart impression – and sending out a clear message about your brand. If you operate within retail or leisure and want to have a strong visual impact, go for big, bold illuminations.
Standalone signs: With this kind of exterior signage, people can still see it if your business is located away from passing trade – i.e. pedestrians and traffic. It’s also ideal if your site has multiple entrances and a large site, for example, if you’re a school or hotel. Strategic signage installation where it can be readily seen will help to create the desired impression.
Window graphics and glass lettering: For small sites (for example coffee shops) in busy locations like a shopping street, window graphics are a cost-effective and flexible type of exterior signage.
Banners and flags: These are versatile, popular and affordable, and can be an excellent temporary solution for something like event notification. Colourful and well-designed banners and flags with vivid, relevant brand messaging are effective at drawing attention to your product or service.

And, as well as the above, you could choose hoardings, building wraps or billboards as other forms of exterior signage depending on your project.

#2 Wayfinding and directional signage

Wayfinding signage obviously helps people navigate their way around a premises with ease, and is particularly important for large premises, whether that’s a store, office or sports stadium. It can be external or interior signage. What’s more, it can make a real difference to visitors’ experiences when they visit your site, as well as showcasing your brand’s personality. So wayfinding signs don’t have to be purely functional – you can get really creative with different materials. And directional signage includes, for example, vinyl floor graphics.

There are various different types of signage under this category. As well as telling people where they are, and how to get somewhere else, such as the bathrooms, it can also help stress things like safety standards. It can help answer questions before they’ve been posed.

In summary, the four types of wayfinding signage include:

Identification: Telling someone they have arrived at their destination. Make it simple and to the point.
Directional: Helping people to get where they are going.
Informational: For example, hours of operation or Wi-Fi details.
Regulatory: To do with rules, safety concerns and so on. Keep this concise, clear and no-frills.

#3 Interior signage

This is just as important as external signs, whatever type of space you are operating. And, again, it comes in myriad different materials, from acrylic signage to vinyl and more, including natural materials such as woods and metals.

Here are examples of some different types of signage that would go indoors:

Wall and floor graphics – to help you create a more interesting and welcoming environment and reinforce your brand identity consistently
Directional and wayfinding signage – particularly for larger locations
Point-of-sale signage – especially in retail settings
Banners and posters – perfect for time-limited promotions and deals and to advertise the latest products cheaply yet effectively
Digital displays – modern and fun, these can also distract queuing customers; use to promote your brand, forthcoming events and offers

Types of signage by industry

Virtually all businesses need some type of signage. But in some sectors, signage installation can have a particularly high impact. For example:

Retail: Retail signage and graphics are a vital tool for communicating with customers – inside and out, it needs to be clear, concise, and, most importantly, eye-catching.
Office: As well as being functional (for example, wayfinding signage or health and safety notices), high-quality office signage and graphics help to form a corporate identity by providing consistency, whatever your business sector.
Hospitality: Use signage to create engaging, inviting venues. Here, signs can inform and guide customers while promoting your services at the same time.
Sports settings: At sports matches and similar events, signs are crucial in directing fans around large venues, while also helping to promote an event, so signage is critical to any sporting fixture’s success.
Events: Here again, event signage helps to draw attention, convey important information, and position your brand as being more professional.
Construction: Different types of construction signage including hoarding boards are essential to this sector. As well as helping promote a new project and keeping out people who shouldn’t be on-site, and giving directions to those who should, they warn of hazards and safety rules across the various areas of work.

Talk to Rocket Graphics About Your Signage Today

As a large-format printing company, we specialise in exterior and interior signage production, for a wide range of sectors including hospitality, high-profile sporting and other events, large-scale exhibitions, entertainment venues and more. Get in touch with us right now for an informal discussion about how we could help transform your brand with the right signage.

The Different Types of Signage: Explained