A Basic Guide to Sign Boards

A Quick Guide about Sign Boards

While walking down the street, you must’ve observed different sign boards several times. They are a common sight for many us but how much do we know about them?

Not a lot! Well, we’re here to change that. Read on to know about the different types of sign boards and why they are important.

Functions of a Sign Board

If you think that sign boards are just used for advertising purposes, you might want to rethink that. They do so much more. Let’s find out.

For Providing Information

Sign boards are widely used for informational purposes. They are frequently used for indicating gestures, showing maps, and other instructions about a place. Signage boards also exhibit signs or symbols to indicate directions.

For Advertising

Sign boards are commonly used for promotions. Since visual perceptions tend to linger in your memory for a longer time, several businesses use them for advertising their business. An advertising board that is installed at a busy location will attract the attention of a lot of people. This will help you meet your business promotion-related goals.

For Safety Purpose

We often see sign boards that have safety signs or instructions on them. Some of these indicate potential hazards while others indicate mandatory actions that are required to prevent those hazards. They are used by industrial facilities and are also installed at public places like cliffs, beaches etc.

In Australia these follow AS 1319, which sets the colour and shape of each class of safety sign — see our safety and warning signs.

Now that you’re acquainted with the different functions of a sign board, let’s move forward to talk about the types of sign boards

Types of Sign Boards

External Sign Boards

These are the ones that are used for advertisement, directions, or informational purposes. They can be big or medium-sized depending upon the requirements and affordability factors of a brand. They are often used for call-to-action purpose because they quickly grab people’s attention. Outdoors these are usually printed on corrugated plastic, which is light and weatherproof.

Internal Sign Boards

These are usually used inside the lobby of a company or in the compound of the offices. Indoors, PVC foam board is the usual choice because it is rigid and holds a cleaner edge.

Illuminated Sign Boards

These are sign boards that glow in the dark. They are usually used for advertisements. Backlit light box displays are also another type of illuminated sign boards that are used in exhibitions or trade shows for business promotions.

Fascia Sign Boards

These are installed at the front head of a building. They have the brand name and logo and are used at the shop-fronts. Many of them have a 3D finish and are illuminated as well.

Footpath and A-Frame Boards

Freestanding boards that fold flat and need no fixings — the most common sign outside a shop or cafe. The frame is reused and only the printed panel is replaced. See A-frame advertising boards.

Best Practices While Installing a Sign Board

1. Try to make your sign board graphical. It helps to make it more interesting to look at. Incorporate images, colors, and creative font styles to make it exciting.
2. Be mindful of the spot that you choose to install your sign board. Make sure to install it at a location that serves the purpose well.
3. Keep the messages on your sign boards concise. Lengthy messages get boring.
4. Size the lettering for the reading distance — roughly 25mm of letter height for every 10 metres away your reader will be.
5. Decide how it will be fixed before you order — eyelets, drilled holes, ground stakes or a frame — so the finishing is done at production rather than with a drill afterwards.
6. You can also incorporate a call-to-action in your boards to help people reach out to your business.

This was a quick guide to help you understand the basics of sign boards. When you are ready to order, browse our sign boards — corflute, foam board and A-frame, printed in Melbourne and most dispatched within 24 hours of proof approval.