Outdoor signage is still one of the most effective methods for gaining brand recognition and attracting customers, even in a highly competitive market. From retail stores to large corporations and from hotels and restaurants to community centres, outdoor signage provides customers and clients with the information they need to find their way around or make their purchase decision quickly. This article provides insight into eight popular types of outdoor signboards: Glow Signs, LED Signs, ACP Signs, Flex Printing Hoarding, Neon Sign, 3D Letter Signs, Backlit Shop Signs and Wayfinding & Directional Signs - each of which is described below along with its intended use, benefits and advantages.
Traditional storefront advertising will continue to be outperformed by Glow Sign Boards. Glow Sign Boards are manufactured using translucent vinyl placed on either an acrylic or polycarbonate substrate that is illuminated internally using either LED or fluorescent tubes. Because the Glow Sign Board is both inexpensive and easy to maintain, they are perfect for small and medium businesses looking for an affordable 24-hour presence without major costs.
LED Sign Boards are the current standard in outdoor advertising and can provide energy savings of as much as 70 % over conventional fluorescent electricity usage. The brightness of an LED Board will exceed that of a fluorescent board. In addition, the typical lifespan of an LED Sign Board is over 50,000 hours and is available in monochrome and color options, as well as programmable functionality, allowing quick turnaround of promotional announcements and real-time messaging in high-density locations.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACPs) combine aesthetic appeal with structural integrity and durability. They consist of two metal sheets with a lightweight, yet strong polyethene core sandwiched between the metal sheets. This design allows ACPs to withstand harsh weather, corrosion, and impact.
Digitally printed images, vinyl applications, or router-cut letters applied to an ACP will provide the necessary high-quality finish for all commercial facades, shopping centres, and architectural branding projects where the use of high-quality signage is essential for long-lasting exposure.
Flex Printing Hoarding (Banners) are designed for large-scale temporary or semi-permanent advertising requirements. The large format of the banner is printed onto a flexible vinyl or mesh substrate material. In addition, either solvent-based or UV-cure-based inks will be used to print the images. Due to the inherent flexibility of this material, Flex Printing Hoarding (Banners) allow for the production of very large banners that can be used to cover an entire structure during construction or during an event.
The fact that they can be produced at low cost with fast turnaround times makes them a highly effective way to promote new products, real estate developments and campaigns seeking to quickly gain exposure outdoors.
Establishments that try to generate feelings of nostalgia or artistic expression use the iconic visual element of neon signage. Neon glass tubing that is filled with inert gases has a unique and beautiful colour glow that is not matched by any other medium for vintage cafe-bars and entertainment venues.
Contemporary alternatives using LED technology have made it financially feasible and viable to create neon tubing that looks just like its glass counterpart while using much less power, being more durable, and being safer and have resulted in an increase in the use of neon style displayed in a modern way.
Lettering signs that are three-dimensional add value to brand identity by utilizing dimensional letterforms and logos. These signs can be made from acrylic, stainless steel, aluminium, or PVC, with the option to illuminate them with lights in the front, back, or edge. Three-dimensional letterforms give the viewer an impression of professionalism and depth. Built-up letters are mounted on the outside of the building and create a dramatic visual hierarchy, making these signs particularly effective for branded corporate headquarters, luxury retail stores, and hospitality.
Backlit Shop Board (LightBox) Signage is a type of signage that uses backlit translucent graphic panels as a means to provide customers with 24/7 readability (illuminated from behind). There are multiple options when it comes to updating graphics, for example, tension fabric systems, snap frames and push-fit acrylic panels, which maintain the seamless look of the sign. Retail chains and pharmacy businesses are able to use backlit boards to provide consistent branding for their stores very conveniently, as well as to refresh promotional messages easily across their many locations.
Wayfinding & Directional Signage Boards provide essential functionality to a variety of locations, such as large buildings (i.e. hospitals), as well as educational campuses and parking lots. These signs can be made from a variety of materials (e.g. aluminium, acrylic or dibond) and often contain either reflective or photoluminescent properties to make them more visible at night. Braille and multi-language text on all signs for the better. A modular sign system lets you add more signs to the same system, which makes it easier to adapt to changes and growth in the space.
When you pick a wall sign, think about where it will go, how much money you have, how long you want it to last, and how you want your brand to look. LED and Acrylic Composite (ACP) signs are the best-looking and longest-lasting signs. However, if you need something right away or are on a tight budget, you can use flex hoarding and glow signs. The best results usually come from combining different formats, such as using 3D letters with an LED backlit panel or neon directional signs. New materials and printing methods are making outdoor signs last longer, be brighter, and be more eco-friendly.
Some of the newer types of substrates used to manufacture outdoor signage are environmentally safe, produced using low-VOC inks, and include recycled aluminium composite materials. Outdoor signage can be a very effective marketing tool if executed properly. Understanding the features of a glow sign, LED display, ACP, flex hoarding, neon sign, 3D lettering, etc., will enable companies to develop a consistent visual marketing strategy that can attract the attention of potential customers, enhance their company's brand image, and direct customers within the highly competitive retail marketplace.
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