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Sign Types and Materials

Craft Durable, Eye-Catching Signage to Elevate Your Brand

With a wide variety of options available, it’s important to choose a sign that not only aligns with your business’s aesthetic but also serves its functional purpose. For outdoor signage, materials like aluminum and acrylic are popular for their durability and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for storefronts and building exteriors. On the other hand, materials like wood and PVC offer a more unique, rustic look, perfect for businesses seeking a personalized touch.

When it comes to indoor signage, lightweight materials like foam boards and vinyl are often favored for their versatility and ease of installation, making them great for displays, trade shows, or interior branding. LED channel letters and neon signs provide a bold and eye-catching option for both indoor and outdoor settings, bringing a modern and dynamic feel to any space. For businesses looking to make a statement with temporary or promotional signs, vinyl banners and coroplast signs are affordable, adaptable, and easy to customize.

Choosing the right combination of sign type and material is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating a sign that stands out, holds up over time, and truly represents your brand. With the right guidance, you can find the perfect materials and sign styles to meet your needs, whether you’re focused on durability, visibility, or visual appeal.

LED illuminated reverse channel letter sign displaying "Kiehl's" with a sleek design and modern appeal, suitable for enhancing brand visibility in various settings.

LED Channel Letter Signs

LED channel letter signs are very vivid, colorful and bold. They may be expensive, but many businesses consider them to be well worth the investment. LED channel signs have front lit illumination and reverse channel letters, which are valued by clients who want a prestigious image for their company. Perhaps the biggest advantage to LED channel letter signs is that they can stand out even during the dark of night due to their bright illumination and reverse channel letters, a major plus.

Acrylic letters in various colors, showcasing versatility for professional signage, relevant to office branding and custom sign solutions.

Acrylic Signs

Acrylic signs are some of the most professional and versatile signs that you could buy to display your office’s name. Acrylic signs are primarily used for offices, but due to the high quality nature of the designs, they are excellent for both indoor and outdoor use. In contrast, most other signs are relegated to being designed specifically for indoor or outdoor. It’s for this reason that many offices choose to go with acrylic signs to display their company’s name.

Acrylic sign displaying "Reech Media Group Limited" with bold, modern font and metal standoffs, mounted on a brick wall, showcasing professional branding suitable for office environments.

Stand Off Wall Signs

Stand Off Wall Signs aren’t exactly their own category of signs; rather, they are a variation of acrylic signs with a simple metal standoff (hence the name) that gives the signs a very three dimensional look. Standoff wall signs can be customized easily by being cut into shapes and with lights added behind them to illuminate the signs in the dark. Just like normal acrylic signs, standoff wall signs can be built both indoors and outdoors.y

Acrylic standoff wall sign featuring dimensional letters in red and white, showcasing professional branding for office environments.

PVC Routed Signs

Great for buildings, store fronts, indoor signs, and nearly anything else you can think of, PVC boards are some of the most versatile routed signs that you can put up. They can be cut down into any shape and size you need, and then be transformed into an entirely different kind of board when you apply them with paint and color vinyl. You’ll catch the attention of customers, ordinary customers, and more!

PVC routed sign with red and white design featuring the NEXTEL logo, showcasing versatility for custom signage applications.

PVC Boards

PVC boards are an excellent alternative to wood boards, as they are affordable, low in maintenance, and come in a wide variety of different colors and finishing. In addition, they have a very strong structure, making them useful for a number of applications including window trims, column enclosures, and perhaps most importantly, signs. PVC signs will not bend or sustain damage easily, allowing your sign to be displayed fluently and without risk of damage by exposure to the elements.

Aluminum parking sign for Results Fitness, featuring blue background, logo, and text "VIP PARKING ONLY" with motivational tagline.

Aluminum Signs

If you need to put out a lot of attractive advertisements or signs up for your business’s name, products and/or services, then you should look no further than aluminum signs. While aluminum signs may not be the top-of-the-line quality signs that you pay top dollar for, they are still very affordable and professional looking in their own right. For this reason, many successful businesses choose to put up aluminum signs to display their own name…and you can too.

Red letters "R" and "I" on aluminum composite material, showcasing durability and customization for signage.

Aluminum Composite

Aluminum Composite, otherwise known as ACM for Aluminum Composite Material, is made up of two sheets of aluminum that are bonded together, giving the resulting material much durability and potential for customization. As a result, ACM is one of the top choices for construction sites as it allows for a post-modern look while simultaneously holding up well over time to display a company’s name or to advertise their services.

Vinyl banner featuring colorful spiral designs, promoting an event from October 18-21, 2006, displayed on a brick wall.

Vinyl Banner

A Vinyl Banner is an excellent way to make a high quality banner that attracts the attention of all who pass by, and at a fair price as well. Vinyl banners are available in a wide variety of different colors and several different designs. They can be used for special events, for business advertisements, for sports teams, for anniversaries, and even for birthdays. Whether you need a banner for a few days or a few years, the Vinyl banner is an excellent option.

Corrugated plastic sign promoting a music event, featuring vibrant graphics and text highlighting free entry for ladies, showcasing durability and customization options relevant to signage needs.

Corrugated Plastic

Corrugated plastic is a very versatile material that is used for a wide variety of different objects. Corrugated plastic is used for plastic rolls, sheets, bins and cases. As a very proven material, it has been used successfully for signs as well. Corrugated plastic can easily be printed on, is very durable, is very lightweight, comes in several different colors, shapes and sizes, and is also resistant towards chemical and other outdoor elements. If you need an affordable, attractive and durable sign, look no further than corrugated plastic.

White wooden letters in various styles and sizes, showcasing versatility for custom signage and branding solutions.

Wood Signs

Wood is a material that has been used for multiple different objects for entire millennia. Even with the advent of new technologies today, the versatility and reliability of wood shows no signs of declining. Many of the wood signs that are set up today are made of wood, so don’t discount it as a viable option for setting up your own signs. Wood signs are traditional, affordable and with the right type of wood, are also very beautiful.

Red vehicle with graphics and text advertising "MAPX" and "Service & Reliability, Redefined," parked with a backdrop of a bridge and palm trees, illustrating vehicle wraps for business promotion.

Vehicle Wraps

Vehicle graphics are an excellent way to advertise your products or services while on the road. Many companies and businesses today have their own vehicles with their logo, phone number, and a quick summary of products and services offered imprinted on the car’s side. By using vehicle graphics, you are able to get your company’s name and message out to people who previously wouldn’t have known of your business.

Sidewalk sign displaying "Public Parking" with an arrow, "Early Bird Special $9.00 before 8:00am," and "Weekend Special - see Manager," featuring Hertz branding, emphasizing advertising for parking services.

Sidewalk Signs

Sidewalk signs are a very common way to advertise for restaurants in cities and other heavily populated areas. This is because some restaurants can be crammed into crowded buildings, and hungry people can walk on by without even noticing the restaurant or having an idea of what they serve. If you own a restaurant in a crowded area, a sidewalk sign will be one of the most effective ways to draw customers in by displaying your prices, what you serve, and any specials you have going on that day.

Awning sign for Albion Staffing featuring blue and white branding, enhancing business visibility and appeal.

Awning Signs

Awning signs display to potential customers that your business or restaurant is one of class. Only a few restaurants have awning signs, let along an actual awning. An awning alone will make your building look significantly more attractive. But one of the best things of setting up an awning sign is that it will be unique to your business. There are an unlimited number of slogans, fabrics, colors, and fonts that you could display on your awning sign.nd video games that the

Vehicle wrap featuring a salon advertisement with stylized graphics, business name "Creative Color & Cuts," contact information, and images of stylists, showcasing mobile branding for effective customer engagement.

Vehicle Wraps

As you may have guessed, vehicle wraps are the same thing as wall wraps and murals, only on cars. Just as vehicle graphics display your company’s name, logo, motto and basic information on the side of the car, vehicle wraps display the same kind of artwork that you would expect on a mural, only on the road. Many businesses choose to combine vehicle wraps with vehicle graphics, in order to set their company’s logo and information against a sprawling piece of artwork.

Blade sign featuring "Good Housekeeping Institute" with the tagline "TRIED, TESTED & TRUSTED," mounted on a brick building, illustrating unique business signage for attracting customers.

Blade Signs

Blade signs project your company’s name and additional writings such as your motto or business hours out from the building. Much like awning signs, blade signs are unique to your business and grab the attention of people walking by as not a whole lot of other businesses and restaurants have them as well. Blade signs give your business a very modern and contemporary look to attract customers.

Wall sign for Wightwick Hall School indicating the transport entrance, featuring bold white text on a black background, complemented by the school's logo at the top.

Wall Signs

The overwhelming majority of big businesses in America have their company’s logo and/or motto extended across the wall in big, bold letters. This type of sign is called a wall sign. Adding a wall sign to your company will give it a very professional and rich look, which will greatly improve customer’s feelings about your company and make them more comfortable buying products or services from you.

Window display of Sweet Touch Specialty Cakes featuring the business name, contact information, and delivery details, showcasing elegant cake designs and a professional appearance for attracting customers.

Window Graphics

Window graphics are one of the best ways available to vividly display what your business is about on your business itself. Window graphics are large, colorful and attractive. Even people who aren’t interested in what your business offers will still notice them when they walk or drive by. On window graphics, you can display any specials you have going on, your hours, and positive images depicting what your company is about.

Directional sign for New Orleans VA Outpatient Clinics displaying various services, including Imaging Center, VA Shuttle Stop, Main Entrance, VA Parking Garage, and Urgent Care, with clear arrows indicating directions and a notice stating "Not an Emergency Facility."

Directional Signs

Every city in the United States, and perhaps the overwhelming majority of cities in the world, have directional signs. Directional signs point out roads, locations and businesses to people walking or driving by on the roads. Including directional signs at strategic locations in your town and city towards your business will greatly increase traffic to your business, especially from tourists who are just stopping by.

Monument sign for Lexington Park featuring a stone base and elegant lettering, illustrating effective business branding and visibility.

Monument Signs

If you want to put a lasting impression about your business on people before they even arrive, then it’s hard to look past a solid monument signs. Monument signs may be expensive to build and install, but they definitely stand out the best among nearly any type of sign that you could put up. Monument signs give your business a personality, increases name exposure to a lot of people, and gives your business the impression of being rich and professional.

Pole sign for Moe's Southwest Grill, featuring bright yellow background and bold red lettering, designed for high visibility to attract passing drivers and pedestrians.

Pole Signs

A lot of restaurants and businesses have pole signs, and with good reason. Pole signs are effective. People who are driving or walking from great distances away will be able to see your business’s name from long distances away. Tourists may just be passing through town without even knowledge of your restaurant or business. Pole signs put an end to that and greatly increase in exposure for your company. If you’re serious about bringing in customers, then pole signs are the way to go.

Pylon sign for Adelaide Centre displaying multiple business names including Metro, Cora, Canada Trust, Rogers, Benjamin Moore, Subway, Richard's Hair Studio, and Seven Cups, showcasing effective branding and visibility for nearby establishments.

Pylon Signs

Pylon signs are designed to display multiple names of businesses that are located within the same area. Many streets and/or blocks with several restaurants and businesses lined up against one another will have a pylon sign or two standing proudly by the street with the logos and sometimes even the mottos of all the businesses exhibited to drivers and people walking by. If you have several competitive businesses and restaurants located right next to yours, putting your company’s name on the pylon sign shouldn’t be an option. It should be something you do without question.

Wall mural showcasing Shriners Hospital Oregon East-West All-Star Football Game, featuring images and text about caring for children, with a woman interacting with the display.

Wall Wraps and Murals

Sometimes the best way to attract people to your company or business isn’t to display your company’s name or motto. Rather, it’s to depict artwork that brings your company’s message across. Wall wraps and murals are an excellent way to convey that artwork, in a beautiful and flowing fashion. Murals take up an entire wall, people will easily be able to see what your business represents. Even if they aren’t interested in your business, they’ll still be intrigued by the beauty of the artwork!

Storefront vinyl lettering on windows displaying words like "welcoming," "strong," and "relationships" in purple and blue, conveying a message of care and community for a business environment.

Storefront Vinyl Lettering

Big, bold words on the front windows to your restaurant or business is what storefront vinyl lettering is all about. This is what you see on the front windows of some restaurants, grocery stores, and thrift shops. Vinyl lettering provides an inexpensive and efficient way of putting your company’s logo, motto, products, services, and store hours out for everyone to see.

Sign for patient parking at Emory Healthcare, featuring clear text on a white background, supported by black posts, set in a grassy area.

Real Estate Post and Panel Signs

Post and panel signs provide excellent convenience for customers who come by your way. These kinds of signs are found primarily at big car dealerships to give customers directions on where to go (ex. Trucks this way, mechanic shop that way, used vehicles this direction, etc). They can just as easily be used for other businesses and companies, such as to direct customers to parking, main offices, and so on. Also there are very popular with property signs, directories and realtors information.

Illuminated light box sign displaying "BOHO FOUR," showcasing modern design for effective brand visibility in a storefront.

Light Boxes

Light boxes will give your company or business a very modern and upbeat look. Whether it’s at day or night, light boxes are illuminated for everyone to see. Usually, the company’s name and a picture of what he company sells or provides is depicted on the light box. For example, a cell phone coverage family may put their name and a picture of a cell phone or of nationwide coverage will be put on the light box.

Pan American Life Insurance sign featuring bold blue letters and a yellow globe graphic, showcasing modern sign design relevant for businesses.

Sign Cabinets

Sign cabinets are yet another way to draw attention to your business at the storefront. Cabinet signs are offered in an extremely wide range of shapes, sizes, colors and materials. You may choose to depict your sign with 3-D graphics, with acrylic letters, or with vinyl wording. It’s ultimately up to you to choose what you want to do, but your sign can be set up anyway you want it.

Storefront window signage promoting a fitness center, featuring images of diverse individuals exercising, with the text "No contract to sign! fitness" prominently displayed.

Store Window Signs

Rather than decorate your actual store windows with colorful words and lettering, you can simply set up a store window sign. An excellent benefit to setting up store window signs is that you can set up a lot of them, displaying several of your products and special deals going on, and you can also rotate them out very easily. If you have one sign set up one month displaying special summer deals you have, a few months later you can pull it down and set up a sign depicting deals for the winter you have going on.

Yard sign promoting the American Small Business Movement with the message "YES, WE BUILT IT!" and the slogan "WE STAND UP FOR SMALL BUSINESS," set in a residential area.

Yard Signs

Today, it seems that real estate advertisements and political campaigning dominate yard signs. Nonetheless, yard signs are very cheap and efficient way to advertise for your business. You can buy yard signs in bulk, and also buy a wide variety of them. The name of your business, along with the slogan, mottos and special deals can all be plainly but colorfully depicted, and you can spread the signs all around town to attract a lot of potential customers.

Yard sign displaying "HOME OF CHARACTER patina" and "VINTAGE HOME OUTFITTERS" in a residential setting, emphasizing advertising for local businesses.

Real Estate Signs

Real estate signs are seemingly everywhere, sometimes even more so than political advertisements during election seasons. But whether you’re a realtor selling houses on the market or a potential buyer looking for your own home, real estate signs are effective. They point out a lot of information on a home for sale at once: who’s selling the home, the price of the home, the realtor’s contact information, and quick facts about the home such as square footage, special rooms, and so on.

Mesh fence banner displaying "ECLIPSE SOUND AND LIGHT LTD" with a dynamic design, promoting branding and advertising for events or businesses.

Mesh Fence Banners

These are the long, streamer posters that are stretched out along fences. Mesh fence banners are usually used to announce something big for a company: an opening day, a special blowout sale on a specific weekend, and so on. If you’re planning on a special event for your business in the near future, you should plan on investing in mesh fence banners. They’ll bring more people in than you may expect.

Point of sale display featuring GEICO advertisement with savings information, featuring a cartoon gecko, and brochure holders for various insurance services.

Retail Displays

Retail displays are used to advertise and provide sample of specific new products and special deals in stores. Examples include displays of special jewelry, perfumes, and shoes. A sample or demo of the new product will always be displayed, along with a brief explanation of what the special deal is and why a customer should buy it. We’ve all seen retail displays before, and probably can’t deny that we’ve been sucked into checking them out before as well. a

Hanging sign advertising Subway restaurant, stating "NOW OPEN 24 HOURS," emphasizing business accessibility and attracting customers.

Point of Sale Signs

Point of sale signs are very specific in what they’re designed for: they’re made to point out specific special deals that your company offers in a way that is both enthusiastic and appealing. For example, you may set up a “buy two, get one free!” or “two for $10!” sign. Consumers on the market are always on the search for good deals, and point of sale signs can be bought in bulks to draw people in.

Hanging signs labeled "CONSOLIDATION" and "L - Z (FED EX)" in a warehouse setting, illustrating effective signage for business organization and customer navigation.

Hanging Signs

Hanging signs are common for businesses and restaurants to set up in crowded downtowns where a lot of places have to squeeze themselves in next to each other, some of which are very competitive with one another. You don’t want potential customers to just be walking on by without even noticing your business, so a hanging sign will guarantee that at least some people notice your business and will give a stop by.

Floor graphic featuring the Harley-Davidson logo, with motorcycles parked nearby in a clean garage setting.

Floor Graphics

Much like table graphics, floor graphics aren’t for advertising, but they’re still worth the extra investment. Floor graphics can make customers feel more comfortable and at home while shopping at your store or business, and they can also provide some useful information such as directing customers to different aisles and having your mottos written down to remind people of what your business is all about and what it stands for.

Table with graphic design featuring a stylized logo, surrounded by black chairs, emphasizing the use of table graphics in restaurants to enhance customer experience and ambiance.

Table Graphics

Table graphics are become more and more common in restaurants who want to give their customers more to look at than just their food and a dull table while eating. While table graphics aren’t the best way to advertise (if that’s what you’re looking for in a sign), that’s not what they’re designed for either. Rather, they are designed to make customers feel more comfortable and at home while eating at your restaurant.

Feather flags displaying "Foster's Pro Surfing Tour" at a beach venue, promoting events and attracting attention to nearby businesses.

Flags and Feather Flags

We commonly associate flags and feather flags with car dealerships, political campaigns, and job fairs for advertising. But in recent years, more and more businesses have been utilizing flags and feather flags to promote and advertise themselves. Feather flags are offered at a fair price and provide a unique spin on advertising, which can be a major plus by attracting more people over to your business.

Foam board sign material showcasing durability and versatility, ideal for various signage needs in businesses and homes.

Foam Board Signs

Foam board is a material made up a sheet of polystyrene in between two sheets of paper that’s acid-free. Not only is foam board surprisingly durable in this manner, but it is also very flexible and friendly for the environment. As a very versatile material, it is used extensively in homes, offices, businesses and companies. Foam boards also come in a variety of shapes and colors.

Colorful art prints and rolled poster tube, showcasing vibrant designs and illustrations, emphasizing creative signage options for businesses.

Posters

All of us are more familiar with posters than any other type of sign. Posters for movies, novels, comic books, TV shows and video games feature prominently in stores, at theaters, and even in some of our own homes. Posters are able to effectively convey the tone and type of movies

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