Advice and Answers

Straight answers to your signage questions.

Explore our signage advice and answers across everything from vehicle wraps and building signage to approvals, installation, costs and sustainable solutions.

Signage Design - What Makes a Good Sign

How do I choose between 2D and 3D signage?

Think about the impression and viewing distance. Flat graphics can be perfect for information and short-term applications, while 3D fabricated signage creates depth and a more architectural presence. Often a project uses both.

Should all signs on a site look the same?

They should feel related, but not necessarily identical. A pylon, reception sign and safety sign have different jobs. We use a consistent visual family while allowing each sign type to do its job properly.

Why do you show signage on a building photo before manufacture?

Because scale is incredibly hard to judge in isolation. A 1500mm logo can sound huge and then look tiny on a 30-metre facade. A building visual lets everyone approve the proportion before we start cutting materials.

What makes signage look cheap?

Poor scale, too much information, low-quality materials, visible fixings where they shouldn’t be, inconsistent colours and trying to add every possible effect to one sign. Often the more premium result is actually the simpler one.

How do I make signage look premium?

Good proportions, restrained materials, clean fabrication, thoughtful lighting and consistency with the architecture. Premium isn’t the same as flashy. Some of the best signs are very simple but beautifully resolved.

Should my sign match my brand guidelines exactly?

Brand consistency matters, but signage is a physical environment, not a business card. Sometimes we need to adapt spacing, materials or colour application so the brand remains recognisable and the sign actually works at scale.

What makes a business sign effective?

A good sign is noticed, understood and remembered quickly. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Clear branding, the right scale, strong contrast and a message suited to the viewing distance will beat a cluttered design almost every time.

Can good signage improve a tired building?

Absolutely. Signage can’t fix every architectural problem, but a strong primary sign, cleaner window treatment and consistent colours can transform how established and professional a site feels.

How much information should I put on a sign?

Usually less than you think. If the viewer is driving past, you may have only a few seconds. Business name, what you do and one useful call to action can be more effective than a paragraph of services.

What are the biggest signage design mistakes?

Designing at computer-screen scale, using too much copy, ignoring the background, poor contrast, putting signs where people can’t see them and choosing materials before deciding what the sign needs to achieve.

How big should the text on my sign be?

It depends on viewing distance and speed. Text on a reception sign can be much smaller than text intended for traffic on a main road. We design for how the sign will actually be seen, not just how it looks on a monitor.

Can Signs SA design my signage if I only have a logo?

Yes. A logo, a photo of the site and a conversation about what you want to achieve is enough to start. Our design team can develop the signage concept and show you how it will sit in the real environment.

Got more questions?

Feel free to call us or click the button to clarify anything. Our team of experts are more than willing to answer all your queries!