How to Use Signage and Graphics to Stand Out on the High Street

Oct 9, 2024

Originally featured on bluedotdisplay.com

 

In today’s competitive retail landscape, standing out on the high street is more important than ever. One way to enhance your visibility and drive more foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar business is through effective signage. From prominent fascia boards to promotional window graphics and strategically placed pavement signs, retail signage plays a vital role in attracting customers and conveying your brand message. Keen to get your store noticed? Learn how to make the most of these marketing tools to set your business apart from the competition below.

Fascia signage

Bright green fascia signage makes this Thermomix shop stand out on the high street

 

Located at the front of your store, above the entrance, is your fascia signage. Arguably the most important (and largest) shop sign you’ll invest in, it acts as a 24/7 marketing and signposting tool. As such, it should include your brand name, logo and other important details, like your phone number or website. All of which should be readable from a distance and displayed in your brand colours. Not only does this boost the credibility of your premises, but it also gives potential customers a sense of what to expect inside. Whilst ensuring you are recognisable.

Fascia shop signs are typically rectangular and span the width of your shop front. They may be flat or 3D in design, with the option to incorporate built-up letters or a simpler vinyl wrap. And if you want to stand out after dark, we can produce eye-catching illuminated signs too.

Window graphics, clings & wraps

Prominent bright pink window graphics created for a coffee shop in Surrey by Bluedot Display

 

In addition to a fascia sign, custom-made window graphics are a great way to enhance your messaging. Highly visible to passersby, you can use them to advertise products and services, promote current offers and support your visual merchandising. In fact, they are commonly used by high street clothing and beauty stores to highlight sales and new collections.

Designs range from full window coverings to smaller graphics cut to shape, with coloured, transparent and privacy-enhancing frosted options. Fully customisable, you can choose to showcase photoshoot imagery, messaging in speech bubbles, attractive border patterns, seasonal graphics and more. Plus your business logo and opening hours at eye-level. Better yet, all of this can be achieved with handy window clings that leave no sticky residue behind!

Pavement signs

Eye-catching colourful pavement sign created for Sweet Lizzy sweet shop by Bluedot Display

 

Want to catch the eye of potential customers as they walk by without making your shop front look cluttered? Even if your store is set back on a busy high street, a good quality pavement sign can make all the difference. Available in a variety of sizes, they can be placed at a distance to get you noticed from down the street. Styles include the popular A-frame used in conjunction with interchangeable posters, plus swing signs and water-weighted models. You can even opt for a double-sided design that can be read from different angles!

Whichever you choose, from promoting a new product arrival to advertising your latest menu, you’re bound to attract more customers. You may even see an increase in impulse purchases depending on the offers you advertise and how enticing the imagery is! Or you could simply use your pavement sign to direct them to your store’s entrance if it’s hard to spot. The options are endless! And we offer a host of UV and weather-resistant materials to suit your needs. These include Foamex, aluminium and acrylic signs mounted with your chosen HD design.

Poster printing

Large window posters created for the Pitchside cafe at Surrey Sports Pk

 

If you do choose an A-frame pavement sign, our expert team can produce new graphics as and when required. Each of our professional posters are tailor-made using the latest digital technologies to match your brand colours, with crisp imagery and text. We’ll also ensure they fit the size of your board exactly, however large or small it is. As such, your posters will slot easily behind your sign’s anti-glare covering to keep them safe from the elements. And we can also supply outdoor wall posters in anti-graffiti laminate and interior posters for temporary window displays. Learn more about our extensive large format printing services here.

PVC banners

Large high street banner in Wimbledon created by Bluedot Display

 

PVC banners are ideal for welcoming customers, launching products, advertising events and highlighting discounts to drive more foot traffic. Made from durable yet flexible PVC with sturdy eyelets, they can be hung in a number of places – against flat or curved surfaces. If you have an outdoor seating area, why not display them on the perimeter barriers or fence? Or if you have an upper floor, you could hang them from the balcony or windows to get you noticed from further away. We also offer freestanding banners with frames to display nearer the entrance of your store. Just let us know what messaging and graphics you want to include!

Feather flags

Feather flags by Bluedot Display outside the FoxCrest shop

 

And last but not least, we have feather flags. More visible than pavement signs due to their impressive height, this portable retail signage is sure to garner attention. Place them wherever you like – leading up to your store’s entrance, in the car park or near outdoor product displays. All without taking lots of space due to their compact weighted base and unique vertical design.

The fabric is flexible yet water-resistant and sways in the wind to catch people’s eye as they pass by. And whilst the surface-area is relatively small compared to other signs, there’s plenty of room to display your logo or brand name. Or even just a single word message like ‘sale’. Alternatively, you could use multiple feather flags to showcase the brands you stock. Just remember to keep text short, simple and bold to ensure it is legible at a glance when moving.

Ready to get noticed and attract new customers?

Browse our full range of retail signage, graphics, banners and promotional products for shops and businesses across Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex online. Or call us on 01483 861168 to discuss your needs with our designers who are on hand to turn your ideas into a reality. You can also email any queries to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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