When it's time to order a sign for your business, you want the result to stand out, project professionalism, and help customers find and remember you. But the world of business signage has its share of pitfalls—some obvious, others sneakier than you’d expect. At Perth Stripes and Signs, we’ve seen it all, and we're here to make sure you don’t fall victim to these common sign-ordering mistakes.
In this article, we’ll break down the most frequent errors businesses make when ordering signs and how you can avoid them to maximise your investment.
Information Overload (or Not Enough)
Giving WAY Too Much Information
It’s tempting to fit every single detail about your business onto your sign, but resist the urge! Your sign is not a company brochure. Overloading it with text or graphics actually works against you—potential customers only have a couple of seconds to look as they walk or drive by. If there’s too much going on, your message gets lost in the confusion.
What to do instead:
Keep it short and sweet. Focus on a clear headline, your business name, and one way to reach you or find more info (like your website). Leave the details for your website or a separate brochure.
Giving Too Little Information
On the flip side, some signs give almost nothing away—no descriptive words, no hint of what your business does, sometimes not even the business hours! If customers can't immediately tell who you are, what you offer, or how to get in touch, your sign isn’t doing its job.
Pro tip:
At a minimum, include your business name, what you do, and a way to contact you (phone, website, social handles, depending on your audience).
Design Gone Wrong
Font Fiascos
Unusual, overly decorative, or tiny fonts might look fun in a design draft, but if nobody can read them at a distance (or on the move), they're pointless. Illegibility is one of the fastest ways to waste your signage budget.
- Keep it simple: Use clean, bold fonts that are readable from afar.
- Test your design: Print out the text at different sizes, step back, and see what happens.
Letter Spacing and Proportions
Crammed letters, uneven spacing, or text that feels “squished in” screams amateur hour. This isn’t just about aesthetics—it genuinely influences how professional (or not) your business looks.
- Solution: Work with designers who understand kerning and layout or use professional templates to ensure everything fits perfectly.
Colour & Contrast Catastrophes
Unreadable Colour Combos
You might love your brand’s signature colour, but that doesn’t guarantee it’ll stand out enough for signage—especially if it blends into your building or surroundings.
- Light letters on a light background? Bad news.
- Hi-vis yellow on white? Might as well be invisible.
What works:
High-contrast colour pairings (think navy on white, white on charcoal, yellow on black). These grab attention and make text pop, even from a distance.
Visual Clashing or Muted Tones
Some businesses swing the other way and pick colours that clash violently or are so muted that nothing stands out. Strive for visibility without making your sign an eyesore.
Test it out:
Squint or take a photo in black and white—if the text almost disappears, your contrast needs work.
Size and Placement Problems
Sign That’s Way Too Small
“Good things come in small packages” does not apply to your business sign—especially your main street sign or storefront. Don’t save money by shrinking your sign to the point of invisibility. Remember, people are viewing it from across a road or while driving by.
- Guideline: The further away your audience is, the bigger your lettering and sign need to be. If you need help with measurements, contact our team at Perth Stripes and Signs.
Bad Placement
It sounds obvious, but we’ve seen signs hidden behind trees, poles, or even other signs. Placement is EVERYTHING. Also, don’t forget about lighting: A perfectly placed sign is useless if nobody can see it after dark.
Double-check:
- Is your sign blocked by anything—day or night?
- Is it at the right angle for drive-by or walk-by traffic?
- Have you tested for glare or bad shadows?
Too Busy or Too Boring
Overly Complex Logos & Graphics
Your logo and graphics should be super clear and easy to recognise. If your artwork is intricate or relies on fine details, they may be lost or look messy when scaled up (or shrunk down). Complex graphics can also create visual clutter.
- Tip: If your logo/design doesn’t “read” fast, consider a simplified sign version.
Style Doesn’t Match Your Business
A bright, neon-pink sign won’t do wonders for a law firm—just like a serious, minimalist sign may not entice customers to a children’s play centre. Match the vibe of your sign to the expectations of your target customers.
Forgetting About Local Laws and Regulations
Some councils and shopping precincts have strict rules about what signage is allowed—everything from size and lighting to how far from the street your sign can go. Skip this step and you could end up paying fines, redoing your sign, or (worst!) having to take it down completely.
How to avoid this:
Check local council requirements or ask signage professionals like us who navigate regulations daily. If you’re unsure, our team can help you figure out what’s legal for your area. Visit our FAQ or Contact Us.
Choosing the Wrong Materials
Great design can only get you so far—if you pick the wrong material, your sign will fade, rot, peel, or snap at the worst time possible. Weather, sunlight, salt spray, and even birds can all ruin the wrong kind of signage.
- Ask: Will your sign be exposed to rain, wind, strong sun, or sea air?
- Select materials: PVC, acrylic, aluminium composite, and special exterior-rated paints or finishes if you need maximum longevity.
- Don’t forget maintenance: Some materials need regular cleaning or touch-ups. We can advise on the right choice for your situation—just ask!
Ignoring the Customer Journey
It’s not all about “wow” factor or pretty design—your sign must make it easy for people to become customers. Think about what your ideal customer needs from your signage. Is it directions? Opening hours? A special phone number? What will help them take the next step with you? Don’t just copy what your competitors have; design your signage around your unique business goals and your actual audience.
Wrapping Up: Smart Choices Mean Big Results
Ordering new business signage is an exciting milestone—don’t let easy-to-avoid mistakes derail your success. Whether you’re a brand-new start-up or upgrading your look after years in business, following these guidelines will ensure your signs work as hard as you do.
Need help with your next sign? Perth Stripes and Signs is here for advice, design, manufacturing, and installation—so you can skip the headaches and just enjoy fantastic results. Check out more about what we do at our website.
Got more questions or need a hand?
Drop us a line anytime. Let’s get your business noticed—properly!
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