Halo illuminated signs

Sign Illumination.

You might not have noticed that it had even started, but summer is now over for another year. With the start of September and the new school term, thoughts are inevitably turning to the chilly mornings, falling leaves and darker nights of autumn, and – for those with a High Street presence – the lull which usually comes around this time of year, before the Christmas sales begin in earnest.

If you own a shop, restaurant, bar, estate agents, gym or any other establishment which needs to attract custom from the High Street, how do you ensure this slack early autumn period doesn’t see sales and interest tail off? One of the best ways to draw customers to your business is through clever signage, and investing now could see you generating more interest at just the moment when you need it most.

Put your name in lights

While we may enjoy the autumn colours and the warming satisfaction of comfort food, not many of us enjoy the cold, wet, windy evenings which the autumn and winter months tend to bring with them. Few people want to hang about on the High Street when the weather is so miserable, which means that capturing the attention of those who are passing becomes all the more important.

One of the easiest and most effective ways to catch the eyes of potential customers is with halo illuminated signage. Halo illuminated signs are made from powder coated aluminium, backlit with LED lights to create a beautiful halo effect – precisely the sort of warming glow which draws people in when everything around them seems so dull and gloomy. Used externally on your business premises, they can act as a glowing beacon to tempt passersby to pause or come in, whilst indoors in a restaurant or bar, they can create an incredible focal point and really help set the atmosphere.

If your shop front signs need replacing, this is the perfect time of year to think about getting illuminated signs. Few things you can do for your business will make such a tangible and immediate difference, and putting your name in lights not only boosts brand awareness and increases footfall, but illuminated signs bring a whole host of other benefits.

The advantages of illuminated signage

Halo illuminated signs are a great way of making a bold and beautiful statement, but they can also be a key part of the marketing and advertising strategy for your business. Once you’ve paid the initial cost of having them designed and installed, illuminated signs really can pay for themselves and become the gift which just keeps on giving.

Think of your shop signs as a permanent advertising slot. If you have illuminated signs, people can spot them from a much greater distance than they would a traditional, unlit sign board, and they’re visible both day and night. They stand out in a positive way – how many people could resist the attraction of an LED sign outside a café, for instance, when it seems to offer the promise of a hot cup of tea to take the chill off?

They’re also advertising for you around the clock and around the year, so that even when you’ve turned in for the night, your signage is still hard at work. Even late at night in the depths of winter, you’ll still get people passing by your business premises, and if they can see your signs and your illuminated signage makes a lasting impression on them, they’re likely to return. Even if your shop or café isn’t open at that particular moment, the impact made by your shop front signage could mean potential customers store the knowledge of your presence away and come back at some point in the future.

Halo illuminated signs are the perfect choice for places which do tend to stay open late. If you own a restaurant, bar, takeaway outlet or 24/7 convenience store, it’s important that people are made aware that you’re still open even in the wee small hours. With illuminated signage, you can announce to the world that you’re still open for business, and with any luck, you’ll persuade them to stop by en route to wherever they’re going late at night.

Work with the best

Of course, illuminated signage is only effective when it is properly designed, installed and maintained. If you work with a professional and experienced signage company, then you’re likely to get the best results. Professional signwriters know how best to translate your ideas into an eye-catching illuminated sign, and where and how it should be positioned for it to make the greatest visual impact.

Designing illuminated signage is an art. Your signage should do more than simply announce your presence to the world, it should reflect what your company stands for and tell your brand’s story in a clean and succinct way. Signs might include your company name, logo, contact details and colour scheme, which, when laid out in an aesthetically pleasing way, can really speak volumes about what you and your company do. Gorgeous illuminated images adorning the walls of your bar or restaurant are a decorative feature in their own right, but only when they’re professionally crafted.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we’ve been creating bespoke illuminated signage for many years and we know how to get the best from LED signs. Working with our team of skilled and highly experienced designers and installers, we can help you turn your ideas into the perfect signage solution for your business, whatever trade or sector you’re in.

For more information on the services we can provide, simply contact our friendly team today and we’ll help you put your name in lights this autumn.

Nothing says ‘summer’ like illuminated signs

Sign Illumination

We all love summer. There’s nothing quite like those long, balmy summer evenings or days when the sun comes out and we can dust off the picnic rug, the tennis rackets or the barbecue and enjoy a little family time in the good weather. Summer trips to the Great British seaside, eating fish and chips or cold ice cream, memories of endless school summer holidays, that first chilled beer or glass of white wine in the evening – what’s not to love?

When it comes to getting out and about exploring our towns and cities, nothing shouts ‘summer’ quite like an illuminated sign. As the good weather brings more and more people out for a little retail therapy on High Streets up and down the country, is it time you invested in illuminated signage?

Not just a winter wonder

You might imagine that illuminated signage only really serves a purpose over the autumn and winter, when the cold, dank and miserable weather and shorter days make an illuminated sign essential. True, the warming glow of LED window displays or halo illuminated signs can be a comforting and inviting thing for passing customers, but your illuminated signs have an equally important role to play over the summer.

The evenings might feel like they stretch on forever, but it does get dark eventually! The difference is that when it does, the temperatures are still nice and high and there are already more people out and about, perhaps spilling out of restaurants, pubs, bars or other places which stay open late. As they make their way to wherever they’re going, they may well pass by your establishment, and with a beautifully lit sign still twinkling away all night long, they’re not going to be able to overlook your shop front.

If your illuminated signage is bold, bright and beautiful, people passing by are more likely to remember you. Your shop, gym or estate agents might not be open now, but chances are that if you leave an impression on those late night wanderers, they may well come back to you somewhere down the line. If you own a takeaway shop, restaurant, bar or pub, your signs might lure potential customers in for one last drink or for something to eat, while late-opening convenience stores could really reap the rewards of an illuminated sign.

Something exotic

When you think about all those exotic holiday destinations, it’s hard not to think of illuminated signs. Picture the dreamy bars of a Caribbean island, with the halo illuminated signs glistening off the cocktail glasses, or the glowing lights above the tapas restaurant you passed earlier in the day. Imagine the welcoming letters glittering above the door of your hotel when you arrive back, footsore after a day’s exploring a European city or a Greek island.

Few things about summer in the city can celebrate the glory of the season quite so effectively as an illuminated sign. Sitting outside enjoying a drink or dining al fresco under clear, warm foreign skies are so much a part of the summer experience, that it’s hard to picture our favourite destinations without conjuring up images of those bright and exciting urban places, lit by signage.

Regardless of what the British summer can throw at us weather-wise, an illuminated sign still brings a little of that exotic mystery and beauty with it. If you want your shop or restaurant façade to look tempting throughout those lighter evenings, you can’t go wrong when you invest in illuminated signage.

Now’s the time

Summer is arguably the best time of year to invest in new shop front signs. With the nicer weather, there will be more people getting out and about to stock up on holiday supplies or simply enjoy a little wander around town, and more people means more eyes on your premises. You want to be looking your best when the summer crowds flock to the High Street, because quality signage has the potential to catch the attention of passersby and lure them over the threshold.

A classy illuminated window display or bold and beautiful halo illuminated letters over the door have a pull factor which cannot be underestimated, and even the trusty old neon can be relied on to catch the eye of a potential customer.

Not only that, but fine weather means installing your new signage becomes a whole lot easier. With sunny days and less chance of the wind and rain that we can expect by late September, having your new signage designed and professionally installed could be a relatively quick and easy job. That means less interruption for your day-to-day business and it could see your premises looking summer-ready in no time.

Having spent many years crafting some of the most beautiful, bespoke illuminated signage, Brighton Signs are the go-to shop sign writers for the South East and London regions. Thanks to our expert team of designers and fitters, we can work with you to create the highest quality and most suitable signage solution for your company, whatever goods you sell or services you provide.

Get your shop, restaurant, bar or estate agents fully geared up for the glorious days of summer with a new illuminated sign. We can’t guarantee the good weather to go with it, but for a little slice of the exotic and a better chance at catching that boost in footfall, simply get in touch with the The Sussex Sign Company today.

For more information contact us on 01273 417057 or contact us using the contact form.

Have LED window displays had their day?

Despite the fact that more of us than ever before are shopping online, the High Street has refused to die the death that pessimists predicted. The recession might have claimed some important scalps, in the shape of BHS and Woolworth’s, but with the economy now gradually beginning to strengthen, it seems that footfall in our towns and cities is slowly beginning to increase. Competition, however, is fiercer than it’s ever been for retailers. Doing everything you can to stay one step ahead of your rivals is crucial if you’re going to thrive and grow as a business, which means doing everything in your power to attract new customers and keep those already on your side.

Signage has an important role to play in grabbing the attention of potential customers, and LED illuminated signs can be an incredibly effective marketing tool. But have LED window displays gone out of fashion, and have they had their day? Surely in the days of the smartphone and easy access to online retailers, nobody really looks at physical shop fronts any more, and illuminated sign boards are a bit quaint and old-fashioned, aren’t they? The answer has to be a resounding ‘no’…

Still a bright idea

LED signs are a way of getting your company or shop name up there in lights, and they’re still proving a popular choice for retailers. While you might think the digital age has rendered the old bricks and mortar premises less important, people do still judge on what they see in front of them. First impressions matter when snap judgments are made in under a second, so ensuring your shop front signs look attractive really counts.

Bold and vibrant LED window displays are a good way of capturing the attention of passersby, because who doesn’t like to look at something pretty and shiny? By creating an eye-catching illuminated window display, you’re more likely to make those potential customers stop and investigate further, upping the chances that they’ll venture in. If the front of your shop, café, restaurant or estate agents looks appealing, then it instills confidence in people, that what they’ll find beyond the front door is also worth a look.

LED window displays can be a good way of turning the spotlight on the best you have to offer. For estate agents, displays could be used to highlight the top properties on their books, for instance, showcasing the houses and apartments most likely to pique the interest of future homebuyers. For retailers, an illuminated window display could draw attention to a particular product you wish to promote, or a special offer you’re currently running.

Not just for winter

While you might think LED signs are only really useful in the colder, darker winter months, the truth is that an attractive LED display will have a visual impact the whole year round. True, the warming glow these signs emit will be an appealing prospect for customers when the miserable autumn storms and winter gloom descend, but even in the summer, they can add a touch of sparkle to a balmy, long evening.

Once you have made that initial investment in LED signage, it really will pay dividends in the long run. Because LED bulbs are low energy and don’t get hot, you can leave them on once you’ve shut up shop for the day, meaning they will be working for you throughout the night. This is a way of advertising your business which really will see tangible results – even when you’re all tucked up in bed, your LED window display is working round the clock and throughout the year to draw attention to your shop, bar, restaurant or other High Street premises.

It’s very hard for people to simply walk past a bold, bright LED display without pausing for a closer look. We’re automatically drawn to things which are unique and beautiful, so strike the right balance with your LED displays and people will take notice. The trick is in getting the highest quality and most well-designed LED signs, and being a little bit creative in the way you use them.

Never out of fashion

For all the negative news stories about the death of the High Street and the unstoppable rise of internet retail giants, the vast majority of people still love to shop in the ‘real world’. We like to see and handle the things we buy, particularly if they’re expensive or important to us, and trusting an anonymous e commerce site seems like a risky alternative.

While technology might have come on in leaps and bounds, there’s still room for the tried and tested LED window display. Those beautiful bright lights will never go out of fashion, so lighten up your shop front signs or estate agents displays today, with well-made LED signage.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we’ve always been fans of the good old LED display, and we know just what a powerful asset this type of sign can be, when it comes to promoting your business. Thanks to an expert team of LED signage designers and installers, we can help you make the most of your window displays, by crafting bespoke and beautiful LED products which will dazzle your customers.

With many years’ experience working in this field, we’ve seen trends come and go, but the LED sign still has its place. For more information, simply get in touch with our friendly team today, to see how we can brighten up your business premises.

The intriguing story of the pub sign, and why they still matter

Pub Signage – Restaurant signs – Night Club Signs

If you own or manage a pub, you probably know a fair bit about its history and possibly even about how it got its name. The names given to pubs and inns up and down the United Kingdom offer fascinating snapshots of the nation’s history, commemorating everything from battles, momentous events and monarchs to landowners, trades and the local landscape.

We’re a nation of pub-goers, and almost everyone will have their favourite local for a cheeky lunchtime pint or an evening out with friends or family. Pub signs have and will always have a very important role to play in capturing and preserving the history of our drinking dens, so if you’re thinking about upgrading your pub sign, here’s an intriguing glimpse into the fascinating history of pub signage.

What’s in a name?

The answer is, rather a lot. According to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the top five most common pub names in Britain are The Red Lion, The Royal Oak, The White Hart, The Rose and Crown and The King’s Head, and we’re all likely to have propped up the bar in one of these at some point.

In the Medieval period, when few people would have been able to read a name written above a pub door, painted signs were used to tell travellers the name of the inn they were passing. As many people stayed at monasteries whilst journeying the length and breadth of the country, many enterprising landlords craftily gave their inns names with religious connotations in a bid to get into the hospitality industry – hence the prevalence of pubs named The Mitre, The Lamb and Flag (a reference to the Lamb of God) and The Cross Keys (symbol of St Peter guarding the gates of Heaven).

Henry VIII was directly or indirectly responsible for a number of our most well-known and widely used pub names. Big on his hunting and sports, the Tudor king’s love of falconry inspired many landlords to rename their inns The Bird in the Hand, while others plumped for The Greyhound, in celebration of the monarch’s favoured hunting dog. When the king sold off monastery land to wealthy families, many landlords tried to curry favour with their new lords of the manor by rebranding, and so pubs named after various Dukes, Earls and other landed gentry became more common.

While many drew inspiration from common local trades (The Sailor, The Plough, The Golden Fleece), others used their pub signs as more overt advertising. Pubs named The Bear or The Bull, for instance, were promoting the fact they put on bear- or bull-baiting, while other sports such as fox hunting and hare coursing were celebrated in names such as The Fox and Hounds or The Hare and Hounds.

Pretty as a picture

Given literacy rates remained low until well into the twentieth century, it’s easy to see why the image on a pub sign mattered so much historically. As both an indication of the pub’s name and a form of advertising for their wider services and forms of entertainment, the picture above the door really could paint a thousand words. Clever branding on behalf of landlords meant they were more likely to capture the ever-flowing passing trade, as people journeying on foot or horseback sought out places to stay for the night. But do pub signs still matter in an age where potential customers can simply read online reviews?

Arguably, they matter as much as they ever did! We’re all acutely aware just what a difficult time pubs around the country are having at the moment, with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) suggesting that close to thirty pubs are being forced to close every week. With every pub forced to shut down, all that rich history goes with it, so it’s little wonder landlords are constantly on the lookout for ways to attract new custom and keep their heads above water.

If you’re a landlord, one of the best ways to stay ahead of the competition is by upgrading and maintaining that historically significant signage. A new pub sign says that you mean business and have sticking power, despite the difficult economic circumstances. A well-made, well-maintained sign shows just how much pride you take in your establishment. After all, how many people really want to while away an evening in a pub or bar which looks run-down and shabby from the outside? A well-kept façade is a warm and welcoming invitation, and good signage is the key to that.

Making a statement

Bold, bright and beautiful signage which celebrates your pub’s history and looks to its future will encourage both regulars and passing trade to venture in. Pub signage is often the best advertising you can invest in as a landlord, because it is the most prominent, visible way of announcing your presence and getting people to take an interest.

Pub signs hold a very special place in the hearts of many. Quintessentially British, they have been copied the world over, so whether you opt for something traditional and timeless or something more modern or tongue-in-cheek, making sure you get the highest quality, most well-designed sign is vital.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we’ve spent many years supplying pubs both large and small with bespoke and beautifully crafted signage. We understand the cultural and historic significance of pub signs, and will work with you to create the perfect sign to capture your establishment’s unique character.

For more information about the services we can provide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Sussex Sign Company today. Celebrate the past and look to the future with new pub signage.

For more information contact us on 01273 417057 or contact us using the contact form.

Why you should upgrade your shop front signs before summer arrives

We may only just have got Easter out the way, but the pleasant spring weather has probably made many people turn their thoughts towards summer. Long, lazy evenings with a cold glass of wine, barbecuing and dining al fresco, picnics in the park, days hot enough for ice cream at the seaside – not things the Great British summer treats us to every year, but who doesn’t live in hope? It’s also an important time of year for businesses up and down the country, and getting prepared for the summer rush should begin with upgrading the external signage on your premises.

Summer is the busiest time of year in all sorts of industries. People who have been putting off that loft conversion are frantically searching for a builder, and those with broken guttering might finally hire a handyman. Those looking to tone up ahead of a holiday might be in search of a gym or personal trainer, and those holidaying in the UK will be keeping an eye out for good places to eat out or enjoy a spot of retail therapy. Summer really is the time of year when people begin to stir and start to get things done after the lethargy of winter.

If you own or manage a company, making sure you’re the one to attract those suddenly busy people is crucial. One of the most effective, fail-safe ways of doing that is through upgrading your signage and making it more eye-catching and appealing, ensuring you stand out from the competition when those potential customers start to get round to their to-do lists and good intentions. There’s no point leaving it until the summer is underway, though, because by then it may well be too late. The perfect time to upgrade your shop signs and vehicle liveries is now.

Capturing the summer rush

Summer inevitably brings more people outdoors to enjoy the better weather, drawing them onto the High Street and into town and city centers. With more people out and about, there are more sets of eyes on your shop or restaurant front, more sets of eyes on your branded vehicles and more people taking an interest in the products you sell or the services you provide.

Signage is usually the first thing people notice about a shop or other business premises, so if your shop signs aren’t looking their best, you risk losing potential new customers. If you’re lucky enough to live by the coast or in a scenic city, town or village, summer tourist numbers may be boosting footfall in the area, introducing a whole new market that you have a chance to capture. Missing out because your signage is not bold enough to grab their attention would be a costly mistake, so having new shop signs in place ahead of the rush suddenly takes on a new importance.

It’s also worth remembering that investing in vehicle wraps or van signwriting ahead of the summer months could also help you market your business to potential customers. Research has shown that vehicles decked out with custom car wraps or unique vehicle vinyl are seen by between 2,000 and 9,000 people an hour on average. With more people out and about, you’re looking at numbers towards the higher end of that spectrum, and that’s not an opportunity you want to miss!

Why signage matters when summer arrives

Signage matters all year round, of course, but it’s over the summer months when it becomes really key to marketing your brand. With more people keen to hit the shops, dine out or go for a leisurely drink after work, you may find competition between shops, restaurants and bars really hots up along with the weather. Ensuring you stay one step ahead of the competition isn’t down to luck, but to investment, to make sure you look that bit more attractive, distinctive and original. By choosing to install new, bespoke signage which really announces your presence to the world, you stand a better chance of stealing those customers from your High Street rivals.

It’s been a tough couple of years for businesses, with the economy still only slowly picking up after the financial crash. Let’s face it, the last few summers have been pretty terrible too, in many ways, with none of the heatwaves, hosepipe bans and barbecues of previous years. However dire things might seem, it’s still no excuse not to approach this summer feeling positive and full of good intentions. While new, high-quality signage might seem like an expense you could do without in straitened times, it is, nevertheless, a vital investment which will more than pay for itself.

Your signage is your calling card to the world, and acts as round-the-clock advertising for your business, whatever sector you’re in. Professional sign companies begin to see trade pick up around this time of year, so if you’re looking to invest in new signage in order to attract the summer crowds, don’t leave it until the last minute. Get in ahead of the rush and upgrade your shop signs before summer arrives, or you may be too late.

Sunny days ahead

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we’re already working hard to get businesses across London and the South-East prepared for the sizzling summer we’re all hoping for. Of course, we can still fit in your signage project before the glorious weather arrives!

Even if the weather does disappoint, there will be sunnier days ahead business-wise, when you outshine the competition. So if you’re looking to upgrade with new, top-quality bespoke shop signs, simply get in touch with The Sussex Sign Company’s team of professional designers today.

A unified brand: why corporate identity signage matters

Corporate branding is more important than you think

Getting your branding spot on is key when you’re running a business, because branding is how customers are going to recognise you. The combination of a name, logo, colour scheme and slogan can be a really powerful marketing tool when you get them right, helping to shape an image of your company within the minds of the general public and, hopefully, ensuring they remember and return to you time and time again.

When you think of some of the biggest brand names in the world – Apple, for instance, or Nike, Pepsi or Starbucks – the branding quite often becomes so deeply entrenched in public consciousness that it’s instantly recognisable just from the logo alone. With a presence in 119 of the 195 countries in the world, McDonalds’ golden arches are said to be more widely recognised than the cross.

While you’re probably not setting your sights as high as competing with the likes of Apple, strong branding and a unified brand across your company is clearly important. That means reproducing the same logo, font and colour scheme on everything from your business cards to your company car livery, your letterheads to your free promotional giveaways, and corporate identity signage also plays a major role in achieving a unified brand.

Signage is particularly critical in this regard because it is, perhaps, the most visual representation of your branding, prominently displayed outside your business premises and seen by thousands every day. So what difference does bold corporate identity signage make to a business?

Standing out

Signage is one of the most fundamental marketing tools your company has. On a walk down any average High Street, you’re likely to pass tens, if not hundreds, of external signs which announce to the world what the company or organisation behind the double doors sells or provides. Be they shop front signs, estate agent displays, signs for a gym or restaurant or even school signs, well-designed signage lets you know at a single glance exactly what you can expect.

With so many signs competing for the attention of passersby, making sure that yours stand out from the crowd can seem like a challenge. Bold and aesthetically attractive bespoke signage has been proven to have a significant impact when it comes to generating footfall, and people always react positively to anything which enhances the appearance of a building or area. If your signage is visually appealing and well-maintained, people are more likely to register it and take a second look, particularly if there’s something unusual, eye-catching, beautiful or entertaining about it.

You should think about signage as advertising for your business which is working round the clock and always on display. This is the showcase for your brand, the ticket to attracting footfall and the best place to ensure that your corporate identity is made as attractive and memorable as possible. Dull or badly designed branding turns people off. They may only remember the name, they may only remember the logo or colours, but if some element of your brand sticks in the heads of the people who see it, you’re on your way.

What makes a successful unified brand?

People tend to shy away from the phrase ‘corporate identity’, but ‘corporate’ doesn’t have to be synonymous with ‘dull’. Your corporate identity is simply the way you put your business across to the world, and that’s entirely up to you! Of course, you want to maintain professionalism at all times, but not at the expense of injecting a little personality into your branding.

If you work with a talented graphic design team, you will find that they can almost certainly distil the essence of your company into a branding package which is as simple as it is bold, and as memorable as it is beautiful. Every company has its own unique personality, regardless of the industry they’re in or the goods and services they supply. Capturing that uniqueness within your corporate identity branding is the job of any designer worth their salt, including those who create bespoke corporate identity signage.

Ensuring that the branding you have created translates across all platforms means it’s easier for people to remember you and find you again. A successful unified brand is one which extends its brand image across everything the company does, covering signage, business cards, office stationery, banners on social media platforms, wraps around company cars and vans, menus and price lists, and giveaway gifts handed out to new clients.

Wherever there is a chance to put your branding on display, seize it with both hands.

Signposting success

Never forget the importance of your corporate identity signage. Your signage is the gift which keeps on giving, because it is the most direct route to getting your brand and company noticed, with no other branding tool so prominently and permanently on display. Who, after all, cannot conjure up the colour schemes of the major supermarkets in their mind, or walk down a street and fail to recognise the logos of our biggest High Street names?

Whatever goods you sell or services you provide, investing in strong corporate signage can make a massive impact on brand awareness. At The Sussex Sign Company, we have many years’ experience crafting the most eye-catching and unique signage solutions you’re likely to find. Our expert team of graphic designers can work closely with you, to ensure that your corporate identity is fully captured in not only your external signage, but on a range of other signs, car wraps and products.

If you’re in the South East and would like more information on how we can help you achieve a successful, fully unified brand, simply get in touch with us today on 01273 417057 or contact us using the contact form.

Your name in lights: how illuminated signs could get your business noticed

At some time or another, many of us have dreamt of seeing our name in lights. Treading the boards might be a distant hope and acting skills might be lacking, but you could still see your name in lights in another way, if you invest in illuminated signage.

It may not be your own name, but having your company, shop or restaurant name picked out in bright lights is one of the quickest and easiest ways of ensuring your business premises stands out from the crowds. Illuminated signs elevate your run-of-the-mill signage to make it all the more eye-catching and attractive to potential customers. A well-designed illuminated sign has far greater reach and pulling power than standard signage, largely because it’s more visible both day and night, creating a beacon for your business which is guaranteed to guide the customers in.

If you’re considering updating your signs, here’s how putting your name in lights could help to get your business noticed and generate that all-important footfall.

Brighten up

Across the United Kingdom, businesses everywhere and in every sector have been struggling against the uncertainties of the Brexit vote, which followed hot on the heels of a very trying year for the economy. With all the doom and gloom around, and with increased competition on the High Street, the time may well have come to brighten up and take the lead over your competitors through new illuminated signs.

Investing in new illuminated signage speaks volumes about your sticking power and how seriously you take your business. A company that wants and strives to succeed is one that invests in keeping up appearances and outshining the competition. Keeping up appearances is never more powerfully represented than through the signs outside our premises. Signage is your calling card to the world. Well-designed, well-installed and well-maintained, it shows you care. Let it fall by the wayside, however, and customers will be deterred by an unloved shop front or run-down restaurant façade.

Illuminated signage can be undeniably beautiful, if it’s of high quality and gives an accurate reflection of your business. Research goes to show that purchasing a thing of beauty can have a positive impact on wellbeing – in this case yours and your company’s. Elevating your own mood at the same time as injecting new life into your business and premises could be just the antidote to all the negative economic news.

Multiple choices

There’s a wide choice when it comes to illuminated signage. Most internal signs will use bright LED lights to bring them to life, while outside, there are a range of techniques used, both traditional and more cutting-edge.

You could opt for the good old-fashioned and reliable fluorescent tube lighting or standard up or downlights. There are also lighting solutions which use push-through acrylic letters, which are then built up in stainless steel, or powder coated letters which have stunning LED lights positioned behind them to give a truly incredible halo effect. Glowing out the darkness once the evening has descended, there’s something warm and comforting about the cheerful glow of an illuminated sign, whichever type you opt for.

The allure of lights

Like moths to a flame, people really can be attracted by illuminated signage. There are few other ways to make such a direct impact, and potential customers are instantly drawn to something which is novel, attractive and unusual, especially when it enhances the appearance and tone of their local area. Illuminated signage which brightens up your shop, restaurant, bar, estate agency or other premises doesn’t just make your place look pretty, it also tells customers everything they need to know about you.

If you can work with a professional sign-writing company to create bespoke, bold and beautiful illuminated signage, a graphic designer worth their salt will be able to tell your company’s story just through your signs. A well-made sign is one that customers can understand in an instant, and that gives a favourable impression as they make that all important snap judgement. A memorable logo, a unique but easy to read font and a standout colour scheme can all combine to tell customers what you do, sell or provide and how you can help them. Add illuminations to the mix and you have a pretty powerful message.

What’s more, while signage might seem like an expense you could do without in cash-strapped times, it’s worth remembering that it’s an investment that ultimately pays for itself. If you look after your signage well, it could last you for years, and it works to advertise your business around the clock. The advantage with illuminated signage is that it’s constantly visible, even in the worst of the British weather and the depths of a winter’s night. No other form of publicity is quite so difficult to ignore.

A glowing recommendation

The Sussex Sign Company has specialised in illuminated signs for many years now, and we’ve worked on some of the most high-profile signage projects across London and the South-East. The quality of our signage work speaks for itself, and with a team of highly skilled designers and a professional installation crew on hand, we can help you craft bespoke illuminated signs that will help you outshine your rivals.

For more information on the services provided by The Sussex Sign Company, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today, to see how we could brighten up your business.

Disastrous rebrands, and how to avoid them

Companies rebrand themselves all the time, for a variety of reasons. Just as the clothing fashions which suited you a decade ago have probably changed, so too trends and fashions in branding can change over time, meaning that what suited your business back then might look a bit outdated now. Whether it’s a simple and straightforward update to your logo or a full-scale rebranding exercise to overhaul your entire company image, it’s important to get it right.

Rebrands can be a valuable exercise, modernising a business and injecting a new lease of life. Sometimes, however, changing too much about your branding can leave your company unrecognisable and lose you customers, who either no longer recognise you or no longer identify with your business. Sometimes, companies tinker with their branding at their peril, as we’re about to discover. If you’re looking to rebrand with a new logo, new font and new signage, here are some cautionary tales and useful advice.

Don’t kill your old brand entirely

There are certain things customers tend to associate with a business, namely their logo, colour scheme and the font they use in their branding. If you do away with all of these in one fell swoop, then you may find your customers no longer recognise you and can no longer find you. Hanging on to something familiar makes it more likely your rebrand will be a success.

Take the example of the Royal Mail. In 2002, executives there took the bizarre decision to do away not only with their iconic red and gold colour scheme and logo, but with their name as well, briefly deciding to call the corporation ‘Consignia’. The new name and less than inspiring branding led to public ridicule and the company was forced to slowly phase out the Consignia brand over the course of two years, quietly re-adopting the old branding it had so casually abandoned.

Keep your logo simple

People have short attention spans, and they need to be able to decipher your logo at first glance. Not only will an over-complicated logo not be easy on the eye, but it’s harder for customers to recognise in the future and if they can’t see its relevance to your business, they will quickly lose interest.

The widely-hated London 2012 logo is a case in point. The garish and over-stylised 2012 date became a costly branding disaster, and finding unusual images in the numbers became a national sport in its own right. While it was too late in the day to backtrack, you can only assume the organisers of the games regretted the reported £400,000 fee they paid for such an unattractive image…

Think about your font

Too preoccupied with the logo, people often overlook just how important a familiar font can be during rebrands. Many businesses have a font which is unique to them and is used across all their promotional materials, from business cards and letterheads to menus, price lists and their shop front signage. When you think of familiar High Street chains such as Debenhams, Marks & Spencer or any of the big supermarket brands, you can conjure up their fonts in your mind’s eye with no problem, so difficult is it to detach the font from the business.

Playing with your font can be a dangerous game, as GAP found to their cost when they tried to rebrand in 2010. Replacing the familiar elongated and capitalised letters of their name with a lower case, stubbier version went down very badly with loyal customers, who took to social media to mock and complain. The company did a U-turn within the week, and the moral of the story is that if you must tinker with the font on your logo, keep it simple, easy on the eye and make sure it extends across your entire brand.

Don’t rebrand just because you can

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you always should. Rebranding can be an expensive exercise, and while change can be good, the upheaval of shaking things up every few years can be draining. Sometimes, all that is needed is a spruce up of what you already have, so if you still think your colour scheme and font look good, perhaps all you need is a simple new logo, some new signage outside your business premises or a quick update to the promotional giveaway goods you hand out.

Getting advice from a professional designer can be a good move if you’re considering a rebrand, as they will be able to point out the strengths and weaknesses of your current branding and suggest creative ways you might want to update or modernise your colour scheme, font and logo. You’re the expert in what your business does, but experts in the design industry probably know what works best in terms of rebrands.

Whether you’re going for a complete brand overhaul or simply adding a slight tweak to the branding you already have, new signage to promote your new look is a must. At The Sussex Sign Company, we have a dedicated team of highly skilled designers and sign installers who have worked extensively on rebranding projects for businesses right across London and the South East.

We can work closely with you to ensure your image makeover is a success, crafting bespoke branding packages which ensure you get the most from your rebranding exercise. For more information on the services offered by The Sussex Sign Company, simply get in touch with our expert team today.

What makes a great sign?

Signage is one thing no business can afford to get wrong. Because the signs on the front of your premises are always visible and always advertising you to the world, ensuring they stand out, look attractive and are memorable to potential customers is absolutely vital when it comes to winning that much-needed footfall on the High Street.

Poorly designed and badly installed signs not only make your business look like an eyesore in the local area, they may very well put customers off altogether. When the front of your premises look unappealing and unloved, it suggests that everything else you have to offer will also be disappointing to customers. That means that keeping the façade of your establishment in top condition is key. So what makes a great sign, and how can you ensure your signs are working hard for you?

Bold design

When it comes to sign design, there’s no point in doing things by halves. Employing a professional sign designer with the relevant experience and knowledge can make all the difference if you want to get the best signs for your business. While it might seem like an expense you could do without, professional design teams are highly skilled and know exactly what works and what doesn’t. Even if you can clearly picture what you want in your mind’s eye, a professional designer might just come up with some creative alternatives or valuable additions which you perhaps hadn’t thought of.

A bold sign is one which makes the best use of colour, imagery and font. Too bland in its colour scheme and your signs are easily overlooked, too loud and you run the risk of them perhaps seeming garish and tacky. The colours you and your designer choose will probably tie in with the branding your business already uses, so if you have a particular colour scheme you use elsewhere, then incorporating this is a good way of promoting your brand identity more forcefully.

The same goes for imagery, and working your logo into pride of place in your sign is key. You may also have a specific font which is associated with your company’s brand image, which needs to form part of a bold signage solution. A good designer will know how to strike a balance with all these elements, creating a sign design which is striking, clean, legible and uncluttered.

A branding opportunity

You should treat the installation of new signs as a way to build your brand identity. Whether you own or manage a shop, restaurant, café, bar, gym or any other establishment, you’ll have worked hard to shape an image which reflects what you do and the pride you take in doing it. If you’re installing new signage and feel your old branding is looking a little lacklustre, this can be a great chance to modernise or update your brand identity.

Great signs are able to convey a message and tell a story, about you, your business and your work. We all make instant judgements about what we’re looking at within a fraction of a second, so the amount of time your sign has to make an impact on potential customers is minimal, and you only get one shot at that first impression. What elevates a good sign to a great one is the ability to convey in that split second everything they need to know about you. Well-designed, well-maintained and memorable, a great sign gives them the whole picture in an instant.

Internal signs

It’s not just the outside of your premises which needs great signs, but the inside can benefit too. Wayfinding signs, promotional graphics and other internal signs all need to be designed with the same principles in mind, ensuring they tie in with your branding and are clear and easily understood.

While the external signs might be the stars of the show, those indoors need to work just as hard and be just as striking. Signs which confuse and are unclear could lead to all sorts of problems for clients and customers, causing frustration and putting your business across in a less than favourable light. A good designer will be able to develop a signage solution which works well with the layout of your indoor space and enhances the customer experience while they’re visiting your premises.

Still looking great?

As with anything new and shiny, the novelty of a new sign might well wear off after a while, but it still needs to remain looking great. If you’ve already invested the money in getting a beautiful, bespoke sign for the outside of your premises, then it makes sense to keep it well maintained. The ‘greatness’ will soon rub off your new signs if you don’t keep them in tip-top condition, so considering a long-term maintenance package may well be a sensible option.

Go to the pros

Only by using a professional sign design and installation company can you be sure you’re getting a great signage solution. The Sussex Sign Company has been working in this field for more than two decades, crafting beautiful, bespoke signs for business across the region, and further afield.

Thanks to the talents of our highly skilled design and installation teams, we’re able to offer our clients a service like no other. We offer a tailor-made package which ensures you get exactly what you need from your signs, designing, fitting and maintaining great signs which will help your business stand out. For more information on the services we can provide, simply contact our expert team today, on 01273 424900.

Planning Your New Sign Project

Spring Into Action With New Signage

Whether you’re launching a full rebranding exercise or you’re looking at a smaller-scale makeover to the front of your business premises, you need to plan your new sign project with care. Studies have shown that the human brain processes what it can see, forms a first impression or makes a judgement in just a tenth of a second, so appearances really do matter. In an already challenging retail and hospitality market, ensuring your premises are looking their very best has never been so important. A well-presented shop or restaurant front encourages custom, offering a promising glimpse into what might lie beyond the double doors.

New signage can make an immediate difference to how potential customers perceive your company. High-quality signage is the gift which keeps on giving, always visible and acting as round-the-clock and year-round advertising for your business. Done well, signage does more than simply put your company name and logo in lights – it reflects your brand to the world, it lets customers know you take pride in your work and it enhances the area around it by being attractive and pleasing to the eye. If you’re planning on updating your existing signage or considering a whole new sign project, getting the right team on board to support you in the design, installation and maintenance of your new signs is crucial, if the exercise is to be a success.

Why New Signage?

As an advertising tool, strong, well-designed signs have a more far-reaching and enduring power than taking out a small ad in the local paper or a slot on a local radio show, as more people come into contact with your signs on a daily basis. Made up in your company’s signature colours and clearly displaying your name, logo and contact details, a good sign makes a lasting impression on all who see it, whether they’re conscious of the fact or not.

It’s also true to say that people notice change in their neighbourhoods, especially when the change they see is improving the local area or making them sit up and take notice. Familiarity can breed indifference, and no matter how brilliant the products you sell, the food you serve or the services you offer, if people have stopped noticing your premises, then trade inevitably trails off. Sometimes, when they pass your shop, café, bar or restaurant every day on the school run or commute, people may simply have ceased to register your existence. If the signage changes, if the front of your premises suddenly gets that bold new look, then it will turn heads – and heads turned equates to more trade in the long-term.

It’s All In The Planning

Installing new signage does require a certain level of investment. Done well, though, it will pay you back multiple times over and will last for many, many years to come. Just as you wouldn’t rush into any other important business decision without first looking at it from several different angles, having new signs installed must be undertaken only after careful consideration and plenty of planning, and preferably with the expert advice of an experienced signage company.

You may well begin planning your new sign project with a very clear mental image of what your signs should look like, or you may be completely open-minded and looking for guidance. Either way, the best sign designers will be able to find creative alternatives and new solutions that you may not even have considered. Technical expertise, such as which fonts, colours and types of sign work well together are only acquired with experience, which is why it can be a good approach to go into the process with an open mind about what you might want from your new signs. An installation company will also be best placed to advise you on the positioning of your signs, to ensure they get the maximum exposure and are legible, eye-catching and more likely to capture the attention of potential customers.

As well as the visual appearance of your signs, you also have to consider the health and safety implications of new signage. Poorly fitted and badly-maintained signs can pose a serious risk, both to you and your customers. If there’s any danger that they might cause injuries, the consequences can be dire, in terms of reputation damage and costly litigation. Good planning in advance means that risk is reduced, and setting up an ongoing maintenance programme ensures they are kept safe and sparkling throughout the year.

Other Considerations

Finally, you need to decide when the best time would be to have your new signage installed. A professional signage company is unlikely to be put off by the bad weather over the autumn and winter months, so your new sign project could really be undertaken at any time of the year. Spring is, however, a particularly good time to consider new signs, especially as this is a period when lots of business owners feel the need for a cathartic deep spring clean and a fresh start with better branding. The timing will have to depend on when you feel you’ll make the minimum impact on your customers and the maximum impact in terms of relaunching your powerful new brand identity.

You also need to make sure you work with designers and sign installers you’re comfortable with and a team you can build a rapport with, as this can be a long-lasting relationship. Not only are you entrusting them with your company image and your creative ideas, but they may also be involved in the ongoing maintenance and servicing of your signs.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we’ve spent many years working with local businesses to plan and manage their new sign projects. Thanks to our highly creative design team and our expertly qualified professional fitters, we combine bright ideas and technical skills to make your new signs work for you. For more information on how we can help, simply get in touch today on 01273 417057 or contact us using the contact form.