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The world of business is full of signs. Everywhere we go, companies and organisations are adorned with different types of signage announcing who they are and what they do.

It may be natural to assume that when we say ‘signage’ we are talking only about the lettering over the front door, but the truth is that there are many different types of signage. Each is useful for different purposes and can fulfil different functions depending on the needs of your business.

In this post, we will look at five popular types of signage that every business can use to improve their branding and discoverability.

Fascia signs

 
The classic fascia is the most common type of signage. Simply put, this is the main sign above the door at the front of the establishment.

The design and presentation of a fascia sign can make a big difference to how customers and visitors think about the business. This can be influenced by the fonts, colours, and imagery used – as well as other factors such as the materials chosen and the quality of the manufacturing.

A great fascia sign speaks volumes about your business and is one of your most important assets for branding.

After all, most high street businesses have a fascia sign – but not all fascia signs are created equal. Some are a good deal more attractive, attention-grabbing, or well-maintained than others.

Getting your fascia signage right is a great way to set your business apart from competitors and to draw interested customers to your premises.

Illuminated signs

 
If you’re looking to give your business an all-night presence – or add a luxurious sheen to your presentation – you might consider investing in an illuminated sign.

A glowing sign can help visitors to find your business 24 hours a day, and also give increased visibility during bad weather (such as heavy fog). This makes it a no-brainer for businesses such as late night shops, bars, hotels, supermarkets, and petrol stations.

The days of old-school, power-guzzling neon signs are mostly behind us; these days, energy efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the standard. This new technology has opened the door to all kinds of design possibilities that couldn’t have been done with neon – from internally illuminated lightbox signs to “halo” signs with a backlit effect.

Of course, neon signs haven’t been completely forgotten – they do have a certain charm and character, and we can still produce them for projects where that old-school retro vibe is specifically sought.

Safety signage

 
No matter what industry you’re in, pretty much every business has a legal obligation to install safety signage of some type.

Common uses for safety signage include marking emergency escape routes, first aid kits and fire extinguishers, but for some sectors, the requirements might be more involved.

For example, kitchens need to have good signage reminding employees about food hygiene practices and hand washing – while factories and manufacturing sites should have notices about protective equipment and dangerous substances.

However, many public-facing enterprises may also need customer oriented safety signage. This might include ‘mind the step’ or ‘low ceiling’ advisories, ‘no smoking’ notices, warnings for children to not play on escalators, or any of a broad range of other safety alerts as necessary.

It’s not just legal box-ticking – it’s about keeping your staff and visitors safe, and with clear, well-made and on-brand safety signage you can make sure that your business is doing everything it can.

Here at Medash Signs, we have produced many safety signs for different purposes over the years and can work closely with you to create the items you need – helping you fulfil your legal obligations with smart, fresh, and well-designed signage.

Wall and window graphics

 
It’s not just the space above the front door that can carry signage – you can make use of any and all walls and windows both indoors and out.

Wide-format printed decals can be used to create large scale artworks and branding, adding imagery and colour to different surfaces around your premises. This type of signage can create a really striking design effect that customers are sure to remember.

And with window graphics, retail and hospitality sector businesses can essentially turn glass panes into big billboards telling customers about products, promotions and offers.

Printed wall signs are a great way to place branding elements around your interior spaces, meaning that the customer can enjoy a consistent experience throughout their entire journey from front door to final purchase.

Freestanding signs

 
Last but not least, we also have signs that don’t have to be attached to any pre-existing structure at all.

Freestanding signs are often used on the outer periphery of a larger business site, such as out in a carpark or next to an entrance gate.

They serve to let customers know where they are and to show them your logo and branding before they arrive at the main building.

Freestanding signs can come in a wide selection of shapes and sizes, and they can be made from many different materials to give a variety of finishes.

In conclusion, there is a wide array of sign types for you to choose from – and we can tailor a unique signage solution to the particular needs of your business.

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When it comes to designing your business signs and fascia, there are so many things to take into consideration. Not only are they there to give your property a name, but they also have to let everyone know what it is you do or sell, and how you wish to appear to the world. That’s a lot to ask for one sign. 

Along with what your signage communicates, it also has to look good. Effectives signs and fascia tend to boldly stand out, gaining as much attention as possible in the brief passing glance of people walking or driving by.

What are 3D letter signs?

This is pretty self explanatory: 3D signs are 2D signs that have been made three dimensional. Any 2D sign can be 3D with a bit of design ingenuity, and there are two main ways in which this can be achieved:

Built-up letters

This is when the words and/or logo are literally made into a 3D shape with sides and varying depth. A good example of these are the signs we did a while ago for Subway. This is the style which first comes to mind when most people think of 3D letter signs.

Built-up letters work particularly well when created as a lightbox, effectively being lit from within; alternatives include lighting to the side, at the front, or from behind the whole shape. When used in conjunction with the correct materials, the colours and finish can also play an important part in creating a unique overall effect that is sure to catch people’s attention. 

Every part of the built-up 3D letter sign design is up to you. This can be a highly effective way to use your branding colours, or to emphasise other aspects of your business branding.

You could also go for a retro feel with the use of neon and open-fronted 3D letters. This sounds more complicated than it is: tube neon lighting inside an open box in the shape of your letters. While neon lighting has been out of favour for a while – due to the lack of colour variances and lower inherent quality than LED lighting – in the right instances, it can be perfect for your business signage.

Flat cut letters

These beautifully effective signs are particularly popular at the moment. They consist of the letters being individually cut out and then mounted a distance from the actual wall, to create a floating effect. As an added bonus, you can also add some lights behind to create a dramatic halo effect.

One installation with flat cut letters that we are particularly proud of was for Lost Society in Battersea. By combining the gold 3D letter sign with another huge white-lit illuminated fascia, and a pastiche of traditional art-deco pub signage, we created a sign that was both classy and eye-catching.

Another benefit to using flat cut 3D letter signs is that separate parts of the sign do not have to be connected. You could have your name as large cut out letters in a bold sans serif font, then smaller serif working underneath to display a slogan or supporting information.

This ability to play with depth and shadow patterns not only creates a stunning visual effect, but also makes the sign look more complex and more expensive (especially if made with metal) – making it stand out from any flat, out-of-the-box signs that may be nearby.

Benefits of 3D letter signs

• Can be lit up in a variety of ways that add to the impact of the overall sign. You no longer have to light a sign from above or below, but can now do it from within or from behind with energy efficient and eco-friendly LED lights. This is particularly effective at night or from a distance, where it creates a physical presence in the area. This not only means that more people can see your branding for longer periods of the day, but also increases the chance of customers being able to locate your store.
• Lighting can be used to create different visual effects with your 3D lettering, making your sign stand out against your competitors. For example, you can pick and choose what to light up (e.g. the logo) – a great way to reinforce a well-known logo (think of the golden arches of a certain fast food chain), or to create intrigue around one that isn’t.
• They can be made up of pretty much anything, from metal to wood to acrylic. This is especially good for lightbox signs, which can also be finished to different effects, depending on the end result that you are aiming for.
• If you choose not to light your 3D letter sign, 3D shaping can help attract attention from different angles. With a glossy coating it can even reflect light back, given the right circumstances.

Examples of 3D letter signs

It’s not just above your shop where 3D letter signs work – they also go well on monolith signs. This is especially true when trying to stand out against other businesses, or when placed next to a roadside as a standalone sign. When you need to stand out with a single glance, 3D signs simply attract more attention.

You can also use 3D letter signs inside your workspace. Flat cut letters can look great above a reception desk, while built-up letters  make your brand name look fantastic in larger spaces such as interior workshops or car-rooms. 

3D letter signs can also work well as freestanding signs, especially for larger businesses with vast properties. An excellent example of this is the work we did for Curious Brewery, where one of the signs was placed at ground level. This worked as it was bold enough, with built-up and internally illuminated acrylic letters accented by a red underline, allowing it to stand out without having to be elevated.

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There are 5 types of health and safety signs, and they all mean different things. How do you know which type of sign is which? Well, they send their message through shape and colour. Once you know what you are looking for, you can quickly understand the exact meaning of the sign.

Health and safety signs are everywhere. At work. In public buildings. On construction sites, in offices, in warehouses, in hospitals, in all kinds of settings. We see health and safety signs daily. Are you at work now? Look around you, can you spot any health and safety signs? Can’t spot one, think about a no-entry sign or a warning sign, can you remember the shape and the colour?

Don’t worry if you don’t know what each type of health and safety sign looks like, or means, just yet. By the end of this post, you will be able to understand each type of health and safety sign when you see one!

There are 5 health and safety signs, and they all mean different things.

The 5 types of health and safety signs are:

• Prohibition Signs
• Mandatory Signs
• Warning Signs
• Safe Condition Signs
• Fire Equipment Signs

Every type of health and safety looks different. Through shape and colour combinations, they can send their message through just a picture or icon. Once you know what you are looking for, you can quickly understand the exact meaning of the sign (even without reading the words).

Here are the 5 health and safety signs and their meanings.

Prohibition Signs

Prohibitions signs are there to tell you not to do something. They are a danger sign, telling you that it is not safe to proceed. And what colour makes you think of danger? Red of course! These signs have a red circle with a red diagonal line through it. The pictogram is black on a white background.

An easy way to remember the shape of prohibition signs is that is a circle, like a full stop. And the sign literally means, stop.

Colour: Red

Shape: Circle

Meaning: Do not, Never, Stop, No

Examples:

• No unauthorised persons
• No entry
• No smoking
• Do not operate
• No parking

Mandatory Signs

Mandatory signs are there to tell you to do something. Consider these the opposite of prohibition signs. These signs are round in shape. The pictogram is white on a blue background. The circle usually has a white border.

Instead of being round for full stop (like prohibition signs), you can remember that mandatory signs are round for ‘Obey’. Because that is what you must do, obey them.

Colour: Blue

Shape: Circle

Meaning: Do this, You must, Obey

Examples:

• Wear a face mask
• Ear protection must be worn
• Keep fire door closed
• Keep clear
• Pedestrians only

Warning Signs

Warning signs are there to warn you of dangers. Unlike the two previous signs, they don’t tell you not to do something, or to do something. They simply aim to make you aware of a danger, so you can protect yourself.

These signs are triangular in shape. The pictogram is black on a yellow background, the triangle has a black border.

Colour: Yellow

Shape: Triangle

Meaning: Warning, Be careful, Be aware

Examples:

• Caution hot water
• Danger 440 volts
• Mind the step
• Fragile roof
• Caution slippery floor

Safe Condition Signs

Safe condition signs can usually be followed to safety. And what colour better represents safety than green? That’s right, they are green!

These signs are rectangular or square in share. The pictogram is white on a green background, and will often have a white border.

Colour: Green

Shape: Rectangle

Meaning: Follow, This way, Escape route, First aid

Examples:

• Fire exit
• Push bar to open
• Assembly point
• First aid box
• Emergency stop

Fire Equipment Signs

Fire equipment/fighting signs show you where fire equipment is. What colour do we think of for fire? Red. But we already used red, with the prohibition sign. Well, fire equipment signs are also red, but a different shape.

These signs are square or rectangular in shape. The pictogram is white on a red background, and will often have a white border.

Colour: Red

Shape: Square

Meaning: Here is the fire equipment, Fire extinguishers, Fire alarm

Examples:

• Fire extinguisher
• Fire alarm call point
• Fire alarm control panel
• Gas shut off valve
• For fire use only

  This article was written by Emma at HASpod. Emma has over 10 years experience in health and safety and BSc (Hons) Construction Management.

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