Choosing A Sign

Choosing the Right Sign: Size, Materials & Viewing Distance

The best sign isn’t just about what looks good — it’s about what works. Visibility, durability, and placement all play a huge role in making sure your sign gets noticed and lasts for years. This guide will help you choose the right size and material for your specific situation.

Sign Size & Viewing Distance

One of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing a sign that’s too small. If customers can’t read it in time, it’s not doing its job.

General Rule of Thumb:
Every 1 inch of letter height = about 10 feet of clear viewing distance

Things to Consider

• Driving vs Walking Traffic – Drivers need much larger text than pedestrians

• Speed of Traffic – The faster people move, the bigger the sign must be

• Mounting Height – Signs placed higher up need larger lettering

• Obstructions – Trees, poles, and parked vehicles can block smaller signs

If you’re unsure, it’s almost always better to go bigger for better readability.

Choosing the Right Sign Material

Different materials serve different purposes depending on location, weather exposure, and how long you need the sign to last.

Temporary & Short-Term Signs

Corrugated Plastic (Coroplast)
✔ Lightweight
✔ Budget-friendly
✔ Great for yard signs, events, and promotions
⏳ Best for short-term outdoor use

Foam Board
✔ Smooth, professional look
✔ Ideal for indoor displays and presentations
⛔ Not weather-resistant

Mid-Term & Portable Signs

PVC (Sintra)
✔ Durable and smooth
✔ Good for indoor or semi-protected outdoor use
✔ Common for lobby signs and wall displays

Aluminum Composite (ACM / Dibond)
✔ Rigid and professional
✔ Rust-proof
✔ Excellent for business signs and outdoor mounting
⏳ Long-lasting in all weather conditions

Long-Term & Permanent Outdoor Signs

Solid Aluminum
✔ Extremely durable
✔ Won’t rust
✔ Ideal for property signs, parking signs, and long-term installations

Acrylic
✔ Sleek, high-end appearance
✔ Great for dimensional lettering and office signage
✔ Best for indoor or protected outdoor areas

Wood or HDU (High-Density Urethane)
✔ Premium, carved look
✔ Great for monument-style or decorative signs
✔ Excellent for long-term exterior use

Indoor vs Outdoor Use

Not all signs are built to handle the elements.

Outdoor Signs Need To Withstand:

• UV sunlight (fading)

• Rain and moisture

• Wind load

• Temperature changes

We use UV-resistant inks and weather-rated materials for outdoor signage to ensure your sign looks great for years.

Design Impacts Visibility

Even the right size sign can fail with poor design.

High-Visibility Design Tips:
✔ Strong contrast (dark text on light background or vice versa)
✔ Simple fonts (avoid thin or overly decorative styles)
✔ Minimal wording — less is more
✔ Clear logo placement

If people have more than a few seconds to read your sign, it’s probably too much information.

Placement Matters

Where your sign goes is just as important as how it’s made.

• Perpendicular signs are easier to see from the road

• Elevated signs need larger lettering

• Window signs compete with reflections and interior clutter

• Wall signs should be centered in clear visual space

We’re happy to review photos of your location to recommend the best size and placement.

Not Sure What You Need? We Can Help.

Choosing the right sign can feel overwhelming — that’s where we come in. Tell us:

• Where the sign will be installed

• How far away people will view it

• Indoor or outdoor use

• Temporary or permanent

• Your budget range

Our team will recommend the ideal size, material, and mounting method to make sure your sign gets noticed and performs the way it should.

Your sign is an investment — let’s make sure it works as hard as you do.