Vinyl Sign Lettering
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There's nothing more important to a successful sign than lettering. Graphics and symbols will also help to communicate, but the real message is most often transmitted through language, the use of words and text.
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help lettering Slenderline inserts?Follow the link below for tips and instructions for lettering polystyrene inserts for Slenderline signs. Slenderline inserts and lettering guide - All about sign inserts, getting the best vinyl lettering, and how to put it all together. |
Where To Find Quality Vinyl Lettering
Click on the links below to purchase your vinyl sign lettering from companies that satisfy all of the points on our checklist. You'll get exactly what you want, and you'll know just what to look for when you get there!
Make Your Own Vinyl Lettering at Custom-Vinyl-Lettering.net
Shop Custom Vinyl Lettering Online at BuildASign.com!
Choose The Best Font
It seems obvious that the lettering on a sign should be clear and easy to read. And yet, some signs are made with fonts that are extremely ornate and complicated. They look good, but they aren't easy to read. It's possible to sacrifice the message for a sign that looks too detailed.
Choose a text font that is easy on the eyes.
Generally, sans serif fonts are the clearest and easiest to read. Serifs are the little hooks at the end of strokes on the lines that make up the letter. Sans serifs are simply fonts that do not have these strokes. The lines are straight and square or rounded at the ends.
You may have noticed that traffic signs have sans serif fonts. This makes them easy to read when traveling past them in a vehicle.
On the other hand, your vinyl sign lettering may need to be fancy. Serif fonts can be very attractive to look at on a sign. Your best bet is to choose a serif font that isn't too complex yet looks good on your sign. It's also wise to keep your message simple and to the point.
There are some sources that use a rule of thumb which states that the horizontal strokes of the letters should be approximately 1/5 of the height of the letter. This works well if you want to use letters that are thinner horizontally than vertically. I have found that wider letters work fine too as long as they can fit neatly on the sign.
Generally it's best to stick with sans serif whenever possible, but if your business can benefit from signs with serif style fonts, choose one with more conservative serifs and clean sharp edges.
When you buy vinyl sign lettering online, you'll find a list of fonts to choose from on the website you're visiting. Look at all the fonts available to choose the best one for your needs.
Where Will The Sign Be Located?
Consider what kind of sign you need vinyl sign lettering for. Is it going to be hung outdoors or indoors? Will it need to be resistant to sunlight and rain, or will it need to be clearly seen under office lighting?
Be sure to choose a matte finish on vinyl sign letters that will be displayed under indoor lights to help prevent glare.
Lettering that will be hung or mounted outdoors can be glossy, and will even enhance the look of a vehicle or sign. Matte finishes are usually the best way to go if you're concerned about glare. If you know where it's going to be seen, you'll know how to pick lettering that will be seen the best possible way.
Also, think about how far away the sign will be from the eyes that will be looking at it. Can people walk up to the sign and stand directly in front of it to read it? Or is it a large sign that will hang many feet above their heads? Will they be driving by the sign in a car, or seeing it in a hotel lobby?
Consider details like sign distance, size, and the traffic in the sign area when choosing your sign lettering.
Get The Finest Material
The best sign companies use cast vinyl for their lettering. This comes in sheets that are cut by plotters into the shapes that form letters, and is a top quality plastic that resists moisture and exposure to weather.
If the company you buy your vinyl sign lettering from does not say what kind of vinyl they use, you may want to send them off a quick email asking for clarification. But if they let you choose the purpose for your letters, their website will tell you that those letters are made for that purpose.
Do you need them for interior uses such as wall lettering? Or do you want to add words and graphics to a car or boat? When you choose the letters for your specific purpose, you will get the quality vinyl needed for that use.
Vinyl Styles And Colors
Another point to consider is the look of your sign letters. Vinyl comes in a wide variety of colors, so you have a great chance to find just the color you want for your signs.
Colors and color combinations can affect the way your signs are perceived and read by others. How can you know what colors work best for the signs you're making? Check the list below for suggestions for the best color combinations. We have listed them in order of optimum legibility when used in signage to help you compare them.
When you choose your vinyl lettering, pick colors that don't blend in with the background color of your signs. Let the colors contrast and compliment each other to bring out your message in a effective way that's pleasing to the eye.
If your signs are used in your place of business, it's also a good idea to use colors that you use in your logos and office decor. Your signs will actually help to associate your messages with your business and can result in promoting a sense of reliability in your business and even increased sales.
Leave Some Breathing Room
Remember not to crowd your letters. Consider the size of your sign and create text to fit neatly.
Also make sure to leave plenty of "white space" between the letters, words, and the edges of your sign. In the sign industry, a good rule of thumb suggests leaving white space in 30 to 40 percent of the sign area. This will help your vinyl sign lettering stand out clearly and make it easier to read.
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