Types of Advertising Signs

You would think that all signs designed and built for the purpose of attracting business are the same; however, there are many different types of commercial signs. Here's a quick breakdown of various kinds of advertising signs.

Much sign terminology is based on where the sign is physically located on the business establishment. A very common location sign is a window sign, which is a sign that is placed directed onto, behind, or within the direct vicinity of the store window. There is the canopy sign which is a sign above any type of protective awning or cover located over entrances or exits of businesses. There is the roof sign, which obviously is a sign placed onto the roof of an establishment or any of the servicing buildings of the establishment. There is the wall sign, which can be commercially printed or painted. It's generally considered commercial if there are any types of logos, trademarks, locations, phone numbers, or any other business-related markings. Walls signs made for artistic purposes are generally considered murals. A projecting sign is a sign that extends from a building and is typically targeted at passer-by foot traffic. The billboard is a raised, off-site sign, typically roadside and much larger than other types of signs. People also advertise on mobile vehicular signs.

Advertising signs also differ in size and shape and are hung in different ways. There are commercial banners, flags, and pennants which are usually made of fabric, plastic, or paper. These are usually less permanent  and are attached on poles, vehicles, or buildings with nails, rope, or adhesive. There are also bulletin boards which are marker, chalk, or cork boards which display any kind of business information, typically news, announcements, or restaurant menu items. A freestanding sign is unattached to any buildings or structures and stands alone typically on a wooden or metal frame shaped to support its weight. A portable sign is designed to move around from location to location, common examples being for sale or open house real estate signs. A pole sign is an advertising sign independent from a building that is supported by a pole or other upright driven into the ground.

There are also different forms of advertising signs. A neon sign is a bright glowing gas-filled tubular-glass sign, very effective at drawing attention. An animated sign can be a neon, LED, or LCD sign that uses action and special effects similar to video and motion pictures. A beacon is when strong light sources beam into the atmosphere and form a commercial brand or slogan into the sky. Beacons can move or rotate as well. Indirectly lighted signs do not contain their own light source. They have secondary lighting shining on them. The opposite are directly lighted signs, which are signs that have their own lighting built into the unit and projecting from behind the sign front.

There are other different terms used for advertising signs as well, but many are forms of the above described such as flush wall signs, hamper signs, plaque signs, or projecting wall signs. It is important as a business owner to make sure which advertising signs are appropriate and effective for your business and which are permitted in your location.