Vinyl Banner Design Basics
Advertising to customers through good design standards
Since the intended result of using sign banners is to grab the reader's attention and convey a message, a quality banner should be attractive and, more importantly, readable. The following design tips will assist you to create an appealing design to maximize your return.
Font styles
Avoid using more than two type styles when designing your banner. The more fonts incorporated into your message, the more difficult your banner will be to read. Sans serif fonts like Helvetica, Futura and Ariel are more widely used because of their clarity at a distance. Fonts such as these should be used for the main premise of the banner. Secondary messages could incorporate a font similar to Goudy, Benguiat or Times giving your banner enough contrast in fonts to be interesting, yet at the same time be clear enough to be easily read. Refrain from using fonts such as Old English style text, script fonts or Engraved fonts if your intended audience could be at a distance. You could consider more complex fonts such as the later, if your audience is at a short distance such as a trade show or booth environment, but we suggest to not use harder to read fonts so that you can achieve success with both demographics.
A misconception of banner design is to use upper case fonts to grab attention. At times upper case lettering can be used for one word or a line of text for emphasis, but is should be stated that it takes the human eye longer to read and process upper case writing opposed to lower case.
Using Graphics On Your Banner
Logos, photographs and other images can effectively be used to grab the reader's attention, but should not overpower the intended message. If the reader is too caught up on the graphics and they miss the intended message as a result, the primary purpose of your banner will go un-noticed.
To enhance your thoughts and ideas for designing an effective ad banner, a good suggestion is to look around your community at all the banners competing for your attention. Notice the ones that stand our effectively conveying their intended message. Take a note of the banner's color scheme, font usage and graphic design and use some of these existing examples when preparing to design your custom vinyl banner.
Effective color combinations
Color schemes are as important to an effective banner as the message itself. Color combinations between the foreground, ie the font colors and graphics should have a high contrast to colors used on the background of the banner. Good contrast makes the lettering and graphics stand out ensuring that your banner will grab the attention of the reader. Things to consider when deciding on color schemes would be the business or event the banner intended purpose is for. As an example a gas log company would probably choose earthy colors and use dark browns and light earthy greens for contrast. A banner created for a church may use light blues and black or dark blues and white for contrast. Regardless of the color scheme you choose ensure that the contrast is drastic enough to ensure that your banner stands out to the viewer in a format that can be esily read.
Banners margins and white space
Margin widths are usually the most abused spaces on a banner. Common errors include stretching letters and graphics to fill the entire banner to the edges, or the text and graphic is too small for the sign and the margins are too big. A general rule of thumb is to have the top and bottom margin be 10% of the height, and right and left margins be at least as wide as one of the banner's main font character width. For example, a 48" sign should have a 4.8" top and bottom margin. A three-foot wide banner should have at least a 3" margin on the top and bottom. Avoid filling the empty spaces of the banner with graphics. White space helps keep the viewer's eyes concentrated on the text.
Esigns.com is a vinyl banner sign manufacturer that will assist you by providing you constructive feed back when you submit your design for production. If your design needs some work, the professionals at Esigns.com will make recommended suggestions that you may want to incorporate to ensure your vinyl banner brings in the customers to your business.
Banner lettering, if prepared properly will help create a positive impression as people enter your business.
Properly designed banners make a big impression and can improve your revenues dramatically. Esigns has years of experience to help you apply the right message to your industry in a way that will capture your reader's attention.
Your industry has particular sign needs that Esigns understands. From point of purchase signs and displays at checkout to full color customized vinyl banners at the entrance to your property or event, we have found that Esigns will help you get the job done.
According to the Small Business Administration and the Signage Foundation, a number of factors must be considered when choosing the right vinyl banner for your business.
When you are ready to create the perfect indoor or outdoor ad campaign, we suggest you contact Esigns.com to learn what you will need for that perfect vinyl banner solution.