Unique Outdoor Business Sign Ideas to Boost Your Brand

As an exterior sign company in Ohio, Kessler Sign Company has over fifty years of experience in the business, which means that we know a lot about what signs do well and which ones don’t. We also know that unique signs are what separate great brands from good brands.

We want to share with you some of the insights that we have so that you can know what makes signage so special and significant. With these outdoor business sign ideas, you can ensure that your business stands out. We can help you find some unique outdoor business sign ideas of your own, and many of these tips can help with indoor sign ideas as well.

Ask Yourself What Your Brand Represents

Before you do anything, you have to decide what your brand is and what your business means at its core. Take some time to think about what your brand identity is before you even start the sign process.

Ask yourself some of the following questions to determine your brand’s identity:

  • What do I want my customers to think when they see my company?
  • Who am I marketing to?
  • How should people feel when they encounter my brand?
  • Why would people be drawn to my business?
  • What sets my business apart?

Use these questions to shape the kind of sign you choose and the style you use to establish your brand identity. Your sign must reflect the core values of your business, and this type of connection can be introduced in subtle but profound ways.

Even something as simple as the font of a sign says something about your company. Signs are vital methods of communication, so figure out what you want your brand to be before doing anything else.

Think About Colors

Color choice is significant when it comes to creating a sign. You’ll want to consider what kind of color scheme you’re going to want. If your business already has a color scheme in place, consistency can be appealing to customers and be seen as more professional. You also want to consider what colors represent and the message they may send to customers. For example, green is often associated with nature, so it may be a great choice for landscaping businesses or florists! Similarly, red is often associated with anger, so it wouldn’t necessarily be the best choice for a spa.

Be Creative

Creativity will take you a long way. Don’t limit yourself in the sign design process. Use other signs in your sector for inspiration, but you must also remember to differentiate your business when possible. There’s no reason a sign should be boring as people might skip giving your business a chance. Think back to what makes you stand out, and find creative ways to incorporate your business’s uniqueness.

Stay Focused

While creativity is good, you never want to wander from your central message. Remember your business’s values and the qualities you want to convey so that you don’t end with a sign that looks eye-catching but doesn’t have much substance or relation to your brand identity.

Make a Statement

Don’t be afraid to make a statement about your business. Boldness can go a long way, and you want people to look at your sign and be intrigued to your business. Curiosity can earn you customers, so use that in your marketing. Just getting people in the door is the first hurdle for any business, and when your sign makes a statement, that hurdle is easier to overcome.

YE OLDE TRAIL TAVERN

In the heart of Yellow Springs sits Ohio’s oldest tavern, Ye Olde Trail Tavern.  Built in 1827 this historic establishment has continued to serve spirits, libations, and excellent bites for nearly 200 years.  Surely the beautiful neon blade sign does not have the same lifespan, but keeps an impressive vintage feel noted by commuting traffic on Xenia Ave.  Kudos to this fine establishment for being such a fun, welcoming watering hole for all these years.

THE PINE CLUB

Since 1947 The Pine Club has been serving up Dayton’s finest steaks and cocktails. The use of neon for the building sign and window details keep the vintage aesthetic to an old classic. Their welcoming awning with clean retro branding help cement this fine establishment as a landmark on Brown Street for years past and many years to come.

DELILAH

“Nothing to See Here” as the cool retro blade sign at West Hollywood’s Delilah subtly notes. Simple neon numbers serve as a beacon for those looking for a night to not soon forget. IYKYK.

STAMPD

Another excellent use of neon signage framing an instagrammable moment on the interior of the Stampd flagship in Los Angeles. Interior wall signs can be used for strong branding moments as we see with the “Made To Make It” tag line. Worried about the durability of neon lighting? We can create the same wall sign as an LED sign as well.

TINA’S

We love the unique painted sign color choice shown here on Tina’s dimensional building sign in Pittsburgh. The retro pink hue pops off the wall creating a vibe that fits well with the Bloomfield neighborhood and matches the laid-back atmosphere inside. We have an experienced sign painting department that can mix nearly any color you dream up.

THE VOGUE

A staple for live music in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis, The Vogue’s breathtaking marquee permeates retro-chic concert hall vibes. The use of neon and LED lighting combined with marquee interchangeable sign copy.

LAWBIRD

Located in Columbus’ German Village neighborhood, Lawbird makes great use of a vintage sign cabinet for an impactful blade sign that can’t be missed at night. Stop by for a delicious cocktail and an up-close look at a beautiful LED blade sign in the village.

THE FRIEND BAR

We love the creative use of neon for this fan-favorite in LA’s Silver Lake community. The art of bending neon allows for creative sign design and the results can be powerful as you see here illuminating the night sky. Have an issue with your neon sign? We have a service team in place to fix the issue and get the sign back up in running quickly.

THE NORMANDIE CLUB

Tucked off 6th St. in Los Angeles’ Koreatown The Normandie Club uses gold leaf vinyl signage in their dark windows which fit the vibe of this classic cocktail bar well. Sometimes a simple sign design can make the biggest impact.