As Halloween creeps closer, we’ve gathered some truly eye-watering signage mishaps that are sure to make your blood run cold! With over 65 years of experience in signage, we’ve seen it all – the good, the bad, and the downright terrifying. At City Signs, our key aim is to help your business stand out for all the right reasons.
Let us share with you some of the spine-tingling mistakes we’ve encountered over the years, and how coming to us for a personal, professional service will certainly help minimise the risk of you falling into these same traps.
The Devil Is in the Detail
Leaving off key information is a missed opportunity that can haunt your business for years. We’ve seen otherwise beautiful vehicle liveries driving around Worcestershire with no website, no phone number and no email address. It’s scary to think how many leads have been lost that way.
Every sign, whether it’s on your shopfront, a vehicle, or at the entrance to your business park, should make it effortless for customers to find and contact you. Small details really do make a big difference, and that’s why we always double-check your artwork to make sure your signage works as hard as you do.
Tip: Always include your website and contact number on any vehicle graphics – they act as a moving advert.
Spelling That Will Make You Look Twice
There’s nothing more frightening than a typo in massive lettering. A single misplaced letter can turn a professional sign viral for all the wrong reasons. Proofreading is your first line of defence.
Before any sign leaves our Worcester production facility, it’s double-checked by our team. We always advise customers to do the same – get at least two pairs of fresh eyes on your design before you sign it off. It’s amazing how easy it is to miss something when you’ve looked at it too many times!
Tip: Read your sign text out loud. If something sounds wrong, it probably is.
Colour Contrast needs to be considered
If your customers have to squint to read your sign, it’s already game over. Poor colour contrast is one of the most common design mistakes we see.
Our design experts ensure your signage is bold, bright, and visible day or night, with colours carefully chosen for maximum impact and legibility. We’ll consider your location, surroundings and lighting conditions before recommending colours, ensuring your sign looks its best in any season.
Tip: Test your sign at different times of day. Morning sunlight and evening shadows can completely change visibility.
Outdated Offers That Come Back to Haunt You
Old promotions, faded vinyl, or out-of-date menus all send the same message: neglect. Just like a haunted house, outdated or tired signage makes customers wary of what’s inside.
Keeping your signs up to date shows pride in your brand. Whether you need a full rebrand or just a refresh, we can visit your site with a fresh pair of expert eyes to review your existing signage and suggest improvements.
Tip: Do a signage “health check” twice a year. Spring and autumn are perfect times to update and replace anything that’s showing its age in time for your peak sales seasons.
Frightful Font Choices
We love a creative font as much as anyone, but not every typeface works for signage. If your customers can’t read it from the pavement (or a moving car), your message will be lost.
We’ll guide you through font and layout options that suit your brand personality but still deliver maximum readability. It’s all about finding that balance between style and practicality.
Tip: Avoid overly thin or decorative fonts for outdoor signage. They can disappear from a distance or under bright sunlight.
The Curse of Cluttered Design
Trying to cram too much information into one sign can turn it into a real horror show. When everything shouts for attention, nothing stands out.
Our designers will help you simplify, clarify, and amplify your message, ensuring your sign looks clean, modern, and impossible to ignore. From industrial signage to shopfront graphics, we’ll help you make a good first impression.
Your sign should tell people who you are, what you do, and how to contact you, and that’s it.
Tip: Less is more. Aim for one clear message per sign.
Low-Quality Images and Logos
Blurry or stretched images are definitely the stuff of nightmares. Once printed, these mistakes can’t be undone and they can make even the best businesses look unprofessional.
We always check artwork quality before production, and if your files aren’t quite up to size, we’ll advise on the best way to get them print-ready. High-resolution artwork and premium materials make a world of difference to the final finish.
Tip: Always send vector files (like .AI or .EPS) for logos as they’ll stay crisp at any size.
Directional Disasters
We’ve seen our fair share of wayfinding gone wrong, with even arrows pointing the wrong way and signs hidden behind trees, or routes that make no sense to first-time visitors.
Clear, well-positioned signage is essential, whether it’s for a business park or a private site. Even when businesses think they’ve nailed it, it’s easy to forget that customers don’t know your site like you do.
Our experienced team will assess sightlines, lighting, and layout to make sure your directional signage is clear and consistent, leading visitors exactly where you want them to go.
Tip: Ask someone unfamiliar with your site to follow your signs as a test. You’ll quickly see what works and what doesn’t.
Don’t Let Your Signage Become a Horror Story
From ghostly graphics to frightful fonts, signage mistakes can spook potential customers before they ever walk through the door. But with City Signs’ decades of experience, you can rest easy knowing your signage will make a professional and lasting first impression.
Whether you need exterior business signage, vehicle livery, or a bespoke signage installation, our team is ready to help your brand stand out (and not for the wrong reasons).
For more information and an informal chat with a member of our friendly team, call us on 01905 640007, email us at info@citysigns.co.uk, or visit our website.