When it comes to creating eye-catching signage for your business, sometimes it helps to look at things from a different angle – perhaps even a 90 degree one.
Today we are looking at projecting and swing signs. Both of these sign styles are great for both brand awareness and way-finding, yet they are often overlooked as part of a marketing strategy.
What are projecting and swing signs?
In the simplest of terms, a projecting sign is one which is securely attached to the side of a building, with the actual signage held at a distance away from the wall itself, usually at a 90-degree angle so that it is readable from the side of the building.There are regulations about how high off the ground these types of signs must be to avoid being a collision risk, but a reputable sign maker and installer will guide you through this.
Swing signs are similar, except that they are usually suspended from a frame, and swing back and forth, hence the name (although they can also be known as ‘hanging’ or ‘board’ signs). The most popular versions of these are the overly ornate metal frames with swing signs found outside traditional English pubs.
Classic protruding signs are typically chunky, made of either metal or plastic, and can be lit up from within in a variety of ways so they are highly visible at night – even from a distance. This is a good option for businesses in areas that get less natural light (such as those situated down alleys or side streets) or in poor weather conditions. Swing signs can also be lit, but usually with spotlighting that sits externally to the sign, with the light either being pointed down or up onto the graphics.
Swing signs normally consist of a flat material to display the graphics (usually made of wood or plastic, but sometimes metal can be effective) which is hung from a bar or pole sitting horizontally across the top of the sign. This is then attached to the wall securely. These frames can be large and decorative or simple and unobtrusive, depending on the style. Older frames are generally more ornate and will have been used multiple times over the years to display various signs.
Traditionally, swing signs would be made out of metal and wood, but can now be manufactured from any material, as long as they can withstand outdoor conditions.
Outside of these two distinctions, there is an almost limitless scope for creativity, meaning that signage designs can be made bespoke to suit your particular brand specifications and needs. Pretty much any design can be made into a protruding sign, and we can add lamination or powder coating for durability.
Both types of sign consist of a main double-sided sign that protrudes from the side of a building so that it’s viewable from both directions, and are usually a supplementary sign to the main, larger sign that hangs above the entrance to the premises.
Why choose a projecting sign?
Now that we know what a projecting sign is, let’s take a look at why they are often chosen and how they can benefit your business.
Limited fascia space
Projecting and swing signs can serve as a practical solution if your location has little to no storefront space with which to hang a regular fascia sign, such as if your premises are on the floor above a shop or another business. While you may still have room for a small sign, it might not be easily seen and won’t have the same impact as a big, protruding that literally draws the eye upwards and spells out that you are here.
A vintage aesthetic
Another reason for the rise of popularity in projecting signs, and swing signs in particular, is that they work well with the increasing desire for a vintage or retro aesthetic. That particular style works on multiple levels: as well as being trendy, it explicitly emphasises a pre-digital aesthetic, while also implicitly implies trustworthiness due to longevity.
Location restrictions: either for permission or visibility
Sometimes projecting signs are a necessity rather than a design choice, especially if your premises sit in a location with strict branding and signage rules, such as a high street set on maintaining its heritage appeal. In these situations, shops can opt for a swing sign in order to up their brand visibility and input a bit of their personality within the bounds of the strict advertising rules. Plus, it could be the thing that makes you (literally) stand out from the crowd. Sometimes strict council or local authority rules for historical sites and cities allow for swing sign usage as they fit into the vintage aesthetic that we mentioned above.
Another reason to opt for a projecting sign can be to increase your visibility when you are located in a less-visited area, such as a small side street. We wrote a whole blog post on how businesses with hard-to-locate premises can use signage to increase foot traffic, and projecting signs can be a good permanent solution to this common requirement.
In this instance, you could create a projecting sign that is either a simplified version of your main or fascia sign, or you could use an easily identifiable word to describe your business. Pharmacists and cinemas make use of these sorts of signs all the time, usually with an arrow pointing to their entrance.
Projecting Signs last longer
A lot of the time, hard- to-locate premises rely on temporary directional or promotional signs, such as posters or A-frame (pavement board) signs that need to be placed outside each day. But no matter how well made the temporary signs are, they still have to be easily moved and stored, so will inevitably be made of lighter-weight materials, and would not have been subjected to the rigorous tests that permanent external signs have been. Yes, they will cost more, but posters and other temporary graphics will fade, weather or need to be pulled down, and if your location is permanent then it is always worth investing in a comprehensive, permanent solution in the form of your external signage.
Other considerations for protruding sign options
- While all signs require regular upkeep to look and perform well, protruding signs, by their very nature, literally hang above the public so proper, professional installation is a must and maintenance checks are vital to avoid problems further down the line.
- They are usually found outside of buildings, but can sometimes be used internally, such as for wayfinding signs in restaurants to aid customers in finding the toilets, the exit, or the POS station.
- Although usually found on the side of the actual business premises, swing signs, and to a lesser extent protruding signs, can also be found at the roadside to either announce their presence or to serve as a wayfinding sign in order to give directions, particularly for businesses that have a driveway to the actual location or which are located on a business park. These kinds of signs are also sometimes used for residential signage too, especially on larger properties that have names rather than numbers, and are fairly prolific in America.
Here at Medash Signs we have produced and installed scores of these signs over the years, and never cease to marvel at their sheer versatility. Contact us today to make use of our decades of experience and design know-how, to get started on making the perfect projecting sign for your business.