When you put out a sign, it’s tempting to think that the only factor in its success is how well it grabs attention. But there are plenty of other variables—readability, distance, and contrast with the surrounding environment—that will have an impact on its effectiveness. Perhaps the most important variable of all is the colors you choose. How do you know which colors to pick, which to leave off, and which to combine? Here are some tips for choosing the best colors for business signs.

Start With The Background Color

You might think that the first choice is selecting the color of the words that will appear on the sign. But you’d be surprised to learn that it’s often the background color that has the greatest visual impact.

The background color tends to be the primary color of the sign. A sign with a yellow background, for example, will tend to contrast very well when placed among trees, buildings, and landscapes. A green sign, on the other hand, will act as camouflage when you place it in a natural setting—and that’s not what you want.

Contrast Words With The Background

Once you have a background color ready to go, the next word to remember is contrast. Black words on a yellow background will show up easily. Blue words on a green background? Not so much. The key here is to remember that your sign should be readable from far away. Sometimes, when you design a sign and only review it close up, that fact goes out the window.

One of the most important parts of choosing the best colors for business signs is selecting combinations that contrast effectively. If you want to see which color combinations work the best for visibility, be sure to visit our sign tips page.

Make Use Of Negative Space

The color of your background best comes through if you’re comfortable making use of negative space. What is negative space? Simply put, it’s the space or background on your sign that does not get used by content such as visual elements or words. Choosing the best colors for business signs involves taking this space into consideration.

For example, take the ordinary stop sign. In addition to making the letters big and bold, the sign itself makes use of negative space by using a hexagonal shape with plenty of red. This is a strong color that contrasts with both city and natural backgrounds, which in turn makes the sign more effective. But rather than drown out that red, each stop sign uses a little bit of negative space to ensure the sign itself is visible.

Work With A Professional

Choosing the best colors for business signs is only the first step. Putting up a sign requires attention to detail and expertise—not to mention experience in dealing with a range of business needs and signage types. That’s why we recommend that you work with us here at Sign It Quick.

Request a quote today to find out more about the proper use of color and how it can take your business’s next sign to the next level.