Designing a Shop Sign: Understand the Impact of Colours
If you're going to entice customers into your shop, you're going to need a sign. When you're thinking about what this might look like, you'll probably spend a lot of time thinking about what text, if any, you'll include in addition to the name of your shop. Then maybe you'll consider whether to include a logo or not, and what sort of font you'd like to use.
The colours you decide on might be an afterthought, or they might just be based on your personal preferences. While choosing your signage colours based on what you like isn't a completely terrible idea, it does mean you miss out on the finer points of what the sign says to people before they've read a word. It's worth spending plenty of time thinking about colours, and what they do when people see them.
Red
The colour red has been found to increase spending, so you might think it's a good idea to use it liberally and watch the money come flying in. However, in excess, it makes people feel angry, so it's best to exercise a bit of caution.
Red is also well known for being the colour of sales, so people often expect a bargain when they see it. If your shop trades on its low prices, a bit of red can really help convey this to your customers.
Black
High class, exclusive shops often use black in their signs because it carries strong associations with sophistication and luxury. A simple black sign with white lettering can create an instant air of class, appealing to customers who are looking for something that matches their refined tastes.
Blue
Blue is said to be the colour of intelligence and deep thought, so it makes a good choice for book shops. It also promotes a feeling of trust, and using blue in your signage helps customers feel at ease.
Yellow
A stimulating, energetic colour, yellow is perfect for any business that revolves around fitness or healthy lifestyles. It's also good for appealing to children on toy shop signs.
Green
Relaxing, mentally calming, and strongly associated with nature, a sign featuring green can make customers feel comfortable and confident in shopping with you. This colour is perfectly suited to shops with environmentally friendly goods.
General tips
You might not want to limit yourself to one colour, and that's fine. Mix them together as you like, but bear in mind that those with a more obvious presence in the design may have a stronger effect. It's also important to remember that, in addition to their straightforward psychological effects, carefully-chosen colours can represent your brand and form an integral part of its image.
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