Shopfront signs that people can see from the street

What a shopfront sign does

People decide whether to come in before they reach the door. A clear shopfront sign tells them who you are, what you do and that you are open. People should be able to read it from across the road and from a passing car. We design each sign for your building as well as your logo. The sign must suit the fascia, the windows and the street.

Flat, raised and lit signs

A flat sign is printed or lettered onto a board, often aluminium composite. It gives a clean, practical fascia. Raised letters stand out from the board or wall and cast their own shadows. This makes the business look more established.

People can see illuminated letters and light boxes after dark. The gold perspex letters at Woodstock Laundry light up on a matt black fascia. The Swim Duck Swim name is lit in a window in the Bo-Kaap at night. Our pages on illuminated signs and 3D letters explain each option in more detail.

Signs for different types of business

A tattoo studio and a bakery need different signs. Queen of Steel has gold script lettering and a moth design on the glass. The Fat Cactus has a colourful cactus in an arched black panel. At La Motte, the Bakkery sign hangs from a steel canopy over the bakery entrance. The L’Ami lettering runs above a glass shopfront.

Projecting signs, like the Brand Development Studio sign at Swim Duck Swim, are for people walking along the pavement. These people see the side of the building, not the front.

Before you order

Check your lease first. Many landlords, malls and shopping centres have rules about sign sizes, colours and lighting. The City of Cape Town also has a by-law for outdoor signs.

Then send us a photo of your shopfront taken straight on, the size of the sign area and your logo. Tell us if the sign must be lit. We can design window lettering, opening hours and door signs at the same time, so everything matches. We will confirm materials and fitting when we quote. You can start with the quote form.