Katie Thompson, part of our Penrith sign makers & printers team. shares her insights into interior signage, sharing some tips from Marco Oliver - one of our experienced signage fitters.
Not all businesses will require interior signage in the same way they need exterior signage - but for some spaces, it is a must. When done right, indoor signage serves a practical tool for guiding customers around your premises, and it also reinforces your brand identity when it has been designed with consideration.
Offices, retail stores, galleries, coworking spaces and hospitality venues are some prime examples of the types of businesses that benefit from having indoor signs. Each business will have different specific requirements from their indoor signage, and there are different options when it comes to choosing the right type of indoor signage.
Here’s an overview of the main types of interior signage that we design, supply and install here at Reeds - plus some expert guidance from Marco Oliver, one of our Penrith sign makers, on where each works best.
A wall wrap or indoor graphic is a large printed graphic, applied directly to interior walls. They can be used to create a feature-wall with your business’ branding, or as a decorative feature within your premises. Our clients often make use of our design for signage service when choosing this type of indoor signage, as it tends to involve working with large graphics - getting resolution right is really important if you want to have a sharp, professional finish.
Marco shares his top tip on usage for wall wraps: “Most of the wall wraps that we supply are for reception areas, corridors, breakout spaces, or retail walls - basically anywhere you want to create impact, set a mood, or show off your brand identity. They also break up any plain spaces you might have, adding intrigue for visitors”.
Raised lettering and stand-off lettering are dimensional indoor sign types, where letters (or logos) are physically raised off the wall, creating depth for a premium, elevated finish.
Marco said “raised lettering styles are a go-to on reception desks, education organisations, and lobby spaces - we tend to use some of our higher quality materials for creating these types of signs, and it creates a more sophisticated look. They’re also used in meeting rooms, client-facing offices, retail interior spaces, or anywhere else you might want to have a classy brand presence. In the example of education, we installed a raised sign for Bramley Hill School, and it showcases the best of this style of indoor signage”.
Indoor LED lighting or neon-style lighting is what gives an illuminated indoor sign an unmissable, sleek glow. We are able to customise these in a variety of ways, from the colour of lighting used, to the typography.
Marco notes that “an illuminated sign doesn’t have to be brash - we can create everything from subtle, warm white illuminated signs to bold, standout LED displays. These kinds of interior signs often look great in hospitality venues, gyms, or in beauty and wellness spaces".
Panel prints are signs that are printed on rigid panels, typically made of materials such as foamex, acrylic, correx, or ACM. Panels prints can be used for branding, informative signage, displays or decorative features. They’re usually used in meeting rooms, corridors, exhibitions, and offices.
“A lot of customers choose panel printing when they know they need a durable signage solution” Marco said. They can be made using robust, sturdy materials, while still having a polished finish.
“Our signage customers are becoming more aware of eco-conscious materials, as they try to align their indoor signage choices with their wider business values” Marco said - and we're meeting our own sustainability values by offering dedicated eco-friendly signage. Environmentally conscious printed panels can be made from sustainable fibreboard or birch plywood panels, creating a more natural finish, while being eco-friendlier than conventional materials.
Choosing eco-friendly indoor signage doesn’t mean you are compromising on quality - style, durability and sustainability can all be built into your eco-conscious panel printed signs.
When you work with experts and choose the right type of indoor signage for your business, you’re able to get the most out of your investment. Your indoor signage isn’t just an accessory for your space; it should serve a practical purpose, and show your brand off in the best light possible.
You’ll also need to consider the space that your indoor signage will be in and the context of this. By thinking about this, you’ll have a better idea of the size, layout, and whether or not lighting will all be necessary.
It’s also essential to choose the right materials for your indoor sign. The choices you make need to lend themselves to the purpose of the sign, for example:
Finally, don’t fall short on how clear your brand identity is through your signage. Here at Reeds, we can help clients to create a design concept, or we can work with existing designs, bringing our expertise to tweak where required.
Interior signage is a functional tool for some businesses - whether it serves to reinforce brand identity, guide visitors, or shape the experience of a space. We’re here to design, supply, and install high-impact indoor signage for your business, so contact us today to find out more.