Why not give your business the best possible chance of standing out with attention-grabbing 3D letter signs?
When it comes to designing your business signs and fascia, there are so many things to take into consideration. Not only are they there to give your property a name, but they also have to let everyone know what it is you do or sell, and how you wish to appear to the world. That’s a lot to ask for one sign.
Along with what your signage communicates, it also has to look good. Effectives signs and fascia tend to boldly stand out, gaining as much attention as possible in the brief passing glance of people walking or driving by.
What are 3D letter signs?
This is pretty self explanatory: 3D signs are 2D signs that have been made three dimensional. Any 2D sign can be 3D with a bit of design ingenuity, and there are two main ways in which this can be achieved:
Built-up letters
This is when the words and/or logo are literally made into a 3D shape with sides and varying depth. A good example of these are the signs we did a while ago for Subway. This is the style which first comes to mind when most people think of 3D letter signs.
Built-up letters work particularly well when created as a lightbox, effectively being lit from within; alternatives include lighting to the side, at the front, or from behind the whole shape. When used in conjunction with the correct materials, the colours and finish can also play an important part in creating a unique overall effect that is sure to catch people’s attention.
Every part of the built-up 3D letter sign design is up to you. This can be a highly effective way to use your branding colours, or to emphasise other aspects of your business branding.
You could also go for a retro feel with the use of neon and open-fronted 3D letters. This sounds more complicated than it is: tube neon lighting inside an open box in the shape of your letters. While neon lighting has been out of favour for a while – due to the lack of colour variances and lower inherent quality than LED lighting – in the right instances, it can be perfect for your business signage.
Flat cut letters
These beautifully effective signs are particularly popular at the moment. They consist of the letters being individually cut out and then mounted a distance from the actual wall, to create a floating effect. As an added bonus, you can also add some lights behind to create a dramatic halo effect.
One installation with flat cut letters that we are particularly proud of was for Lost Society in Battersea. By combining the gold 3D letter sign with another huge white-lit illuminated fascia, and a pastiche of traditional art-deco pub signage, we created a sign that was both classy and eye-catching.
Another benefit to using flat cut 3D letter signs is that separate parts of the sign do not have to be connected. You could have your name as large cut out letters in a bold sans serif font, then smaller serif working underneath to display a slogan or supporting information.
This ability to play with depth and shadow patterns not only creates a stunning visual effect, but also makes the sign look more complex and more expensive (especially if made with metal) – making it stand out from any flat, out-of-the-box signs that may be nearby.
Benefits of 3D letter signs
- Can be lit up in a variety of ways that add to the impact of the overall sign. You no longer have to light a sign from above or below, but can now do it from within or from behind with energy efficient and eco-friendly LED lights. This is particularly effective at night or from a distance, where it creates a physical presence in the area. This not only means that more people can see your branding for longer periods of the day, but also increases the chance of customers being able to locate your store.
- Lighting can be used to create different visual effects with your 3D lettering, making your sign stand out against your competitors. For example, you can pick and choose what to light up (e.g. the logo) – a great way to reinforce a well-known logo (think of the golden arches of a certain fast food chain), or to create intrigue around one that isn’t.
- They can be made up of pretty much anything, from metal to wood to acrylic. This is especially good for lightbox signs, which can also be finished to different effects, depending on the end result that you are aiming for.
- If you choose not to light your 3D letter sign, 3D shaping can help attract attention from different angles. With a glossy coating it can even reflect light back, given the right circumstances.
Examples of 3D letter signs
It’s not just above your shop where 3D letter signs work – they also go well on monolith signs. This is especially true when trying to stand out against other businesses, or when placed next to a roadside as a standalone sign. When you need to stand out with a single glance, 3D signs simply attract more attention.
You can also use 3D letter signs inside your workspace. Flat cut letters can look great above a reception desk, while built-up letters make your brand name look fantastic in larger spaces such as interior workshops or car-rooms.
3D letter signs can also work well as freestanding signs, especially for larger businesses with vast properties. An excellent example of this is the work we did for Curious Brewery, where one of the signs was placed at ground level. This worked as it was bold enough, with built-up and internally illuminated acrylic letters accented by a red underline, allowing it to stand out without having to be elevated.
