How to Choose the Right Signage for Your Industry

Introduction: Why Signage Is More Than a Nameplate

They say a custom sign is worth a thousand words…or was it a picture? Either way, your signage is your hardest-working employee, because it’s on the clock 24/7, shaping your image and setting the tone for the kind of first impressions you want to attract.

But too often, businesses don’t treat their best worker the way they should. They settle for vague designs, colors that practically blind you, and fonts no one can read. The result? Confused passersby who will never set foot in your store. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to select signage that fits your needs, attracts the right audience, and builds long-term trust in your brand. Whether you’re in healthcare, hospitality, education, or retail, we’ll show you how the right sign choices can drive clarity, compliance, and conversion, without wasting budget or time.

What Makes Signage “Right” for an Industry?

A custom business sign can have a major impact on direct traffic. According to a FedEx study, 75% of consumers enter a store they have never visited before because of  “on-premise signage.”. That kind of visibility helps your brand become instantly recognizable, compliant, and memorable, making customers say, “Oh yeah, I can spot [insert your brand here] anywhere I go,” and making 3 out of 4 pedestrians say, “I definitely want to visit this store!”

But what should every business look for? Here are some basic metrics every business sign should have: 

• Visibility: If your sign can’t be seen from a distance or in low light, you’re practically invisible to customers.
• Readability: Over-designed fonts confuse instead of guiding, especially when a fast response is needed. Think of emergency exits, ADA signage, or directional signs. 
• Durability: A robust customer outdoor sign must stand any weather, sun, and wear. Materials like aluminum, acrylic, and stainless steel won’t fade, warp, or peel, making them the perfect materials for even the toughest conditions. 
• Design Consistency: Your signage should match your brand voice and interior style. If you’re a luxury spa, your sign should be the first thing that screams, “We offer a premium service for high-scale clientele.”
• Code Compliance: Missing ADA requirements or fire safety codes can cost you more than fines; it can cost you credibility. For example, failing to include tactile braille or proper exit signage can make people feel unsafe or unwelcome. 

How to Choose the Right Custom Sign for Your Industry

This section explores the hows and whys of custom brand signage for your industry, along with ways to use digital, traditional, or blended materials and fonts to attract more customers. 

Retail And Shopping Centers

Custom signs for retail and shopping centers act like “decision points” for your customers. Whether it’s at the entrance of a parking lot, near checkout zones, or visible from the road, signage grabs attention and helps guide choices.

That includes digital signage too. According to a study from the International Sign Association (ISA), digital signage can increase foot traffic by 32.8%. That means a well-placed sign could attract 33 more potential customers, just by being strategically placed outside your store. 

This is a big deal, especially if your business is inside a shopping mall or part of a retail strip. In places like these, you’re surrounded by heavy foot traffic, busy pedestrians, and a growing demand for fast, clear impressions.

That’s why, whether you go with digital or traditional signage, it needs to speak fast, loud, and clear. It’s an open invitation that says, “You’re welcome, here’s what we offer, here’s what you get.” Simple, direct, and impossible to ignore.

Healthcare and Medical Facilities

In environments where a second decision can mean saving a life, a clear sign represents care, commitment, and action. That’s why custom signs for healthcare businesses need to inform, comply, and be direct about what they want patients, customers, or personnel to do.

Using digital and clarity-focused custom signage has been shown to reduce waiting time for patients by one third, according to Posterbooking’s Digital Signage Report (2022–2024). But that’s not all, custom healthcare signage can support appointment reminders, improve internal communication, and enhance the overall patient experience, making sure they come back, while your business stays ADA-compliant.

Hospitality: Hotels and Restaurants

Whether you choose digital or traditional custom signage for your hotel or restaurant, it should do more than display your name—it should invite guests in. Great signage welcomes, delights, and sets the tone for your brand from the very first glance.

For casual brands that want to present themselves as familiar, reliable, and friendly, digital menu boards and real-time lobby screens help shorten order times, highlight daily specials, and keep busy customers moving, without sacrificing clarity or service.

And for those customers who choose to dine in, digital signage can keep them engaged. According to a Yodeck survey, 75% of respondents say digital screens improve their experience when they display entertaining content like news tickers, YouTube videos, or live TV while they wait for their food. 

For high-end hotels or timeless restaurants, custom-crafted signs, carved, lit, or metal-finished, add character, a voice, a personality. In fact, 3 out of 4 customers will judge your business based solely on your outdoor signage. That means you have less than 10 seconds to make a lasting impression, one that reflects the quality and experience your brand promises. 

Corporate And Office Spaces

Professionalism starts at the front door. Whether it’s a modern lobby, a multi-floor campus, or a co-working environment, your custom signage speaks volumes before anyone even steps inside.

Lobby branding, wall graphics, and room IDs don’t just tell people where to go—they reinforce who your company is while keeping everything running like clockwork. From first-time visitors to longtime employees, great signage keeps people on track and in the know.

But even corporate environments need a soul—a culture—something that says, “We’re not just another company.” A custom interior sign can showcase your mission and transform blank walls into a space that truly reflects what your company stands for..

And for 2025, the trend we’re seeing most is brushed metal. It feels clean, futuristic, but retro at the same time. Making your office feel like a spaceship. 

Education and Campuses

Today’s campuses demand smart and safe navigation. A well-placed sign should help students, staff, and visitors find where they want to go within minutes, not create more stress than they need to, especially during finals.

To eliminate countless “Where do I go next?” questions once and for all, strategically placing custom signs where they’re visible, compliant, and easy to follow can lead to a 35% reduction in campus incidents, according to the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.

And beyond safety, good signage reinforces a sense of belonging, especially for new students or those with accessibility needs, because everyone deserves to feel more confident and supported the moment they step on campus.

Metro Sign & Awning Helps You Get It Right

From concept to install, we bring every element of signage under one roof. So, no matter if you need to make sure your indoor signs meet ADA and local code requirements, or you’re choosing materials that can stand up to New England’s harsh winters—we’ve been helping businesses like yours get it right for over 30 years.

And because we design and manufacture in-house, you get signs that are both custom-crafted and precisely built for your space. Our team conducts on-site audits, collaborates with architects and GCs, and brings deep knowledge of your local permitting process. Here it from one of our customers: 

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Metro Sign on two projects. Several years ago, we did an awning, and most recently, a new outdoor sign. Both experiences were outstanding!!”
—N. Vardaro. 

From healthcare to hospitality, education to retail, we’ve seen what works, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us about this or any other sign- or awning-related issue, and we’ll get back in touch as quickly as possible.