Event signage isn’t just decorative, it’s a strategic tool that helps direct guests, reinforces your brand, improves safety and enhances the overall experience. In this blog, we’ll explore why effective signage matters, share key design tips and provide an overview of popular sign material options.
Why Signage Matters
Event signage does far more than point people in the right direction. It plays a vital role in your event’s success. From first impressions and branding to durability and budget, choosing the right signage and materials should be a core part of any event planner’s strategy.
First Impressions Count
- Signage is often the first thing guests see, and it sets the tone and reflects the event’s quality.
- Clear, well-designed signs create a professional, organized and welcoming atmosphere.
Navigation and Crowd Control
- Good signage helps guests find their way without confusion, especially at large or complex venues.
- It reduces staff burden by answering common questions such as: Where’s registration? Where are the restrooms? Which direction for parking, sessions, food, etc.?
Enhances Branding and Sponsorship Visibility
- Signage reinforces your event identity, theme and sponsors throughout the space.
- It helps deliver a cohesive, branded experience so that attendees remember logos, colors and messaging.
Improves Guest Experience
- Clear, accessible signs reduce frustration and confusion.
- These make guests feel comfortable and confident in navigating the event, improving overall satisfaction.
Communicates Important Information
- Event schedules, maps, safety protocols and directional cues are easily shared through signage.
- This reduces the need for constant announcements or verbal instructions.
Safety and Compliance
- Emergency exits, restricted areas and health/safety reminders are legally and practically essential.
- Well-placed signage helps ensure compliance with venue rules and local regulations.
Photo and Social Media Opportunities
- Branded backdrops, photo ops and visually appealing signs encourage attendees to share event moments online.
- This boosts event visibility beyond the venue through organic social media posts.
Event Signage Design Tips
Clear signage isn’t just about appearance. It’s also about making information easy to digest at a glance. These tips will help ensure your signs are clear, readable and aligned with your event’s goals and audience needs.
Tip #1: Keep It Clear and Concise
- Use short, impactful messaging. Attendees should understand what is on the sign immediately.
- Prioritize essential information such as location, time, directions or calls to action.
Tip #2: Use Readable Fonts
- Stick to clean, sans-serif fonts such as Helvetica, Arial or Open Sans.
- Avoid overly decorative or script fonts that can be hard to read from a distance.
Tip #3: Ensure High Contrast
- Choose color combinations that offer strong contrast (e.g., dark text on a light background).
- This improves readability, especially in bright or low-light conditions.
Tip #4: Size Matters
- Text should be large enough to be read from a distance which is generally one inch of letter height per 10 feet of viewing distance.
- Scale signage appropriately for the environment (e.g., large banners for stage backdrops, smaller signs for tabletop displays).
Tip #5: Be Consistent with Branding
- Use your event’s brand colors, logos and fonts to create a unified look across all signage.
- This reinforces your identity and creates a professional impression.
Tip #6: Use Directional Cues
- Arrows and icons help guide attendees and simplify navigation.
- Make wayfinding signs highly visible at decision points such as intersections, entryways and elevator banks.
Tip #7: Consider Placement and Visibility
- Place signs at eye level and in high-traffic areas.
- Avoid clutter or positioning signs where they can be blocked by crowds or furniture.
Tip #8: Think About Materials
- Choose signage materials based on durability needs—indoor foam board vs. outdoor corrugated plastic or PVC.
- Consider glare-free finishes for readability in various lighting conditions.
Tip #9: Plan for Reuse
- Design signs that can be repurposed for multiple events by avoiding dates or highly specific information when possible.
- Use durable materials and neutral branding elements that maintain a clean, professional look across various events and campaigns.
Why Signage Materials Matter
Understanding signage materials helps you spend wisely, preventing overspending on single-use signs and under-investing in signs that need to last. The right material impacts durability, appearance, cost and reusability. Not every sign requires premium materials.
For example, foam board signs are an affordable choice for short-term indoor use. While durable materials may require a higher upfront cost, they ensure your signs remain clear and legible throughout the event, whether indoors or outdoors.
The three most common types of event signage are:
- Corrugated Plastic (Coroplast): Corrugated plastic, often branded as Coroplast, is a lightweight, rigid plastic sheet made from twin-wall polypropylene. It resembles corrugated cardboard but is entirely plastic.
- Foam Board (Foam Core): Foam board is a lightweight, rigid material consisting of a polystyrene foam core sandwiched between paper or plastic layers.
- PVC (Sintra or Expanded PVC): PVC signage is made from rigid, durable polyvinyl chloride plastic, offering a solid, durable surface for printing. Available in a variety of widths such as 1mm, 3mm or 6mm.
Ready to Get Started?
Partner with our team to plan impactful signage for your next event. As a locally owned business, Target Print & Mail is here to support you and guide you through the material selection process. Our in-house graphic design services ensure your event signage is visually appealing, on-brand and effective at guiding your attendees. Contact us today for a free quote.
About Target Print and Mail
Since opening our doors in 1982, Target Print and Mail has been dedicated to providing top-quality printing services to the Tallahassee community. Over the decades, we have grown into the region’s premier provider of commercial printing, signage, mailing services, promotional products and graphic design solutions. We boast a team of more than 20 experienced team members operating out of our 9,100 square foot production center. We are committed to supporting our community, providing excellent service and always going above and beyond to exceed our clients’ expectations.
