Shop front signs
Custom shop front signs that’ll make you the talk of the high street
Enhance your curb appeal with a new shop front sign
Do you look at your neighbour’s shops and think your exterior isn’t up to scratch?
Are you opening up a new business but don’t know how to stand out on a bustling street?
Does the outside of your building look a little tired?
Whether you’re updating your existing shop signs or going through a full rebrand, our creative team is full of great ideas and will make sure you’ve got the best shop signage on the street.
The outside of your shop is the first thing potential customers will see, and they’ll often decide whether to venture in based on their first impression of your building’s exterior.
Don’t leave it to chance – draw them inside with a combination of custom shop signs. And once they’re inside, make sure they don’t want to leave by designing the interior to match the outside!
Need some inspiration and a quote from expert shop front sign makers?
Shop signs for businesses of all shapes and sizes
Signs aren’t just for shops, you know!
We have decades of experience creating signs for hairdressers/barbers, beauty salons, estate agents, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and even vets! Eye-catching signage and an aesthetic exterior benefit any business.
Regardless of who your customers are, the key to enticing them inside is to stop them in their tracks by being seen from every angle as they walk past.
Combining a couple of options is a great way of doing this – your retail premises could soon be transformed with LED signs, backlit signs, 3D signs or window graphics.
Ready to bring your brand’s story to life?
What type of shop front sign options are there?
Retail signage doesn’t need to stop at a simple sign with your logo on. Combine illuminated exterior signs with window graphics for that perfect first impression, and create a welcoming atmosphere with wayfinding signage and acrylic graphics once your customers as inside. Below are some of our most highly requested options.
Projecting lightbox signs
Projecting lightbox signs are a truly unmissable way of highlighting your business branding.
They attach at right angles to your premises and glow in an LED colour of your choice, making your business name and logo visible from all angles.
LED lightbox signs are long-lasting, energy-efficient, and fully customisable option to make prospective customers stop in their tracks.
Projecting and hanging signs
A hanging or projecting sign is fixed to the side of your building and projects outwards.
Made with weather and rust-resistant materials, high-quality acrylic and long-lasting LEDs (if you opt for an illuminated choice), these signs bring a unique touch to the outside of your shop front.
Tray signs
A tray sign is a flat aluminium composite panel that is folded on all four sides to create a 3D box (think of it like a cake tin lid!).
These totally adaptable signs are hardwearing and available in different colours, finishes and depths. They look neat and sleek when mounted on any surface because all of the fixtures and mounts are hidden within the sign itself.
Flex face signs
Unlike rigid signs made from acrylic or metal, flex face signs are made from a special PVC, so they’re the perfect choice for filling an entire wall or installing at height to make your business stand out even if it’s on the horizon. They’re light, so they impose less strain on the building structure than some options and, compared to options like acrylic, pose a much lesser risk of being damaged in heavy winds.
External wayfinding signs
External wayfinding signage, such as monolith and totem signs, provides directions and important information for visitors and staff.
Place one in your car park to provide instant brand visibility and direct people around your site.
3D lettering
3D lettering comes in all shapes and sizes, but using thicker materials is a great way to add a premium look to your sign letters without spending a fortune.
Materials such as aluminium, sheet timber, or acrylic – which can be anywhere from 10mm to 25mm – allow you to have your letters raised on hidden spacers, mounted on a tray, or mounted directly to the wall.
3D illuminated signs
We can light up whole logos or words that are created out of neon LED lights, white or coloured semi-opaque acrylic, and mounted so they’re 3D.
Our team of sign and graphics designers will make your logo glow from every angle.
If you’re looking for eye-catching illuminated signage that really stands out, this is the option for you.
Acrylic signs
Acrylic signs can feature graphics (like logos) or illuminated custom-made letters to create an eye-catching design inside or out.
They’re incredibly versatile, with hundreds of colours, sizes and applications to choose from.
Whichever option you select, you can also take your pick from multiple colours and finishes to create something which makes your building stand out.
Window graphics
Window graphics and vinyls are a great way to make a big impact when you don’t have much room for a more conventional sign for your business.
Their main appeal is that the design possibilities are pretty much endless. They can be printed with high-resolution images, logos, lettering and cut to any shape.
Choose from clear films that provide a pop of colour when the sun shines through them, one-way Contra Vision for extra privacy, or complete blackout film; there are options to suit every space!
Our process is quick and simple
Depending on the size of your office graphics, from enquiry to installation can be just a few short days.
Step one.
Get in touch!
Send us the information you have so far (measurements, photos, and information about the building) and we can chat about your requirements.
Step two.
We’ll conduct a site visit.
We might not need a site visit if you’ve already provided measurements and building details. But we’ll pop over and do a recce if needs be.
Step three.
Quote and design proposal.
We’ll send you a quote and some initial design ideas for you to provide feedback on. Once you’re happy, we’ll arrange a deposit and payment.
Step four.
Booking the installation.
We’ll carry out all the necessary checks and arrange a convenient time for our friendly sign makers to install your brand-new signage.
we’d love to hear from you
Simply fill in the below, and we will be in touch.
Prefer to chat with us? Call 01480 597 444
FAQ’s
Do you fit retail signs?
Yes, we design, make, fit and install signs. Our fitting teams cover the whole of the UK.
How quickly can you install our signs or graphics?
How quickly we can install your signs or graphics and how long it will take depends on when we can access the site for installation and how big/complex the sign or signs are.
When we come to your site to undertake the survey, we can give you a much better idea of the timings and process.
Can you install out of hours?
Absolutely! We’ll work around you to ensure we install at the most convenient time for the venue and venue management.
We’ll plan our installation to minimise on-site disruption, and we can install it on the weekend or out of hours if it’s appropriate for your business. We are always happy to discuss what will work best for you.
Who provides the specialist access and installation equipment?
We do. If we need specialist equipment to undertake the installation, then we’ll provide it. We’ll work with your site health and safety representative to organise access.
Do I need planning permission for a shop sign?
Quite possibly, yes!
If you’ve opted for illuminated signage or a design which protrudes from the wall, you might need to be granted a council permit.
And if your shop is located on a busy high street, health and safety requirements might state that parts of the road and pavement need to be closed for installation. This means either you or we will need to liaise with the council to make the necessary arrangements.
This might sound daunting, but we’ve liaised with many councils to arrange for the safe fitting of signs for our customers – it’s easily doable; you just need to know what’s required!
If you’re unsure what paperwork your dream custom sign might need, we can advise on that.
How much do shop signs cost?
There are a whole host of factors which could affect the cost of your shop sign. How big it is, when you need it, how tricky it is to install…
We can give you a much more accurate estimate if you get in touch with your ideas.
What are shop signs made of?
Our signs are made of various materials suited to what you need, how big the sign will be, and where it will be going.
Whatever option you choose – wood, aluminium, acrylic, vinyl, or illumination – you’ll be guaranteed high-quality materials and attentive service.
Can you fit a shop sign on an old building?
Yes – but there might be a weight restriction depending on the property’s material. Signs can be surprisingly heavy!
If your shop is in a really old building, there’s a possibility that the brickwork won’t take the weight of a sign made from certain materials.
Back-lit signs or illuminated signs, tray signs (where the edges are folded to create a ‘tray’ effect), and designs with big, built-up lettering can weigh a lot as they often contain aluminium or steel.
This is where our expertise comes in: we can advise on the best options to ensure your sign is safe, secure, and hardwearing while looking awesome and fitting in with your brand!
Motive Graphics, 1 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St Neots, PE19 8YX
