As a business owner, no one knows better than you the importance of being seen. Whether you run a shop, a pub, a restaurant, or a large office complex, being visible to potential customers can be the difference between success and failure. Shop signage is one of the most effective ways to advertise your business, and hanging signs are a great option for those who want to make a big impact.
At JMF Group, we specialise in the design and manufacture of high-quality hanging signs that are sure to get you noticed. We work with businesses of all sizes across a range of industries, and our team of experienced sign makers can create a hanging sign that perfectly reflects your brand identity.
Give our sales team a call today to discuss how we can help your business. Alternatively, keep reading for our comprehensive guide to hanging sign boards:
What Is a Hanging Shop Sign?
Hanging signs are an extremely common sight on the high street. They are usually hung from a bracket or frame attached to the front of the building, and they can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.
Whilst it’s true that retail premises represent the biggest market for hanging shop signs, the format is also commonly used by pubs, restaurants, banks, gyms, and even indoor shopping centres—if your business has a brick-and-mortar site, there’s a hanging sign for you!
Hanging Sign vs. Projecting Sign
Though often used synonymously, hanging signs and projecting signs have some distinct differences.
- A hanging sign is installed via brackets that are attached to the wall, with the main body of the sign hanging loosely from the bracket itself.
- A projecting Sign, on the other hand, is fixed directly to the fascia itself. A projecting sign offers several advantages over the traditional hanging sign, including extra lighting and customisation options. However, it doesn’t convey the same traditional aestethic as a hanging sign, and so is not suitable for every brand.
For more info on projecting sign options, see our dedicated guide to projecting signage.
The Benefits of Hanging Shop Signs
There are several reasons why hanging signs continue to be such a popular option for businesses across the UK.
Visibility
As mentioned, it’s vital for businesses to get seen, especially if they’re competing for attention on a busy high street or popular public space.
A well-designed hanging sign can draw custom from pedestrians, giving them confidence in the quality of your product or service.
Creativity
When it comes to business signage, consistency is essential; from hanging signs to advertising posters, all of your marketing materials should be consistent with your brand imagery.
Hanging signs are non-restrictive, and can be printed with any design, logo, artwork, or text. This gives your new customer a sense of what you’re about before they step through the door.
Versatility
Hanging signs can be made from a variety of materials to suit any budget or brand identity.
Do you run a traditional pub? Check out our curved-top pub signs. Maybe you’re looking for something for your contemporary restaurant? A stylish aluminium hanging sign might be just the thing!
Durability
Hanging shop signs are commonly mounted on exterior walls and are designed to withstand the elements. A professionally fabricated hanging sign will stand up to even the most hostile British weather, and continue to look great year after year.
Flexibility
Unlike some types of signage (such as window graphics), hanging signs are not restricted by the size or shape of your building. No matter the particulars of your fascia, we can produce bespoke signs that are specifically created for a safe and solid installation.
Manageability
Unlike some trickier shop signage options, hanging signs can be installed quickly, easily, and with minimal disruption to staff and customers.
Our installation team work across the UK, and are on-hand to ensure your wall panels go up securely; alternatively, use the free wall fixings and pre-drilled hanging brackets we include with all orders to attach the signs yourself.
Affordability
As one of the most popular sign types, hanging signs are extremely competitively priced.
At JMF Group, we use ultra high-quality materials, expert fabrication techniques, and the latest printing technology to supply signs that look incredible and serve to attract customers for years to come.
Practical Considerations for Hanging Sign Boards
Building and Fascia
The first thing you need to do is check that your building can support a hanging sign. Many properties will have an overhang or bracket that’s perfect for attaching a sign, but some may not.
If there isn’t anything suitable, it may be possible to install a wall panel or similar support structure on which to hang the sign; bear in mind, however, that this will need to be done by a professional and may require planning permission. Give our team a call for independent, expert advice.
Size and Weight
From both a practical and creative perspective, you’ll need to make sure that your chosen sign is an appropriate size and weight.
A heavy, large sign hung from a tiny bracket is likely to cause problems further down the line, and in the worst cases can be a danger to customers and pedestrians.
From a design standpoint, you want to be assured your canvas is large enough to make an impact. Double-sided hanging signage can be effectively used here, but if you want to include your website address or store contact details, you need to be sure the dimensions are appropriate.
Street Scene
An effective hanging sign can be a real point of interest, but only in cases where it’s appropriate for the business and its location.
Take a look down the street your business is located on: is it a busy high street with a hanging shop sign above every other door front? Maybe you’re in a more local spot, but there’s a hanging house sign next door that’s bound to distract?
If you feel your hanging sign is unlikely to work with the aesthetics of the street scene, not to worry—we stock the widest range of the latest products, and our sign-maker experts will find something just right!
Material
Hanging signs and hanging brackets come in a range of material options; finding the right one for your sign involves weighing up the specific needs of your business and the limitations of your fascia.
Solid wooden hanging signs are an ever-popular option for businesses of all types. Manufactured from premium sheets of oak, red cedar, or iroko, these signs are laser-cut and hand-finished to your specific requirements.
For a more industrial look, metal sign panels can be a fantastic option. Combined with wrought iron brackets and powder-coated to your colour specifications, these signs will create a bold, modern, and long-lasting first impression.
Print and Colour
You should pay careful attention to the colour or printed design elements you hope to feature on your hanging signs.
A full-colour print can look great as a hanging sign, but only in certain contexts. Digital print signage is big business, but it requires a discerning eye to pull off correctly.
Instead, you might decide to opt for a solid colour hanging sign; perhaps powder-coated metal as mentioned above. A simple metal sign with a basic logo print and powder-coated black can often be all you need for a professional, elegant statement.
Shape
At JMF Group, we can supply a range of hanging sign shape options as standard. Our typical hanging shop sign client will opt for a square, circle, or oval styling, but frequently we hear from customers looking for something a bit different with their shop sign.
For instance, perhaps you have an image of your hanging sign in the shape of your logo or another icon which is relevant to your business. Maybe you operate a tea shop, and want a hanging sign in the shape of a teapot? In such cases, we can work with you to develop a hanging sign that is shaped to your specifications. Our expert fabricators have unrivalled experience creating bespoke signs and hanging signage solutions, and will be able to supply custom-shaped signs, panels, and wrought iron brackets that work perfectly with your premises.
JMF Group: Our Customer-First Approach to Hanging Signs
At JMF Group, we know that your time is valuable. You don’t want to spend hours on the phone to sign-makers, designers, manufacturers, and installation crews—you want to purchase your sign, arrange delivery, and forget about it.
We are committed to offering a comprehensive service to each and every JMF customer, no matter the size of their business, or the value of their purchase. Take a look below for a run-down of what you can expect when you choose us as your hanging sign supplier:
Site Survey
Before we begin any work on your sign project, one of our fully qualified surveyors will visit your premises to assess the area in which the sign is to be installed. This survey is absolutely free of charge, and gives us a chance to answer any installation-related questions you might have.
Design
After the site survey has been completed, we will provide you with a full design consultation. This is an opportunity for us to discuss your specific sign requirements in detail, and to offer advice and guidance on the best hanging signs for your business.
After this, our in-house creative design team will get to work on developing the most aesthetically pleasing options for your location and the panel size you’ve chosen.
Manufacture
With the design complete, we’ll get to work on manufacturing the frame for your sign. Our expert manufacturing team use hand-fabrication and the latest computer-controlled machinery, ensuring your sign panels are correctly sized and shaped, and ready to be mounted.
Installation / Delivery
Our UK-wide installation team work all over the country and are on-hand to ensure your brackets and hanging signage panels are mounted securely and permanently.
Alternatively, if you think you have the skills to go with the do-it-yourself route, we will arrange courier delivery direct to your premises. Using the wrought iron brackets supplied, you get to work hanging your panel straight away!
Maintenance
As a loyal JMF account holder, we want to make sure you stay happy with all your signage materials. Whilst extremely durable, hanging wall signs can be susceptible to wind damage and fading over time. However, with our annual maintenance packages, you can rest assured that your sign is in safe hands. One of our surveyors will visit your premises once a year to check the brackets and panels are still secure and to offer advice on any maintenance or repair work that might be required.
What Are You Waiting For?
Your search for hanging signage is over—JMF are here!
From free consultation, to design and manufacture, through to installation and maintenance, our comprehensive service will take care of everything to ensure your hanging panels look great and are mounted where they need to be.
Contact our sales team today for a free quote from your new dedicated account manager. We can’t wait to get to work!
