WhyProjectionSignsAretheMostImpactfulAdditiontoAnyShopfront

The key advantage of a projecting sign is double-sided visibility. Both faces of the sign display your brand, meaning you are reaching pedestrians approaching from the left and the right simultaneously. This is why projecting signs have been a staple of European streetscapes for centuries — from traditional hanging pub signs to modern illuminated blade signs. A well-positioned projecting sign at the right height (typically 2.4–2.7 metres above pavement level to the bottom of the sign) is visible from 50–100 metres away, compared to perhaps 10–15 metres for a flat fascia.

Illuminated projecting signs take this advantage further by maintaining visibility after dark. LED-illuminated options include internally lit boxes with translucent acrylic faces (the most common and cost-effective), halo-lit signs with LEDs behind an opaque panel creating a glow around the edges, and externally lit signs using small spotlights or trough lights mounted on the bracket. Internally illuminated projecting signs are particularly effective because they create their own light source, acting as a beacon that draws the eye even in a cluttered streetscape full of competing visual noise.

Projecting signs come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Circular signs (sometimes called roundels) are a classic choice — typically 500mm to 800mm in diameter — and suit businesses with a strong logo mark. Rectangular blade signs, usually 400–600mm wide and 600–900mm tall, provide more space for text and are better if you need to communicate what your business does as well as show your brand. Custom-shaped signs cut to the outline of a specific graphic (a coffee cup, a pair of scissors, a cross for a pharmacy) create instant recognition and visual interest.

Planning permission is required for most projecting signs in England under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007. The application for advertisement consent costs £132 and typically takes 8 weeks for determination. Key factors that planning officers consider include the sign's projection from the building (usually no more than 1 metre), its height above the pavement, whether it is in a conservation area, and whether it is illuminated. In conservation areas, restrictions are stricter — sign size, materials, and illumination type may all be controlled. A good signage company will advise you on what is likely to be approved in your specific location before you commit.

In terms of cost, a non-illuminated projecting sign with a powder-coated aluminium panel on a decorative bracket typically ranges from £400 to £1,200 depending on size and complexity. An internally illuminated projecting sign with LED lighting ranges from £800 to £2,500. Bespoke shapes, premium finishes (such as brass or bronze effect), and larger sizes push costs toward the upper end. Installation usually takes 2–4 hours and requires drilling into the building facade with appropriate structural fixings — resin-bonded anchors into masonry, or through-bolts into steel frameworks.