CHURCH SIGNAGE

In a world that never stops moving, it’s easy to overlook what’s right in front of you, especially when there’s no clear sign. Effective custom outdoor signage outside your building can catch the attention of even the busiest passer-by and, hopefully, help your congregation grow. It isn’t as simple as putting up a big sign with your organisation’s name, though. Outdoor signs have four main goals:

1. Impress people walking or driving past your church, synagogue, mosque or other building.
2. Invite those people inside with eye-catching, action-focused wording. For example, your organisation could display a sign reading something like, “Come as you are!”
3. Inform people about your organisation by weaving your personality and values into your message, while also giving directions around the outside of the building.
4. Instil a sense of connection with passers-by, aiming to inspire them and build relationships with those drawn to your signage.

How can you make sure your signage attracts and impresses people, sets your organisation apart from others and welcomes those who see it through your doors? Asking yourself these questions before buying custom outdoor signage can help.

1. Will the sign sit in a clear, unobstructed spot? People should be able to spot your sign at a glance, so it needs to be large enough and placed somewhere prominent where plenty of people will see it. Nobody will go looking for your sign, so it’s up to you to catch their eye.
2. Will the message come across easily? With attention spans lasting only seconds, your organisation has very little time to get its message across. Keep it simple so it’s understood: the text should be brief and set in bold, easy-to-read fonts. Only include graphics if they support and strengthen the message, as they can be distracting otherwise.
3. Will the colours work together without clashing? Your sign should turn heads with pleasing colours and design.
4. Will people understand your organisation better from the signage? Although spreading your faith is the point of your message, it’s also the goal of most other religious organisations. Work your church’s personality into the signage so people can see what makes you different.

Let’s say your approach worked: you’ve caught people’s attention, and they plan to attend your next service. What now? Your outdoor signs don’t stop there. Directional signs, a form of wayfinding that guides people quickly and efficiently to where they need to be, are essential. Outdoor directional signs should:

• Guide traffic in and out of your car park
• Mark out disabled or other reserved parking spaces
• Direct guests to the correct entrance if there is more than one
• Display the dates and times of services

By following these steps and considerations for outdoor signage, your religious organisation can start building relationships and growing its active membership. Signage shouldn’t end there, though. Once inside, guests should also see indoor signage that makes them feel welcome and ready to worship.

Visiting somewhere new can be daunting. Honestly, it can feel downright intimidating. Help your guests feel at ease by putting up indoor signage, such as directional signs, throughout your religious facility. Indoor signage can give guests useful information and strengthen your church’s branding. Branding simply means all the elements that shape the feel of your religious organisation. That atmosphere is what sets your organisation apart from others and keeps people coming back. Overall, indoor signs are all about the guest experience, so keep these four goals, which apply mainly to directional signage, in mind:

1. Welcome guests by placing directional signs thoughtfully in key spots where guests will see them, so they feel looked after. Unless someone is standing at the door greeting every guest personally, it can be hard to make that first point of contact. Signs don’t replace human interaction, but they’re very useful when lots of people are arriving and leaving at once and you want to make a good impression.
2. Answer any questions guests may have, from where to hang their coat to where to find the coffee pot.
3. Show guests where to go with signs that point them to places like the toilets, the stairs or the room where the service is held.
4. Set your religious organisation apart from the others by using signs that also reflect your organisation’s core values and beliefs, further strengthening your religious “brand.” You could enhance the atmosphere with window graphics, floor graphics, murals or banners.

As with outdoor signage, there are important factors to think about when displaying signs inside your place of worship. Again, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Will lighting affect how visible the sign is? Consider placing indoor signs near direct light sources so they stand out. To cut glare and achieve even illumination, you could mount your signs beside wall sconces, or use picture lights or LED wall lights. You don’t want a guest shielding their eyes from annoying light bouncing off your signs, so plan the lighting carefully.
2. Can people easily see the sign? Placement matters for indoor signs just as much as it does outdoors. Signs that display crucial information are useful, but they make no difference if guests can’t see them.
3. Does the sign clash with the backdrop behind it? Think about the type of sign you’re using and how the backdrop might either complement it or create a jarring contrast. Backdrops shouldn’t distract guests or take attention away from your sign’s message, so take this into account to get the most from your sign.
4. Is the design eye-catching yet simple? Indoor signs may use a few more words and smaller fonts, but they still need to be easy to read and get the message across efficiently. Inside, you might also use more images or icons linked to your faith, but they should always support the sign’s message.

Now that you know how to make the most of both indoor and outdoor signage for your religious organisation, you’re ready to plan for major holidays and events, where you may need some extra special signage.

When holidays like Christmas and Easter, and other special events or occasions, come around, more people tend to attend some kind of worship service. Whatever your faith, you can make the most of the bigger crowds during holidays and special occasions by using event signage. Whether you want to tell people about a music group performing during the service, a live nativity for Christmas or a festive Rosh Hashanah meal, event signage can help spread the word and make your event even better. For your next religious event, consider these different types of event signage:

• Indoor and outdoor hanging banners
• Tabletop displays
• Printed wall or stage backdrops
• Indoor and outdoor flags
• Folding display panels
• Retractable banner stands

For your religious organisation to stand out and share its message of faith, you need a bold, eye-catching design that communicates that message clearly. Join the many other religious groups using custom signage to attract more guests and help them feel like valued members of your congregation. Rely on Express Print for expertly sized and printed graphics, finished and delivered on time. We work with a range of members from different organisations, including churches, synagogues, mosques and temples, to understand their needs and choose the best media and materials for each individual project. Don’t wait: find your nearest Express Print or request a quote to start spreading your message through