6 Bad Signage Mistakes and How to Prevent Them

Why Signage Mistakes Can Cost Your Business More Than You Think

Signage mistakes can turn your business's silent salesperson into a liability. From poor readability and cluttered designs to embarrassing spelling errors, these common pitfalls damage your brand's credibility and can cost you customers before they even walk through your door.

The most common signage mistakes include:

1. Poor readability - Bad font choices, low colour contrast, or incorrect sizing
2. Information overload - Cramming too much text into limited space
3. Spelling and grammar errors - Typos that damage professional credibility
4. Wrong materials and placement - Using indoor materials outdoors or placing signs where they can't be seen
5. Inconsistent branding - Mixed fonts, colours, and styles that confuse customers
6. Compliance failures - Ignoring accessibility requirements and Australian Standards

Research shows that over 93% of consumers rely on visual cues when making purchasing decisions. Your signage creates that crucial first impression, and you rarely get a second chance. A faded, cluttered, or error-riddled sign doesn't just look unprofessional; it actively drives potential customers away.

The cost of getting signage wrong extends far beyond the initial investment. Poor signage can damage your brand perception, create safety hazards, result in compliance fines, and ultimately impact your bottom line. The good news is these mistakes are entirely preventable with the right knowledge and approach.

6 Critical Signage Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Whether you're directing customers, ensuring workplace safety, or reinforcing your brand, effective signage is vital. Unfortunately, many businesses fall into preventable traps that turn signs from assets into liabilities. Let's walk through the six most damaging signage mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Poor Readability from Bad Font, Colour, or Size Choices

If people can't read your sign, it's worthless. This fundamental signage mistake stems from prioritising aesthetics over function.

Font Choice: Keep It Simple, Keep It Readable

While a script font may look good in brand guidelines, it's often unreadable on a sign viewed from a distance. For most applications, especially safety and directional signs, clean, simple sans-serif fonts are best. They are designed to be read at a glance. Overly thin fonts disappear in bright light, while very bold text can blur together.

Colour Contrast: Making Your Message Visible

Signage operates under different rules than websites. High-contrast colour combinations—like black on white or white on dark backgrounds—ensure your message is visible in all lighting conditions. Low-contrast combinations like light grey on white are nearly invisible from a distance. Furthermore, certain colour combinations create accessibility barriers for the significant portion of the population affected by colour blindness, making it hard to distinguish between reds and greens.

Getting the Size Right for Your Viewing Distance

Text size must match the viewing distance. A sign for pedestrians needs different sizing than one on a highway. The golden rule is that four-inch text is readable up to 100 feet away. Scale up from there: sixteen-inch text works for city block distances. When space is tight, prioritise your most important message and size it for readability. This is critical for safety signage, where clarity can save lives. Our guide covers these principles in detail: The Ultimate Online Shopping Guide for Safety Signs.

Mistake #2: Information Overload and Cluttered Design

Trying to say too much on one sign often means nothing gets communicated effectively. This signage mistake ignores how people process visual information.

Your audience has only three to five seconds to read and understand your sign. A cluttered design with competing messages will overwhelm them, causing them to tune out. A simple principle is that text should occupy no more than 20% of the sign's space. This negative space isn't wasted—it guides the eye and makes your core message more powerful.

Focus on the single most important action or piece of information. For wayfinding, group related information logically—'Toilets' and 'Baby Changing' belong together as they relate to the same decision. This approach creates clear, actionable communication, which is vital in the workplace. Our guide explores this further: How to Use Health and Safety Signs in the Workplace Effectively.

For more on wayfinding design, the Wayfinding Youtube Channel offers valuable professional insights.

Mistake #3: Embarrassing Spelling and Grammar Errors

Nothing destroys credibility faster than a typo. These signage mistakes are preventable but common, turning a marketing investment into an embarrassment. Unnecessary quotation marks or misspellings can make your business look unprofessional and damage customer trust. In the age of social media, a poorly written sign can become an internet joke, causing lasting reputational damage.

The solution is simple: thorough proofreading. Have multiple people review every sign before production. Fresh eyes catch errors the original writer misses. Don't rely solely on spell-checkers, as they miss contextual and punctuation errors. At Pinnacle Signage, our team reviews all custom signage for accuracy, helping protect your professional image. Explore our options: Shop Smart: The Best Custom Safety Signs for Every Need.

Mistake #4: Wrong Materials and Poor Placement - A Common Signage Mistake

Even a perfect design will fail if made from the wrong materials or placed incorrectly. These physical signage mistakes lead to rapid deterioration and wasted money.

Choosing Materials That Match Your Environment

Australia's harsh climate, with its intense UV radiation and coastal salt air, requires durable, weather-resistant materials. Using indoor-rated materials outside is a recipe for fading and cracking. Outdoor signage needs UV-stable materials like marine-grade aluminium or high-quality acrylic. While the initial cost is higher, they provide years of service. Professional installation is also key to preventing moisture damage and structural failure.

Strategic Placement for Maximum Impact

Location determines effectiveness. Place signs before decision points (like a turn-off) to give people time to react. Consider the line of sight—trees, other signs, or buildings can block visibility. Also, account for seasonal changes and lighting conditions. A sign that is clear by day may be invisible at night. For businesses open after dark, illuminated or reflective signage is essential for visibility and safety. For areas prone to vandalism, consider durable and easy-to-clean materials. Our guide covers these applications for demanding environments: Everything You Need to Know About Construction Site Signage.

Mistake #5: Inconsistent Branding

Your signage is a physical extension of your brand, making consistency crucial. Inconsistent branding—like using different fonts, colours, and styles for interior and exterior signs—creates a disjointed experience that undermines your professional image. This is a subtle but damaging signage mistake.

Brand consistency requires attention to detail:

• Your logo must appear identically everywhere.
• Brand colours need precise matching using hex codes or Pantone references.
• Typography should be consistent, using complementary fonts where necessary.
• The overall visual style must reflect your brand's personality.

This cohesion builds customer confidence and recognition, reinforcing your commitment to quality. Learn more about different sign types here: Caution vs Danger vs Warning: What's the Difference?.

Mistake #6: Ignoring Compliance and Accessibility - A Costly Signage Mistake

Ignoring compliance and accessibility isn't just a legal risk; it's a business liability that can lead to fines and safety incidents. This is one of the most expensive signage mistakes.

Australian Standards and Legal Requirements

Australian workplace health and safety laws mandate specific signage requirements. Safety signs must follow precise colour schemes (e.g., red for danger, blue for mandatory). Layout, fonts, and symbols are regulated for immediate recognition. These standards exist so people can rely on familiar cues in an emergency. Non-compliant signs can cause confusion and contribute to accidents. Standards also evolve, so regular audits are necessary. Our guide can help you steer these requirements: Understanding Australian Standards for Safety Signs.

Accessibility for All Users

Effective signage must work for everyone. Australian Standard AS 1428.1 provides guidelines for accessible design, creating inclusive environments for all customers and employees. This means using high-contrast designs, tactile elements like Braille, and correct placement to ensure signs are usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. These features are fundamental design considerations that improve usability for all. At Pinnacle Signage, we specialise in compliant, accessible solutions, including our Braille & Tactile Signage range.

Get Your Signage Right the First Time

Avoiding costly signage mistakes starts with choosing the right partner. Investing in quality materials, professional guidance, and compliant design protects your brand and prevents the expensive cycle of repairs and replacements.

At Pinnacle Signage, we focus on getting it right the first time, whether you need fire safety signage, custom directional signs, or hazardous materials warnings that meet Australian Standards. We manufacture high-quality, durable signage designed for Australian conditions, from harsh UV to coastal salt air. Our customisable options ensure you don't have to compromise between compliance and brand consistency.

Quality materials make all the difference. We use marine-grade aluminium, UV-stable acrylics, and weather-resistant vinyls because a sign that fails within months isn't saving you money—it's costing you more. Our fast turnaround times mean you get premium products without long delays.

Professional guidance prevents costly errors. Our team understands Australian Standards, accessibility requirements, and industry-specific challenges. We help you steer compliance while creating signage that works for your operations.

Ready to avoid common signage mistakes and invest in signage that delivers results? Browse our full range of safety signs to see our comprehensive selection, explore our specialised Fire Signage solutions, or check out our Hazchem Signage options.

Don't let poor signage become a liability. Contact us for a custom quote today, and let our team in East Wagga Wagga help you create signage that protects your brand and serves your business for years to come.

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