Someone could walk right past your store without noticing it. Not because your sign is too small, but because they're approaching from the wrong angle.
Most storefront signs face the street. That works well for people looking directly at your building, but someone walking along the sidewalk sees those signs from the side.
Blade signs solve this problem by projecting outward from the building. Their position allows pedestrians to see your business name as they approach from either direction, giving them a chance to identify your store before reaching the entrance.
For businesses on busy shopping streets, this difference in viewing angle can make a projecting sign a useful addition to traditional storefront signage.
Why Pedestrians Sometimes Miss Storefront Signs
Picture a small bookstore located between a coffee shop and a clothing boutique.
The bookstore has beautiful lettering above its entrance. From across the street, the business name is easy to read. But someone walking along the same sidewalk sees the sign at a sharp angle.
By the time they can read the letters clearly, they may already be standing in front of the store.
This is a common visibility challenge for businesses in buildings with several neighboring storefronts.
A traditional wall sign sits parallel to the building's facade. It's generally easier to read when someone faces the storefront directly.
A blade sign works differently. It extends away from the building, presenting its face toward people moving along the sidewalk.
That change in direction is what makes metal blade signs particularly relevant for businesses that depend on pedestrian visibility.
How the Position of a Blade Sign Makes a Difference
A blade sign is also called a projecting sign because it extends outward from a wall, usually at approximately a right angle.
Many blade signs have two display faces, allowing a business name or logo to be seen by people approaching from opposite directions.
For a pedestrian, this changes when the business becomes recognizable.
Instead of waiting until they're directly in front of the storefront, they can see a sign facing their direction while they're still walking toward it.
Consider the bookstore example again.
With a projecting sign displaying its name on both sides, someone walking toward the bookstore can identify it without turning to examine every storefront along the street.
The sign also helps them recognize which building contains the business.
This can be particularly useful on streets where several stores have similar entrances, matching facades, or limited space for large exterior lettering.
However, a projecting sign isn't a substitute for every other type of signage. Its main advantage comes from its orientation toward people walking parallel to the building.
Make Your Blade Sign Easy to Understand at a Glance
Pedestrians rarely stop to examine every sign they pass. They may be talking, checking directions, or looking for a particular store.
Your blade sign should communicate its message without requiring much effort.
For a small bookstore, the business name and a recognizable book symbol might be enough. The sign doesn't need to include opening hours, a phone number, a website, and a list of available products.
Those details are better displayed where someone can stop and read them.
Use a clear name or recognizable symbol
If your business has a short name, displaying it prominently may be the simplest approach.
A longer business name may require careful lettering and spacing so that it remains readable within the available sign area.
A familiar logo can also help returning customers recognize your location. For newer businesses, including a clear name alongside the symbol may be more useful than displaying an unfamiliar icon alone.
For example, a bookstore called Juniper Books could display its name with a small leaf or open-book symbol.
The design would give pedestrians two ways to identify the business without overcrowding the sign.
Design for both sides
If pedestrians approach from both directions, consider how the design will appear on each face.
A double-sided sign can display the same brand identity on both sides. However, lettering, logos, and mounting details should be reviewed from both approaches rather than assuming one attractive mockup will work equally well in every direction.
A realistic image of the proposed sign on your actual building can help reveal design issues before production.
Where Should You Position a Blade Sign?
Placement matters because the sign needs a clear line of sight from the directions pedestrians approach.
A blade sign installed behind a large tree, close to a projecting awning, or among several neighboring signs may be difficult to notice.
Before selecting a location, consider how people move along the sidewalk.
For example, a corner bookstore may receive visitors from two different streets. The proposed position should account for the approaches that are most important to that entrance.
A store located beneath a deep awning has another challenge. A projecting sign may need a different mounting position to remain visible without interfering with the building or pedestrian clearance.
These are reasons to examine the actual location before approving the sign.
The sign should also be installed at a permitted height and projection distance, with appropriate structural support for the building.
Local regulations and landlord requirements may limit its dimensions, mounting position, illumination, and how far it extends beyond the facade.
When a Blade Sign Works With Your Main Storefront Sign
A blade sign and a traditional storefront sign serve different viewing directions. Using both can make sense when a business needs to be identified from the street and the sidewalk.
For example, a restaurant in a downtown shopping district might have a large main sign above its entrance. This identifies the restaurant to people looking directly at the building.
A smaller blade sign displaying the restaurant's logo can help pedestrians approaching along the sidewalk recognize the same business.
The two signs don't need identical dimensions or materials. They should, however, use recognizable elements of the same brand.
Businesses comparing these options can explore custom storefront signs alongside projecting signs to understand how different sign styles can work together.
Where a blade sign may be less useful
Not every storefront needs projecting signage.
A business facing a large parking lot may receive most of its visitors from directly in front of the building. In that situation, a clearly visible main storefront sign may be more relevant.
Similarly, a building with limited mounting space or restrictive property rules may not be suitable for a projecting sign.
Blade signs are particularly worth considering when people normally approach the entrance from along the sidewalk rather than directly across the street.
Choosing a Blade Sign That Suits Your Business
A blade sign should fit both your brand and the character of the building.
For example, a traditional bookstore might choose a simple metal sign with a classic finish, while a contemporary coffee shop may prefer a compact sign with a clean logo and contrasting colors.
A business in a shopping center may need to follow a consistent design system established by the property owner.
For retailers comparing different exterior sign styles, custom retail signage offers additional options to consider alongside blade signs.
Think about the space available for your business name before deciding on a particular shape.
A circular sign can work well with a simple symbol or compact logo. A rectangular design may provide more room for longer lettering.
The objective is to select a shape that suits the information pedestrians need to recognize, rather than squeezing your entire logo into a predetermined format.
Do Blade Signs Need to Be Illuminated?
Not every blade sign needs lighting.
A non-illuminated sign may be suitable for a business that operates mainly during daylight hours, particularly when the sign has clear lettering and sufficient contrast.
For restaurants, bars, and other businesses with evening customers, an illuminated design may be worth considering.
Lighting can help preserve visibility after sunset, but it needs to suit the sign's size, construction, and surroundings.
Some projecting signs use internally illuminated faces. Other designs rely on external lighting, while certain businesses may prefer a non-illuminated metal sign.
If the primary need is a larger front-facing illuminated display rather than a projecting sign, LED lightbox signs are another option to compare.
Before choosing illumination, consider your business hours, surrounding street lighting, available electrical connections, and local restrictions.
What to Consider Before Ordering a Blade Sign
A blade sign may look simple, but its installation involves more than attaching a decorative panel to a wall.
Because the sign projects outward, the mounting bracket and building surface must be suitable for its size, weight, and expected outdoor conditions.
A mounting solution appropriate for one building may not be suitable for another.
It's useful to provide your sign company with a clear photograph of the storefront, the proposed mounting area, and views from both sidewalk approaches.
Include your business logo and any property-owner signage requirements you already have.
If you're considering illumination, mention that during the design stage so electrical requirements can be reviewed.
Confirm applicable permits, projection limits, pedestrian clearance, and structural requirements with the relevant local authority and qualified installation professionals before fabrication.
Make Your Business Easier to Find From the Sidewalk!
A well-designed blade sign makes your storefront easier to spot from the sidewalk. With clear lettering, a recognizable logo, and the right placement, pedestrians can identify your business before walking past it.
Planning a blade sign for your storefront? Volt Signs can help you explore custom designs that suit your business. Send your logo and storefront photos to info@voltsigns.com to discuss your ideas and request a free mockup and quote with no obligation.