How to Choose a Sign for Your Shop, Restaurant or Business
If you’re opening a shop, restaurant, café, or business unit, one of the first things you’ll need is a sign. But with so many options available — from simple fascia panels to high-impact digital displays — how do you choose the right one?
Many customers come to us and ask:
“I know I need a sign, but I don’t know what my options are or how much it will cost.”
This guide will walk you through the most common types of shop and restaurant signs in the UK — from cost-effective flat panels to high-impact digital shop fronts — explaining the pros and cons of each so you can choose the best solution for your brand, premises, budget, and space.
What are the main types of shop and restaurant signs?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. The right choice depends on style, size, and budget. Here are the most common options for UK high streets and hospitality venues.
🔹 Flat Panel Signs
Best for: Budget-friendly shopfronts and fascia signage
A classic and cost-effective choice, these signs are often made from aluminium composite material (ACM also called Dibond), a core plastic sheet sandwiched between two thinner sheets of aluminium. We can either digitally print or apply self-adhesive vinyl of your design directly onto the panel and fix it to your fascia using screws and caps.
- Simple and affordable.
- Long lasting and effective.
➡️ Ideal for shops, takeaways, salons, and pop-ups.
🔹 Framed Sign Panels (Clean Edge Panel Trim System)
Best for: A tidy, professional look with no visible screws
This system uses a slim aluminium frame to hold your printed sign panel. As it is a frame around a panel it is sometimes known as Panel Trim (or Panatrim in the trade), it keeps fixings hidden from the front and helps prevent warping.
- Available in standard silver or custom colours.
- Clean edges and easy maintenance.
🔹 Flat Cut Letters (for subtle 3D effect)
Best for: Adding a little depth and style while keeping it simple.
Flat cut letters can be made from acrylic, aluminium or ACM, and usually range from 1mm to 5mm thick. They’re either:
- Bonded directly to a sign panel, or
- Mounted on little stand-offs or posts for a small shadow and 3D lift
It’s a simple way to add depth and a professional edge to your signage.
➡️ Follow this link to see more about Flat Cut Letters
🔹 Flex Face Signs (Non-Lit and Illuminated)
Best for: Large-format shopfronts or fascia signs
Flex face signs are made from a lightweight aluminium frame and back panel with a tensioned PVC skin or banner with your printed design on stretched over the whole face.
Two main types:
- Non-illuminated: Great for larger areas, simple signage
- LED illuminated: The whole sign lights up evenly from within lighting up the face and grabbing more attention.
You can also use selective illumination techniques (like block-out vinyl) to light up just parts of the sign – such as your logo or slogan.
➡️ Follow this link to see more about Flex Face Signs.
🔹 Sign Trays with Cut-Out Lettering
Best for: A sleeker shop fascia with eye catching lighting elements.
A sign tray is a folded sign panel with a bit of depth (e.g. 50mm) created by folding back at the edges creating what we call returns. The your brand lettering or logo is cut out of the front surface, like a stencil – sometimes it is called stencil cut sign tray. Behind that, we can add:
- Opal acrylic backing for clean cut-out contrast, self-adhesive vinyl can be applied for colours.
- Pushed-through acrylic for a raised, 3D look, self-adhesive vinyl can be applied to the face for colours.
- LED lighting for illuminated effects, with vinyl to face creates a subtle halo
This style gives a premium, attractive, layered appearance, and works day or night.
➡️ Follow this link to see more about Sign Trays
Want more visual impact? Choose built-up 3D letters
Ideal for: restaurants, showrooms or brands that want to stand out from the crowd.
🔸 Built-Up Letters (Non-Illuminated)
- Made from aluminium or acrylic
- Depth from circa 10mm to 100mm+
- Usually mounted using stand-off posts
➡️ Check out more about Built Up Letters
🔸 Halo Illuminated Letters
- LEDs installed inside the letter body
- Creates a glow or “halo” on the wall or sign tray behind
- Looks stunning at night
➡️ View some more information on Halo Lit Letters
🔸 Face Illuminated Built-Up Letters
- Letters feature opal acrylic faces, lit from within
- Ideal for prestigious restaurants, salons and top brand shops
- Extra attention can be achieved by combining face illumination and halo lighting to the rear.
🔸 Block Acrylic Letters
- Made from solid acrylic
- Can be face-lit or edge-lit
- Clean, high-end appearance
Looking to stand out even more and future proof your business? Combine, colour, light and movement with a fully Digital Shop Front!
We now offer Digital LED Shop Fronts – the latest, high-impact option for businesses that really want to get noticed! 🤩
These high-brightness displays where you view individual LEDs directly (known as direct view LED) can take over your whole fascia or window and show dynamic, eye-catching content day or night.
- Fully customisable with your video or animated graphics
- Suitable for retail, QSRs, entertainment venues and more
- Available in a range of pixel pitches and sizes
➡️ Learn more about Digital Shop Fronts
What affects the cost of a shop or restaurant sign?
✅ Sign type – Simpler signs like flat panels or vinyl graphics are more affordable.
💡 Materials & finishing – Adding LEDs, metalwork or 3D letters increases cost, but also boosts visibility and appeal.
📏 Size – Larger signs typically cost more due to materials and labour.
✨ Intricacy – The more detailed the design, the more time and materials required. Keep it simple to keep costs down.
🎨 Design & content – Supplying print-ready artwork helps. Be clear on your requirements, even with a sketch, as more design time could increase cost.
🛠️ Installation complexity – Scaffolding, electrical works, or structural supports will add to the overall price.
We’ll always guide you to the right solution for your space, brand, and budget with our Free Consulting service.
What else should I consider?
✅ Lighting – Think about how your sign will look at night. Will it be visible and eye-catching?
🎨 Brand style – Match your sign to your logo, colour scheme, and target audience. Consistency is key.
📏 Shopfront size – Not all sign types suit every fascia or window. Check your available space.
🏛️ Planning permission – Some locations, like listed buildings or conservation areas, may require council approval.
How to choose – quick decision checklist
🎯 Purpose – Is your sign mainly for branding/direction, or will it display promotions or menus?
👀 Visibility – Consider street-facing windows, height, and nearby lighting. Does it need to work at night?
💰 Budget – Set a realistic range. Simpler signs offer great value on a smaller budget.
🏷️ Brand fit – Choose materials, style, and lighting that reflect whether your brand is modern, classic, or premium.
🛡️ Maintenance & lifespan – Factor in weather, cleaning, and long-term running costs, especially for illuminated signs or LEDs.
📜 Planning & consents – Check for any council or conservation restrictions before ordering.
🛠️ Installation – Can your fascia support the sign’s weight? Do you need electrical supply for illumination?
🖥️ Content (for digital signs) – Plan how often content will be updated and who will manage it.
Still unsure? We’re here to help.
We work with small businesses, high street retailers, showrooms, restaurants and national brands. If you need help choosing your shop sign, we’re happy to chat.
📞 Call us on 01708 863 260
📩 Or explore your options on our page for Custom Signs
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