04 · Graphic Design
Sign and banner design in Calgary
If people can't read it from the road, it isn't working. Sign design is mostly about saying less, bigger.
Quick answer
SURE Print Foothills designs signs and banners in Calgary, including A-frame sandwich boards, coroplast lawn signs, vinyl banners, retractable stands, storefront signs and vehicle graphics. Our designers plan type size, contrast and spacing for viewing distance, then print the artwork in-house on HP Latex large format printers.
Signs get read in passing. Someone driving down Macleod Trail has a second or two, tops. That means fewer words, larger letters, strong contrast and one clear message. Your full list of services belongs on the website, not on a lawn sign.
We design large format artwork at the actual output size, so we can check how it'll look at eight feet wide before it prints. We also plan around the hardware: grommets on banners, the visible area inside an A-frame, the base of a retractable stand where nobody looks. Small details, but they're the difference between a sign that looks professional and one that looks rushed.
Options
Signs and displays we design
A-frame sandwich boards
Artwork for the 24" x 36" sign panels on our Signicade® frames, single or double sided.
Coroplast and lawn signs
Real estate, election, contractor and event signs that read from across the street.
Vinyl banners
Indoor and outdoor banners for fences, storefronts, events and job sites.
Retractable banner stands
Tall, narrow layouts for trade shows and lobbies, with the key message at eye level.
Storefront and window signs
Fascia signs, window graphics and hours decals that match your brand.
City development signs
Development permit and notice signs laid out to the required content.
What to expect
How your sign & banner design order works
- 1
Where it goes
Tell us where the sign will stand and how far away people will be when they read it.
- 2
Design at size
We build the artwork at full output size with type and contrast planned for that distance.
- 3
Mock-up and proof
You get a proof, and where it helps, a mock-up showing the sign in place.
- 4
Print and finish
We print, laminate, mount, grommet or hem the sign in our shop.
Who we design signs for
- Retail shops and restaurants that need a sidewalk sign
- Builders and developers with job site and development signs
- Realtors who want a consistent look on every listing
- Event organisers and sports clubs hanging banners for a season
- Businesses heading to a trade show at the BMO Centre
A quick rule for lettering size
Sign makers often use a rough guide of about one inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance, and more if people are reading at speed. It's not exact, but it's a useful reality check. If your phone number needs to be read from 100 feet away, it can't be small.
FAQ
Sign & Banner Design questions
What size should my banner be?
It depends on where it hangs and how far away people will be. A fence banner at a busy intersection needs to be much larger than one behind a trade show booth. Tell us the location and we'll suggest a size.
Can you use my logo from my website?
Website logos are often too low-resolution for large format. If you have a vector version, send that. If not, we can redraw it so it prints sharp at any size.
What should go on a lawn sign?
As little as possible: your name or logo, one short message and a phone number or web address. Big letters and strong contrast beat extra details every time.
Do you install the signs you design?
We can. We install signs and graphics, or you can pick up portable signs like A-frames and banners from the shop.
Ready when you are
Ready to order sign & banner design?
Tell us what you need and we'll email you a detailed quote. Or just bring your files by the shop. You don't need an appointment.