Shop Signs: How to Choose the Right Sign for Your Store
Shop signs are about more than showing your name. The right sign draws people in, builds recognition and sets you apart from the shop next door. Here is a practical overview of types, prices and what to consider.
What is a shop sign?
A shop sign identifies your store and makes it visible to passersby. It can be anything from a simple name sign above the door to an illuminated light box, projecting sign or window decoration.
The sign is usually the very first thing a customer notices. It tells people who you are, what you sell and creates a first impression before they have taken a single step inside. Yet a surprising number of shops either have outdated signs, poor lighting or simply no sign in places where they would gain visibility.
Types of shop signs
There are several sign types suited to retail. Which one you should choose depends on location, budget and what you want to achieve.
Facade sign
Mounted directly on the building facade above the entrance. The classic shop sign.
An unlit facade sign in dibond starts from 4,000 NOK for a smaller sign, up to 15,000 NOK for larger formats in aluminium. If you want illumination, LED letters start at around 20,000 NOK and can reach 80,000 NOK for large installations.
Facade signs work for all types of shops. For street-level locations with good foot traffic, this is the minimum solution. Read more about facade signs and prices.
Projecting sign (blade sign)
A sign that extends at a right angle from the facade, making it visible along the street in both directions. Projecting signs are especially valuable in shopping streets where people walk parallel to the facades and do not see flat facade signs until they have already passed.
Double-sided illuminated light boxes used as projecting signs cost 12,000 to 25,000 NOK. Many shops combine a facade sign with a projecting sign to catch attention from multiple angles.
Light boxes
The entire sign face is illuminated from within by LED. Light boxes give even, clear illumination and are one of the most common shop signs in shopping centres and along retail strips.
| Size | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Small light box (100x40 cm) | 10,000 - 18,000 NOK |
| Standard light box (200x60 cm) | 15,000 - 30,000 NOK |
| Large light box (300x80 cm) | 25,000 - 45,000 NOK |
All prices excl. VAT. Light boxes are a good choice if you want illumination without paying for individual LED letters. Read more about the benefits of illuminated signs.
A-frame (pavement sign)
A foldable sign placed on the pavement in front of the shop. Affordable, flexible and easy to bring inside in the evening. A-frames are particularly useful for shops located in side streets or on upper floors, where you need something to catch attention at street level.
Standard A-frames cost 1,500 to 5,000 NOK depending on size and material. Chalkboards are at the lower end of the price range, while A-frames with built-in LED lighting cost more.
A-frames require no building permit, but check your local council's rules on pavement use.
Window graphics and vinyl
Vinyl on window surfaces gives you a large advertising area without taking up space. You can cover the entire window or just part of it. Popular solutions include company logos, opening hours, promotional messages and frosted film that provides privacy while still letting in light.
Window graphics are affordable and can be changed seasonally. For shops with large window surfaces, this is an effective add-on solution that costs little and delivers a lot.
LED neon and decorative signs
LED neon signs have become popular in retail, particularly in food service, clothing and lifestyle stores. Unlike real neon, the LED version uses little power, gives off minimal heat and lasts longer.
LED neon works both as an eye-catcher from outside and as an interior element inside the shop. Many use them to create atmosphere and photogenic moments that customers share on social media.
Menu boards
For restaurants, cafes and takeaways, the menu board is one of the most important signs. It can be analogue (chalk board), printed on vinyl or digital with an LED screen.
Printed menu boards in aluminium cost from 3,000 to 8,000 NOK. Digital menu boards with screens cost considerably more, but give the flexibility to update prices and offers without printing new materials.
Comparison: Which shop sign is right for you?
| Sign type | Visibility | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facade sign (unlit) | Medium | 4,000 - 15,000 NOK | Offices, small shops |
| Facade sign (LED) | High | 20,000 - 80,000 NOK | Shops, shopping centres |
| Projecting sign | High | 12,000 - 25,000 NOK | Shopping streets, narrow lanes |
| Light box | High | 10,000 - 45,000 NOK | Shops, restaurants |
| A-frame | Low/Medium | 1,500 - 5,000 NOK | Side streets, temporary signage |
| Window graphics | Medium | Varies | All shops with window surfaces |
| LED neon | Medium | Varies | Food service, clothing, lifestyle |
| Menu board | Low/Medium | 3,000 - 8,000 NOK | Restaurant, cafe, bakery |
All prices excl. VAT.
5 tips for choosing your shop sign
1. Think about visibility from the customer's perspective
Step outside and look at the shop from the street. Where do your customers come from? Do they walk along the pavement or drive past? A facade sign works for those standing directly in front, but a projecting sign or A-frame catches people coming along the street.
2. Prioritise lighting
Norway is dark for much of the year. An unlit sign is invisible from October to March after business hours. LED lighting has become affordable enough that it rarely makes sense to cut it out.
3. Combine sign types
Most shops benefit from at least two types of sign. A common combination is a facade sign plus a projecting sign, or a facade sign plus window graphics. Each type covers a different angle and distance.
4. Keep the design simple and readable
The shop name should be legible from a distance. Avoid too much detail, thin typefaces or low contrast between text and background. Test readability from 10, 20 and 50 metres away.
5. Invest in quality
A cheap sign that fades, cracks or loses its lighting after a couple of years costs more over time. Installation costs are the same regardless of quality, so it pays to choose materials that last.
Building permit for shop signs
Most exterior signs require a building permit. The application process typically costs 12,000 to 20,000 NOK and takes 3 to 8 weeks. Simple, unlit signs below a certain size may be exempt, but the rules vary from council to council.
We assist with the entire application process. Read more about building permits for signs.
Get a quote for your shop sign
Every shop sign is different. The facade, location, size and sign type all determine the price. Send us a photo of your shop front and we will put together a no-obligation quote with a visualisation.
Call Jan Tore on 919 22 332 or send an email to jt@showoff.no.
Contact us | See all sign prices | See sign types and materials | Sign maker in Stavanger and Sandnes