How to choose shop signage
Your shop sign is the first thing a customer sees from the street. This guide walks through visibility, sign type, illumination, material and permits for a Nairobi shop front.
Know your street
Is your shop on a busy road where customers drive past at speed, or on a foot-traffic street in the CBD? Drive-by shops need a large illuminated fascia that reads from across the road. Foot-traffic shops need a fascia at eye level plus a projecting blade for side visibility. Note the competing signage around you and whether your sign will stand out by day and by night.
Pick a sign type
Fascia (above the door, the most common), projecting blade (perpendicular to the wall for side visibility), window vinyl (inside the glass, cheap and temporary), pylon (freestanding at the road, for malls and petrol stations), and neon (for bars, cafes and nightlife). Most shops use a fascia plus one secondary sign.
Illuminated or not
If the shop is open after dark or on a dim street, illumination is worth the cost. LED neon and backlit channel letters are the two main options. Non-illuminated acrylic letters work for daytime shops and indoor directories. See our neon vs LED comparison to choose.
Material choice
Acrylic for illuminated letters and modern interiors, aluminium for durable outdoor fascia, vinyl for budget window graphics, and glass films for privacy. Our signage materials guide compares each by outdoor lifespan and cost band.
Budget and permits
For fascia and projecting signs in Nairobi CBD, a county permit is usually required. We advise on the requirement and can support the application. Budget for the sign, the installation and the permit. See our pricing page for indicative starting prices.
Checklist before you order
1. Measure the fascia width. 2. Check the wall material. 3. Confirm power availability. 4. Note the viewing distance. 5. Decide illuminated or not. 6. Pick a material. 7. Prepare your logo vector file. 8. Check the permit requirement.
FAQs
What's the best sign for a shop on a busy road?
A large illuminated fascia plus a projecting blade for side visibility. The fascia reads from across the road, the blade catches drivers and pedestrians approaching from the side.
Do I need a permit in Nairobi CBD?
For fascia and projecting signs, yes. We advise on the requirement and can support the county application as part of the project.
How high should a shop sign sit?
At fascia level, roughly eye-line from across the street. Too high and pedestrians miss it, too low and it is blocked by parked cars or pedestrians.