When it comes to commercial signage, lighting is key to ensuring visibility. Whether you’re illuminating a storefront sign or an indoor wall display, the right lighting enforces brand identity and ensures your message is clearly conveyed. If your signage is poorly lit, inconsistently illuminated or doesn’t speak to the image of your brand, it can reflect poorly on your business. Here are some tips to ensure proper lighting for commercial signage:
Determine Your Lighting Goals
Not all commercial signs serve the same purpose. Each one is unique and designed to communicate a different message—beyond just the words on the sign. Consider your lighting goals. Are you lighting your sign to bring attention from a distance? To make your building stand out in a busy plaza? Or are you trying to highlight the premium aesthetic of your branding? What you’re trying to achieve with your commercial signage will help you determine whether you need direct lighting, backlighting for a subtle glow or edge lighting for a clean, modern feel. You need to have a clear understanding of your lighting goals, as this will influence the rest of your lighting decisions.
Consider the Size and Material of Your Sign
There are many factors that influence the type of lighting required to properly illuminate your commercial signage. One of the first things to consider is the size and material of your sign. Larger signs often require multiple fixtures or wider beam angles to ensure even coverage, while smaller signs may require fewer or even a single well-placed fixture. The material of your sign also plays a huge role, since different finishes reflect light differently. For example, glossy or highly reflective materials may create a glare if not lit properly, while matte or rough finishes absorb more light and generally require a higher light output. Understanding the size of your sign and how the finish reacts to lighting will help you achieve balanced, impactful illumination.
Think About Where You Should Mount Your Lighting
Where you mount your fixtures is as important as the fixtures themselves. Mounting above the sign is most common for commercial wall signs. As a general rule, if your sign sits five feet or more above the ground, it’s best to mount the light fixtures from above the sign; if your sign sits below five feet from the ground, it’s best to mount the light fixtures from beneath the sign. Choosing the proper place to mount your light fixtures ensures that light is evenly distributed across the sign and no unwanted shadows are cast, potentially impacting visibility.
Calculate the Setback Distance
The setback distance is the distance between the light source and the sign. Although it seems like a simple detail, it can be easy to overlook. How far back you set your lighting determines how much light will reach your sign. For example, if you place your fixtures too far back, the lighting may appear dim or inconsistent. If you place your light fixtures too close, the lighting may be too bright, harsh or uneven. Typically, the larger your sign, the further your setback distance should be.
If you’re using multiple fixtures, the setback distance directly relates to the fixture spacing, or how far apart you should install each fixture alongside one another. As a general rule, your fixture spacing should be double the setback distance to ensure even, consistent lighting with no gaps or spaces between the light beams.
Think About Brightness
While commercial signs each have a unique purpose, the most important goal is visibility. Proper lighting for commercial signage is all about ensuring your sign is visible. Lighting that’s too bright can cause glare or light pollution, while not enough light can make the sign difficult to see. In commercial lighting, brightness is measured in lumens. Make sure the lighting you choose has the correct lumen package for your desired brightness level. Keep in mind that outdoor signage typically requires brighter lighting, while indoor signage generally benefits from softer lighting.
Choose the Right Fixtures
Once you’ve determined your lighting goals and made the necessary considerations, it’s time to choose the right fixtures. While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for choosing the best light fixtures for commercial signage, there are a few important factors to consider. First is energy efficiency. LED lighting is the top choice for energy efficiency, with low heat output and long lifespans.
Whether your commercial sign is indoor or outdoor is another factor. For outdoor applications, ensure the fixtures you choose can withstand varying weather conditions, moisture and dust. This is also the time to think about color temperature. Cooler whites offer brighter visibility and sharpness, while warmer tones create a softer glow and a more inviting appearance. Whether you choose floodlights, striplights or a different LED fixture, the most important thing is to make sure they will function well for your signage application and lighting goals.
With proper lighting, commercial signage is a powerful branding tool that works for your business around the clock. At Commercial LED, we offer top-tier LED lighting solutions designed to improve visibility, boost energy savings and enhance your branding. Whether you’re lighting an outdoor sign or an indoor display, our LED lighting products are engineered for performance and built to last. Contact your supplier or visit our website to explore our product line.
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