You can learn a lot about effective sign design practices by analyzing big brands. And while national franchises probably have a larger sign budget at their disposal, many of their secrets to success can be applied to more economical, small business-friendly signs.
To help you elevate your signage on a small budget, today’s post reverse-engineers a successful sign design used by one of Bakersfield’s larger restaurant chains: Panda Express.
Read on to learn more, or call (661)-379-6545 to speak directly with a sign design specialist near you.
With over 2200 restaurants to their name, Panda Express definitely qualifies as a big brand. Recently, our team was chosen to create marquee channel letter signage for one of their Bakersfield locations.
In this case, the client came to us with a strong design vision, and our team delivered according to their exact specifications:
So what design lessons can small business owners learn from Panda Express? Although they chose to omit their iconic panda logo, this sign still manages to be eye-catching and evocative, thanks to:
If you’re looking for ways to stand out from your local signscape, take a page out of Panda Express’s book and try incorporating more contrast into your sign design. This tip is perfect for small businesses, since high contrast does not mean high cost—even economical banners, yard signs, and sandwiched boards can be made with dark backgrounds and bright text (or vice versa).
So what makes red such a great choice to anchor their storefront signage? First of all, building off the previous point, red really stands out from the surrounding environment, creating external contrast in addition to the internal contrast within their sign design.
But that’s not all. As written in “Color Red: Implications for Applied Psychology and Marketing Research,” a study published in Psychology and Education, the color red is frequently used in the restaurant industry because it triggers appetite, likely due to neuro-associations with ripeness or sweetness in natural foods like berries, bell peppers, and apples. Some researchers speculate that it could also be linked with savory cravings for red meat. Red is also associated with energy and excitement, both feelings Panda Express tries to capture in every customer experience.
Just like color contrast, color psychology should be incorporated into the advertising strategy of any small business because it is so cost-effective. Indeed, in many cases you can choose different sign colors for no added cost. You just have to decide what color represents your brand (e.g. green for eco-friendly companies, gold or silver for wealth management firms, etc)—and our sign design experts are standing by to help!
To schedule a free consultation and get a quote on any custom sign design, you can:
References
Bullough, J. (2017). Factors affecting sign visibility, conspicuity, and legibility: Review and annotated bibliography. Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding, 1(2), 2-25.
Piotrowski, C., & Armstrong, T. (2012). Color Red: Implications for applied psychology and marketing research. Psychology and Education-An Interdisciplinary Journal, 49, 55-57.
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Karla Garcia Jan 1, 2025
Mike and his staff are a great team to work with from designing to illuminating our sign.
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TM signs provided a great experience from start to finish. They don’t just ask for your artwork and slap something together. Trinh asks for details in order of importance, color codes, etc. The attention to detail is superior! Im so happy with my decision to use them. You will be too! Thanks again Trinh, John, and your team! Excellent job. My truck is beautiful and professional! Randy ArborCentric, LLC
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Great Service from the entire team at TM Signs and Graphics. Quick Reponses and clear communication. The talented team was able to design and complete my sign quickly with little notice. Looking forward to using TM for our future signs.
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They did a great job. They was awesome knowledgeable. They kept me updated on every situation every neck and cranny. It was a great experience working with this team. And working with Trinh Moore was really helpful. She makes this experience easy..
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Thank you very much Trinh and team for your amazing work on this sign for my business. It looks great and is perfect in every way!
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B Jul 7, 2024
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Kelly Oakes Jul 7, 2024
From the moment I walked into TM Signs & Graphics for a channel letters sign for my store, the experience has been nothing short of outstanding. Trinh and Mike provide exceptional customer service, they took the time to understand my business to ensure the design was not only eye-catching but also perfectly aligned with my brand. Communication throughout the entire process was superb. I was kept informed at every stage, from initial concept discussions to the final installation. This level of responsiveness made the entire experience smooth and worry-free. TM Signs & Graphics handled everything seamlessly, from design conception to installation, even taking care of all necessary county permits. This streamlined approach saved me valuable time and effort, allowing me to focus on the upcoming grand opening of my store. When the sign was finally installed, I was genuinely impressed. The look and build quality exceeded my expectations. The craftsmanship was evident, and the sign itself has become a standout feature, drawing positive attention to my business. If you're searching for high-quality signage coupled with excellent customer service and clear communication, TM Signs & Graphics is definitely the place to go. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking signage solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. Thank you, Trinh and Mike, for your professionalism and dedication to delivering a superior product.
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Very professional company, enjoyed working with TM Signs because they completed the work very timely and exactly to expectation.
Kabari Thomson Jun 6, 2024
These guys were awesome. Their online system allows you to view and approve your design and it's easy and straight forward. They showed up as scheduled and on-time. They were friendly and chatted with us while they worked. Our sign looks great. We also had a window sticker that we purchased elsewhere that we just could not get to stick on. These guys put it on for us free of charge. It was AWESOME!!
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NWP Marketing Apr 4, 2024
Love the sign I ordered.
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Really good customer service always willing to help with any questions highly recommended for any building signs for your business
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Mike and his team did a great job of helping me understand the quality of the materials he quoted prior to moving forward and did a great job on the install. I recommend using this company
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Jeremy Rowell Mar 3, 2024
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Mathnasium of Bakersfield Southwest Jan 1, 2024
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The Taft College Office of the President is incredibly lucky to have found TM Signs and Graphics in Bakersfield for our wide range of evolving signage needs, including large banners, small banners, display systems, and retail signage for Bookstore merchandise displays. TM Signs and Graphics' pricing is very competitive, and they have never missed a deadline. When the quality of the products is top-notch, customer service is so friendly and highly responsive, and pricing can't be beat, we have peace of mind knowing projects will be completed accurately and delivered on time. That says a whole lot in today's marketplace! Thank you, TM Signs and Graphics!
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At Home Inspections Nov 11, 2021
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