Overview: Signs are used to promote a business. These can be permanent or temporary and help make existing and potential customers aware of where a business is located and what it offers. Labels are usually attached to a product and display information on the product such as its price, where it was made and how it can be used.  Legal, industry and sector regulations are common for both.  

Permanent Signs: These are signs on metal, wooden, plastic or other poles permanently fixed to the ground, including large hoarding type signs or finger post signs
Temporary Signs: These are advertising or notifications that are erected or displayed for a limited time.

Public Land: Permanent and temporary signs cannot be erected on public lands without council permission.

Private land: Permanent and temporary signs can be erected on private lands with a landowners permission. Planning permission may be needed

Laws on Signs: The main laws regulating signs are the Planning & Development Act 2000–2006, Roads Act 1993 Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003 

Plan the Sign: Passing traffic have only a few seconds to see your sign. Plan what it says carefully to get your message across.

Sign Design:  Choose the size and colours of your sign carefully. Signs that are small or too big and have poor text / background contrast are a waste of money

Sign Branding: Your sign must always represent your brand. Ensure it is in keeping with your brand image and standards

Sign Production: Poorly produced signs undermine your business. Ensure signs are produced professionally. It may cost money but generates business.

Sign management: Signs that promote events or offers that are time specific need to be removed as soon as the time period is finished.

Sign Placement: Signs that are positioned where there people congregate or traffic slows are the most effective. Placement is often regulated

Building Signs: Rented premises may have constraints on signs. Check with the owner as to what is allowed before signing a lease.

Labels: Labels are designed to provide information on the product a customer is interested in. Most show price and other product characteristics.

Label Laws: Many food and electrical products must have standard labels. These labels are designed to inform customer choice and protect their well being.

Online / Offline: If a product has a legally required label when sold in a physical shop the same label information must be displayed when it is sold online

Label Quality: Labels on products should be printed and have clear information for the customer. Hand produced labels make a business look  unprofessional

Label Production: Labels for products and displays can be produced simply and cheaply using a PC and any printer. 

Label Printing: Ensure the print on labels is legible.  Customers who are unable to read the labels are 80% less likely to buy the product

Label Language: Use different languages. Labels and signs are a very effective way of helping non English speakers when they are looking to buy a product. 

Attaching Labels: Choose label types that are easy for the customer to remove. Some label glues are not water soluble and can damage some types of product

Remove Labels: Offer to remove labels and other attachments from products when the customer has purchased them.

Use The Net: Provide web links or QR codes on labels for customers with smart phones to finds out additional information on products.

Brand It: All signs and labels should be branded with your business brand. This familiarises customers with and reinforces the brand in their minds.