Clever signage makes a lasting impression on your guests.

February 11, 2025
Filed under: Marketing Strategies, Observations From the Field, This is Cool — @ 10:55 am

If you’re not having fun with your signage, you’re missing a huge opportunity to make a lasting impression on your guests. Why? Because clever signage is unexpected and therefore grabs attention.

I’m not talking about sidewalk chalkboards or temporary menu boards here. I’m talking about permanent signage that does its intended job…but with unexpected humor.

This transforms boring, necessary signage – restrooms, information, directions, rules, etc. – into a marketing tool. It’s an opportunity for you to share a joke, spark a smile, and quite possibly even inspire a social media share. And any brand can have this kind of fun, even a luxury brand. It’s all about being human and approachable.

Need a little inspiration? Here are several examples from around the world.

Seen in a New England church parking lot, this could say “No Parking,” but instead it says…

White sign with red writing that says Church Parking Only, and black writing that says Violators will be Baptized. This is an example of a clever sign that makes a lasting impression on guests.

 

Seen at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, this could simply say “Ice Machine,” but instead it says…

A sign protruding from the wall that says Ice Ice Baby, indicating where the ice machine is located. This is an example of a clever sign that makes a lasting impression on guests.

 

Seen at Hot Dog Tommy’s in Cape May, NJ, this could say “10am to 6pm,” but instead it says…

Orange sign with black writing that says September Hours, Sat-Sun, 9:57am to 6:01pm in black writing. This is an example of a clever sign that makes a lasting impression on guests.

 

Seen at Bennett’s Sandwich Shop in Kennebunk, ME, this could say “No Parking,” but instead it says…

A white sign with green writing that says Don't Block Way Unless You Are Larry Bird. This is an example of clever signage that makes an impression on guests.

 

Seen at the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market in Nova Scotia, this could say “Lamb for Sale,” but instead it says…

A sign with black, white, and green coloring that says Eat More Lamb, 50,000 Coyotes Can't Be Wrong. This is an example of clever signage that makes a lasting impression on guests.

 

Seen during the holidays at toll booths around NYC’s bridges and tunnels, this could say “Don’t Drink & Drive,” but instead it says…

A sign featuring an image of Santa Claus that says He Sees You When You're Drinking, He Knows When You're .08. This is an example of a clever sign that makes a lasting impression on guests.

 

Seen at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, this could simply say “Pardon Our Construction,” but instead it says…

An image of a poster with beach, palm trees, clouds, and blue sky that says You're Already in Paradise, What's a Little Airport Dust? This is an example of clever signage that makes a lasting impression on guests.

 

Seen at Miyahara, a sweet shop in Taichung City, Taiwan, this could just say “Ice Cream,” but in a nod to their building’s legendary origins as an ophthalmology clinic, instead it says…

An image of a white sign with black lettering that is laid out like an eye chart, with big words on top that get progressively smaller as the lines go down the page. It says Eye Scream, U Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream. This is an example of clever signage that makes a lasting impression on guests.

 

And we haven’t even talked about BATHROOM signage, which is a prime opportunity to have fun. Check out these clever bathroom signs for a laugh.

The bottom line is this: why waste an opportunity to forge a positive connection with your guests when all it takes is a little thought, a dash of mischievousness, and a desire to make people smile?

Got some fun, permanent signage at your business? Send me a photo and I’ll squirrel it away for the next blog post about signage!