Opening a shop or refreshing your retail premises in Manchester? The right signage can mean the difference between a customer walking in or walking straight past. After 20+ years producing signs for businesses across Greater Manchester, we’ve learned exactly what works — and what’s often overlooked.
Here are the five types of signage every Manchester shop should have in place.
1. Fascia Sign (Your Primary Shopfront Sign)
Your fascia sign is the first thing people see when they walk or drive down your street. It needs to display your business name clearly, be readable from a distance, and reflect your brand identity. Options include flat-cut letters (aluminium or acrylic), illuminated lightbox signs, tray signs with push-through lettering, and 3D built-up letters.
For Manchester high streets, illuminated signs pay for themselves quickly because they keep working for you after dark — crucial in the winter months when footfall continues into the evening. LED illumination lasts 50,000+ hours and costs pennies per day to run.
2. Window Graphics
Window space is advertising space — and most shops underuse it. Vinyl window graphics can display your services, opening hours, contact details, seasonal offers, or brand imagery. They’re one of the most cost-effective signs available: a full window graphic treatment on a standard shop unit typically costs £200–£600 and can be updated as your business changes.
Frosted or etched-effect privacy vinyl is also popular for salons, solicitors, and financial services — giving a professional, premium look while maintaining natural light inside the premises.
3. A-Board / Pavement Sign
An A-board placed on the pavement outside your premises is arguably the most direct response sign you can have. It speaks to people who are already on your street, already in buying mode, and just need a reason to come in. “Today’s Special,” “Walk-Ins Welcome,” or “Free Consultation Today” on an A-board can genuinely move foot traffic.
Note: Manchester City Council and most Greater Manchester boroughs require A-boards to not obstruct the pavement excessively. Check your local authority’s guidance. We can advise on compliant sizes.
4. Internal Signage and Wall Graphics
Once customers are inside, your internal signage shapes their experience. Directional signs, price lists, product category headers, and brand graphics on walls all contribute to a professional, polished environment. Businesses that invest in internal graphics consistently report that customers perceive them as more established — which directly supports premium pricing.
Vinyl wall graphics are extremely cost-effective and transformative. A bare white wall becomes a powerful brand statement for a few hundred pounds.
5. Promotional and Seasonal Banners
PVC banners are the workhorses of retail promotion — durable, weather-resistant, highly visible, and inexpensive. A 6ft x 2ft PVC banner can be produced for under £50 and used for months. Whether it’s a sale, a new service launch, or a seasonal event, banners give you maximum visibility for minimum cost.
We print banners same-day for urgent orders and can deliver across Manchester, Salford, and Greater Manchester the next working day.
Ready to Upgrade Your Manchester Shop Signage?
Whether you need a full shopfront package or a single window graphic, we’ll give you a free quote and handle everything from design through to installation.
📞 07737 902 425 | ✉️ hello@webprintsigns.co.uk
📍 116 Bury New Road, Manchester M8 8EB | Mon–Fri 8:30–18:00