Signage for Your Business: A Handy Guide

Whether you run a cosy café, a buzzing pub, a beautifully curated shop, or a community space that just needs a little visual love, well-written signage can make all the difference. It’s the first thing people see, the thing that sets the tone, shows off your personality, and (ideally) gets your customers to stop scrolling and start popping in.

I’m Vicky and I do a lot of handwriting, and a lot of chalkboards. This guide is for anyone thinking: “I need signage, but I have no idea where to start.” You’re in the right place.

You can also find my recent work over at @signsbyvicky on Instagram if you want to have a proper nose.

When Should We Book You?

Short answer: as soon as you know you need something doing.

Longer answer: about two weeks’ notice is ideal, more if you can, especially during busier seasons. That said, I don’t need to know exactly what you want written until the day of the job (unless you need a logo tracing, in which case give me a heads-up). I only take on one client per day, so you get me for as long (or as little) as you need.

What Do You Bring?

All the gear. I’ll arrive with pens (white and colourful), everything I need for lettering, and a calm head. I assume your boards are either clean, new or freshly painted, but if they’re not then that’s fine too, just let me know. I’m happy to help with cleaning and painting; I just need to bring the right bits. Need recommendations for chalkboards, paint, or cleaning products? Just ask - I’ve tested more than I’d like to admit.

What’s the Turnaround Time?

If it's for a specific date (like an event, launch or seasonal board), I can block out time and get it done quickly. If you're dropping boards off, turnaround is usually within a week. If I’m coming to you, it’s all done on the day, unless we’ve planned for more.

Do You Offer Retainers?

Yes! If you’d like to refresh your signage regularly, for example every couple of months, I offer retainer slots so your boards stay fresh and seasonal without you having to chase. Just let me know and I’ll pop some info over.

How Far Do You Travel?

Travel within Melton Mowbray is included. For anywhere else, I mostly cover the East Midlands, but I’m always open to going further afield. Travel time and mileage are added to the final invoice so everything’s clear upfront.

Ready to chat?

If you're thinking about updating your signage, or you're just not sure where to begin, pop me a message or head to my signage pages for inspiration.