Storefront Neon Signs: Custom LED and Glass Signs for Shop Windows and Retail Counters

A storefront neon sign is a custom illuminated sign designed to attract customers, strengthen your branding and make your business stand out from the street. Whether it’s an OPEN sign in the front window, your shop name behind the counter, trading hours on the door or a welcome sign near the entrance, well-designed signage helps create a professional first impression while supporting day-to-day retail operations.

This guide focuses on interior storefront signage for small businesses—including boutiques, florists, gift shops, independent bookshops, homewares stores, vintage retailers and other specialty shops. These signs are designed to be installed inside your shopfront rather than mounted to the outside of the building.

The most popular product in this category remains the classic OPEN sign, which continues to be one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase visibility from the street. Designing signage that remains clear during the day while creating impact after dark is equally important, and we’ll cover both throughout this guide.

Ready to get started? Design your custom storefront sign or browse our complete range of commercial neon signs by application.

The OPEN Sign: A Retail Essential

For many small businesses, an OPEN sign is the first commercial neon sign they ever purchase.

It’s one of the most recognisable retail signs available and remains one of the most effective ways to communicate with passing customers. Walk through almost any shopping strip and you’ll notice illuminated OPEN signs in many storefront windows because they continue to work.

Classic OPEN Signs

The traditional red and blue OPEN sign has been a retail favourite for decades.
Its familiar colours and straightforward typography are immediately recognisable from across the street, making it a reliable choice for almost any type of business.
Although the design is widely used, that’s part of its strength—customers instantly understand what it means.
If your priority is affordability, simplicity and visibility, the classic OPEN sign remains an excellent option.

Branded OPEN Signs

Many boutiques and independent retailers prefer to customise their OPEN sign using their own brand colours and typography.
Rather than looking like a standard retail sign, it becomes part of the overall shop fit-out and complements the rest of the business branding.
For example:

• A boutique clothing store may choose warm white script lettering.
• A stationery shop might use its signature brand colour.
• A homewares store may prefer minimalist typography with neutral tones.

The function remains exactly the same, but the sign feels like an extension of the business rather than a generic display.

OPEN Late & Other Variations

Many retailers also choose wording that reflects their trading hours or customer experience.
Popular options include:

• OPEN LATE
• NOW OPEN
• COME ON IN
• WE’RE OPEN
• OPEN 24 HOURS

These variations work particularly well for convenience stores, late-night retailers, pharmacies and businesses with extended trading hours.
Pre-designed OPEN signs are available alongside fully customised options, giving businesses the flexibility to choose the style that best suits their storefront.

Designing for Day & Night Visibility

Unlike many interior signs, storefront signage needs to perform in two very different lighting conditions.
During the day, your sign competes with natural sunlight and must remain easy to read for people walking past. After dark, it becomes one of the brightest features in the window, helping attract attention from across the street. Several design choices make a noticeable difference.

Colour Selection

Bold colours such as red, blue and warm white remain highly visible during daylight and continue to stand out at night.
Lighter pastel shades can look excellent in shaded shopfronts, although they may appear less visible in direct afternoon sun.
If your storefront receives strong western or northern sun, richer colours generally provide better visibility throughout the day.

Brightness Control

Most LED storefront signs include a remote dimmer.
Increasing brightness during trading hours helps the sign compete with daylight, while reducing brightness after dark creates a softer appearance and minimises glare for pedestrians.
Many retailers prefer this flexibility because it allows the sign to suit changing conditions throughout the day.

Acrylic Backing

The backing material changes the overall appearance of the sign.
Clear acrylic creates a floating effect once illuminated, allowing the lettering to appear almost suspended within the window.
Black or coloured acrylic provides a more defined frame that remains visible whether the sign is switched on or off.
The right choice depends on the style of your shop and the overall look you’re trying to achieve.

Font Selection

Font choice also influences visibility.
Heavier fonts generally remain easier to read from across the street, while thinner script styles work best where customers view the sign from close range.
If the sign serves both as branding and wayfinding, medium-weight lettering often provides the best balance between style and readability.

Window Position

The height of the sign affects who sees it first.
Lower window placement works well for pedestrians walking directly past the shop, while higher placement improves visibility from the opposite side of the street and for passing traffic.
Many retailers combine both approaches by placing the main logo sign higher in the window and positioning the OPEN sign closer to eye level.

Choosing the Right Size for Your Storefront Sign

Selecting the right size is just as important as choosing the design itself. A sign that’s too small can easily disappear within a busy retail environment, while one that’s too large may dominate the window and reduce the visibility of your products.
Most storefront projects fall into four common size categories.

OPEN Signs (18–24 inches wide)

This remains the most popular size for retail OPEN signs.
Ideal for:

• OPEN
• CLOSED
• OPEN LATE
• WE’RE OPEN

This size provides excellent visibility from the street while fitting comfortably within most shopfront windows.

Shop Name & Logo Signs (24–36 inches wide)

This size suits most independent retailers and specialty shops.
Popular applications include:

• Shop names
• Business logos
• Window branding
• Behind-counter feature signs

It creates a strong visual presence without overpowering smaller retail interiors.

Feature Window Displays (36-48 inches wide)

Boutiques and larger specialty retailers often choose oversized feature signs for maximum impact.
They’re particularly popular for:

• Fashion boutiques
• Homewares stores
• Furniture retailers
• Lifestyle brands

A larger feature sign also complements seasonal merchandising and promotional window displays.

Large Interior Branding (48-72 inches wide)

Retailers with larger premises often install oversized branding behind the checkout or on an internal feature wall rather than directly on the window.
These statement pieces help reinforce the brand while creating an attractive backdrop for customer photos and in-store content.
The size of your window or wall should always guide your decision.
A sign can appear much larger during the design stage than it does once surrounded by shelving, displays and merchandise.
If you’re deciding between two sizes, choosing the slightly larger option is often worthwhile—provided it doesn’t obstruct product displays or reduce natural light entering the store.
The goal is to create signage that’s easy to notice while maintaining a balanced, uncluttered shopfront.