What Are Projected Signs: A Clear Guide to Meaning, Identification and Use
Updated: Oct 11
Walk down any traditional high street and look up. Above the pavement you will see signs sticking out from the buildings at right angles: a hanging pub sign, a barber’s pole, a slim illuminated panel outside a café. These are projected signs, and they have been helping people find businesses for hundreds of years.
The name causes a bit of confusion, because “projected” can also suggest light projected onto a wall. In the sign industry, though, the term almost always means a sign that projects out from a building. In this guide, we explain what projecting signs are, how to recognise the different types, where they work best and what you need to know before installing one. At The Sign Company UK, we design and install them for shops, bars, restaurants and offices, so we will also share some practical tips from experience.
Key Takeaways
Projected signs stick out from a building at right angles, so they can be seen from along the street.
Common types include blade signs, hanging signs, projecting lightboxes and 3D letter designs.
Size, height and lighting are usually controlled by planning and highways rules, so check before installing.
Understanding Projected Signs
What Does “Projected Sign” Mean?
A projected sign, more commonly called a projecting sign, is mounted on a building so that it sticks out from the wall, usually at 90 degrees. Instead of facing the road like a fascia sign, it faces people walking or driving along the street.
That simple change makes a big difference. A fascia sign is easy to see when you are standing directly opposite, but it becomes almost invisible when you approach from the side. Projecting signs fill that gap, catching the eye of people coming from both directions, often long before they reach your door.
Most are double-sided, so the same message can be read from either way along the pavement.
How to Identify a Projected Sign
You can usually spot one by a few simple features:
It sticks out from the building rather than sitting flat against it.
It is double-sided, with artwork on both faces.
It is mounted above head height, using a bracket, frame or hanging fixings.
It is relatively compact, designed to be read quickly by people passing by.
Light projection signs are quite different. They use a projector, sometimes called a gobo projector, to beam a logo or message onto a wall, floor or pavement. They have no physical sign panel at all, and are mainly used for events, temporary promotions and decorative effects. We cover them briefly later in this guide.
Types of Projected Signs
Blade Signs
Blade signs are slim, flat panels fixed at right angles to the building. They are often made from aluminium composite or painted timber, with printed, cut vinyl or painted graphics. They suit shops, cafés, boutiques and offices that want a clean, simple look.
Traditional Hanging Signs
These hang from a decorative bracket and swing gently beneath it. They are a classic choice for pubs, tea rooms, antique shops and businesses in historic areas, and are often hand-painted or carved for a traditional feel.
Projecting Lightboxes
Projecting lightboxes have LED lighting inside, shining through acrylic or flexible fabric faces. They keep your business visible after dark, which makes them popular with bars, restaurants, takeaways and late-opening shops.
3D and Shaped Designs
For something more distinctive, projecting signs can be cut into custom shapes, such as a logo outline or a product shape, or built with raised 3D lettering on a solid panel.
Materials and Lighting
Common Materials
The right material depends on the look you want, your budget and how exposed the sign will be:
Aluminium and aluminium composite: light, strong and weather-resistant, ideal for modern blade signs and lightbox frames.
Acrylic: used for illuminated faces and raised lettering.
Timber: warm and traditional, perfect for heritage shopfronts and pubs.
Powder-coated or stainless steel: used for brackets and frames, giving strength and a durable finish.
Lighting Options
Illuminated signs usually use LEDs, which are energy efficient, long lasting and easy to dim. You can choose internally lit lightboxes, halo-lit letters that glow onto a backing panel, or external spotlights that shine onto a non-illuminated sign. For outdoor use, all electrical parts should be properly weatherproofed and connected by a qualified electrician.
Dimmers, timers and light sensors are worth considering, because many councils limit how bright illuminated signs can be and when they can be lit.
Benefits and Uses
Why Businesses Choose Them
The biggest benefit is visibility. On busy streets where shopfronts sit side by side, a projecting sign shows people exactly where you are from further away. They are especially helpful for:
Businesses on narrow streets where fascia signs are hard to see.
Upper-floor and basement businesses that need to signal their entrance from street level.
Shops in arcades and side streets where foot traffic flows along the pavement.
Pubs, bars and restaurants that trade into the evening.
They also add character, especially in historic areas where a traditional hanging sign suits the architecture.
Where Light Projection Fits In
Light projection signs have their place too. Businesses use them to project logos onto entrances, highlight events, create seasonal displays or add a playful touch to a shopfront at night. They are quick to set up and easy to change, but they work best in low light and usually complement, rather than replace, a permanent physical sign.
For more ideas, our blogs on Projecting Signs UK and Projecting Shop Signs explore practical examples in more detail.
To explore related topics in more detail, read our blogs on projecting signs UK and projecting shop signs for practical examples and expert insights.
Rules and Regulations
Because they hang over the pavement, projecting signs come with a few extra rules.
Advertisement consent. Many projecting signs need consent from your local planning authority, especially if they are illuminated, larger than usual, on a listed building or in a conservation area. Some smaller non-illuminated signs may fall within deemed consent, but the rules are detailed, so it is always best to check first.
Clearance and projection. A sign over a public footway needs to be high enough for people to walk underneath safely, commonly around 2.6 metres from the ground to the bottom of the sign, and should be set back from the kerb edge. Your local council will confirm the exact requirements.
Highways approval. Because the sign overhangs the public highway, some councils require a licence or written approval from the highways department.
Listed building consent. If your building is listed, you will usually need listed building consent for any new fixings or alterations.
A good sign company will check these points early.
Installation and Maintenance
Projecting signs are exposed to wind from several directions and hang over people’s heads, so secure fixing is essential. Brackets should be fixed into solid masonry or a suitable structure using appropriate anchors, and the size and weight of the sign should be taken into account when choosing the bracket.
Once a sign is installed, regular checks help keep everything safe. Look for loose fixings, corrosion, water getting into illuminated boxes and any damage to the faces. A quick clean with mild soapy water keeps the graphics looking fresh, and periodic electrical checks keep lit signs working reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a projected sign the same as a projecting sign?
Yes. In signage, both terms describe a sign that sticks out from a building at right angles. “Projecting sign” is the more common name.
Do projecting signs need planning permission?
Often, particularly if they are illuminated, on a listed building or in a conservation area. Always check with your local council.
How high should a projecting sign be?
Over a public footway, signs typically need a clearance of around 2.6 metres beneath them, but your council will confirm the exact requirement.
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