Introduction
When you picture a carved business sign, your focus often lands on the main panel, the brand name, logo, and core identity that customers recognize from a distance. But just beneath it lies an often overlooked element: the supporting text panel. This lower hanging section, usually connected with chains or brackets, plays a vital role in completing the message your sign delivers.
Whether it displays a street number, opening hours, or a short tagline, the supporting panel gives viewers essential context. It helps guide foot traffic, communicate business personality, and reinforce brand consistency. Getting this part right is about more than filling space; it’s about clarity, design harmony, and customer experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore what supporting text belongs on the main sign, how to decide what’s essential, and how to use your secondary panel effectively for maximum visual impact and function.
Street Numbers, Hours & Taglines: What Supporting Text Belongs on the Main Sign
1. The Purpose of Supporting Text Panels
Supporting text panels, the lower hanging sections on a carved sign, serve as a bridge between form and function. While the main sign creates recognition, the secondary panel provides direction, reassurance, or subtle marketing reinforcement.
Think of it this way: your main panel says who you are, while your lower panel says how and when to find you. The supporting section allows your carved sign to communicate more information without cluttering the primary design. It’s especially useful for businesses located along busy roads, multi-unit complexes, or high-foot-traffic areas where clarity and quick readability are crucial.
The key is balance. Too much text or unnecessary details can dilute your message and overwhelm the eye. The goal is to provide the right amount of context while keeping the overall design cohesive and visually appealing.
2. When to Include Street Numbers
Street numbers are among the most common and practical elements placed on the supporting panel of a carved sign. For standalone locations or businesses on long streets, displaying the address number can make navigation easier and prevent missed visits.
Why it matters:
• Improved wayfinding: Customers and delivery drivers can identify your business faster.
• Professional appearance: A visible address adds a sense of organization and reliability.
• Consistency with online listings: Having your street number on the sign reinforces your physical location and helps match your online NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data for SEO accuracy.
Best practices:
• Keep the number large and bold enough to be read from a distance but not overpowering.
• Use contrasting colors for visibility, especially under varied lighting conditions.
• Avoid ornate or script fonts; clean, legible styles work best.
• Place the number on the lower panel rather than squeezing it into the main sign to preserve the brand’s design clarity.
For businesses like salons, studios, or small retail shops with foot traffic, street numbers make it easier for customers to locate the right entrance or suite.
3. Including Business Hours: Practical or Problematic?
Displaying business hours on a carved sign can be useful, but it’s not always necessary. In some cases, it can even create complications when hours change seasonally or due to holidays.
When it works well:
• For locations with consistent, long-term operating hours such as “Open 7 Days” or “24/7 Service.”
• For restaurants, cafes, or seasonal venues that want to convey their availability upfront.
• For roadside signs where customers may decide to visit spontaneously based on seeing your hours.
When to avoid it:
• If your business hours frequently change.
• If the supporting panel is small or already contains other text like a tagline or number.
• If you have a window or door sign that already displays hours more effectively.
Alternative approach:
Instead of listing full hours, use short phrases such as:
• “Open Daily”
• “Open Late”
• “Now Open”
• “Open Year-Round”
These phrases retain the benefit of communicating availability without requiring frequent updates.
4. Using Taglines to Reinforce Your Brand
A tagline is often the most expressive and creative piece of supporting text. It ties emotion and identity to your carved sign. The lower panel is the perfect place for it, visually distinct from the main name but still part of the overall design.
Good examples include:
• “Fresh and Tasty” for a restaurant
• “Crafted with Care” for an artisan workshop
• “Your Neighborhood Law Firm” for a local business
• “Timeless Design, Modern Quality” for a design studio or sign maker
Why taglines work on supporting panels:
• They enhance memorability by leaving a short, catchy impression.
• They convey personality, telling customers what makes your business unique.
• They balance the layout by giving the lower section meaning and style.
However, the key is restraint. A tagline should be short, ideally two to five words. Anything longer risks becoming illegible or visually cluttered. If you already have other details like street numbers or operating hours, ensure the tagline doesn’t compete for attention.
5. Combining Elements Wisely
The challenge for many business owners is deciding which of these elements to include, the street number, hours, or tagline. Including all three often overwhelms the space. The best carved signs choose one or two supporting details that complement the main text.
Here are a few combinations that work effectively:
A. Street Number + Tagline
Ideal for small shops or restaurants located on a busy street. The number helps with navigation, while the tagline adds brand personality.
Example:
“215 | Fresh and Local”
B. Tagline Only
Perfect when the business name and logo are already recognizable. It adds character without extra visual noise.
Example:
“Smith & Sons Carpentry” (Main Sign)
“Built to Last” (Supporting Panel)
C. Hours + Tagline
Suitable for hospitality businesses where operating time is part of the brand experience such as cafes or late-night venues.
Example:
“Open Late | Taste the Difference”
D. Street Number Only
Simple, functional, and elegant for professional offices or buildings with multiple tenants.
The golden rule: one message per glance. The supporting panel should communicate something useful or memorable instantly, without forcing viewers to read closely.
6. Visual and Material Considerations
Your choice of text isn’t the only factor; design and materials are equally important. A beautifully crafted supporting panel enhances the sign’s depth, structure, and aesthetic unity.
A. Size and Proportion
The panel should be noticeably smaller than the main sign but large enough to hold legible text. A good ratio is around 60 to 70 percent the width of the main panel.
B. Contrast and Color
Use contrast to separate the supporting panel visually while keeping it harmonious. For instance, a dark blue background with gold or white lettering can look premium and readable.
C. Mounting and Balance
Ensure the hanging chains or brackets are sturdy and symmetrical. Uneven mounting or swaying can distract from the professional impression.
D. Materials and Finishes
For carved signs, High-Density Urethane (HDU) or wood can be used for both panels. To tie the design together:
• Use matching paint or gilding accents.
• Add raised lettering or v-carved details for a dimensional look.
• Include a border or trim line to frame the lower panel cleanly.
7. Typography and Readability
Supporting text should be clear even from a distance. While the main sign might use decorative or script fonts, the lower section should favor readability.
Tips for typography:
• Use sans-serif or simple serif fonts.
• Keep character spacing consistent and generous.
• Avoid using more than two font styles across the entire sign.
• Make sure the font size is at least half the height of the main text for visibility.
For example, if “Main Street Café” is in a stylized serif font, the supporting “Open Daily” might be in a crisp, all-caps sans-serif to create hierarchy and balance.
8. Branding and Cohesion
Every carved sign tells a story. The supporting text should fit into that story, reinforcing your tone and customer expectations.
A well-chosen tagline or detail strengthens branding through repetition; customers begin associating that phrase or design style with your business. This is particularly effective for local businesses that rely on community recognition.
Ask yourself:
• Does this secondary text support my main message?
• Is it essential information or decorative clutter?
• Does it match my tone, formal, playful, traditional, or modern?
The most successful carved signs have supporting panels that feel like natural extensions of the main identity.
9. Updating and Maintenance
Supporting panels are often easier to update than the main sign, an advantage worth considering during the design phase. If you anticipate changing your hours or tagline seasonally, discuss options for interchangeable panels or modular designs with your sign maker.
Regular maintenance is equally important:
• Check for fading or peeling paint.
• Ensure chains or mounts remain secure.
• Keep the panel clean and legible; dirt or weather wear can quickly make information unreadable.
This attention to upkeep reinforces professionalism and care, qualities that reflect positively on your brand.
FAQs
Q1: Should every business have a supporting text panel on their carved sign?
Not necessarily. Supporting panels are best when you have essential secondary information to share. If your business name alone communicates everything customers need to know, a single-panel design can be more elegant.
Q2: What size should the text on the lower panel be?
Ideally, the font should be around 50 to 60 percent the size of the main lettering. This ensures it’s readable but doesn’t compete for attention.
Q3: Can I include my website or phone number instead of a tagline?
Yes, but only if your business benefits from immediate contact or online orders. Keep it minimal, one line, no clutter. Example: “Call 555-1234” or “Visit MainStreetBakery.com.”
Q4: How can I ensure the lower panel matches the main sign aesthetically?
Use the same color palette, materials, and trim style. The panels should look like one cohesive piece rather than separate parts.
Q5: What if I need to update my hours often?
Ask your sign maker to design the lower panel with removable inserts or swappable plates. This allows updates without replacing the entire piece.
Q6: Are there local regulations about what text I can display?
Yes. Some municipalities have sign ordinances limiting text size, lighting, or additional hanging panels. Always check with your local sign code before finalizing your design.
Conclusion
The supporting text panel of a carved sign may be smaller than the main face, but its role is significant. It provides the space to share essential details such as street numbers or taglines while adding depth and dimension to your signage design.
A thoughtful approach to what belongs on that panel can transform a simple sign into a fully functional branding tool. The goal is not to say more, but to say what matters most, clearly, beautifully, and in perfect balance with your main identity.
When designed with precision, the lower panel doesn’t just support your sign physically; it supports your brand message every time someone passes by.
Getting high-quality 3D carved signs has never been this easy! We use only the highest quality material and paint finishes available for unmatched elegance and longevity. Check out Carved Signs and our outstanding sign collection. Just pick your style and customize it - we do the rest! Feel free to contact us online or call us at +1 (970)-455-8443.
