Put those classic panel shapes to work
By Bob Behounek
Posted on Sunday, June 13th, 2021
Creating clean readable signage is more than a matter of merely typing out the text and hoping the general public finds time to actually read it. The old-school sign masters from the golden era of sign painting and design used their experience and knowledge of solid design principles to effectively convey the messages.

Geometric shapes that hold text are commonly called panels in the sign advertising trade. These shapes house blocks of text and were traditionally used to help organize the messages and fill out a sign design. These elements can cancel dead space and allow your eye to focus on the product or the sign’s main message.
Bob Behounek has spent over 40 years as a sign artist and pinstriper in the Chicago, Illinois, area.