Storefront windows are read from three distances: the parking lot, the sidewalk, and an arm’s length away at the door. Each distance wants a different letter size. Here’s how to size your name, hours, services, and logo so the window works at all three.
The Three Read Distances
| Distance | Reader | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 50–100 ft (parking lot, road) | Driving past, parking | Identify the business |
| 10–20 ft (sidewalk) | Walking past | Read services / category |
| 1–3 ft (at the door) | About to enter | Hours, “open/closed”, phone |
One letter size doesn’t satisfy all three. Layered sizes do.
Recommended Letter Sizes
| Element | Height | Read distance |
|---|---|---|
| Business name on main window | 10–18″ | 100–200 ft |
| Service tagline (“Hair Salon”, “Auto Repair”) | 4–6″ | 40–75 ft |
| Phone number on window | 4–6″ | 50–75 ft |
| Hours of operation | 1.5–2.5″ | 5–15 ft |
| “OPEN / CLOSED” indicator | 3–4″ | 20 ft |
| Door push/pull, “Welcome” | 1–2″ | 3 ft |
| License, certifications, fine print | 0.5–1″ | 2 ft (for closer reading) |
Layout Templates That Work
Single-storefront retail (clothing, restaurant, salon)
- Centered or upper-third: Business name 12″ tall
- Below name: Tagline 5″ tall
- Lower corner: Hours of operation 2″ tall
- Door: “Open”/”Closed” 3″ + push/pull 1.5″
Service business (auto, repair, contractors)
- Top of window: Business name 10–14″
- Below: Service list, 4–5″ each, three services max
- Lower-right: Phone 6″
- Door: License number 1–1.5″
Professional office (legal, accounting, real estate)
- Subtle business name 8–10″ with logo
- Tagline / “Established 1985″ 2–3”
- Hours / by-appointment 2″
- Restraint is on-brand — less is more
Window with frosted privacy band
- Frosted band 4–6 ft above floor (privacy + ADA visibility)
- Logo or wordmark cut from clear vinyl in the frosted band
- Smaller name above frost line
Hours of Operation Specifically
Hours are the single most-asked storefront question. Place them where customers look:
- Door — eye level (5–5.5 ft from ground), 1.5–2.5″ letters
- Window adjacent to door — same eye level, slightly larger
- Format: list days vertically, hours right-justified for easy scanning
- Use the same font as your name for consistency
- Update annually if hours change — outdated hours frustrate customers
ADA & Egress Visibility
Glass doors and large window expanses can be a hazard if they appear invisible. Many municipalities adopt ANSI Z97.1 or local building codes requiring visibility markings:
- Markings on glass doors at 40–60 inches above the floor
- Visible from both sides
- “At minimum a horizontal element 1.5 inches wide” in many codes
- Etched, frosted, or vinyl all qualify
Decorative window decals satisfy this requirement — bonus that they double as branding.
Vinyl Choice for Windows
- Glossy or matte cut vinyl — standard choice; long-lasting on glass; easy to remove
- Frosted vinyl — privacy + ADA marker
- Etched-glass vinyl — same look as sandblasted glass; far cheaper
- Perforated window film — for full-coverage graphics; readable from outside, see-through from inside (great for storefront wraps)
- Avoid reflective on storefronts — mirrors the parking lot back, looks cheap
FAQ
How big should “OPEN” be?
3–4 inches. Customers driving by need to see it from 20 feet at minimum. Smaller looks like an afterthought.
Inside or outside of the glass?
Outside-applied is brighter and more legible. Inside-applied (reverse-cut) is protected from weather and graffiti. Pick based on environment — high-traffic urban storefronts often go inside.
Will window vinyl damage the glass?
No — vinyl peels off cleanly when removed properly. Adhesive residue cleans up with Goo Gone. The glass is undamaged.
Can I include my logo and the business name?
Yes — logo above the name, or to the left of the name. Ensure they read together as one unit, not two competing elements.
