5 ways to promote social distancing with signs and floor decals

The more you can spread people out, the better the long-term prospects are for remaining open. Creative sign and decal placement informs customers of your store guidelines before entering. When creating your signs, remember to include:

• A social distancing reminder (e.g., stay six feet apart)

• A prompt not to enter if symptomatic

• A request to follow directional ceiling or floor signs

• The space’s occupancy limit

• Approved payment methods (such as not accepting cash)

• Local mask policies

Next, consider where to place your guidelines for maximum exposure. These five sign and floor decal ideas can help promote social distancing guidelines and encourage customers to follow your new policies.

Customers are more likely to follow regulations if they see them before entering, and an A-frame or yard sign in front of your location is an excellent way to display your requirements. When designing a yard sign, remember to:

• Keep your message short and concise

• Use easy-to-read colors

• Make the font large enough to read from a distance

Place a large sign at the entrance that reinforces your social distancing guidelines and provides shopping tips. For example, a prominent banner or poster can call attention to:

• New one-way floor decals

• Handwashing stations and antibacterial wipes

• Special hours for high-risk shoppers

• Limits on specific products or merchandise

• Local mask requirements

Wayfinding ceiling signage is highly visible and helps create customer flows in places like stores and restaurants. They also naturally encourage social distancing and help keep people from gathering in groups in high-traffic areas and pinch points.

Floor signage works in combination with ceiling signs to give customers a visual representation of social distancing. Consider these ideas for using floor decals:

• Floor decal stickers that direct restaurant customers to designated areas for online orders and takeout options

• Custom removable floor decals to mark the flow of traffic and one-way aisles

• Footprint floor decals that show customers where to stand while waiting to checkout

• Custom floor decals that meet the unique needs of your operation, such as
  • Minimizing crowds near restrooms
  • Highlighting curbside pickup
  • Directing customers to a hand sanitizing station

Reiterating the importance of social distancing isn’t just for customers. Floor decals and floor signs also direct traffic in busy stockrooms and keep employees appropriately apart in break areas. Take it a step further with an employee-facing brochure that details your social distancing strategy. Guidelines can include:

If your business was temporarily closed, let people know you’re back with these grand reopening ideas: 

• Hang a grand reopening sign or banner in your window

• Create flyers announcing your grand reopening and new guidelines

• Create a pamphlet highlighting new services or existing services that promote social distancing, such as online ordering, curbside pickup and delivery

• Send a postcard to customers announcing your reopening date and incentivize them with a promotion

Another idea is to cross-promote with another business. For example, a fine wine store and restaurant can team up to create a fancy, at-home experience with a takeout meal paired with an appropriate wine.

The right signage can help your small business implement new guidelines and keep customers safe. Whether your operation needs an eye-catching grand reopening sign or directional floor decals, FedEx design services make it easy to create and print all the marketing materials you need.