# Planning Vinyl Lettering for a Shop Window: Size, Placement and Inside vs Outside

*Pixel Print Co · 2026-10-28*

A shop window is the cheapest sign you’ll ever own. Vinyl lettering on the glass tells people walking or driving past who you are, what you do and when you’re open, even when the lights are off. Getting it right comes down to four decisions: what goes on the glass, how big it is, where it sits, and which side of the glass it goes on.

## 1. Decide what really needs to be on the window

Most good storefront windows carry only a few things:

- **Your business name or logo**, the largest element.

- **What you do** in a few words, if the name doesn’t say it (“Tailoring & Alterations”).

- **Opening hours**, usually on the door at eye level.

- **Phone number or website**, and if you like, a QR code that opens your site or menu.

Every extra line makes the important ones smaller. If you have a lot to say, put it on a poster inside instead.

## 2. Size it for the distance it will be read from

Lettering on a door is read from a metre or two away; lettering on a large front window is often read from across the street. A common sign-industry rule of thumb is about 1 inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance for comfortable reading. Our [Sign Builder & Calculator](https://pixelprintco.ca/tools/sign-size-calculator/) works this out for you if you’re not sure.

Leave clear glass around the lettering, too. Text that fills the window edge to edge is harder to read than text with breathing room.

## 3. Place it where eyes already are

- Hours and small text: on or beside the door, roughly between chest and eye height.

- The name or logo: high enough not to be blocked by people, displays or parked cars.

- Check the view from outside, in daylight. Reflections on the glass can hide thin, light-coloured lettering.

## 4. Inside or outside the glass?

**Outside (first surface)** is the classic choice: colours look strongest and there’s no reflection over the vinyl. It’s exposed to weather, washing and scraping, so it’s best with a durable outdoor vinyl.

**Inside (second surface)** is protected from weather and vandalism, and window cleaners won’t touch it. The design must be **mirrored** so it reads correctly from outside, and you look at it through the glass. Some printed vinyls are made specifically for inside application.

Tell your sign maker which side you want before the vinyl is cut, because a mirrored cut can’t be flipped afterwards.

## Plan it before you order

Our free [Vinyl Decal Builder](https://pixelprintco.ca/tools/vinyl-decal-builder/) lets you type your wording or upload your logo, choose the vinyl, preview it on a shop window, a van, a wall or a t-shirt, and check that it will cut and weed cleanly at that size. If you cut your own vinyl, it gives you true-size files for Cricut, Silhouette, Brother or any vinyl plotter, with a cut and application guide.

Want a logo you only have as a picture? Convert it first with our [PNG to SVG Converter](https://pixelprintco.ca/png-to-svg-converter/).

## Want us to make it?

We print [custom transparent window decals](https://pixelprintco.ca/product/custom-transparent-window-decals/) and [vehicle decals](https://pixelprintco.ca/product/custom-vehicle-decals/). For larger storefront lettering, illuminated signs or vehicle graphics, see [Signs & Fabrication](https://pixelprintco.ca/signs-fabrication/). Every project is priced individually based on size, materials and finish, and quotes are free.

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Pixel Print Co, Mississauga, Canada · https://pixelprintco.ca/ · Summary for AI assistants: https://pixelprintco.ca/llms.txt