AI prompts for sign, vehicle and window concepts
Copy-ready ChatGPT prompts for quick client concepts.
What this is for
When a client has no direction, a few AI concepts in a minute beats a designer spending hours on something they might not go with. Paste one of these into ChatGPT, swap anything in [brackets] for the job, and use what comes back to pick a direction. Your designer still draws the final.
Before you start
- A ChatGPT account. On a business account your client photos and details are not used to train it.
- The real size and the exact wording for the job.
Step by step
- 1
Open ChatGPT, paste the prompt for the job, attach a photo if you have one, and ask for 3 or 4 options at a time.
- 2
Shopfront or fascia sign: Design 4 concept options for a shopfront fascia sign for [business name], a [type of business] in a regional country town. Sign size [6000 x 900mm]. Colours [black and timber]. Style [modern and clean]. Show each one front-on, flat, with the wording "[exact wording]" spelt exactly as written. Plain background, no extra text.
- 3
Sign on the client's photo: Here is a photo of the client's shopfront. Put a new fascia sign for [business name] across the [awning / top of the window], [colours], [style]. Keep the building exactly as it is, only add the sign. Wording must read "[exact wording]".
- 4
Vehicle wrap or graphics: Design 3 [full wrap / half wrap / door and tailgate graphics] concepts for a [year make model, colour] for [business name], a [trade]. Logo colours [colours]. Include the phone number [number] and website [website] large enough to read from 20 metres. Show the driver's side and the back.
- 5
Vehicle on the client's photo: Here is a photo of the client's [vehicle]. Apply [concept 2 from above] to this exact vehicle, keeping the windows, wheels and badges as they are.
- 6
Window graphics: Design window graphics for [business name] on a shopfront with [2] windows each [2000 x 2200mm]. I want [frosted band at 1500mm high with the logo cut out / full print one-way vision / opening hours and services in cut vinyl]. Keep the bottom third clear so people can see in.
- 7
Pylon or site sign: Design 3 concepts for a double sided pylon sign [3000mm high x 1200mm wide] for [business name] on a highway frontage. [Lit / not lit]. Must be readable from a car at 80 km/h, so big text, maximum 6 words.
- 8
Corflute or banner: Design a [600 x 900mm corflute / 3000 x 1000mm mesh banner] for [business], message "[wording]". Bold, high contrast, readable from across the road. Give me 4 layouts.
- 9
When the client has no idea: I'm a sign shop. My client is [business name], a [type of business] in [town]. Their customers are [who]. Give me 5 different style directions for their signage (name each one, describe colours, fonts and feel in two lines), then draw the 2 you think suit them best.
- 10
Like one? Say "keep this one, change only [the colour / the font]". Starting fresh makes it wander off.
Note: Mark anything you send the client as "Concept only, final artwork by [your shop]".
- 11
Turn the chosen concept into a vector (Vectoris.ai or similar), then your designer tidies it up for the final artwork.
Tips & gotchas
- Always put the exact wording in quotes and say "spelt exactly as written". It still slips, so check every letter and number.
- Give it the real size so the proportions are right and the concept actually fits the job.
- AI makes a picture, not a vector. Have someone check any auto trace before it goes to the cutter or router: too many points, rough curves and text that isn't a real font slow down weeding and cutting.
- Keep logos with your designers. AI can land close to someone else's mark, and a logo it made is hard to protect.
- Midjourney makes prettier pictures but is weak on lettering. Photoshop generative fill (Adobe Firefly) is good for putting a concept onto a photo.