We had "Please Do Not Touch" signs at my old job where I was curator.
Everyone ignored them.  We tried different font sizes and different colors.
 They still ignored them. Since groups usually posed the biggest problem,
the docents would explain to the group ahead of time why touching the
artifacts was a no-no.  They would then ask the children to keep an eye on
the adults and make sure they didn't touch anything.  The children were
delighted to have an excuse for turning the tables on the adults and were
very diligent about it.  At the same time, the adults found out how often
they touched things without thinking.  It was a learning process for all.

We also used barriers whenever possible.  However, I once caught a teenage
boy inside the barrier intent on examining every aspect of a 1860s plow.

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