Custom yard signs. They seem to be innocuous little pieces of corrugated plastic nestled on top of wire stakes that say something you want to convey. They’re generally a foot-and-a-half high and two feet long. You think to yourself, How much can I really accomplish in that small amount of space?” Plenty, as it turns out. This article will delve into several topics about the incredible effects customized yard signs can have for you, and the many ways you want to send a message that resonates. Among the upcoming are:
- What to include on a yard sign
- Design options for yard signs
- When to use a yard sign
- How to order yard signs
What to Include on a Custom Yard Sign:
Right out of the gate, we want to address text amounts, as well as color options, that will help have the biggest impact and make the most out of your custom yard sign.
Yard Sign Text-
When you are writing down ideas for the text and its intended message, you might have scratched out a few versions. Honestly, that’s not a bad idea. Oftentimes, people want to put as much information as possible with which they want to broadcast. His likely won’t be a familiar name to you; architect Mies van der Rohe. In 1947, he coined the phrase “less is more” to describe the beautiful simplicity in his buildings. When it comes to text amounts on that little plastic lawn sign of yours, remember what he said. For example, if you’re a realtor, you would be wise to steer clear of a for sale sign that looks like this:
There’s no way in the world someone driving by could recall all that. Simple math here to accentuate the point. Less words = bigger lettering. It makes your sign so much easier to consume and remember. A good idea to mull over would be going image-heavy as opposed to text-heavy. Why?
- 65% of the country’s population say they are visual learners
- 94% of articles with relevant images get more views on average
- 10% of information is recalled three days after hearing it. Adding a picture boosts that number to 65%
Yard Sign Color-
The same with a color scheme holds just as true as it does with too much text. Too many colors can make what you’re trying to do get lost. You might think that five different colors would really catch the eye. Those five colors might draw eyeballs, but the image might evoke a crayon box, a mish-mosh of colors. Check out these two examples to understand color scheme a bit better:
This fictitious restaurant apparently serves amazing burgers. But if their cooks churn your stomach as much as the color scheme burns the retina in this fake sign, they’ll be out of business real soon. There are seven different colors for the eye to deal with. And the colors are too random and chaotic for anyone to want to look at.
And then there’s this.
Ahhhhhh………….
Simple. Peaceful. Just two colors. Fewer colors will help your yard sign, and subsequently your company, to succeed.
That example is for professional purposes. With birthday yard signs for young children, getting away with a whole gamut of colors is probably fine. Children’s eyes widen immensely when they look at bright, bold colors. If you want to create an effect of lightness and fun, putting these colors together works without issue. Just be mindful of when a two-color or full-color yard sign will best suit your intentions and desired result.
Are you muttering, “Well, if I should only use two colors, how will I maximize drawing and holding the eye of potential customers?” That’s understandable. Here’s the answer to that. There are some powerful color combinations that don’t overuse amounts of chroma to get their point across. Here are just a few examples:
*Red on Yellow – Does this image seem a little familiar?
If Superman can save the planet, maybe with this color scheme, you will most likely boost your customer amount and sales without even having to don a cape.
*Red on White – You don’t have to sit in the basement and play video games until 4am to recognize the logo here.
You don’t have to be a gamer to get that red text on a white background could be a game-changer for you.
*White on Green w/a touch of Black – Cup of joe, an account full of dough.
The Seattle coffee company can somehow price their drinks high, yet their customers keep coming back for lattes. Keep that in mind when you’re deciding on a color scheme.
Design Options for Custom Yard Signs:
While it seems the previous section was dedicated to informing you about design options, there’s a bit more to it. That “more” includes yard sign sizes, available materials, and the components with which to hold those custom signs up.
Yard Sign Sizes-
The different sizes of signs we produce will allow for you to fulfill your needs without question. Different needs require different sizes. The most often ordered signage size is 18”H x 24”W. Typically, politicians employ this dimension because it’s what a high percentage of their competitors are running with. This size is certainly large enough to deliver the intended message to people as they pass by. Generally speaking, candidates put their name, the office they’re seeking, and a little flair of design that might involve stars, flag patterns, or a split in color of red and blue to keep all voters engaged.
Pssssssst… for you candidates, here’s something to keep in mind—while the 18×24 size is the most conventional, think about how a different size sign can give viewers a fresh perspective of you compared to your opponents. Another idea– place a larger sized sign next to opponents’ smaller one. It can give off the impression that you are bigger, more powerful, and more popular. It projects a sense that your campaign and candidacy have greater strength. Every vote matters, so every fresh tactic you utilize can earn you more of them.
Another common size for a plastic sign is 12”H x 18”W. This more miniscule yet effective rectangle is acquired by those who are more budget-conscious and who have limited information needed for their yard card. They are ideal if you want to canvas your local city and place massive amounts of them that advertise buying junk cars, fixing computers, or lawn care service.
Next up is the 24” x 24”. The dimensions suggest it’s a square sign, and it is. For those looking to add just a touch more information or an image without breaking the bank, this is a highly viable way to go. For politicians and realtors, they’ll choose this route at times to differentiate themselves from the competition. It does work.
We’ve been dealing with inches, but let’s think bigger, shall we? We have the ability to produce for you a 4’H x 8’W yard sign. While it’s still technically in the category, it is regularly referred to as a highway sign. This behemoth in the sign world is intended to make a big splash for political candidates who have deep pockets. Other locations you couldn’t possibly not see one of these mini billboards are at construction sites, auctions, and in front of commercial buildings.
Lastly, let’s hit shape-cut signs as a size. Not produced in the traditional square or rectangular style, a shape-cut lets you think outside the box. We use a high-tech machine called a CNC router that pinpoints certain angles when creating your custom sign. It presents you with the opportunity to have anything from a head shot to pets and so much more. What it does is allow you to showcase yourself that separates you from the herd. You will stand out and make a lasting impression with a unique looking message in the form of a shape-cut sign.
Yard Sign Materials-
Making the transition from sizes to materials, we’ll run through the three key ingredients that signs are comprised of. They are:
- Corrugated plastic
- Aluminum
- Alumacore
Corrugated plastic is the most often used type of material for custom signs.
The standard corrugated plastic sign runs 4 millimeters in thickness (about 1/6th of an inch thick), but thicker, more heavy-duty versions are available.
It’s economical and extremely versatile. This lightweight yet durable plastic is the consummate substrate for short-term outdoor signage. It is an affordable material that is tenacious against weather elements. These are a few reasons that make corrugated plastic a go-to for customers.
Aluminum is another popular choice of material, especially for realtors. Because this material boasts a smooth, baked-on, high-gloss painted finish, it delivers an elegant, upscale appearance. Like corrugated plastic, aluminum is extremely weather-proof. This material won’t rust, so precipitation of any kind has no negative effects on it.
Aluminum doesn’t succumb to peeling, flaking, fading, or corroding for a full 10 years. It’s lightweight and simultaneously strong, making it about as durable as any yard sign out there. With all the x-factors aluminum has going for it, it is a touch more expensive. But the fact this material grants you a decade-long lifespan makes it well worth the few extra bucks.
Alumacore is the stronger big brother to aluminum. It’s a rigid material consisting of a white high-density, fluted plastic core and two dense sheets of aluminum bonded to it on both sides. Even though there are two strips of aluminum in this sign material, the rigid core keeps it more lightweight than a solid aluminum sign.
Alumacore works wonderfully both indoors and outdoors. You’ll often see this kind of sign exhibited in a man cave, at an annual yard sale, or larger venues like architectural installations. The same as with aluminum, this material won’t rust, and is pretty darn impervious to weather conditions.
Yard Sign Stakes-
You decided to get a whole slew of yard signs. But it might not have occurred to you that they need stakes to hold them up. It’s an easy thing to overlook, yet conceivably a hard thing to figure out what stakes are right for the type of signs you bought. Let’s dive in.
Standard 10”W x 30”H wire H-Stakes are named that because they are configured in the shape of the letter H (but they have two horizontal bars).
They are lightweight, yet also strong. Made in the U.S. out of 9-gauge steel wire, they are zinc-coated to prohibit rust. These stakes are welded at the seams for increased strength. Standard H-Stakes are strong enough to dexterously hold signs as big as 24”x24”.
Half Stakes are exactly what they sound like. They’re half the size of standard H-Stakes…precisely 10”W x 15”H. These stakes save customers plenty of money.
They’re commonly found at intersections. They can support 12” x 18” inch signs, but we suggest you don’t push it by trying to go with a bigger sign. Because half stakes are 50% shorter than the height of a standard H Stake, they end up very close to the ground. Signs on half stakes mostly advertise buying junk cars, lawn service, and fixing computers.
Moving from the lightweight champion half stakes to the big boy; the heavyweight champ of wire stakes. This ultra-strong wire has more than twice the steel and double the weight of a standard H-Stake, weighing in at over three quarters of a pound per.
The way it’s designed adds some extra muscle. The increased clout makes it capable of holding up a bigger sign. Given their brawn, they are also more proficient to deal with harder ground and more inclement weather. If you use a pair of heavy-duty stakes, they’ll have no problem handling a custom yard sign that’s 36 inches wide.
Dropping back down in weight class a bit, but not in quality or capability. There are also fairly frequently used wire stakes that have the dimensions of 10”W x 24”H and 6”W x 24”H. At intersections in urban areas, these smaller stakes hold signs low to the ground that typically promote things like youth soccer registration and cell phone repair. In residential areas, they’ll regularly be holding signs that let people know about a garage or yard sale, or even that there’s an open house around the corner.
A sign rider is a second sign to accompany another, most often smaller. Realtors are the big proponent of rider signs. The signs need to be connected, so enter the rider sign pin.
A rider sign pin is inserted vertically into the flutes (channels) of each sign. This way people can put a little bit more messaging together without purchasing an entirely new larger sign.
When to Use Custom Yard Signs:
The better thought process might be to ask yourself, “When not to use custom yard signs?” Political campaigns employ customized signs. They’re also put into play to celebrate a graduation party, a military homecoming, or a yard sale. Signs are widely used to advertise for business purposes. Let’s start with the business end of things.
Things to Consider When Advertising Using Yard Signs-
Yard signs can be used to market events, services, and products. Here is a simple list of considerations to use when making an outdoor yard sign.
- Cost Per Sign
- Who is my target customer?
- What makes my target customer buy (what message will be most effective)?
- Where do I reach the most target customers?
- Measuring success
Cost
Because so many people drive cars and ride in public transportation in cities all across the U.S., Yard Sign cost per Impression is the lowest of all advertising methods. Yard signs cost less than a tenth of a cent per view, where YouTube and Facebook cost 10 times as much. One hundred $5.00 yard signs can turbocharge sales. Yard signs are often seen over and over (frequency leads to sales).
Target Customer and a Buying Pitch
Each ad should be targeted to a frame of mind. For example, if you sell cookies, award winning, even Blue Ribbon winning, this is something a cookie buyer would try over “Aunt Mildred’s 5 for a $1 cookies. Cookies are a pleasure; make them feel the pleasure will be theirs with a call/email/online click. Consider limited time offers, offer good while supplies last, any call to action that can get a call, visit, or online click now. Don’t ever forget, “A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words.”
Where to Place them
There’s a reason that traffic lights are the most popular place to put out yard signs. If the writing and imagery is large enough to read, your potential customer is more likely to actually think about your message. Real engagement is the key to more sales.
Measuring Success
If you are a new business with few customers, use your regular number. If you are trying to determine, more scientifically, what works and doesn’t, which neighborhoods generate the most calls, then use a dedicated number. Prepaid phones are cheap, and can be call forwarded to any number so, you can track each sale. De-activate them when not using the number. Consider only placing a limited number of signs in one area to start, to see if that area is good for what you sell.
Final word of wisdom from an experienced marketer
Test often. See how well people respond to your message. Sales should be seasonal and reflect the state of mind of your target customer. Do not expect to discover a unique, perfect message on your first try. Get better, evolve your sign program over time. Many a millionaire has been built with yard signs, rarely on the first try. – Tom Tucky
Political Yard Signs-
Moving to the political arena now, and we won’t get into any argument here when it comes to preferred partisan posturing. Let’s just go over some salient points regarding the monstrous benefits a custom lawn sign has when it comes to those seeking office.
If you’re a candidate on the local level and you’re not a household name, it would be wise to delve into advertising options. When you do, you’ll understand how political signs can be the path to eventual victory. They differ from other forms of media outlets in that they’re tangible and lasting. If you have to be nimble with your budget, know that research indicates that each one of your campaign signs will net you 6-10 votes. While that might not sound like a whole lot, if you get just 100 signs, it will yield you upwards of 1,000 more votes. If you recall, George W. Bush beat Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election largely due to his 537 more votes in the state of Florida. If that doesn’t seem like a big number, get this—it’s been reported by the Wall Street Journal that campaign yard signs can be seen by as many as 25,000 people a day. It’s a numbers game plain and simple. You can either sit in office with the use of political signs or watch your opponent take your seat. It hasn’t been two minutes since you read that a picture is worth a thousand words. To revisit its importance, more imagery versus text can significantly aid you in your quest to win an election.
On a personal level, custom yard signage is a great way to ring in an important event. Perfect to celebrate birthdays, honor graduates, or hold a yard sale, the cost of a sign is so minimal and the benefits are so rewarding.
Think of a birthday yard sign as the ultimate yard card. It’s a signal, an announcement that someone is being celebrated on the anniversary of their birth. It’s the starting point, the broadcast about the awesome day that will be filled with cake, presents, and smiles. Filled with color and a message that lets the birthday boy or girl know how much you love them, that corrugated plastic sign allows for so much personalization compared to a simple card bought at the store.
It matters not if the celebrated one is 10, 50, or 100. Birthday yard signs affirm the importance of the day. They shout to the guests, neighbors and people driving by that you recognize how paramount you hold the special occasion to be.
From a birthday to a graduation, this is an event that could be considered even more important. It doesn’t happen every year. It’s not an annual occurrence. It’s the culmination of years of hard work. It has been a chunk of time spent reading, working through equations, tests, and everything that goes into buckling down to cross the finish line. For parents, every graduation their child celebrates marks a special and memorable steppingstone in their academic world.
You plant that celebratory lawn sign into the grass like you’re claiming a piece of land. With it, you let your whole neighborhood know that your kid just graduated from elementary school, middle school, or high school. You are puffing out your chest because of the pride you take in their achievement. It’s a statement. It can even be much more if you want to spice it up with an inspirational quote. Bottom line is that custom signage will let your grad know how proud you are for what they have accomplished.
How to Order Custom Yard Signs:
Not to sound self-serving here. But we do truly believe you should order your custom yard signs with us. Our product is superior, our prices are as extremely competitive as you will find, and the time it takes for you to get signs from us is unparalleled in the industry.
The reason to come to us goes much further than the machines and materials we use. It’s more than the fact that we have over 10 years worth of knowledge. We hold an acronym at Good Guys Signs that is our mantra, our core belief—GMTYT. What does it stand for? Give More Than You Take. It’s not a value system we just say here and there. We live it and breathe it every day.
Our profound belief is that the world could use more givers and less takers. To put this philosophy into our business model, we hold that belief in every part of what we do. If a customer spends x-amount of dollars on signage, we want to give them more than that worth of printed materials, quality, swift work, and advice. We want to absolutely wow our customers with what we provide in those phases and more. To be perfect is a practical impossibility. We work with devotion on constant improvement and growth. We define greatness as, “Excellence Sustained Over Time.” The poster below lives in our production area at our shop. It’s not by accident.
How Quickly You Can Get Yard Signs-
We’ve been at the sign game for over a decade, and we know that the two questions customers want to know first and foremost are:
- How much does a yard sign cost?
- How soon can I get my custom sign?
Let’s get after the second question. The answer in a nutshell is fast. But you deserve more information. Here you go.
Digital Printing and Pickup-
Digital printing is a speedy and efficient process, especially for smaller orders of up to 100 units. You will be able to pick up your digitally printed yard sign in 1-2 days for any printing job of that amount. As a matter of fact, we can have a couple hundred ready for you in that short amount of time. Please note– if you are looking to purchase a larger order of 300 signs or so, our timeline extends…but not by much. Either way, be aware that the production of your signs commences once you approve the artwork our designers put together for you. Another option for you regarding artwork would be you creating it by going to our website and using our design templates or design tool. Even if you don’t feel like you’re all that computer savvy, they are very user-friendly.
Silk Screen Printing and Pickup-
With silk screen, the preparation process is extensively detailed to actually get the sign onto the printer. On the flip side, once it makes it to the printing apparatus, the procedure is decisively quicker than other printing techniques. It’s the prime choice for larger orders, because the prep time is the same for one sign or a thousand of them.
It becomes like a de facto assembly line, and we can crank them out rapidly. Your signs be ready for you in about two to three days. As with digitally printed signs, it will take us just a little more time to deliver orders of 300 signs or so. Again, not much longer. Our staff is always on the ball and in the know as to how busy our shop will be when you call. They’ll be able to let you know the timeframe as to when larger orders will be done and ready for you when you place your order.
In Closing:
If you have made it to this point, we trust you now have the answers you need when it comes to custom yard signs. If there is anything else we can do to prepare you for your order, please reach out to us at (800) 614-8040. Our skilled staff will readily be able to walk you through anything. You can also head to our website at www.goodguyssigns.com. We look forward to working with you and building a long-lasting relationship.
