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A custom-made yard sign doesnโt have much time to do its job. Someone driving past might see it for a few seconds before theyโre gone. If they have to squint to read it, figure out what it says, or wonder how to reach you, youโve probably lost them.
Thatโs what makes or breaks your yard sign. A sign can look great when you're standing right in front of it and still seem useless from the street. It could be the packed information or the color combination. Or maybe the sign is sitting where no one can actually see it.
These small details make a big difference in how many people stop, visit, call, or simply remember your business.
Take a look at these 10 mistakes before you print your next yard sign. A few simple changes can make your sign much easier to see, read, and act on.
Key Takeaways
- Donโt overload your sign or make it difficult to read;
- Donโt ignore where the sign goes, what itโs made of, or the local rules;
- Donโt forget your contact details, the second side, or basic maintenance.
Including Too Much Text
You tend to get carried away with what you want to put on a yard sign. Business name, services, phone number, website, tagline, special offersโฆ before you know it, thereโs hardly any space left.
People usually donโt have time to read all of that. If your sign is next to a busy road, drivers may only see it for a few seconds. A crowded design makes it harder to spot the important information, especially from a distance. If the sign is not saying what it needs to say, then it has failed.
Start with the one thing you want people to remember. Then add details they need to take the next step, such as ะฐ phone number, website, or even better, a QR code. You can probably omit anything else.
Donโt be afraid of empty spaces. Giving your message more room makes your sign easier to read.
*Check out our guide on how to design effective signs for more tricks and ideas.
Ignoring Color Contrast
Color choices can make or break a yard sign. You might have a great design, but if text blends into the background, people wonโt be able to read it. For example, light gray on white. It may look fine on your computer, but itโs impossible to read from across the street.
This matters even more when your sign is near a road. Drivers donโt have the luxury of stopping to figure out what the sign says. They need to be able to pick up the message almost instantly.
Go for high-contrast colors. Dark text on a light background is a classic for a reason, and the same goes the other way around. If youโre using your brand colors, check that they offer enough contrast before printing them on the sign.
Thereโs also more to color psychology. Red gives a sense of urgency, while blue feels calmer and more trustworthy. Yellow is hard to miss.
*Read our guide to color psychology in signage to know which one to choose for your business.
Choosing Illegible or Too Small Fonts
Not all fonts are made for yard signs. Those pretty script fonts, super-thin letters, and fonts with lots of little details can look nice in a design file, but from the road, they can turn into a blurry mess.
And then thereโs font size. This one gets people all the time. Youโre working on the sign on your laptop, everything looks perfectly readable, and you think that itโs big enough. Then you print the sign and set it up outside, and suddenly that giant headline doesnโt look so giant anymore.
Before you print, take a look at the design from across the room. Better yet, have someone else look at it without telling them what it says. If they have to squint or move closer, go back to the design.
Simplicity is king for a yard sign. Use an easy-to-read font and make the important stuff big enough to see from the street.
Printing with Cheap Materials
Yard signs sit outside in the sun and rain, get blown around in the wind, and sometimes have to deal with snow too. So if the material isnโt up to the challenge, youโll probably start seeing damage sooner than youโd like.
Maybe the colors start fading, the corners curl. The sign bends or gets ripped apart. None of that looks great when the sign is supposed to represent your business.
No need to break the bank here. Corrugated plastic is one of the most common choices for yard signs because itโs lightweight, sturdy, and works well outdoors.
Aluminum is another option if you need something more rigid and long-lasting. It resists rust and holds up well outdoors, making it better for more permanent rather than seasonal signs.
You can also use PVC for yard signage. The smooth, rigid surface gives signs a more polished look and produces crisp, vibrant prints. Itโs a good middle ground when you want more rigidity than corrugated plastic without going all the way to metal.
How long you plan to use the sign matters. A two-day garage sale sign doesnโt need the same material as one advertising your business for the next six months.
Placing The Sign Away From Traffic
Sometimes the sign isnโt the problem. Itโs where you put it.
You spend time getting the design just right, only to place it half-hidden, where drivers donโt actually see it.
Before sticking it in the ground, take a minute to check the spot from the road. Is there any tree, mailbox, or parked car in the way? Move it. Sometimes it faces one direction, even though most of the traffic is coming from the other way.
Corners and intersections are worth considering too. Cars tend to slow down there, so people have a little more time to notice whatโs in front of them.
You can always take a quick drive past it. If you have to look twice to find it, chances are other people will too.
Skipping Contact Information
Great sign, eye-catching design, perfect placement, and then what? If thereโs no phone number, website, or other way to reach you, thatโs where it ends.
Put your phone number, website, or both on the sign. Keep it easy to spot and read.
You donโt need to fill the sign with contact details. Only one clear way to get in touch. Donโt make people search for your business later, because if they have to go home and search for your business to figure out how to reach you, thereโs a good chance they wonโt bother.
Ignoring Local Rules
Before you put your sign out, check that youโre allowed to put it there.
Yard sign rules can differ from one place to another. Your city may have limits on the size of your sign or where you can put it. There may also be rules about how long it can stay up. And if youโre part of a Homeowners Association, they may have their own rules.
It might seem like a minor detail, but the frustration of getting the sign taken down is real. You could also end up with a fine.
Save the trouble and check with your local municipality or HOA before ordering your sign.
Choosing Wrong Sides
Don't forget about the back of the sign.
If cars can pass your sign from both directions, people should be able to read it from both sides. A blank back means your sign isnโt leveraging half its visibility.
No need for a whole different design. Use the same message, colors, and contact details on both sides.
Sharing Negative Messaging
Letโs not use yard signs to yell at people or scare them into calling us.
Calling out competitors, using scare tactics, or leading with words like โDONโTโ or โBEWAREโ can make your business seem aggressive. Thatโs probably not the first impression you want.
Talk about what you do instead. If youโre a roofer, for example, โAffordable Roof Repairsโ says what you offer without putting anyone down.
Keep it friendly, clear, and give people a reason to choose you.
If you need a little help coming up with a message, check out our yard sign ideas.
Ignoring Maintenance
Yard signs can stay outside for years, but that doesnโt mean you can put one up and forget about it. Over time, dust, mud, rain, sun, and strong winds can take their toll.
No need to check the sign every day. Every few months, or after rough weather, would be good. If itโs dirty, a quick wipe with soap and water should do the job. If itโs leaning, damaged, or starting to look torn, it may require a replacement.
With the right care, our yard signs can last more than five years. So no reason to replace one just because itโs been outside for a while. Just keep an eye on it and clean it when needed.
A good yard sign doesnโt have to be complicated. Give people a message they can read quickly, use a material that can handle the weather, and put the sign somewhere people will actually see it. Thatโs already a big part of the job.
You can always take a look at our custom signs and choose the size, material, and style that work for you.
Get the basics right, put it in a good spot, and let the sign do its job.
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