Science of Signage: How To Design A Winning Sign

Did you know drivers only have 3 seconds to read your sign? Learn the 1-to-10 rule and the hidden costs of sign printing.

In any campaign, your yard sign has one job: to be seen and understood in three seconds or less. Most people overcomplicate their design, wasting money on signs that drivers can’t even read. Whether you are running for City Council or Governor, here is the "Science of Signage" to ensure your name sticks.

1. Design for the "3-Second Rule"

Drivers have about 3 seconds to process your sign. To ensure your sign is readable, follow these rules:

• The 1-to-10 Rule: Every 1 inch of letter height provides about 10 feet of readability. To make sure your name is readable for drives, try to maximize your name's font size (letters should be at least 3 inches tall).
  
• Sans Serif Only: Stick to bold, clean fonts (like Helvetica, Arial, or Montserrat). Avoid "script" or "fancy" fonts; they blur at speed. 
• Hierarchy: For a political sign, your NAME is the only thing that truly matters. It should be the largest, boldest element on the sign, taking up at least 60-70% of the visual space. Many candidates make the mistake of making "For City Council" or "Vote for" too large. Voters already assume you are running for something; ensure that when they walk into the voting booth, your name is the one that triggers a "flash of recognition." If your name isn't the biggest thing on the sign, you are wasting your printing budget.

2. Contrast is Key

Your sign isn't sitting in a clean room; it’s fighting for attention against green grass, gray pavement, and brown dirt.

• High Contrast Pairings: Visibility is about contrast. Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background is key (For example: White on Navy, Black on Yellow, or Red on White). Avoid "vibrating" colors like blue on red that are physically painful to read.
• Branding: Keep your colors consistent with your website and flyers. Recognition is built through repetition.

3. The "No-Face" Policy

We generally advise against putting your face on a yard sign for two reasons:

1. The Vandalism Target: Faces are magnets for "permanent marker makeovers."
2. The Budget: Printing a photo requires "Full Color" digital printing, which can double your costs compared to simple 1 or 2-color screen printing.

The Bottom Line: Visibility Equals Viability

If you follow these rules and guidelines, you’ll have a high-performing yard sign that helps drivers remember your name. It’s important to remember that yard signs don’t usually "persuade" undecided voters on policy; instead, they build name recognition and social proof. When a voter sees dozens of your signs throughout their neighborhood, they instinctively assume you are a serious, viable candidate. By keeping your design simple and readable, you ensure that every three-second drive-by is a win for your campaign.

Ready to boost your visibility at events? Check out our Sign Clip sets here to build high-impact sign towers.

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Printing Quick Facts

The Standard Spec: Most yard signs are 24” x 18” printed on 4mm Coroplast, which is the perfect size to use with tower building Sign Clips. This is the industry standard because it’s cost-effective and the "fluted" (corrugated) material allows for easy mounting on simple wire H stakes.

Choosing Your Printing Method

Screen Printing (Best for Bulk)

• Ideal Quantity: Best for large orders of 100+ signs.
• Pricing: High initial setup cost, but the lowest price per unit as you buy more.
• Color Policy: Limited to 1-3 solid colors (no photos or gradients).
• Durability: High. Uses thick, vibrant ink that lasts 3-5 years outdoors.
• Design Note: No "full-bleed." You must have a white border around the edge.

Digital Printing (Best for Detail)

• Ideal Quantity: Best for small batches or "one-offs" (under 50 signs).
• Pricing: No setup fees, but a higher, constant price per unit.
• Color Policy: Unlimited colors - perfect for photos, gradients, and complex logos.
• Durability: Moderate. The ink is thinner and tends to fade faster (usually 2–3 years).
• Design Note: Supports Full-Bleed, meaning you can print color all the way to the very edge.

Pro-Tips for Your Order

• The "White is Free" Rule: In screen printing, white is the color of the board, not an ink color. A blue sign with white text is considered a 1-color print.
• The "Bleed" Limitation: Screen printing requires a "margin of error" to prevent smudging. Design Hack: Don't design a border that goes to the edge for screen prints; the printer will force a white gap anyway, which can make the sign look off-center.