Eye-catching and affordable, yard signs are a great choice for many occasions. From congratulating a graduate to advertising a yard sale, they can promote a business or provide clear directions to an event. They are low-cost to print, but able to withstand the elements for short-term use. 

A person driving by must be able to quickly read the sign or understand the message with a passing glance.  If they can’t read it, you won’t get any return on your investment. That’s why design is key when ordering custom yard signs. 

Here are simple design tips to use when placing your next order for custom yard signs.

Basic Design Tips 

Choosing the Right Fonts: While there are lots of fun fonts available, a yard sign isn’t the best place to get creative. Use large, bold fonts that are easy to read from a distance. Avoid overly decorative or script fonts that may be difficult to decipher. Think simple, clean and easy to read.  

Using Contrast: Have you ever seen a sign that just made you squint? While hot pink on a pink background might look good on your bright desktop monitor, it won’t be easy to read once printed. Ensure high contrast between the background and text colors in the design for your custom yard signs to enhance readability. Black on white or white on a bright color often works well. 

Include White Space: The best designs give each element, whether photos or text, room to breathe. Allow for sufficient white space to avoid visual clutter. White space helps the important elements stand out and improves overall readability. 

Keep Your Message Simple: Keep the message concise and to the point. A quick glance should be enough for viewers to understand the purpose of the sign. Avoid including too many details or extra text that customers won’t be able to see clearly.

Types of Yard Signs 

While these basic design principles can be applied to just about any yard sign, the exact details depend on the type of sign you’re creating. For instance, a happy birthday message might include brighter colors and design elements than a sign promoting a business. 

Here are a few common types of yard signs and best practices for each one: 

Graduation Signs: Use the colors and logo associated with the graduate’s school to create a connection to their alma mater. You can also incorporate graduation-themed graphics such as caps, diplomas or academic symbols to give a more celebratory feel. 

Happy Birthday Signs: Keep the main message, such as “Happy Birthday,” in large, easily readable text. With this type of sign, you can get a little more creative with your choice of fonts and colors. Use the birthday person’s favorite color for a personalized touch. 

Yard Sale Signs: For these signs, it’s most important to give clear directions to the location of the sale. Use bold arrows pointing in the direction of the yard sale and display the date and time in a large, easily readable font. 

Political Campaign Signs: Make the candidate’s name the focal point of the sign in bold letters. Next, focus on including a clear and concise campaign message or slogan to catch the eye of potential voters. 

Event Promotion Signs: Like yard sale signs, the most important consideration is to display the date, time and location of the event. You could also include social media icons, a website URL or event hashtags for online promotion and engagement. 

Business Promotion Signs: Center the design around the business’s logo, highlighting key services and products offered.  Keep the text concise, focusing on the most important information to avoid clutter.

Making the Most of Your Custom Yard Signs 

If you’re struggling to create a yard sign design you love, it’s always a good idea to work with a designer before placing your order. At Target Print & Mail, we want to provide you with the best possible product for how you plan to use it. We love working with your developed designs, but we also have a team of in-house designers to bring your ideas to life. Give us a call at (850) 671-6600 to learn more!