A-Board and Pavement Sign Ideas for Shopfronts

Why a pavement sign still works

An A-board or pavement sign catches people who are already walking past, which makes it one of the most direct forms of advertising a shopfront business has, provided the message is clear enough to read in the few seconds someone has while walking. Unlike most other advertising, it reaches people at the exact moment they are close enough to actually act on it by walking in.

Keep the message simple

The most common mistake is trying to fit too much onto a pavement sign, a daily special, opening hours, a phone number and a slogan all competing for attention. A single, bold message, today's offer, a simple "Open" statement, or one clear call to action, reads far better from a distance than a crowded design, since someone walking past only has a second or two to take in whatever's on it.

Content ideas that work

Daily or weekly specials work well for cafes and restaurants, since they give people a reason to stop today rather than another day. A simple directional message, "Sale now on" or "Fresh coffee inside", works for retail. For a service business, a single clear statement of what you do, printed larger than any other text, often works better than a list of services. Whatever the message, changing it regularly, even weekly, gives regular passers-by a reason to actually read it again rather than tune it out as familiar background.

Placement and positioning

Where you put the sign matters as much as what's on it. Placed too close to the shop, people have already passed the point where they'd need to decide to stop before they see it; placed too far, it risks getting lost among other signage or street furniture nearby. A spot a few steps before your entrance, angled towards the direction most foot traffic comes from, generally works better than directly outside the door.

Choosing a durable print insert

A pavement sign sits outside all day, every day, so the print insert needs to handle repeated weather exposure without fading or curling. Ask Star Printers about a durable board or laminated insert if yours needs replacing often, we can print inserts to fit most standard A-board frames.

Getting your pavement sign printed

Send us your message and frame size, or ask about our free design service if you need help laying it out. See our pavement sign page, browse all printing services, or contact us.