Yard Sign Materials Explained
What each sign material is good at, how long it lasts outside, and which one fits your project.
Read guide · 7 minBusiness signs
Business signs that bring people through the door
From the grand opening to the seasonal sale, temporary signs are some of the cheapest advertising a local business can buy. We'll help you pick the right size and material for how long the sign needs to work.
Short-term promosCorrugated plastic
Long-term outdoorAluminum / ACM
Indoor & windowPVC, foam board, vinyl
The best business signs answer one question for someone driving past: why should I stop? Grand opening, now hiring, 20% off, free estimates. Pick one message, make it huge, and put it where your customers already are.
Match the material to the timeline. A two-week promotion belongs on corrugated plastic. A parking or hours sign that will be outside for years should be aluminum or aluminum composite. Indoor signs and window displays open up lighter options like PVC board and adhesive vinyl.
What your quote covers
- Material and print options matched to how long the sign needs to last
- Pricing at the quantities you're considering
- Stakes, frames or mounting hardware
- Shipping to your address, rolled into one delivered price
- Production and arrival estimate for your deadline
Popular uses
Who orders business signs
Grand openings
Now-open and grand-opening signs to announce you're here.
Now hiring
Recruiting signs that work around the clock at your entrance.
Sales & promotions
Seasonal specials, events and limited-time offers.
Job-site signs
Contractor signs that turn every project into advertising.
Parking & wayfinding
Reserved parking, entrance, pickup and directional signs.
Safety & notices
Wet-paint, construction, private-property and safety notices.
Sizes & specs
Common formats
| How long it needs to last | Good material | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A few days to a few months | Corrugated plastic | Light, waterproof and economical; uses wire stakes |
| A year or more outdoors | Aluminum or aluminum composite | Rigid and weather-resistant; mount to posts or walls |
| Indoors | PVC board or foam board | Clean, flat finish for counters, lobbies and events |
| On glass | Adhesive or perforated vinyl | Window hours, promos and storefront branding |
Need something else? Custom sizes are available from most print partners. Just tell us the dimensions.
Options
Choices to make
- Matching your logo colors and brand fonts
- Pre-drilled holes, grommets or mounting tape
- Step stakes for rocky or hard ground
- Round corners for a finished look
- Matching banners for a coordinated grand opening
- Check local permit rules for permanent business signs
Learn first
Guides for this project
Yard Sign Design Tips
Short words, big letters, strong contrast: the sign-shop rules that make a yard sign readable from a moving car.
Read guide · 7 minWhere you can (and can't) put yard signs
A practical tour of yard sign rules so your signs stay up and out of trouble. General information, not legal advice.
Read guide · 7 minFAQ
Questions, answered
Do I need a permit for a business sign?
Permanent business signs often need a permit, and many towns limit the size, number and time period for temporary signs. Check with your city or county zoning office before you install.
What's the most durable outdoor option?
Aluminum and aluminum composite panels are the usual choice for signs that need to stay outdoors for years. Corrugated plastic is best for short-term messages.
Can you match my logo exactly?
Send your logo as a vector file (AI, EPS, SVG or vector PDF) with your brand colors. If you only have a small image, our design service can redraw it.
Can I get signs and a banner that match?
Yes. Tell us everything you need for the event and we'll quote it together so the colors and layout stay consistent.
Got a sign project? Let's price it out.
Tell us the size, quantity and deadline. We'll come back with material options and one delivered price: printing, hardware and shipping included.