Custom yard signs are one of the most affordable and effective ways to promote a business, event, campaign, or cause. But if you’ve never ordered signs before, the options can feel overwhelming. What size should you choose? Which material holds up outdoors? Do you need one side printed or two? This guide walks through every decision so you can order with confidence.

At PromoteSigns.com, we bring over 70 years of printing experience to every order, working with realtors, contractors, small business owners, schools, and event planners in all 50 states. Here’s what we’ve learned about helping customers get exactly the sign they need.

Why Custom Yard Signs Work

Yard signs remain one of the highest-visibility, lowest-cost advertising tools available to local businesses. Printed on corrugated plastic or poly-coated cardboard with your own message, logo, and colors, they’re lightweight, weather-resistant, and inexpensive to produce. That combination is why you see them working around the clock on lawns, along roadways, at job sites, and in front of businesses: one small investment keeps your name in front of everyone who drives or walks by.

What Sizes Do Custom Yard Signs Come In?

Size is usually the first decision, and it depends on where your sign will be seen and how far away your audience is. Our corrugated plastic signs are available in 12″ x 18″, 18″ x 24″, 24″ x 24″, 24″ x 36″, 24″ x 48″, 32″ x 48″, 48″ x 48″, and 48″ x 96″, with custom sizes available.

Here’s how the most popular sizes are typically used:

12″ x 18″ works well for directional signs, small promotions, and locations where signs sit close to foot traffic.

18″ x 24″ is the most popular yard sign size in America, and for good reason. It’s large enough to be read from passing traffic yet compact enough for lawns, street corners, and job sites. If you’re unsure where to start, start here.

24″ x 36″ and larger formats suit high-traffic intersections, roadside advertising, and construction sites where drivers need to read your message from a distance.

Still not sure? Our free Sign Size Tool helps you match sign dimensions to your viewing distance and location before you order.

Which Sign Material Should You Choose?

The two most common materials for custom yard signs are corrugated plastic and poly-coated cardboard.

Corrugated plastic is a fluted polypropylene material and the most recognized outdoor sign material available. Our corrugated signs are made from durable 4mm plastic rated for 2 to 3 years of outdoor durability, standing up to rain, wind, sun, and snow without constant replacement. This is the go-to choice for business advertising, construction sites, political campaigns, and school or church functions.

Poly-coated signs are made from cup stock: paperboard coated on both sides with a waterproof polyethylene plastic layer. Rated for 3 to 6 months of outdoor durability, they work well for shorter-term promotions, indoor displays, and poster-style signs in sizes like 11″ x 14″, 22″ x 28″, and 28″ x 44″.

For specialty applications like architectural signage, real estate installations, or wall and fence mounting, aluminum and aluminum composite options are also available. Our complete Sign Material Selection Guide compares every material we print on.

Single-Sided or Double-Sided?

If your sign will be viewed from one direction, such as against a building or fence, single-sided printing does the job for less. If your sign will stand where people approach from both directions, like a lawn near a busy street or an intersection, double-sided printing effectively doubles your visibility without buying a second sign. 

What Printing Options Are Available?

Our signs can be screen printed in one or multiple spot colors, or digitally printed in full color with vibrant, eye-catching designs. Custom yard signs are available one- or two-sided, and our corrugated signs are printed with durable UV inks, making them an excellent choice for either indoor or outdoor signage.

How Do You Display a Yard Sign?

Corrugated signs are most commonly displayed in front yards, along roadways, and in front of businesses using sturdy lawn sign stakes, metal frames, or wire stakes, available for purchase separately. We stock a full selection of sign holders in our warehouse, including metal H-frames, U-frames, and D-stakes, ready to ship fast.

H-shaped yard sign holders are the standard option for corrugated signs. Built from 9-gauge galvanized steel in a welded, double-braced construction that resists sway, the stiff metal prongs slide into the flutes of the corrugated plastic, and the frame pushes into the ground. The galvanized steel adds outdoor weatherability for a longer life, and heavy-duty H-shaped holders are also available.

Grommets can be added to your sign for hanging.

Using your sign indoors? We recommend removable adhesive strips or requesting grommet placement for hanging.

How Does the Design Process Work?

You don’t need to be a designer to order a great-looking sign. There are two ways to get your artwork ready:

1. Upload your own design. Our Artwork Guidelines walk you through file formats and specs.
2. Let our team design it. Our in-house design services can create a custom layout for you, usually on the same business day.

Not sure what looks good on a sign? Our Font Gallery and Ink Color Gallery show exactly what’s available, and our Design Layout Tips and Design Color Tips pages walk you through what makes a sign effective.

Ready to Order Your Custom Yard Signs?

Whether you need a handful of signs for an event or hundreds for job sites across town, PromoteSigns.com makes ordering American-made custom yard signs simple. Call us at 888-864-4114, and our team will help you get started.