Some outdoor signs are built for a single season, while others hold up for years. Aluminum signs last the longest at 3 to 5 years, corrugated plastic signs come in at 2 to 3 years, and poly-coated lawn signs cover short campaigns of 3 to 6 months. Read on to see how each material performs and which one fits your next project.

What Wears Down an Outdoor Sign?

Sunlight, wind, and moisture wear down every outdoor sign, but how quickly that happens depends on the material under your design. Each material in our Sign Material Selection Guide lists its own outdoor durability rating, giving you a clear idea of how long a sign will last before you order.

Ink matters just as much as the board. A faded sign is a sign nobody reads, which is why we print with durable UV inks built to hold their color in the sun.

Wind is the other big test. A sign that bends or flops over stops advertising the moment it hits the grass, and the right sign holder makes all the difference.

Which Outdoor Signs Last the Longest?

Aluminum signs last the longest, followed by corrugated plastic and then poly-coated signs. The gap comes down to what each sign is made of: enamel-coated metal outlasts fluted polypropylene, and both outlast coated paperboard.

How Do Aluminum, Corrugated Plastic and Poly-Coated Signs Compare?

Each material offers something different, and the right choice comes down to what you’re looking for!

Aluminum Signs

Aluminum signs hold up for 3 to 5 years outdoors. They’re made from high-grade 0.040″ aluminum sheeting with gloss white enamel on both sides, which keeps them extremely durable and lightweight. Vanderbilt University’s Printing Services calls sign-grade aluminum rust-proof and weather-resistant, the same material used for street, parking, and directional signs.

Our aluminum signs are a go-to for real estate, either hung from a post or set in the yard, in sizes from 6×24 up to 18×24.

Corrugated Plastic Signs

Corrugated plastic signs last 2 to 3 years outdoors, and they’re the most popular sign material for political lawn signs, school and church functions, business advertising, construction sites, and store advertising.

Our corrugated plastic signs are made from 4mm extruded twin-wall fluted polypropylene, the durable, lightweight material behind brand names like Coroplast® and IntePro®. Coroplast describes its sheets as waterproof, stain-resistant, and ideal for outdoor applications. We print them with sunlight-stable UV inks that keep a crisp, professional look even after extended outdoor exposure. Printing on weather-tough plastic corrugate also helps you skip the cost of replacing signs over and over.

Custom corrugated signs come in sizes from 12×18 up to 48×96, printed on one or two sides in spot color or full color.

Poly-Coated Signs

Choose poly-coated lawn signs for short-term advertising, since they last 3 to 6 months outdoors.

Our custom poly-coated signs are made from cup stock, an 18-point paperboard coated on both sides with waterproof polyethylene plastic. They’re cheaper to print and easy to ship, making them a cheap outdoor advertising option for contractors, realtors, and event organizers.

When a sign has to stay up longer than a few months, step up to corrugated plastic or aluminum.

What’s the Importance of Yard Sign Frames and Holders?

Yard sign frames and holders keep your sign upright and easy to read, while a bent stake leaves your message lying in the grass. We carry a full lineup of sign frames and yard sign holders to match every sign material we print.

For corrugated plastic signs, choose from H-shaped yard sign holders, heavy-duty H-shaped holders, single rider H-frames, and D-stake yard sign holders. Our D-stakes are made of galvanized steel rod stock that resists rust, and they’re designed at the optimal height to stand up to wind without bending.

Aluminum signs mount on single rider H-frames or banjo sign frames, and poly-coated fold-over signs slide onto U-shaped rod sign holders or jumbo U-shaped rod sign frames. Need to hang your sign instead? Request grommet placement when you order.

Which Outdoor Sign Is Right for You?

The right sign comes down to how long it needs to stay up. Real estate signs that move from listing to listing hold up well in aluminum. For construction site signs and contractor yard signs that stay up for the length of a project, pair corrugated plastic with a galvanized D-stake. For open houses, event parking, and political lawn signs ordered by the hundreds, poly-coated signs keep your cost per sign low.

Why Choose Us for Outdoor Signs?

With over 70 years of printing experience, we’ve helped thousands of customers promote their message with high-quality, affordable custom yard signs. Realtors, contractors, small business owners, schools, and event planners across all 50 states count on us to help them get noticed with effective, budget-friendly signage.

Ready for custom yard signs that hold up? Request a quote or call us at 888-864-4114!

Sources:

• Choosing the Right Sign Material, Vanderbilt University Printing Services
• Coroplast® Print, Coroplast