Excellent for drawing attention to a campaign, product, or promotion, yard signs can be a highly effective advertising method. They are extremely versatile, and many print shops offer fully customizable designs featuring a variety of shapes, sizes, fonts, and colors to choose from. While a well-made yard sign provides an eye-catching visual meant to generate interest in your service or promotion, a poorly made yard sign can produce the opposite effect. If you're looking to generate buzz for your next great cause, find three helpful tips for creating the perfect yard sign below.

How to Design an Eye-Catching Yard Sign

1. Keep Your Message Short

Yard signs are meant to draw attention to a cause or promotion quickly, often at a glance. Because the majority of your audience will see your yard sign as they're driving past it, it is best to keep your message clear and concise, providing only the most relevant information in as few words as possible. Ideally, your yard sign should deliver your message in a maximum of two lines. If you're unable to communicate the pertinent information within these parameters, you may need to choose a different layout or message.

2. Use a Readable Font

A yard sign is only as effective as it is legible. If viewers are unable to read your message, they will quickly lose interest and move on. When designing a yard sign, stick to bold, clear typefaces such as Garamond, Helvetica, or Frutiger. Be sure to choose a font size that is proportionate to the size of your sign and that each letter is easily distinguishable from a distance. To test the readability of your lettering, ask your print shop to print your message in different sizes on a simple piece of paper and view it from various distances. 

3. Include a Call-to-Action

Yard signs are intended to engage viewers, capturing their attention, and steering them toward a specific action. If your yard sign delivers a message without a clear call to action, it is likely that your audience will read your sign and move on without any follow up. To avoid this, be sure to include a clear call to action, such as a phone number or a link to a website where the reader can find more information about your cause.

When you want to design the perfect yard sign for your upcoming promotion, reach out to the professionals at Image Square Print and Graphics in Santa Monica, CA. As a trusted name in graphic design, their full-service print shop will help you create high-end custom advertising materials ranging from yard signs and banners to business cards. Speak with a member of their friendly staff by calling (310) 586-2333, or visit them online to learn more about their services.