Sandwich Boards And Pavement Signs Buying Guide

Whether you call them A boards, sandwich boards or pavement signs, they all do the same job and can all increase the number of people entering your business.

Outdoor signage is essential if you have great special offers, are set back from the main road or are new to the area and want to make yourself known.

Check out our full Pavement Signs and A Boards category for the full range, or see our guide below to help you choose the best sandwich board signs for your business.

What is a sandwich board sign?

Sandwich board signs are a popular form of outdoor advertising. Sandwich boards, also known as A boards, are two boards connected in a triangular shape that can be folded away. They have two sides so businesses can use them both inside and outside to draw in customers.

They're available in a range of colours, sizes and styles, allowing you to choose from using a printed poster within a snap frame, or a chalkboard. Both the snap frame and chalkboard designs have their benefits, and both can be updated regularly and easily.

Popular sandwich boards

Why do I need a sandwich board?

Reasons to use sandwich board signs in promoting your business include:

• To increase sales.
• To attract new customers.
• To advertise new offers to passersby.
• To drum up trade for a new business.
• To attract attention if your business is set back from the main high street.
• To advertise that you are showing an event in your pub or bar.

A boards are proven to alert both pedestrians and motorists to your business, increase walk-in traffic and make people aware of your appealing deals and offers [1], [2].

Forecourt signs

Is an A board better than a heavy duty pavement sign?

The right pavement sign for you depends on a number of factors. If you're based somewhere particularly windy or with harsh weather conditions, then a water based pavement sign might be the better option for you. These signs are more durable and sturdy than A boards but both offer the same quality of advertising. The advantage of A boards is that they are light and easy to transport and pack away.

How can I protect my poster from the weather?

The best way to make your poster weather resistant is to always print onto a waterproof based paper, such as PVC. This way, your poster will not run or crease should it come into contact with water, whether that be rain or condensation within the frame.

We can print your bespoke designs directly onto our waterproof posters, so you can get everything you need for an outdoor poster display all in one place.

Also, our snap frame style A boards come with UV-resistant anti-glare PVC covers which will protect your graphic from fading in harsh sunlight.

Swing signs

Can I legally place an A board anywhere?

We recommend that you follow these three simple steps to ensure that your A board is not causing any issues or offences:

• Keep your sign in good condition at all times. The council won't approve of untidy, defaced or offensive signs.
• If the weather takes a turn, bring your sign indoors. If the sign blows over and causes an obstruction, you as the owner could be liable for any damage or accidents.
• Make sure the size suits the area. If you're on a narrow street, an A0 size board may not be suitable as it may cause blockages.

How do I make the most out of my sandwich boards?

The most important element of your sign is the clarity. If the message isn't clear instantly, people will lose interest. A boards are in place to catch the foot traffic of passing trade, so your offer, deal or message needs to be able to be understood at a glance. To help with this, you can use bold colours, large fonts and images.

Your sandwich boards need to attract the attention of lots of people. Humour always works well, often encouraging people to stop and take a picture. This isn't always the correct tone for every business, however. If you need a more formal approach, try using striking images.

An obvious but crucial point that's often missed is spelling. A simple spelling mistake will instantly turn people away from your business as it's both careless and unprofessional.

Finally, you want your sign to encourage people to come in or call, so why not say it on your sign? A simple ‘visit now’ or ‘speak to our advisors’ will let people know that you're available and happy to help.

Do you have chalkboards?

Yes, we do have a great range of chalkboard a boards and chalkboard sandwich boards. Write your own promotional messages on chalk board to add a personal touch to your business.

Chalkboard outdoor pavement signs

How do the A boards on the market differ in quality from Clipable A boards?

Some of the cheaper A board models available on the market can be quite flimsy. They're often made from cheap, lightweight metal so they corrode, blow over when it's windy, and don't provide a firm grip on your posters.

Many of our A boards are manufactured in-house and supplied exclusively by the UK POS Clipable brand. They're designed to be a much higher quality than most on the market. They're made from thicker, heavier anodised aluminium so they won't corrode and they're far less likely to blow over when it's windy. The frames are thick and feature extra springs to create a firm grip on posters, and they have sturdy metal back panels rather than flimsy plastic.

You can feel the difference in quality and engineering as soon as you hold one - ours weigh up to 13kg for the largest sizes, compared to just 3kg for some competing models. Yet we sell them in such high volumes that we're also able to offer them at very competitive prices, too.

Clipable sandwich boards

Still unsure which size you need? Read our paper dimensions guide for full details.

References

1. ‘Shopper Investigation: Windows’, POPAI (2021).

2. Cornelius, Natter and Faure, ‘How storefront displays influence retail store image’, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services (2010), Vol. 17, pp. 143-151.