- Make it concise and punchy
- You have a few seconds at most to get your message out there.
- Make it bold!
- Your sign may be easy to read as you create it, but imagine driving by and trying to see the content.
- Block and Bubble letters are good options if you can't pick a bold font.
- Making every line of every letter "double-wide" is an easy way to bold your text.
- Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
- There's a large amount of free cardboard laying around. Use it.
- Get miss-tint paint at a discount from local small businesses.
- Use your local library for flyer printouts
- They're fairly cheap and you get to support the library!
- Consider the weather! Cardboard can disintegrate when wet.
- If you're hosting an action that will get wet, consider using a repurposed political sign or non-water soluble markings.
- Plastic bags/wrap can be used, but it may add glare so test it first.
- Make it big, but not too big!
- People need to see you, but you have to be able to manage what you're doing and stay safe.
- Contrasting colors
- People driving by will see a stark contrast much better. Make sure your message stands out!
- Don't get complicated
- Actions are mercurial and the signage does not need to last.
- It just needs to make a statement in the moment.
- Plastic/Glossy surfaces like political signs can be difficult to get paint/ink to adhere.
- Sand it first! Sand it with some medium grit (~100-200) sandpaper, dust it off then paint it!
- Priming the sanded surface will help cover the previous design too.
- Want your signs to last?
- Make sure you prime your surface before painting the message.
- Want it to last longer? Seal it with matte finish for long-lasting agitprop!
- Worried about letter spacing (kerning)?
- You can lightly write you letters in chalk to get the layout correct. If you run out of room, dust the chalk and start over
- Pencil works too, but I find it leaves indents and can be harder to erase.
- Proper spacing will make your sign easier to read, which means your message is being heard!
- Stencils!
- Making many signs with the same messaging can be time-consuming. Make a stencil to speed things up!
- Stencils help keep letters and messaging consistent. Pre-cut a phrase stencil for others to make prints with.
- Using a stencil can also help someone who is not confident feel better about making a sign!
- Consider the Wind
- Large carboard flats are hard to hold up in windy conditions. Reduce the size of the sign to something reasonable for your message.
- Cut "V"s into the fabric of a banner to allow wind to pass through it. Do cut too many so that the sign becomes illegible.
