A-frame signs, a.k.a. sandwich boards, are cost-effective and simple ways to get your message out. Simply set up the sign on your sidewalk or location, and voila! Customers are engaged and invited into your brick-and-mortar store or business. 

However, despite their simplicity in construction, there are a few things to consider to ensure your design is successful and, most importantly, legal. 

That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide. Here, we’ll cover all the top questions on sandwich boards, including their basic definitions, the legalities affecting them, design considerations, and more. So, keep reading to become a sandwich board expert to master your marketing. 

What is an A-Frame Sign? 

An a-frame, more commonly known as a sandwich board, is one of the oldest physical marketing tools around. It describes a portable, double-sided display that gets its name from its distinctive A-shaped structure when viewed from the side. 

Typically, sandwich boards are made from durable materials like plastic, wood, or metal. They feature two flat surfaces hinged at the top that spread apart at the bottom to create a stable, freestanding display. 

Sandwich boards can be used indoors or outdoors to convey any specific message. In fact, they’re highly popular amongst retail stores, restaurants, cafes, and service businesses because they can be easily moved, stored, and often updated with new information. The signs can include interchangeable panels or write on surfaces to update messaging for daily specials or directions. 

Their eye-level height and placement on sidewalks or near entrances naturally draw pedestrian attention, while their weather-resistant construction and ability to fold flat for storage make them a practical choice for businesses of all sizes. 

Design Considerations for Sandwich Boards 

When you’re investing in any long-standing marketing tool, it’s best to put some thought into it before clicking “buy”. So, as you begin to design your sandwich board, here are three key elements to consider. 

Decide on your message or purpose 

When designing an A-Frame sign, determining your core message and purpose is the crucial first step that will guide all your subsequent design decisions. Many common messages will have the purpose or message designed to: 

• Drive foot traffic
• Announce a special offer
• Share daily specials
• Direct customers, i.e., highlighting a cafeteria or bathroom 

Your message needs to be concise and impactful, as pedestrians typically only glance at these signs for a few seconds while passing by. Think carefully about your call-to-action—whether it's "Stop in Today," "Sale Inside," or "Fresh Coffee"—and ensure it aligns with your immediate business goals.

Suppose you plan to use the sign for different purposes throughout the week, such as displaying breakfast specials in the morning and happy hour deals in the afternoon. In that case, you'll want to factor this flexibility into your design approach. 

Remember that effective A-frame signs aren't just about what you say but how you prioritize information—leading with the most attention-grabbing element while keeping secondary details visible but subordinate to your main message.

Consider sizing 

The size of your a-frame sign is another pivotal consideration for effectiveness. The right size of both the sign and its text will ensure your sign is seen from a distance and give customers more time to absorb your message as they approach. 

While larger signs offer more real estate for content and enhanced readability, they must be balanced against practical considerations of sidewalk space and pedestrian flow. An oversized sign that impedes foot traffic can create negative impressions and potentially violate local regulations. 

Conversely, a sign that's too small might go unnoticed or fail to convey essential information effectively. That's why we recommend making size selection your initial decision in the design process—it creates a clear framework for all subsequent choices about fonts, graphics, and content layout. 

The perfect size balances commanding attention and maintaining a welcoming, unobstructed path for passersby.

Select eye-catching graphics 

Adding graphics to your a-frame sign can make the difference between a passerby glancing and engaging with your message. Bold, high-contrast images or icons that align with your brand identity aid in instant recognition and naturally attract the eye to your sign. 

Consider using simple yet compelling graphics that complement rather than compete with your text—a steaming coffee cup for a café, a sleek scissors icon for a salon, or an appetizing burger illustration for a restaurant. However, remember that overly detailed or intricate graphics will be difficult to see from afar. 

Instead, opt for clean, uncomplicated designs that maintain their impact even in challenging lighting or weather conditions. It also helps strategically use white space around your graphics, making them pop even more effectively. At the same time, thoughtful color choices can trigger emotional responses and reinforce your brand's personality. 

Remember that graphics should be proportional to your sign's size and positioned to create a natural flow with your text elements.

Sandwich Board Legalities: What You Need to Know 

Best Practices for Message Success 

As simple in execution and function as sandwich boards may be, they come with a complex list of legalities to brush up on before you throw one out on the sidewalk. To minimize any risk involved with adding a sandwich board to your business, here are the legalities to consider: 

1. Permit Requirements and Costs: Investigate whether your city requires a specific permit for sidewalk signage and what the associated fees are. Some municipalities include sandwich board permissions within general business licenses, while others require separate applications and annual renewals.
2. Placement and Distance Regulations: Research exact measurements for required clearance from curbs, building entrances, and other street fixtures. Cities often specify precise distances your sign must maintain from fire hydrants, bus stops, crosswalks, and other businesses' signs.
3. Size and Design Restrictions: Look into maximum allowable dimensions for height, width, and depth of your sign. Many cities have specific requirements about materials, construction quality, and whether changeable letter boards or chalk surfaces are permitted.
4. Hours of Operation Rules: Understand when signs can be displayed and must be removed. Some areas require signs to be taken in during non-business hours or specific weather conditions, while others allow them to remain outside permanently if properly secured.
5. Insurance Requirements: Check if your city requires additional liability insurance coverage specifically for sidewalk signage, as many municipalities mandate proof of insurance before issuing permits.
6. Historic District Special Rules: If your business is in a historic district or special overlay zone, research any additional design guidelines or restrictions that may apply to exterior signage in these areas.
7. Seasonal Considerations: Understand any special rules about sign placement during winter months, snow removal requirements, or weather-related restrictions that might affect your ability to display the sign.
8. Enforcement and Penalties: Research the consequences of non-compliance, including potential fines, permit revocation procedures, and whether there's a warning system in place before penalties are imposed.
9. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance: Verify local interpretations of ADA requirements for sidewalk clearance and accessibility around sandwich board signs, as these often vary by municipality.
10. Business District-Specific Rules: Look into whether your particular business district or zone has additional or modified regulations compared to the general city code.

Sandwich Boards in Metro Detroit 

Two cities in the Metro Detroit area have specific sandwich board rules and regulations to adhere to. In Detroit, business owners must obtain a permit for sidewalk signs through the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department. 

The city mandates that A-frame signs cannot obstruct pedestrian traffic, requiring a minimum of 5 feet of clear sidewalk space. Signs must be removed during non-business hours and cannot be placed more than 10 feet from the business entrance they advertise.

Ferndale takes a similarly structured but distinct approach to regulating sandwich boards. The city requires business owners to maintain a minimum 6-foot-wide clear path for pedestrians on sidewalks, and signs must be positioned directly adjacent to the building. Ferndale's ordinance specifically limits A-frame signs to a maximum height of 4 feet and a maximum width of 2.5 feet. 

Signs must be weighted or designed to prevent tipping in windy conditions, and businesses are responsible for removing them during inclement weather or when snow removal is necessary.

Both cities emphasize that signs must be professionally crafted and well-maintained, prohibiting handwritten messages on cardboard or similar makeshift materials. 

The Final Word: Sandwich Boards at Sticker Genius 

All in all, sandwich boards are a budget-friendly yet powerful way to get a message across. No matter if you’re trying to direct store traffic, get a special discount advertised, or display your daily specials…a-frame boards can practically tackle it all. 

Of course, it always helps to partner with a reputable printer and sandwich board maker to ensure your project is a smooth, seamless success. For a-frame boards that work, look no further than Sticker Genius. 

Sticker Genius has been in the business since 2009, perfecting their printing process and offering customers exemplary service. All of our products are made in the USA ( just north of Detroit) with fast turnaround and no minimums. 

Do printing and marketing business better with Sticker Genius! Get in touch to learn more today.