What You Need to Tackle the Yard Sign Opportunity

Daniel Valade, product manager at Roland DGA, held a 10-Minute Shop Talk discussing the various uses for and tools needed to deliver yard signs.

A graduation is the culmination of all of the years of hard work a student has dedicated to their education. Unfortunately, 2020 has proven to be a year like no other, with graduates across the country celebrating their achievements at home due to COVID-19. That's why many families and schools have turned to yard signs to honor their graduates.

Yard signs aren't a new concept, and they certainly aren't going anywhere any time soon, according to Daniel Valade, product manager of digital print and vinyl cutters at Roland DGA. Valade held a 10-Minute Shop Talk discussing various uses for yard signage and the tools printers need if they want to offer the application to customers.

For graduation in particular, Valade said that variable data can be used on yard signs to include a picture of the graduate and their name, or any number of variations.

Although graduation is a common reason to utilize a yard sign, Valade pointed out that there are many year-round needs for this type of application to keep capacity full — advertisements for real estate agents and open houses; state, local, and national elections; and other celebrations, including birthdays, parties, and more.

What Do You Need?

If you aren't already offering this service, Valade explained that there are two processes that can be implemented: direct printing on corrugated plastic using a UV device; or printing on vinyl and transferring it onto the corrugated plastic.

To do this, you will need:

• An Eco-Solvent or UV Printer
• A Working and Cutting Table 
• A Large Squeegee (24˝)

Valade pointed out that there are a variety of board sizes used for outdoor yard signage, but 90% of the signs created are of similar size. “The vast majority of the boards that we see out there that are being used for these temporary signs are 24x18˝," he said.

When it comes to the type of material needed for a vinyl printing workflow, he explained that 3mil calendared vinyl is typically used. It is inexpensive and designed for the short-term.

In regards to lamination of the signs, Valade said there shouldn't be a need for it. “I don’t see any kind of need for lamination for this, we’re not trying to make these last for five years, outdoors in the sun and weather," he noted. Yard signs are typically only used for a few days outside. If a customer would like to bring the sign inside and save it, the ink will last for decades without lamination, he advised.

When it comes to pricing, Valade suggested doing research and finding out what the going rate is in your area. It also depends on what added features you are offering for the signs, such as variable data or unusual shapes.

Are yard signs already part of your product mix? If not, what is holding you back from adding them? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!