Signs and Politics

Even though 2018 is a mid-term election year — without a presidential contest leading the ballot — voters have many important decisions to make in November, and emotions are already riding high. As time goes on, we’ll be seeing more and more campaign signs. Some areas will seem almost littered with them. How can you make your sign stand out? What are some dos and don’t for campaign signage? Allow us to enlighten you:

• Know the rules. Before you start planning to blitz an area with signs, check out the rules and regulations that apply to temporary signage. You may be limited in terms of size as well as where signs can be placed. The last thing you want to do is spend money on a bunch on signs you later learn can’t be used.

• Focus on the concept of less is more. Most people are going to interact with your sign for seconds, especially if they’re passing it in a car. Your intent with campaign signs should be to develop name recognition, not promote specific agendas or positions, so it’s best to keep things simple, i.e., John Smith for City Council.

• Consider consistency. Make sure your signs are easily recognizable by sticking to the same colors and design scheme. Candidate “branding” is important, and the more it’s protected, the better the campaign will look.

• Choose your material wisely. Signs that will live outdoors need to be weatherproof — even in a temperate climate like San Diego’s — or you risk them being damaged or destroyed by the elements. Be sure you select a sturdy material for your sign that can survive wind, rain, and sun, and won’t “wilt” after a short time outside.

• Go professional. There’s nothing wrong with purchasing poster board and making your signs yourself — but if you want to enhance your image with the voting public, it’s best to go pro. We’re obviously biased, but we suggest working with a sign company that can assist you with things like choosing materials and fonts — and produce professional signs that positively reflect the candidate or issue being touted.

Signarama—Kearny Mesa would love to be of assistance. We’ve worked with many candidates to design and produce signs that we hope have helped them get elected. We’ll be delighted to help you, too.