The 3-second rule: how many words actually fit
Most yard signs fail for one reason: too many words. A driver on a residential street can read roughly one short line and a name before the sign is behind them. Aim for three to seven words in the main message — “Roof Replaced by Peak Roofing” or “Open House Today 1–4.” Then add one supporting element: a phone number, a short web address, or a logo, not all three fighting for space. Skip bullet lists of services, taglines and social handles; nobody can read them at 25 mph and they shrink everything else. A quick test: print the design on letter paper, tape it to a wall, walk 15 feet away and glance at it for three seconds. If you can't repeat the message back, cut words until you can.
Letter height by viewing distance
| Viewing distance | Bare-minimum letter height | Recommended letter height |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft (sidewalk, walking past) | ½ in. | 1 in. — fine for a phone number or web address |
| 25 ft (across a front yard) | 1 in. | 2–3 in. |
| 50 ft (car on a neighborhood street) | 2 in. | 4–5 in. — the sweet spot for a headline |
| 100 ft (car at 30–35 mph) | 4 in. | 8+ in. — too big for much text on 18×24; consider a banner |
Contrast, fonts and color
Contrast does more for readability than size does. The safest combinations are dark on light or light on dark with a big value difference: black on yellow, white on navy, black on white, white on red. Avoid mid-tone pairings like red on green, orange on red or light blue on white — they look fine on a monitor and turn to mush at 50 feet. Use a bold, simple sans-serif font; thin, script and condensed fonts disappear outdoors. Keep at least an inch of empty space around the edges so the sign doesn't feel crowded, and don't put text over a photo — busy backgrounds kill legibility. Brand colors still matter, so use them for a solid background or a bold band, then put the words in the highest-contrast color you have.
Use both sides of a double-sided sign
Every one of our yard signs prints on both sides, because a sign near the road gets seen by traffic going both directions. In most cases, print the same design on both sides so every driver gets the full message. The exception is a sign placed where one direction gets most of the attention — then the second side can carry a variation, such as the phone number bigger or a different offer. Plan the stake placement too: the H-stake slides into the flutes at the bottom edge, so keep critical text a couple of inches above the bottom. If the sign will sit low in grass or behind a curb, push the message toward the top half where it won't get hidden.
Yard sign prices and ordering
Our yard signs are 18×24 coroplast, printed full-color on both sides, with a stake included: $45 for 1, $65 for 2, or $109 for 5 — all-in, shipping included, shipped anywhere in the US. Every order gets a free pro file check and a free digital proof, and nothing is charged until you approve the proof. If we get it wrong, we reprint it. Standard production is 2–4 business days; if an open house or event is coming up fast, rush is a flat add-on — $9 for 2-day press, $19 for next-day press, or $59 for 2-day air shipping. If the design isn't ready, a custom one-piece design is $79, and a file fix or Canva-to-print cleanup is $29.
All-in pricing. Free proof. No checkout surprises.
18×24 double-sided yard signs with stake from $45 — shipping, proof and file check included.
18×24 double-sided yard signs with stake from $45 — shipping, proof and file check included. ⚡ Or build a full kitFrequently asked questions
How many words should a yard sign have?
Aim for three to seven words in the main message, plus one contact element like a phone number or short web address. Drivers only get a few seconds with a sign, and every extra word makes the rest smaller and harder to read.
How big should letters be on a yard sign?
A common rule of thumb is about 1 inch of letter height per 10 feet of viewing distance. On an 18×24 yard sign, a headline of 4–5 inches reads well from a car on a neighborhood street, and phone numbers should be at least 2 inches tall.
What colors are easiest to read on a yard sign?
High-contrast pairs read best outdoors: black on yellow, white on navy, black on white and white on red. Avoid mid-tone combinations like red on green or light blue on white, which blur together at a distance.
Should a yard sign be printed on both sides?
Yes, for any sign facing a road, because traffic comes from both directions. At i Can Print That, every 18×24 yard sign is printed double-sided with a stake included, starting at $45 with shipping included.
How much do custom yard signs cost?
At i Can Print That, 18×24 double-sided coroplast yard signs with a stake are $45 for 1, $65 for 2 and $109 for 5, shipping included. Every order includes a free file check and digital proof, and nothing is charged until the proof is approved.