A shop front banner is one of the highest ROI signs your business can have. Done well, it drives footfall for months. Done badly, it's noise no one reads. Here's how to get it right.
Step 1 Decide the Goal
Every banner should have one primary job. Pick one:
- Announce a sale or promo
- Announce opening hours change (Christmas, Bank Holiday)
- Announce a new product/service
- Mark a grand opening (new shop) shop opening banner checklist
- Drive seasonal campaigns (Black Friday, summer sale)
Don't try to do all five at once. Pick one per banner.
Step 2 Choose the Right Size
| Shop Width | Recommended Banner |
|---|---|
| Under 3m (narrow) | 5ft x 2ft landscape |
| 3 4m standard | 5ft x 3ft landscape |
| 4 5m wide | 5ft x 3ft landscape (centred) |
| Over 5m | Tiled 2 x (5ft x 3ft) |
Full sizing guide: banner size guide.
Step 3 Write the Message (Seven Words or Less)
From 30 feet across the pavement, someone has 2 3 seconds. Your message must read in that window. Examples that work:
- "SALE UP TO 50% OFF"
- "NOW OPEN"
- "NEW SEASON IN STORE"
- "CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS DEC 24 26"
- "FREE COFFEE BEFORE 10AM"
What doesn't work: "Please come in and browse our extensive new collection of seasonal accessories" too many words, invisible from the street.
Step 4 Pick Two Colours Max
One background + one headline colour. High contrast: dark on light, or light on dark. Avoid:
- Yellow on white (invisible)
- Red on green (vibrates, unreadable)
- Pastel on pastel (washed out outdoors)
More rules: how to design a banner that gets noticed.
Step 5 Use Bold, Chunky Fonts
Headline fonts that work outdoors at distance: Bebas Neue, Impact, Oswald Bold, Anton, Montserrat ExtraBold. Avoid thin/script fonts for headlines they disappear.
Step 6 Choose the Material
For most London shop fronts: 510 GSM PVC vinyl. Weatherproof, 3 5 year outdoor life.
Exceptions:
- Extremely exposed location (windy side street) → consider mesh
- Indoor window hang only → lighter material fine
More on material: PVC vs vinyl vs mesh.
Step 7 Order and Fix It Up
Brass eyelets in every corner as standard. For a shop front:
- Railings above shop: bungee cord through eyelets
- Brick wall:wall plugs + screw hooks
- Above awning: cable ties to awning frame
- Window (interior): suction cup hooks
Step 8 Plan the Refresh
A shop banner should change at least 3 4 times a year seasonal campaigns, Christmas, January sales, summer. Order 2 3 at a time and rotate them. Bulk discount kicks in from 5+ units (save 5%+ automatically).
Between uses: clean and store properly rolled, not folded.
BPSD Shop Front Service
Walk into our Putney studio with your idea (logo, brand colours, headline). Free artwork setup, same day printing if before midday, standard 510 GSM PVC with brass eyelets.
Starting price for 5ft x 3ft shop banner: £44. See full pricing.
Ring 020 3669 9854 or WhatsApp to get started.