Political campaign banners are governed by election law as well as design sense. The wrong wording, missing imprint, or breach of council placement rules can mean removal at the worst moment in the campaign.
We have printed for local council candidates, parliamentary by-elections and general election campaigns across south west London. This guide covers what is legally required and what actually performs on a doorstep canvass route.
Every campaign banner must carry an imprint (name and address of the promoter and printer) under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act. 5ft x 3ft is the standard size for garden frontages, 8ft x 4ft for hoardings. Order in batches of 50 to 200 for canvass distribution.
The imprint: legally required, often forgotten
UK election law requires every piece of campaign material to carry an imprint identifying the promoter (the agent or campaign organiser) and the printer. The imprint must include name and address for both. Without it, the banner is non-compliant and risks investigation.
Standard imprint format: Printed by [printer name and address]. Promoted by [agent name and address] on behalf of [candidate name]. We add the printer line for free on every campaign banner we produce.
Local issues outperform national positioning on a community banner. A candidate banner that mentions a specific local concern (the high street, the school, the park, the parking scheme) cuts through better than one repeating the national party line. The doorstep validates this every week of any campaign.
Imprint placement
Bottom edge of the banner, small text (around 1.5cm tall is acceptable), legible at close range. The imprint does not need to be readable from across the road, only readable when approached and inspected.
Sizing for garden frontages and hoardings
Most campaign banners go on residential garden frontages. 5ft x 3ft is the size that fits a typical front garden fence or hedge frontage without overpowering it. 3ft x 2ft is acceptable for smaller front gardens and basement flat railings.
For prominent main road locations where a supporter has offered their fence, 8ft x 4ft makes a statement. Get the householder's written agreement before installation.
Copy that converts undecided voters
Candidate name biggest. Party affiliation (or INDEPENDENT) second. One issue or slogan third. Polling date fourth if within four weeks. That is the hierarchy.
Avoid attacking the opponent on the banner. Negative campaigning on banners reads as desperate. The doorstep is the place for contrast. The banner is the place for identity.
Photo or no photo?
Local candidates benefit from a photo banner because the name means nothing without a face attached. Use a professional headshot, eye contact, neutral background, friendly expression. Avoid the cheesy point at the camera pose.
Without an imprint the banner is non-compliant. We add the printer line for free on every campaign banner.
Placement rules and what councils allow
On private land with the owner's permission, banners are generally permitted during election periods. On council land, lamp posts and railings, most London boroughs prohibit unauthorised political signage and remove it quickly.
Check Returning Officer guidance for your borough early in the campaign. Wandsworth, Westminster and Lambeth all publish election period signage notes.
Campaign banner specs and legal requirements
| Item | Detail | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Imprint | Promoter + printer name and address | Required by law |
| Standard size | 5ft x 3ft | Fits most front gardens |
| Material | 510gsm PVC | Lasts the campaign |
| Batch quantity | 50 to 200 per campaign | Volume pricing applies |
| Removal window | Within 14 days of poll | Build into post-election plan |
Batch printing and distribution logistics
Local campaigns typically order in batches of 50 to 200 banners for distribution to supporters' front gardens. Batch pricing brings the unit cost down significantly. We can quote 100 5ft x 3ft banners at well below standalone unit price.
Plan distribution two weeks before polling day. Earlier risks tired banners by the campaign's peak. Later misses the postal vote window.
Negative campaigning on banners reads as desperate. The banner is for identity, the doorstep is for contrast.
Post-election removal
All campaign banners should come down within a fortnight of polling day, by law in some council areas and by convention everywhere. Build the removal sweep into your post-election plan.
Banners can be rolled, stored, and reused for future campaigns if undated. Print SUPPORT [candidate name] without the polling date and the same banner runs through multiple election cycles.
Coordinating with leaflet and door-knocker collateral
The banner is one piece of a multi-channel campaign. The leaflet, the door-knocker, the social posts and the canvass script all need to feel like one campaign. Use the same colours, same fonts, same key message across every piece.
Build a campaign style guide in the first week. Even a one-page PDF with logo, hex codes, headline font, and three approved slogans saves arguments and inconsistencies as new volunteers join the team.
Ready to Get Your Banner Printed?
We print compliant campaign banners with the imprint built in, batch ordered for canvass distribution. Send us your agent details and printer information and we will quote a full batch within the working day.
Call 020 3669 9854 or WhatsApp +44 7376 464869, or visit Shop 395 Tildesley Road, Putney Heath, with your candidate brief and timing.
Related Banner Services
We Print Banners Across London
From our Putney studio we deliver same day to areas including:
