Are you looking for a way to promote your business? If you are, there are countless ways to do so. For instance, if you have the funds, you should consider renting billboard space to reach many people. But the best way to promote your shop—or any restaurant, for that matter—is to get a sandwich board, a.k.a. an A-board sign.
Sandwich boards typically measure 24 × 45 inches and have around 24 × 36 inches of display space. However, the exact measurements of a sandwich board will vary from supplier to supplier.
With all that said, let’s take a closer look at sandwich boards and how they can help promote your business.
What Is a Sandwich Board?
First, let’s go over the basics. What exactly is a sandwich board?
A sandwich board is a type of advertising tool that consists of two placards that are fastened at the top with hinges or straps. Sandwich boards also go by the name “A-frames” or “A-boards” due to the shape of their design when on display.
Traditionally, sandwich boards would be worn by employees, who would slip their heads between the two placards and walk around to promote a business. Sandwich men—the people who would put on the sandwich board—would walk around town or travel by horseback to promote the name or products of a business.
While sandwich men still exist to some extent, sandwich boards are pretty much stagnant advertising boards. Business owners place them in front of their buildings to inform customers of what is available inside the shop.
Sandwich Board Sizes
As I previously stated, sandwich boards can come in a variety of sizes. If you examine the products of 50 suppliers, they might provide you with 50 different sandwich board sizes at different costs.
Based on my research, I’ve compiled the following sandwich board sizes and weights based on the material. That way, you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect when shopping for a sandwich board sign.
| Material | Overall Dimensions (in.) | Display Dimensions (in.) | Weight (lbs.) |
| PVC | 19 × 24 | 18 × 19 | 10 |
| PVC | 24 × 32 | 23 × 25 | 16 |
| Corrugated plastic | 24 × 36 | 23 × 28 | 14 |
| Corrugated plastic | 24 × 18 | 25 × 14.4 | 7 |
| Corrugated plastic | 25 × 45 | 24 × 36 | 18 |
| Corrugated plastic | 25 × 51 | 24 × 41 | 21 |
| Metal | 19 × 30 | 18 × 24 | 20 |
| Metal | 25 × 22 | 24 × 18 | 18 |
| Metal | 31 × 30 | 30 × 24 | 33 |
| Metal | 25 × 45 | 24 × 36 | 38 |
| Metal | 25 × 60 | 24 × 48 | 52 |
| Wood | 25 × 40 | 24 × 32 | 15 |
| Wood | 29 × 55 | 28 × 44 | 20 |
It’s important to note that the weights of the sandwich board signs detailed above are the tare weights. The sign will become heavier when you fill it with sand or water for stability.
Should I Get a Sandwich Board?
That’s entirely up to you. Whichever way you want to promote your business—whether it’s by spending handsomely on renting billboards or purchasing inexpensive, long-lasting sandwich boards—is entirely up to you.
However, you should consider the various benefits of a sandwich board to determine whether or not it’s the right marketing tool for your business. I’ll list some of the benefits of a sandwich board down below:
- Convenience
- Inexpensive
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Large displays
- Replaceable inserts or erasable chalkboards
- Simple to make
- Readily available almost everywhere in the world
- Durable
How Many Sandwich Boards Do I Need?
For the most part, businesses only have one sandwich board per shop. So, if you have two shops running at the same time, then you should consider picking up two sandwich boards to promote your business’ products.
If you want to promote multiple products on a single board, you should choose a larger board. That way, you can fit more words onto the insert or graphics to convey your message without creating a wall of text.
How Do You Use a Sandwich Board?
Sandwich boards are pretty straightforward marketing tools. They consist of two placards that face in opposite directions and, when extended, create an A-shaped frame (hence, the name), to keep it standing upright.
A sandwich board comes with at least two legs per placard. You will notice that sandwich boards are relatively light. That is because their legs are hollow and require filling to add stability and resistance against high-speed gusts of wind.
Before placing your sandwich board outdoors, make sure you fill it up with sand, dry beans, or water—whichever the supplier recommends. However, if you want to place the sandwich board indoors and next to the cashier to promote your products, then you may not need to fill up the legs.
Another important component of a sandwich board is the insert. The insert is the display on which you write or print whatever product or service you want to promote.
Many sandwich boards will allow you to replace the inserts to promote different products. However, there are also sandwich boards that come with blackboard inserts. That way, you can write or draw anything with chalk and wipe it clean to promote another product at another time.
Can You Make Your Own Sandwich Board?
Yes, you can. Simply Handmade has an informative video guide that you can follow to construct a sandwich board using nothing wooden boards and panels.
If you have a 3D printer, you can also use 3D modeling software to print your own sandwich board. However, you might want to consider the cost of printing your own sandwich board, as well as how much time and effort it takes to design one.
As for making sandwich boards you can put on, you should take a look at what Road Less Traveled on YouTube has to say on the matter.
But if you’re like me and don’t possess the handyman skills required to build or print your own sandwich board, you should take a look at what local suppliers have to offer.
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